High Coverage Foundation Cream Formulation for Covering Tattoos

Creating a foundation cream with high coverage capable of covering tattoos primarily relies on a high concentration of pigments, their proper dispersion within the cream base, and ingredients that form a film on the skin for durability and coverage.

Key components in a high-coverage foundation formula:

1. Pigments:

   • Titanium Dioxide: This white pigment provides very high opacity and coverage. It is a main component for increasing coverage in foundation. For covering tattoos, it's recommended to use grades that offer maximum coverage, such as Titanium Dioxide 400nm WaterProof™ (Super Coverage) or grades specifically developed for foundation like Titanium Dioxide FoundationPro™.
   • Iron Oxides: These pigments provide various skin tones (red, yellow, black, brown) used to match the foundation shade to the skin tone. Using Iron Oxides together with Titanium Dioxide in appropriate ratios helps achieve both the desired color and coverage. It's best to use grades that disperse well and are long-lasting, such as the Iron Oxides (FoundationPro™) series including Iron Oxides Red (FoundationPro™), Iron Oxides Yellow (FoundationPro™), Iron Oxides Black (FoundationPro™), or grades coated for better dispersion and water resistance like Iron Oxides Red (Ultra-fine, Methicone-Coated), Iron Oxides Yellow (Ultra-fine, Methicone-Coated), Iron Oxides Black (Ultra-fine, Methicone-Coated), or those coated with Triethoxycaprylylsilane such as Iron Oxides Red (Triethoxycaprylylsilane Coated), Iron Oxides Yellow (Triethoxycaprylylsilane Coated), Iron Oxides Black (Triethoxycaprylylsilane Coated).

2. Base and Thickeners:

   • High-coverage foundation creams are typically stable emulsion formulas (either W/O or O/W) that are highly stable.
   • Thickeners and stabilizers are essential to increase viscosity and maintain uniform pigment dispersion, preventing separation.

3. Film-formers:

   • These ingredients are crucial for helping the foundation adhere well to the skin, creating a smooth, opaque film that effectively covers tattoos. They also enhance longevity and provide water and sweat resistance. Silicone polymers or other synthetic compounds are often used in this category.

Additional Recommendations:

• Pigment dispersion is a critical step in making high-coverage foundation. Using appropriate equipment to finely disperse pigments within the base is necessary to prevent patchiness or uneven color.
• The ratio of white pigment (Titanium Dioxide) to skin-toned pigments (Iron Oxides) determines the level of coverage and the final shade. Adjusting these ratios is needed to achieve the desired color match.
• Adding ingredients that improve spreadability and skin feel (Emollients, Slip agents) will help prevent the high-coverage foundation from feeling too heavy or dry on the skin.

Developing a formula that can cover tattoos requires experimentation to adjust the ratios of pigments and film-formers, as well as selecting a suitable cream base to achieve the desired texture, coverage, and wear properties.