Flakey Foundation: Solving Your Most Common Winter Makeup Woes

There is nothing worse than spending half your morning carefully applying makeup only to have it immediately begin to flake. So, what’s the deal? Why does foundation become patchy and flakey, and more importantly, what can you do to stop it from happening?

A dry, cracked foundation has little to do with the foundation you’re using and everything to do with your application. And the good news is that you can order all the beauty products you need to remedy this situation online.

Here is what everyone should be adding to their online beauty products cart to help to avoid the dreaded foundation flake.

A Gentle Facial Cleanser

Your skin needs to retain a certain amount of oil to help preserve moisture. It is essential to steer clear of harsh cleansers that strip the skin of all its natural oil during the winter. Instead, opt for a hydrating face wash or gentle cleanser and your skin will thank you.

A Good Quality Exfoliant

Unfortunately, there is no amount of moisturizer or serum application that can save your face from weather-related dryness and dead skin. Swap out your facial cleaners for good quality and gentle exfoliant containing a mild glycolic or lactic acid three to four times a week. This will help buff away the dead skin leaving your face feeling fresh and ready for the day.

An Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizer

There is no room in the winter for your favourite lightweight summer moisturizer. When the temperature drops you need to break out the heavy artillery. The key here is to choose a thicker, hydrating moisturizing cream that contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid which also absorbs quickly. Heavier creams that sit on top of the skin are suitable for overnight but in the morning you need something that absorbs up fast before applying makeup.

A Primer

A good foundation starts with a strong base, and when it comes to preventing face flakes, that base is a good primer. Not only will a hydrating primer help you avoid makeup cracks but it will also give you a smoother, more even, and longer-lasting finish.

Pro tip: primers are not only useful in the winter as you can use them all year round for a flawless finish.

The Right Foundation

While your foundation may not be the sole cause of a flakey makeup application but using the wrong type isn’t helping the situation. Thick heavy foundations simply don’t work well on most skin types. There are much better ways to hide and conceal skin imperfections without caking on a heavy layer of makeup.

Instead, shop beauty products online for lightweight formulas. Most of these will be either water-based or silicone. If you have very dry skin and are comfortable with the application, you can still find lighter-weight oil-based foundations.

If you are using a primer, don’t forget to choose a primer that pairs with the type of foundation you’re wearing otherwise you may see the separation of the foundation.

Concealer

If you have areas that need more coverage, try pairing a lighter foundation with a full coverage concealer. This will help you eliminate the cake flake without sacrificing a flawless finish.