Foundation Balm Could Be The Natural, Full-Coverage Product Your Routine Is Missing

Although it may seem like the natural beauty look is loved by everyone on the internet, it leaves out a large part of the beauty community that deals with skin issues like acne or hyperpigmentation and can't accomplish it. Whether it's the no makeup-makeup look with little to no foundation or clean girl beauty with a tinted moisturizer and extra highlighter, a buildable foundation that's not oily has usually been a necessity for people that need more coverage.

Breakouts and textural irregularities continue to be an issue that many women face, particularly when menstruation and birth control pills could possibly lead to hormonal acne. And in an industry that caters primarily to women, not all makeup trends are inclusive. Aside from capitalizing on parts of Black and brown culture such as gold jewelry and perpetually glossy lips, the clean girl trend has been criticized for excluding acne-prone skin and people with rosacea or hyperpigmentation.

The watery skin tints and foundations associated with light makeup haven't always brought the desired outcome of a natural style for makeup lovers that want a clean look without their acne poking through. Thankfully, the beauty industry is changing the game with foundation balms.

A cross between a cream foundation and tinted moisturizer, foundation balms offer coverage without the heavy feeling of your typical foundation. Depending on the brand, they can vary in coverage, giving you light coverage or something fuller. What's similar across foundation balms are the smooth, skin-like finishes that they give to the wearer.

Silky and thick, most foundation balms are made with oils, making them ideal for dry, dehydrated skin. However, some brands make non-oily balm foundations that work on oily skin types. If you desire a lighter coverage, foundation balms can be applied and smoothed out with the fingers. For a more flawless foundation finish, use a brush or beauty blender.

To ensure that your foundation balm applies well, prep the skin beforehand by doing your skincare routine and using a good primer fit for your skin type. To cover hyperpigmentation or acne, use a stippling brush and dab the foundation onto the area rather than swiping. For a long-lasting finish, opt for a matte foundation balm.

While most foundation balms are targeted towards dry skin, the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder was created for oily skin. Instead of being a hybrid of cream foundation and tinted moisturizer, it swaps the latter for a powder formula that helps balance oil levels while also promoting hydration with the use of hyaluronic acid. It smooths out texture and fine lines while giving light coverage.

Arguably one of the more popular foundation balms on the market, the Jones Road Beauty What The Foundation took TikTok by storm for its unique texture and glowy finish. As a tinted moisture balm, the What the Foundation smooths out the skin with its sheer coverage, offering a light, airbrushed effect.

If you desire something full coverage and non-oily, try the KVD Beauty Good Apple Skin-Perfecting Hydrating Foundation Balm. Ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, this foundation balm covers up discoloration while leaving you with a smooth and satin matte finish.