SPF & Makeup: How They Can Affect Sensitive or Hormonal SkinUpdated 21 days ago

Hormonal and menopausal skin is thinner, more reactive, and can be easily overwhelmed by certain textures and ingredients, especially in SPF and foundation. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand what might be happening:

1. Mineral SPFs (zinc-based) can cling, dry and irritate reactive skin

These SPFs are gentle and safe, but they can:

• sit heavily on the surface

• cling to dry or irritated areas (especially around the nose and chin)

• exaggerate redness

• feel tight or drying on menopausal skin

If your nose is already irritated or inflamed, mineral SPF can make it look much worse.

2. Heavy or long-wear foundations can trap heat and cause congestion

Heavier foundations, especially those designed to last all day, usually contain:

• high silicone content

• occlusive textures

• film-formers that can trap heat

On hormonal or barrier-compromised skin, this can lead to:

• isolated inflamed bumps

• redness

• pilling

• skin feeling “overwhelmed”

This often looks like “purging,” but it’s actually irritation from layering.

3. What tends to work better for sensitive or menopausal skin

Skin at this stage usually prefers:

• lightweight bases

• breathable textures

• non-occlusive formulas

• hydrating tints rather than full-coverage foundations

• SPF that feels like skincare (not chalky or heavy)

These reduce heat, reduce congestion, and support the barrier rather than fighting against it.

4. How our LUMINA SPF30 behaves differently

LUMINA uses modern EU chemical filters that are:

• lightweight

• non-drying

• breathable

• designed not to cling to dry patches

• comfortable for menopausal and reactive skin

It doesn’t trap heat or cause the chalkiness that some mineral SPFs can create, and it sits smoothly under makeup.

For many women, this reduces redness and makes makeup easier to apply without irritation.

5. If your skin is currently reacting

A simple 5–7 day reset usually helps:

Morning:

• UNDRESS cleanser

• GLISTEN

• LUMINA SPF

Evening:

• UNDRESS cleanser

• DRENCH

• A very light layer of INFUSE or ABSORB only if skin feels dry

Avoid TRANSFORM temporarily, and avoid heavy, long-wear foundations during the reset.

If you’d like personalised guidance, feel free to reply with what type of SPF and makeup you’re using (mineral, chemical, long-wear, full coverage, lightweight, etc.). We’re always happy to look at everything with you and help you build a routine that supports your skin.

We’re here to help your skin feel calm and supported again 💛