Is Your Makeup Worsening Your Skin?

At a Glance

Makeup enhances appearance and confidence, but applying it too often can harm your skin. You may end up with clogged pores, breakouts, dryness, premature ageing, and allergic reactions due to harsh ingredients like parabens and formaldehyde. Maintaining proper skincare, using safe products, and removing makeup daily are essential to protect your skin’s health.

Why We Wear Makeup

Makeup has never been more popular - it boosts confidence and lets people express their individuality. While appearance standards influence many of our beauty habits, few of us stop to consider the long-term effects of daily makeup use on our skin.

Ironically, the acne or irritation you’re covering up with makeup could be caused by overusing those very products. Prolonged use of makeup can be bad for the skin, triggering breakouts, and even lead to allergic reactions. 

A healthy lifestyle and consistent skincare routine can help you feel truly confident in your natural skin. At The Blemish Clinic, we specialise in safe, effective removal of skin imperfections, including warts, milia, and blood spots - to help restore a clearer complexion. 

Keep reading to learn more about the possible makeup side effects and how to protect your skin as a makeup user. 

How Does Makeup Harm Your Skin?

The severity of makeup side effects depends on the quality of the products you’re using, how often you use them, your skin’s compatibility and sensitivity, as well as the skin care routine you follow. 

Here are some of the harmful effects of makeup that your skin may experience:

Breakouts

If you have acne-prone or sensitive skin, using comedogenic cosmetics every day can clog your pores, irritate the skin barrier, and trap dirt, which can lead to acne and breakouts. 

If you wear heavy makeup during a breakout to hide acne, you may end up further aggravating the condition, leading to a vicious cycle. Going makeup-free for a few days can help your skin calm down.

Skin Dryness

Applying too much makeup leads to skin dryness, as it often absorbs the skin’s natural oils, especially when you’re using matte or powder products. 

Failing to properly prepare your skin by moisturising it will also further aggravate any existing skin dryness. Similarly, piling on too much makeup or sleeping with your makeup on can make your skin appear flaky. 

Premature Ageing

If your makeup doesn’t suit your skin type, your skin may exhibit signs of premature ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles. Skin dehydration, due to overwearing cosmetics or sleeping in them, prevents collagen production.

Some products also contain preservatives, colourants, and fragrances, which can lead to discolouration and sun sensitivity. These factors further accelerate the skin ageing process.

Allergic Reactions

One of the worst makeup side effects is allergic reactions and eye irritation. This usually comes from the products that include fragrances and preservatives, like formaldehyde and parabens. 

Some products contain plant extracts like tea tree oil, citrus extract, and lavender which can also cause an allergic reaction. 

However, sometimes it’s as simple as overusing eye products, like mascara or eyeliner. This can lead to dry / watery eyes, redness, and puffiness. 

To avoid this, make sure to patch test a new product before you use it on your skin, and never use expired products. 

Harmful Ingredients in Makeup

Why is makeup bad for your skin? Many cosmetics contain toxic chemicals and ingredients. 

When you’re buying beauty products, check the labels to see if they contain any of the following harmful ingredients:

• Formaldehyde

• Methyle glycol

• Isobutyl and isopropyl parabens

• PFAs

• Hydroquinone

• Acetone

  
  

This will help you avoid the negative side effects of makeup on the face.

Some of these ingredients are carcinogenic (cancer-causing), and some can alter DNA and disrupt hormones and the reproductive system. Others are less toxic but can still trigger allergic dermatitis, skin dryness, and increased absorption of harmful UV rays.

Best Practices to Protect Your Skin When Using Makeup

The British beauty industry is one of the most resilient sectors, showing 11% growth, amounting to £27.2 billion in 2023. It’s clear to see that we’re not going to stop wearing makeup altogether, and nor should we. 

Instead, we recommend following these best practices:

• Always remove your makeup before going to bed, no matter how tired you are.

• Replace eye makeup products every 3 to 4 months, since these are prone to bacterial and fungal growth.

• Wash makeup brushes and sponges every few weeks.

• Always use your own products, especially those that come in direct contact with your skin. Using contaminated products can lead to infections and allergies.

• Never use expired products.

• Read product labels when you’re shopping to avoid harmful ingredients.

• Wear makeup that suits your skin type to prevent breakouts.

• Never wear cosmetics before any physical exercise or swimming. The combination of sweating and makeup clogging your pores will make it difficult for your skin to breathe.

• Follow a good skincare routine that includes cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturising. 

• Don’t wear makeup if you’re dealing with an active breakout.

Visit The Blemish Clinic To Achieve Blemish-free Skin

Have you experienced any of these makeup side effects from constant exposure? 

Are you wearing concealer to hide your bad skin because it affects your self-confidence? Keep in mind that overexposure to the chemicals found in your concealer may be triggering the skin condition in the first place.

Whilst we aren’t dermatologists, we are always happy to give our advice. And, if you have a skin blemish that you’d like to remove using advanced electrolysis, we can help!

Advanced electrolysis is a safe and relatively painless procedure that offers a long-term remedy for different skin blemishes. 

Schedule an appointment today!