Up to 50 million Americans develop acne each year, making it one of the most common skin conditions. It’s also common to try to cover the pimples, bumps, and redness of acne with makeup.
But do cosmetics make acne symptoms worse? Potentially yes, depending on how you go about it.
Thankfully, the makeup and acne conundrum doesn’t need to be a Catch-22. Whether you wish to wear makeup for fun or to conceal acne, there are workarounds to help keep your skin as healthy as possible at the same time.
At her skin care center in Westlake Village, California, Dr. Daphne Panagotacos and our expert dermatology team treat acne using customized, multifaceted approaches. We can also recommend appropriate makeup and skin care practices.
Read on to learn how makeup affects acne and how to wear it without exacerbating your symptoms.
How acne forms
Acne erupts when your hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and oil. The inflammation that results leads to common symptoms, like blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples, along with pain, irritation, and embarrassment.
And while acne can flare up at most any age, it’s especially likely during hormonal shifts linked with puberty, teen years, pregnancy, and periods. Chronic conditions that affect your hormones, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, also fuel acne.
Why makeup may worsen acne
Any time you add oily substances to your skin, you run the risk of exacerbated acne symptoms. The oil in certain cosmetics may seep into your pores, making the clogged follicle issue worse. Oily skin products may also get in the way of topical acne medication.
And leaving makeup — especially oily makeup — on too long may worsen these matters.
How to wear makeup without worsening acne
Thankfully, you can enjoy makeup products without adding fuel to the acne fire. For starters, choose oil-free makeup. Also known as non-comedogenic, these products won’t clog your pores.
In addition, consider these acne-friendly makeup habits:
- Using a cleanser that reads “oil-free,” “won’t clog pores,” or “non-comedogenic”
- Removing all makeup before going to bed
- Applying makeup gently
- Cleansing your makeup brushes weekly
- Avoiding sharing makeup applicators
- Stopping use of any product that irritates your skin
- Embracing appropriate acne treatment
We can help by providing an acne treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. During your exam, feel free to ask questions about particular makeup products you use or would like to use.
To learn more acne prevention or get the complexion care you need, call us at Dr. Panagotacos’ center or send us a message through our website today.
