Is Winter Sucking The Life Out of Your Skin? These Skincare-Infused Blushes Are Perfect For Dullness
Here are my skincare infused blush picks that fight the element-induced dullness
Thought it was short lived?
Not a gimmick, skincare infused makeup is here to stay, and it’s just getting better.
Brands are backing off ingredients that are more volatile or have the potential to increase skin sensitivity like AHAs (an exfoliating ingredient).
Doubling down on skin protecting, brightening and hydrating ingredients that fit the “more is more” approach is giving makeup wearers lots to be excited about.
Makeup products serve as multi-taskers for most users, with blush often being swept over the eyes or lips- which aren’t places you’d want to exfoliate daily.
Better yet?
Because of the areas we typically apply blush, these skincare-infused picks are especially great for spotty skin havers like myself, working as a nice addition for any lingering scarring or angry spots.
What Are The Skin Benefits of These Blushes?
Iron Oxides And Hyperpigmentation
Pigmented products often contain iron oxides, which not only provide colour but also help protect the skin from visible light, a known trigger for worsening hyperpigmentation.
It’s also why I love wearing skin tints as often as I can, to help annoying PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the purplish/brown scars that are left behind after a blemish) fade quickly.
Glow Recipe is using 3% Niacinamide to encourage fading of dark spots and a brighter complexion, which was shown to bring a 94% improvement in just 4 weeks- which I personally think is wonderful for a blush.
Hydration Helps With Skin Texture
Persistent texture on the cheeks can improve with proper hydration- and not just visually- because yes hydrated skin does look smoother because of how light bounces off it.
When the skin is well hydrated, its natural enzymatic exfoliation process (also known as desquamation) works better, which helps to shed dead skin cells that can build up and contribute to dullness.
It’s a natural process your skin has, and supporting this means hydrating products can continue to work better without dead skin build up in the way.
Pretty great, right?
I learnt this ages ago from @hannahcollingwoodenglish, and my skin has been grateful ever since.
Protection And Prevention is Half The Battle
If you’ve spent any time in the skincare world, you’ll know that prevention is more than half the battle.
Protective steps are always going to outperform reactive fixes when it comes to skin health.
Beyond hydrating and brightening ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, you may notice sunscreen filters being added to products- but not all are equal.
Image: Showing Zinc Oxide and Iron Oxides in the Naked Sundays Glow Balm ingredient list
Chemical vs Mineral Filters in Makeup
It’s easy enough to throw in chemical SPF filters to makeup products, usually at the disappointment of the consumer (and me).
Although for stand alone SPFs, I adore Chemical sunscreens- as they are notorious for eye sting and also don’t taste great - they’re not always a great pick for makeup, when you want to pop your product across your eyelids or even use on your lips as a lip tint.
The pick in this list, Naked Sundays SPF50 GlowBalm Mineral Peptide Stick, uses 100% mineral filters, which I personally feel is a non-negotiable for sensitive skin havers when including UV filters in makeup.
It's important to know that you don't rely on this for your primary SPF sun protection.
SPF in makeup is a welcome extra, especially in areas that are first to rub off.
In this case, SPF makeup can encourage application on the more sensitive areas of the face like our eyelids and lips, thanks to the sensitive skin friendly UV filter pick, Zinc Oxide.
My Top Blush Picks For Winter Dull Skin
Naked Sundays SPF50 GlowBalm Mineral Peptide Stick, $38.00
Shop: SPF50 GlowBalm Mineral Peptide Stick, $38.00
Infused with skin‑loving Peptides, antioxidants like Vitamin E, and hydrating Avocado‑seed extract, the Naked Sundays SPF50 GlowBalm Mineral Peptide sticks are leading the charge for SPF + makeup creations.
Already loved, behind the scenes the team is constantly testing custom formulations and leaps in UV filters, challenging themselves to improve on old favourites.
The Glow Balms are the latest iteration of the viral SPF infused blushes, bringing more pigment and peptides, but still with SPF50 100% mineral filters.
I also adore their Cabana Glow Liquid Blush, check it out here: 3 Blushes I’ve had on Repeat From Naked Sundays, The Kind Collective & IT Cosmetics
I’m a huge fan of Naked Sundays and their innovation.
An Aussie, women owned brand that’s whole heartedly invested in creating unique formulations for customers that work hard.
Great work team!
The Glow Balms are available in three shades from nakedsundays.com:
Pink Pop, a vibrant blue based pink that brings instant life to the skin
Dusty Rose Pink, a soft classic mauve
Bronze, a shimmering gold
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush, $44
Shop: Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush, $44
This one is a true skin first makeup hybrid.
The Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush Blush is a top pick if you’re looking for a sheer, hydrating cream-gel blush that enhances glow and supports brightening.
The Flushes feel beautiful and bouncy on the skin, and were created off the back of Glow Recipe’s viral watermelon range- so yes, they smell like their iconic watermelon.
Both shades are sheer, slightly buildable, and perfect if you love that ‘clean girl’ / no-makeup makeup look.
They melt into the skin and give that hydrated, bouncy finish I always want in winter.
I prefer to wear these on light coverage days for my complexion, as it can sheer out my foundation and skin tints when layered- but there’s absolutely no patchiness.
The Dewy Flush comes in two shades, both available from MECCA Beauty:
Watermelon Flush, which is a bright pink
Berry Flush, a deeper berry tone
IT Cosmetics Glow With Confidence Sun Cream Blush, $55.00
Shop: Glow With Confidence Sun Cream Blush, $55.00
92% of the IT Cosmetics Glow With Confidence Sun Cream Blush formula is a solid serum featuring hyaluronic acid, peptides and vitamin E- built to give the skin 24 hours of hydration.
The second skin finish visibly plumps the skin on contact, and wears down beautifully throughout the day for no crusty or dull cheeks.
Because of the pigment level, you’re able to easily use the sun cream blush regardless of your makeup expertise- especially because it never goes patchy or muddy.
It’s a unique product, and something worth swatching in store as it’s a little hard to convey in words alone.
Swipe it across your cheeks as the perfect “blonze” look (blush + bronzer in one) with no need to wear anything else- unless you want to.
Available in 3 shades from Sephora Australia:
Sunlit, a pink coral
Sun Blossom, a peachy pink
Sun Warmth, a warm terracotta
Final Thoughts
Personally I’m happy to embrace this innovation in the makeup world, and always appreciate anything that can simplify my morning routine.
I’d love to hear from you.
Are there any skincare ingredients you hate seeing in makeup products?
What are your thoughts around skincare infused makeup?
And of course, if you have any favourites, be sure to let me know as I’d love to try.
Important you know: This article contains commission links.
