In our quest for flawless-looking skin, the fading effect has become a popular trend.
Cosmetic companies have been quick to respond to consumers’ desire for that smooth look – or the “blurred” effect that blurs fine lines, pores and wrinkles, as they might in a soft photo.
Graphic design programs like Photoshop and Canva can apply the ‘blur’ effect at the touch of a button, making faces look smooth and youthful. Since we all appear in photos much more often than we did ten years ago, we want to look our best.
Fading makeup is designed to create an Instagram-like canvas, but here at CV Skinlabs we caution users to be careful with the products they use on their skin. Some of them can contain harsh chemicals that can worsen dryness and dullness over time, while causing acne and sensitive skin issues – not what you want for that flawless look!
Instead, we recommend using clean beauty products to get a similar fading effect, without the harsh chemicals and without spending extra money on new makeup products.
What is the blur effect?
As a cosmetic trend, the blur effect has its roots in the world of digital photography and photo editing. It started gaining popularity when beauty influencers on social media showed off their flawless, airbrushed skin using filters and photo editing apps. These filters can smooth skin, create a soft, focused look and blur imperfections, setting a new, higher standard for the way skin can appear in photos.
It didn’t take long before celebrities and beauty enthusiasts began longing for the same flawless looks in real life. The cosmetic industry responded by developing products designed to mimic the digital blurring effect.
Unfortunately, while these products can help create a fading effect, they may contain undesirable ingredients, especially for sensitive skin.
Potentially unhealthy ingredients in cosmetic products that fade
If you’re considering purchasing a new fade product, it’s a good idea to turn it over and read the ingredients list. You may want to avoid products that contain any of the following substances. If you suffer from dehydration, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, acne or other similar skin conditions, be extra careful with the products you apply to your skin as some can worsen your symptoms.
Below are some potentially unhealthy ingredients that can be found in fading makeup products.
Silicones (e.g. Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane)
Silicones are a group of synthetic polymers commonly used in cosmetic and personal care products. They are known for creating a smooth and silky texture, as well as improving the spreadability of products.
However, silicone can clog pores and trap sweat, bacteria, and dead skin cells, potentially leading to clogged pores and breakouts, especially if you have acne-prone skin. They can also be more difficult to remove from the skin compared to other ingredients and may require more harsh cleansers, which can strip the skin of moisture.
Silicone also forms a barrier on the skin, which can help retain moisture but can also prevent the absorption of other beneficial ingredients.
Parabens (e.g. Methylparaben, Propylparaben)
Parabens are a group of synthetic compounds used as preservatives in cosmetics and other personal care products. They help prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast, thus extending the shelf life of products.
However, there is some concern that parabens may mimic estrogen, a hormone in the body, due to their chemical structure. This potential endocrine disrupting effect has raised questions about their role in hormone-related health problems.
Some sensitive individuals may also experience allergic reactions or sensitivities to parabens.
Fragrances (synthetic)
Synthetic fragrances are artificially created fragrances that provide a pleasant smell. They typically consist of a complex mixture of chemicals, which are typically not listed because the mixture is considered proprietary. This means that you don’t know exactly what you are putting on your skin.
Synthetic fragrances can cause irritation, allergic reactions or sensitivity in many people. For people with sensitive skin, even a small amount of fragrance can lead to redness, itching and rashes.
Alcohol (e.g. ethanol, isopropyl alcohol)
In skin care products, alcohols are used for a variety of purposes, including as solvents, preservatives and astringents. There are two main types:
Fatty alcohols: Derived from natural fats and oils and used as emollients, emulsifiers and thickeners in skin care products. These are often considered beneficial for the skin as they provide moisture, but there are much better moisturizers to use! Common types include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol.
Simple (or drying) alcohols: These alcohols are often used as solvents to allow other ingredients to penetrate the skin. Common types include ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and alcohol denat (denatured alcohol). They can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.
Bismuth oxychloride
Bismuth oxychloride is a chemical compound that appears as a white or off-white powder. It is often used in cosmetics in its fine, micronized form to create a pearlescent effect that reflects light. It also improves the application of powder products.
However, this ingredient can also clog pores and cause irritation and itching in people with sensitive skin. It can also make itching worse in people with pre-existing skin conditions.
Use clean beauty products to create the fading effect
The list above contains just some of the potentially irritating or harmful ingredients you may encounter in anti-fading cosmetic products. However, you don’t need to expose your skin to these ingredients. You can still get that smooth, flawless, radiant look with clean beauty products like those from CV Skinlabs that keep your skin healthy and radiant.
CV Skinlabs formulas take a skincare approach with antioxidant, redness-reducing, skin-smoothing, anti-inflammatory and nourishing ingredients that hydrate and smooth imperfections to create a radiant, soft-focus effect.
Follow these steps.
1. Start with a clean, moisturized base.
Cleanse your skin with a gentle, creamy cleanser that won’t strip its natural oils. Then immediately apply our Rescue + Relief Spray to soothe and hydrate the skin, creating a smooth base for your moisturizer and makeup products.
Rescue & Relief Spray does not clog the pores, so it is ideal if you have oily or acne-prone skin. This vegan formula contains antioxidants, plant extracts and glycerin to lock in moisture and keep skin supple all day. It’s packed with nourishing, healing ingredients that provide anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial benefits that help prevent breakouts, soothe skin and reduce redness and inflammation, while improving your complexion and giving skin a glowing, dewy finish.
Let it absorb completely before moving on to the next step.
2. Use a moisturizer with a soft focus effect.
Then use our CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture (our Rescue + Relief Spray) immediately after your toner. Calming Moisture is regularly used by professional makeup artists for its ability to both treat the skin and blur the appearance of wrinkles, large pores and other imperfections.
It nourishes and replenishes the skin with natural ingredients, while helping to smooth the skin’s surface and improve its texture. This gives the skin a more even appearance. This unique moisturizer also leaves a natural, radiant glow for a flawless-looking complexion. It’s a non-comedogenic formula (meaning it won’t clog pores) and instantly helps reduce redness and inflammation, helping it glide over the skin to blur imperfections.
Free from pore-clogging silicones or oiliness, this lightweight formula absorbs quickly to create a smooth, hydrated base.
Use it alone for a fresh face or as a primer for a perfect canvas for your makeup. With or without makeup, your skin will look blurred and radiant.
3. Apply a natural primer.
You’ve probably heard of applying a primer before your foundation, to create a smoother canvas. Did you know that make-up artists use our Calming Moisture as a natural primer? It helps reduce puffiness and smoothes the skin, creating an overall blurred effect. It’s fine to use Calming Moisture as a regular moisturizer, and before applying your foundation, apply another thin layer of Calming Moisture to prepare the skin.
You can also mix a little Calming Moisture into your foundation to ensure smooth application and a flawless look.
4. Choose a clean foundation.
Your foundation can make a big difference in the appearance of your skin. Some are too oily, others too dry. Some contain harsh chemicals that can dry out your skin over time.
Experiment until you find the perfect foundation. Choose those with clean ingredients that will work for your skin. Using a primer first will help your foundation last all day and improve the appearance of your skin.
5. Set your makeup.
You may have been told to set your makeup with powder. As long as you choose a clean, light powder, it can work, but in many cases it will likely dry out your skin.
Either way, makeup artists always recommend using our Rescue + Relief Spray. You can lightly mist it over your makeup to keep it in place without that drying effect. It also helps all the layers of your makeup blend together, enhancing the overall blurring effect and enhancing shine.
How do you get the blur effect?
Featured image by Filip Rankovic Grobgaard via Pexels.
