Appearance is so important in today’s society. We all want to put our best “selfie-ready” faces forward each day. Wearing a full face of makeup may seem like an easy answer, but in reality, wearing a lot of makeup could be having a negative impact on your skin.
How Makeup Affects the Skin
One of the most common side effects of makeup is acne. The skin is your body’s largest organ, and it needs to be able to breathe. When you wear a full face of foundation and powder, you could be clogging up your pores. Clogged pores can lead to blackheads and acne. You should always avoid pore-clogging ingredients like mineral oil and lanolin. But, one of the best ways to combat this issue is to carefully remove every trace of makeup each night before you go to bed. This will give your skin a chance to breathe and recover while you sleep.
Another common issue is that certain chemicals in makeup can cause irritation or even an allergic reaction. If you suffer from eczema, psoriasis, or acne, you should be especially careful when choosing your product to avoid common allergens and irritants. The last thing you want is to cause a flare-up or inflammation. Try to avoid products that contain parabens and salicylate because they have been shown to cause rashes, hives, and other allergic reactions for people with sensitive skin. Whenever possible, choose products made from natural, non-comedogenic ingredients.
Makeup can also be very drying to the skin in some cases. Dry skin tends to look more aged, and pores and fine lines are accentuated. That’s definitely not the look you’re going for! To maintain a more youthful, healthy appearance to the skin, avoid makeup that contains talc because it’s very drying. Look for cream or gel-based products, too, instead of powders.
How to Look Healthy and Polished with Minimal Makeup
So, what’s a girl to do if she wants to look polished and healthy, but avoid the adverse effects makeup can have on the skin? First and foremost, it all starts with your skincare routine. Choose a skin care routine that’s best for your skin type and stick to it every morning and night. You will be rewarded with healthier skin that doesn’t need as much makeup.
Another tip is to choose a BB or CC cream instead of heavy foundation. These products are usually formulated with natural ingredients that are actually good for the skin, but they still even out the skin tone and cover minor imperfections. If you prefer the fuller coverage of a foundation, try applying it with a makeup sponge for a look that’s still polished, but not as heavy.
You don’t need to pile on a ton of makeup to look polished. Instead, stick to the essentials. Add a little blush on the apples of your cheeks and apply mascara to define your eyes. Maybe a little lip color to finish the look. Take extra care with your hair and your outfit, and you’ll nail the healthy, polished look every time.
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About the Author
Olivia Hsu Friedman, LAc, Dipl.OM, DACM, Cert. TCMDerm, is the owner of Amethyst Holistic Skin Solutions and treats Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, and TSW. Olivia treats patients via video conferencing using only herbal medicine. Olivia is Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Acupuncturists, serves on the Advisory Board of LearnSkin, and is a faculty member of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Group sponsored by the National Eczema Association.