Our newest addition, PRIORI Coffeeberry Perfecting Minerals, is marketed as “sun protection” — rather than “mineral foundation” — acceptable not only for women, but for men and children as well.  And recently, a couple of clients have shown us the new powder sunscreen they’re using, which got us thinking about the idea of foundation versus sunscreen. We want to hear from our readers:  Would YOU put mineral powder on your toddler?  Teenage son?  Husband?  Here’s my personal investigation into the matter:

On a sunny weekend day, my family was going to walk the Los Gatos Creek Trail, a perfect opportunity to use minerals (instead of sunscreen) on my five-year-old daughter, Shannon.  As I prepped her face with a little moisture (Epicuren’s CXc, a Vitamin C serum), I wondered if I had stumbled into Pageant Mom territory.  What was next?  Spray tan for my Kindergartner?  She giggled as the brush tickled her face, and I realized that, unlike creamy sunscreen, the mineral powder won’t get in her eyes (from clumsy application or sweating).  Plus one for mineral powder!  I inspected the results and was pleased that the color was a perfect match and the powder was totally undetectable.  Two points!  By the end of the day, I no longer felt like a morally impaired makeup artist forcing cosmetics upon my family; I felt good about Shannon having breathable, chemical- and paraben-free sun protection with antioxidant protection to boot.  Plus, if you can share your mineral powder with other family members, then it’s cost effective, too.  Mineral powder for kids is definitely a winner in my book!

But I wasn’t done yet:  what about men?  Surprisingly, my SO NOT metro-sexual husband says he would wear mineral powder, but not “the liquid stuff” (a.k.a. liquid foundation).  Mineral powder, one – traditional sunscreen, zip.  While he says he would wear it, he is under the assumption that I, his wife and professional makeup artist, will be applying it for him.  Every day.  Sorry, buddy, not very practical.  And we have a tie.  Besides, mineral powder tends to have a radiance that emulates a youthful glow, something that women love but may look unnatural on a rugged, five o’clock shadow kinda guy.  If you use the Finishing Touch Powder over the mineral powder, it will yield a matte finish, but I just can’t imagine my husband knowing what to do with two powders and two brushes.   I think traditional sunscreen for men is the winner here.  Remember to look for a chemical-free, mineral sunscreen with zinc and titanium dioxide.

We’d love to know what your guy thinks about wearing mineral powder, or if you’d use it on your little tikes… leave us a comment!

2 Responses to “ Marketing Mineral Foundation as Sunscreen for Men and Children… We Want Your Opinion! ”

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  Kelly Hemingway had this to say:
  June 2, 2010 at 3:05 pm

  As a mom, wife, and household finance manager, the first question that popped into my mind was the cost implications. I love mineral make foundation with SPF content but I wonder how it compares in terms of expense for daily use by other members of the family. There are good, inexpensive creams and lotions available already and I’m not so sure I’d like to share. I can say that I’m sure my husband wouldn’t use mineral foundation. I struggle as it is to get him to use any sun screen at all.
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  maureen had this to say:
  June 18, 2010 at 4:06 pm

  Good point, Kelly! I probably wouldn’t suggest purchasing mineral foundation specifically for family use – I am making the assumption that Mom already has/uses mineral foundation for herself and can therefore share with the family. While minerals are great for daily use on the face for the rest of the family, especially because you get SPF and antioxidant protection, I realize they’re not practical sun protection for the entire body. Thanks for your comment, and good luck getting DH to use sunscreen :)