The dog days of summer take on new meaning when it comes to the seemingly inevitable make-up meltdown. On top of that, there’s the dermatological havoc inflicted by chemical-laden sunscreens. Fortunately, there’s now a real solution: mineral makeup.

Unlike traditional foundations that slide right off in the heat, mineral make-up stays put while absorbing excess oil and providing a natural sunscreen. The best formulas use a fine-grain milling process, creating a micronized mineral make-up for sheer, buildable coverage. These new generation mineral makeups have done away with the chalky look and don’t settle into fine lines, magnifying wrinkles. They produce radiance rather than shine while softening lines and evening skin tone.

Plus, they’re actually good for your skin. The best quality mineral make-up products contain 100% natural minerals without any oils, talc, fragrance, preservatives and other chemical additives that can irritate skin. Natural mineral make-up is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, non-comedogenic and hypo-allergenic. It’s recommended for even the crankiest skin, helping soothe acne, rosacea, and sensitive or sun-damaged skin. It also prevents future damage with non-irritating, non-stinging, chemical-free UVA/UVB protection. And because mineral makeup is sweat-proof, humidity-proof and long-lasting, it’s much more reliable (and flattering!) than traditional sunscreens.

Look for mineral make-up that has an SPF 15 or greater, containing micronized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. And particularly during on-the-go summer months, simplify your routine. Some mineral makeup systems require several products and steps, which make touch-ups and travel much more aggravating than necessary. Advances in mineral makeup have enabled all-in-one products that combine concealer, foundation and finishing powder in one application. A few companies are taking innovative approaches to packaging as well, creating compact, easily portable mineral makeup.