Let’s skip a few types of foundation, and move straight to mineral foundation, as dangers introduced by other types of makeup are more or less known and accepted. After all, it is mineral foundation that is gaining more and more popularity these days, thus deserving more attention.
Let’s not talk about potential dangers it may have. After all, dangers are not fully scientifically proven, and all those sufferers and complainers should not count. Let’s not talk about inhaled nanoparticles believed to cause cancers and other disorders; hopefully, your foundation does not contain nanoparticles. Let’s not talk about mineral foundation being defined as having partial mineral content; thus, any foundation may be considered mineral indeed, by definition. Let’s not talk about minerals being so natural because they are natural ingredients from very earth itself; and who cares that they were synthesized in a lab? After all, perhaps some of the ingredients before being processed did indeed originate in the earth; where else would they come from – from air? (Have you heard about mining zinc oxide or titanium dioxide? Neither have I.) Let’s not talk about cosmetics companies adding back the ingredients they omitted when they first introduced mineral cosmetic lines. Let’s not talk about the terms natural and hypoallergenic, as they are not regulated by FDA, and as such are meaningless. Let’s not talk about mineral makeup clogging up pores, thus causing acne, pimples, and infections, leading to more skin problems. After all, it is an ongoing argument, and no side has celebrated full victory yet.
No, let’s talk about something else. Let’s talk common sense.
Why are you are covering your skin with the foundation? To cover up the flaws, either color or structural flaws. You are hiding your skin in a stuffed dark room, with no windows and no air. How do you think it feels? Well, perhaps just like how you would feel locked up in such a space. No, not for an hour or two. For quite a few years, the years you are planning to use the foundation daily. Have you seen anybody who discontinued? (FA stands for “foundation anonymous”!) But this is again subjective; we have no scientific evidence for such a comparison. For some strange reason, there is no wealthy company that would be interested to validate such a comparison by sponsoring extensive double blind study.
Let’s consider another angle. What are you covering up with the foundation? Problems. You prefer to cover up problems as it is not worth trying to fix them up. Why not correct the problems instead of hiding them? Do you really think that damaged unattractive yet covered up skin is in any way better than wholesome attractive skin treated just right, healthy and toned, naturally glowing? Are you aware of any other area in life where covering up a problem is more preferable in comparison with correcting a problem?
Let’s introduce three areas in The Skin Art:
- Cover Up Skin Care
- Corrective Skin Care
- Beautiful Skin Care
Cover Up Skin Care is cosmetics. Flaws are covered up, problems are hidden. It is “counterfeit” beauty. Aside scientific studies, do you really believe that problems would decrease just by hiding them, or at least remain the same without getting worse?
Corrective Skin Care targets correction, repair. Problems are fixed.
Beautiful Skin Care targets beautifying the skin itself, not by hiding and covering up imperfections, but by perfecting the skin after it has been corrected. Anybody interested in genuine beauty?
Now look at all three and choose. Which one looks more attractive to you? Which one you really prefer? Hiding a source of your sadness or transforming it into a source of joy?
This does not mean that one area of skin care is better than the other, even though you may have perceived it this way from our explanation. We only want to point out that there are three distinct areas, and each area has its own view on a problem, and its own instruments and solutions. What is very important for you is that you should be aware of the distinction, and this very awareness will make your search for products and services more intelligent, more targeted. When you encounter a company or a professional whose products or services you are considering to use, do not take the promises on a surface level, go a little deeper. Using this distinction classify what’s behind the promises. If it is covering up – do you really want to just cover up a problem? Well, at times it makes a lot of sense, it is not intrinsically wrong. If it is corrective – are you interested in correction? And if yes – is correction all you want to accomplish? If it is beautifying – does it make sense to beautify if you have a problem that needs a correction?
So to summarize the main lesson is as follows.
There are three concepts in skin care: cover up, correct, beautify. Be aware of which of the three you are targeting, and when you find something go deeper and realize which of the three are really offered to you. This will help you to search better, and to be able to evaluate your options better.