Launched in 2008, Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation was originally formulated to be used after cosmetic surgeries and cosmetic procedures. It is claimed to provide a natural, complete, and breathable coverage. In a way, the original purpose of this product is similar to that of a B. B. cream. (The product is not claimed to be or marketed as one, and I will go back to this later on.)
Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation (14 shades, 15ml, £37.5) has a creamy consistency and spreads reasonably well on the skin. I recommend a gentle patting motion to apply and blend the foundation.
I think most people who are interested in this foundation are probably drawn to the claim that it offers a “complete” and “breathable” coverage. (The two words are used both on the brand’s official website and on the bottle of the product itself.) With one layer of the product, the complexion is evened out and minor imperfections are concealed but I would only describe the coverage as a capable medium. To create the level of coverage that resembles a complete coverage, I have to apply two more layers, and the product starts to feel a little weighty. Even though the coverage is certainly buildable, I feel that it is difficult to achieve a coverage that is “complete” and “breathable” at the same time.
With one layer of the product, the pore coverage and staying power are decently good. With three layers, there are issues with patchiness and foundation settling in pores over the course of wear.
The product has a satiny finish, which doesn’t look too glowy or shiny. It doesn’t have any particular sebum-control efficacy (I don’t think the product is designed to control shine anyway) but it doesn’t make my skin oilier than usual.
It has an aloe vera base (aloe vera is the first on the ingredient list) and it contains no water. Aloe vera has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It also contains grape seed extract as an antioxidant.
It contains saccharomyces cerevisiae extract, which is a type of yeast. Oxygenetix hails this as the star ingredient of the product. It may have some skin-repairing properties, but some of these properties are also present in common ingredients such as fatty acids and glycerin.
It doesn’t contain alcohol, occlusive mineral/plant oil, parabens, fragrance (parfum) or any other scenting agent.
On the brand’s official website, it is mentioned that the foundation contains SPF 25. However, it is not printed on the packaging of the product. I wonder if this is one of the reasons why this product hasn’t jumped on the B. B. bandwagon, as a B. B. cream should provide full-spectrum sun protection. (See my post on the three requirements of a true B. B. cream.) I would still recommend using a product that offers sufficient protection against UVA and UVB before using this foundation.
A note on the shades: I tested Creme and Beige, both in the yellow-based category. I find that Beige is too dark for me and Creme is too light for me, and I am surprised at the amount of difference in color between these two adjacent shades. (I use ZA Perfect Fit Two-Way Foundation in OC20 and ZA Skin Beauty Two-Way Foundation in 22. I am afraid that I don’t know their MAC equivalents.)
(image from www.oxygenetix.com)
Ingredient-wise, this is a well-formulated product. Performance-wise, the medium coverage with a satiny finish looks natural. It should suit a variety of skin types, as its creamy consistency should appeal to those with dry skin and its lack of occlusive oils is likely to be well-received by those with combination or oily skin. However, if you are after a complete coverage (either all over the face or on parts of the face), layering is a must and the breathability and the lasting power can be compromised. Also, I suspect that choosing the right shade could be tricky for many people.
In the UK, Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation is available at beautyisskindeep.com.
(Some ingredient information is from Paula Begoun’s Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary.)
(The product featured in this article is provided by Oxygenetix.)
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Foundation Face-Off (4): Dior vs. Esprique Precious
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