Review: Laura Mercier – Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free (1C1 Cameo)

Slathering a ton of makeup products on a daily basis is not a very wise choice. Nevertheless, it’s not shameful to add some touches here and there for chipper appearances. Makeup is indeed fun, inspiring us to spend more time focusing on ourselves. The issue is, full coverage of foundation, thick layers of powder, or heavy eyeshadows may exaggerate the vibe and take their toll on our complexion afterward. Debris and pollution clinging to makeup can drain your skin’s lifeforce throughout the day.

The low-key idea of “no-makeup” makeup has never been gone in vain. Nothing could be sexier than your real skin. It’s aimed at applying technique rather than the number of products, in order to bring you a natural, healthy and vibrant look without a fuss. Simultaneously, avoid driving skin worn out.

To me, the first step of doing minimal makeup is to gain the confidence of going nearly bare with my foundation. Instead of foundation, perhaps, I prefer tinted moisturizer, which gives a very fresh, lightweight consistency. I’m gonna walk us through my review of Laura Mercier – Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free Broad Spectrum SPF 20 in 1C1 Cameo. I received the product for testing. This may be ideal for ones who follow “less is more” creed.

1. Formulated with Conditioners, Texture Enhancers, Emulsifiers, Preservatives and Chemical UV Filters

This is Laura Mercier award winner as a multitasker to deliver a lively, no-makeup look with a demi-matte finish and light veil of colors. Moreover, it improves complexion and leaves sheer coverage. Very long-lasting and staying true color for the whole day.

The chemical actives are Octinoxate (5.5%) and Octisalate (3.0%), which are only UVB absorbing agents. Differ from mineral or physical filters, Octinoxate and Octisalate can result in thinner consistency for lightweight feelings. Octinoxate, also known as Octyl Methoxycinnamate, helps ward off sunburns and UV radiation-induced damage in DNA. It does not protect the skin against UVA rays. The EWG indicates the moderate hazard of Octinoxate, possibly fraught with developmental and reproductive toxicity.

Octinoxate has been shown to quickly penetrate into skin layers once applied and then, provoke endocrine disruption, which affects negatively the hormonal balance. The ingredient can cause estrogen-like effects that have been associated with breast cancer. Octinoxate should not be used for pregnant women and children. It can be used in some cosmetic products as a preservative to prolong their lifespan and formula integrity, especially when exposed to sunlight. Otherwise, in the case of sunscreen, it tends to be degraded and becomes a lesser UV absorbent form. Therefore, it’s usually formulated with some other UV blockers to maintain the photostability of sunscreen.

According to the FDA, the concentration of Octinoxate in sunscreen must not exceed 7.5% for the product to be considered safe, whereas the approved maximum of Octisalate is 5%.

Similarly, Octisalate (or Octyl Salicylate) is insufficiently photostable and prone to enhanced skin absorption. The safety of Octisalate seems to be pretty good, despite it may be linked to some allergic reactions, like contact dermatitis. For further information about sunscreen, visit my 5 Things You Must Know before Wearing Sun Cream.

Speaking of inactive ingredients, there are Water, Disiloxane, Methicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin and Cyclopentasiloxane. These work as anti-foamers, conditioners, emollients and texture enhancers, all of which create velvety textures, reduce skin dryness and enhance the spreadability of pigment. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate and Glycerin also function as solvents to dissolve other ingredients and hence, form a solution as well as keep active ingredients dispersed in the formula.

In addition, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate is commonly used as an emulsifier and surfactant. Boron Nitride is an absorbent. These two get rid of excess oil or stickiness and make your makeup long-wearing for the whole day.

Jojoba Esters is an excellent occlusive agent to retain skin moisture and result in a silky texture gliding on skin surface, especially when mixed with Glycerin. Similarly, infused with Squalane, which is skin-replenishing, boasts moisturizing and anti-aging properties. Likewise, there are Lauryl PCA, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate as humectants and conditioners to bring about skin suppleness.

Formulated with Isohexadecane and Magnesium Stearate, multitaskers to provide thickening, texture enhancing, emulsifying, emollient and cleansing activities. Isohexadecane comes with a dry, powder-like finish to give a mattifying effect, while hydrating skin. This is desirable for those who suffer excessive sebum (oil). The ingredient helps leave non-greasy and smooth feelings on the skin surface.

In order to preserve and stabilize the effective and lasting performance of the product, it includes many preservatives. Alongside Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methylparaben and Propylparaben are synthetic with antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties to foil the propagation of bacteria, yeasts and moulds.

Furthermore, Disodium Edta is technically not a preservative in its way, however more likely to act as a chelator. It’s meant to sequester (bind with) free metal ions and minerals in the water-containing cosmetic product. Locking up these trace elements minimizes the development of microbes, the hardness of water for softness and the alternation of the product’s scent, texture and color. At the very least, this aims to reinforce the potency of preservatives.

Plus, Tocopheryl Acetate and Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate are antioxidants, preserving the efficiency or properties of the product when often exposed to the external environment.

Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate is commonly utilized in beauty products in relation to cosmetic coloring and pigment as a surface treatment. Also, it can be a texture enhancer, emulsifier and emollient. Finally, the formula may consist of mineral pigments, like Titanium Dioxide and Iron Oxides.

2. Extremely Lightweight with Very Sheer Coverage, like Wearing No Makeup

Like many other tinted moisturizers or foundations I did use, the product imparts creamy consistency, thin texture and pretty low viscosity. The color I got is Cameo, which is light with pink, cool undertones. Cameo is slightly deeper than 1W1 Porcelain. Anyway, the color fits my skin tone so well. I’m really satisfied with this much more than some others I chose before, like they were usually darker or lighter than mine. Then, a big “Yes” from me!

The product is stress-free to diffuse by fingertips. Otherwise, you can use a flat foundation brush, made of synthetic bristles, to easily get into the corners of the nose and the areas under eyes. When swiping onto skin, I initially thought it gave a pretty dense coating. But, It tends to sheer out and evenly spread the pigment to result in a velvety, impeccable texture. The color payoff is literally rich and stunning.

One thing you may notice or not, while blending all over the face, the tinted moisturizer does not really give a very slippery sensation, like it’s gonna run everywhere. Rather, there is subtle resistance, it quickly sets in place, perhaps tones down a bit and goes into skin perfectly as if you wear nothing.

I’m so digging how naturally it lays on skin. My complexion looks plump and intact with mild luminosity. In the first few seconds, you may find it glowy or dewy, but after setting it in place, it’s more likely to leave a satin, semi-matte finish with tackiness. Of course, it will not cause any greasy feelings afterward. Additionally, very airy with light to medium coverage.

Bear in mind that the product will not excellently cover up imperfections. Apparently, it’s able to neutralize and smooth out some minors, such as roughness, pores and discoloration. It’s nonchalant for everyday routine. For more coverage, you can do extra layers with dabbing, at the same time, blending motion. Otherwise, to solve peskier flaws, like zits, bulging blemishes, hyperpigmentation or darkness under eyes, concealer and color correctors can serve you right.

Let’s test the moisturizing content of the tinted moisturizer, I tried applying the product with only calming toner and serum beforehand. My skin is a type of combination, prone to get dry and redness around cheeks. Skincare products help hydrate and mitigate my nuisance. Toner and serum are necessary to kick off our skincare ritual.

The moisturizing content of the tinted moisturizer seems mediocre, which is more suitable for normal and combination skins. After hours, it fairly settled in fine lines on my forehead and left streaks on my nose, temples and browbones. My skin also ended up being quite dehydrated. Plus, it stuck to flaky, shredding skin on my pimples. To keep skin fully hydrated for the entire day, I still need additional seconds for moisturizing cream prior to applying the tinted moisturizer, particularly in cold, arid climates.

Two weeks ago, I had a trip back to my hometown, it was freaking sultry there. I did head outdoors a lot with only the tinted moisturizer on. The pigment was stripped off and my face looked shiny and greasy in the middle of the day. Then, I had to buff some loose powder on top to keep oil from breaking through.

So, obviously, the tinted moisturizer Oil-Free is recommended to those who have normal, combination and oily skins. However, I think you should work with your skincare products before applying them. Overactive sebaceous glands considerably stem from dehydration that triggers skin to produce more oil in place of the missing water. Your skin can be oily and dry at the same time. Therefore, make sure that you have hydrated your skin properly to be ready.

Furthermore, apply primer and translucent powder to make the product last longer without a trace, but also add more control overshine and oil production. Gotta say the tinted moisturizer is pretty long-wearing for about 5-6 hours in the absence of primer and setting powder. To be honest, I got dealt a bad hand, its sun protection seems not broad-spectrum, according to the ingredient description. The active ingredients are only UVB filters, which are skin irritants and tend to deteriorate under the sunlight.

I wish that the product would be infused with active mineral filters, typically Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide in the micronized version. This helps save your pores from being gunked up by the thick coating of physical blocks. The mineral sunscreen can offer higher UV protection against UVA/UVB and less harmful effects on the skin.

3. Contained in a Nice Packaging Design

Housed in a plastic, squeezing tube (50ml) with entirely sleeking black and grey texts of product name and descriptions. The tube comes to a cardboard box in a dark brown color. It’s nice that you can see the product’s ingredient description and even, directions for sun protection on the box. I really like the tube, very weightless and easy to control. It does not take too much space in my makeup bag.

I quite favor foundations stored in squeeze tubes. They are not breakable like the glass type. My clumsy hands usually get bad luck with that. The packaging design makes it look clean and resilient to withstand damage and protect the tinted moisturizer from external invasions, like bacteria breeding or dirt.

I hope that the review is useful and informative to your needs about Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free Broad Spectrum 20 Sunscreen in 1C1 Cameo. Let me hear you out if you have any questions and ideas. I humbly hear you out. Thank you so much for your time!

This is the obvious disclosure: “I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.” All opinions expressed are my own.