jane iredale HydroPure Tinted Serum: weightless, but my skin doesn't tolerate it

jane iredale is mineral makeup that often gets recommended for sensitive skin, so I tried their HydroPure Tinted Serum. On paper it has everything, but my rosacea-prone skin disagrees. Naturally, I compared it straight away with my favourite, Chanel Water-Fresh Tint.

What the brand says

• An ultra-hydrating tinted serum that hydrates, soothes, blurs lines and evens out skin tone.
• 2% hyaluronic acid for instant hydration and a smoother look, plus CoQ10 as an antioxidant.
• Olive squalane for the barrier, with calendula, algae, willow bark extract and aloe to calm the skin.
• Sheer coverage and a dewy finish, eight shades, airless pump.
• No SPF and not vegan (it contains beeswax).

My experience

Very sheer coverage. You can't feel it on the skin at all, it's weightless. The hyaluronic acid gives the skin that plump look, and CoQ10 is a nice anti-ageing bonus.

It looks nice paired with the green serum from the same line, the HydroPure Color Correcting Serum, which neutralises redness. Green first, then the tint, and my skin tone is even without that mask feeling.

The downside: dry skin only. It has to go on completely dry skin, otherwise it doesn't spread properly. So I wait until my moisturiser has fully sunk in.

The biggest downside: papules and pustules. I feel it gives me papules and pustules, and that's the worst part of all. For rosacea-prone skin that's a deal-breaker. Without that reaction it would be a 4/5, maybe even 4.5/5.

Compared with Chanel Water-Fresh Tint

I still prefer Chanel. With Chanel my skin looks healthier, the coverage is even lighter, my skin looks like it drank water and I got more compliments. HydroPure is a little more visible on the skin. It's not bad, Chanel is just better.

Who it's for

For skin that isn't prone to reactions and wants light mineral coverage with hydration. If you have rosacea with papules and pustules, be careful and watch how your skin reacts over a few days. If you're after the your skin but better effect, I'd pick Chanel. Rating 2.5/5.

Tops and flops

Top

• Very sheer coverage
• Weightless, you can't feel it on the skin
• Hyaluronic acid gives a plump look
• CoQ10 as an anti-ageing bonus
• Looks nice paired with the green HydroPure serum for redness

Flop

• I feel it gives me papules and pustules
• Has to go on completely dry skin, otherwise it won't spread
• A bit more visible on the skin than Chanel Water-Fresh Tint
• No SPF

Rating

★★★★★★★★★★2.5/5

jane iredale HydroPure Tinted Serum with Hyaluronic Acid & CoQ10

About the brand jane iredale: sensitive skin and rosacea

jane iredale is an American mineral makeup brand founded by Jane Iredale and based in Massachusetts. It calls itself "the skincare makeup": formulas with mineral pigments and skincare ingredients, cruelty-free (recognised by PETA and Leaping Bunny). For sensitive skin and redness the most interesting line is HydroPure, a tinted serum and a green colour-correcting serum with hyaluronic acid and CoQ10.

My experience is solid: the HydroPure green serum neutralises redness nicely without leaving my skin redder afterwards, and the tinted serum is light and weightless. Both have to go on completely dry skin, and as a tint I still prefer Chanel Water-Fresh Tint. A good choice if you want mineral makeup for reactive skin.

Patents and testing (according to the brand): jane iredale doesn't cite patents or clinical tests with subject numbers for the HydroPure serums. The brand says it is the makeup line most recommended by dermatologists and plastic surgeons in the US, and that the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends seven of its SPF products.

All reviews of jane iredale →

Frequently asked questions

How much coverage does jane iredale HydroPure Tinted Serum give?

Very sheer. It evens out the skin tone but doesn't hide the skin. For more coverage the brand suggests a mineral powder on top.

How do you apply HydroPure Tinted Serum so it spreads well?

On completely dry skin. I wait until my moisturiser has fully sunk in, because on damp skin it doesn't spread properly. The brand suggests two pumps, mixed with the fingers and blended with fingers or a brush.

Which is better, jane iredale HydroPure Tinted Serum or Chanel Water-Fresh Tint?

I prefer Chanel. My skin looks healthier with it, the coverage is even lighter and I got more compliments. HydroPure is a little more visible on the skin.

Is jane iredale HydroPure Tinted Serum good for rosacea?

Not for me. I feel it gives me papules and pustules, which is the worst thing for rosacea-prone skin. Without that reaction I'd give it 4/5, maybe even 4.5/5.

Does HydroPure Tinted Serum have SPF?

No, so I always apply SPF underneath.