MAKE-UP PRIMERS

Q. I’ve recently started to use a primer by bareMinerals.  I love the effect and the way it allows foundation to glide on more easily…. But I’ve started to have tiny dry and spotty patches …. Is this a coincidence – should I stop using the primer? Can your skin still breathe through the primer or is it ‘sealing’ up the pores?
 

A. The main ingredient in bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer,

is a chemical called cyclopentasiloxane (CPS), a type of silicon, which is very commonly used in skin and hair products.  According to bareMinerals, there is no reason why it should cause your little dry spotty patches: CPS should even out your skin and provide a protective layer but still allow your skin to breathe through it.

We have two thoughts: firstly, you could try leaving off the primer for a week or two and see if it makes a difference.

Secondly, we wonder if you are still applying a day moisturiser or whether you may think the primer is moisturising?  Because it isn’t!  Primers are great at what they do – prepping the skin for foundation but they are not moisturisers.  Choose a good light moisturizer: we suggest opting for one which is free of mineral oil – a villain at blocking pores.

You could try Skin Repair Light by Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare, and if you go to our website and click on the Liz Earle page (look under Insider Deals along the banner), you will find some great try-me collections including Smooth Skin Essentials, which gives you trial sizes of Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, Instant Boost Skin Tonic, Skin Repair Moisturiser and Gentle Face Exfoliator.

• bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer/£19 for 30ml at www.johnlewis.com- buy here

• Skin Repair Light by Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare/£18.75 for 50 ml at www.uk.lizearle.com – buy here

• Liz Earle Smooth Skin Essentials/£20.75 – and that saves you £5.25 – buy here

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