The answer to this question may seem obvious for most people. After all, doesn’t everyone already know that foundations are used to cover skin imperfections? Well, that is just part of the answer.

You see, there are a lot of other reasons why someone might consider using foundations in their makeup routine. These reasons are less obvious but I will go over each one.

REASON 1: Moisturizer – Oil based foundations are the foundation of choice for people with dry skin. Most brands will pack certain moisturizing ingredients in their products. If you see ingredients such as Cyclopentasiloxane and Glycerin, you know that your foundation has superior moisturizing power. Obviously, you wouldn’t use a foundation the same way you would use a moisturizer. However, foundations with moisturizing ingredients is simply handy and will save you time.

REASON 2: Sunblock – Choose a foundation with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) and you will be good to go for all outdoor activities. Im seeing a lot of brands these days including sunblock as part of their ingredients in their foundations. Look for ingredients such as OctenylSuccinate and Titanium Dioxide to ensure that your foundation has sun protection.

A quick world of caution: Some foundations with SPF are known to cause your face to “wash out” when taking pictures. This is due to the ingredients in the foundation that reflect light off your face. If you plan on using a foundation with SPF while taking pictures, I highly recommend Revlon PhotoReady Makeup. As long as you match the shade correctly, this foundation is wonderful for photos.

REASON 3: Pollution – Your foundation acts as a barrier between your skin and the outside world. Dirt, dust and other pollutants are all around us. The dangerous pollutants are actually the ones that you cannot see. These pollutants causes excessive free radical damage to your skin. Free radicals causes pre-maturing aging of your skin.

Now, this does not mean you should cover every inch of your skin with foundation in order to protect it. Your foundation will not be able to stop all free radical damages caused by polluants. However, it is a smart idea to include it in your makeup routine so that the protect is there when you need it.