I have been using and experimenting with makeup since high school and was buying drugstore cosmetics at Longs Drugs! Since then, I have dabbled with many cosmetic brands, from expensive department store to drugstore products. My love of serum foundations started with the drugstore brand, e.l.f., with their Beautifully Bare Serum Foundation. I thought I had found my perfect foundation match, but nothing lasts forever! I knew the party was over when Amazon informed me that e.l.f. Beautifully Bare was no longer available for subscription fulfillment. After a quick Google search, I discovered e.l.f. had discontinued their Beautifully Bare line in favor of the Camo line. I did try their Camo line but found it to be a heavy foundation and not moisturizing enough for my mature, dry skin.
The Hunt for a New Serum Foundation
My search began with drugstore brands and then expanded when I failed to find a product that I was satisfied with. I tried numerous brands, including Neutrogena, The Ordinary, Flower Beauty, and Tula, before settling on Ilia.
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What are the ingredients of a great moisturizing serum foundation?
Research before buying is always a good idea. The makings of a great moisturizing serum contain a combination of rich humectants and emollients. Humectants can be used on all skin types but are most effective on dry skin. Emollients soften, smooth, increase moisture levels, and protect the skin.
Examples of humectants include but are not limited to the list below.
- Hyaluronic Acid
- glycerin
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids
- Peptides
- Ceramides
On the other hand, emollients, by definition, are an oily consistency and include but are not limited to the list below.
- Fatty Acids
- Ceramides
- Plant Oils
All skin types can benefit from emollients, even those with oily skin. However, the ingredient list lines up differently. Those with oily skin are better off using products with non-comedogenic emollients, including plant oils, jojoba oil, safflower oil, and squalane.
Why I prefer serum foundations over all the rest!
Even though they are considered a full coverage foundation, foundation serums are thinner than BB, CC, or Tinted Moisturizers. And the consistency in serum foundations makes them easier to build the desired coverage, without layering an inch of makeup! I find the formula of serum foundations more natural looking than other forms of foundation I have tried.
Why I went with Ilia SuperSerum Skin Tint
Why I chose Ilia as my serum foundation replacement
My main skin concerns are uneven skin tone. My skin is fair with freckles, and even though I wasn’t a sun worshipper, I still have a fair amount of sun damage. I needed a foundation to blur the age spots into the freckles and create a smooth canvas over my actinic keratosis spots! The Ilia skin tint worked like a dream, and the concealer is just as good. It contains a few of the superstar ingredients above and is one to consider if you have mature, dry skin.
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Thanks for reading the post; My love of Serum Foundations!
Please post a comment and let everyone know what cosmetic or skincare products you love!
Namaste, Beth
Where do you purchase the Ilia products? Looking for best price. Thank you!
Ilia is available on Amazon, in fact that is where I stumbled on to it! You can probably buy it direct though on https://iliabeauty.com/.