Makeup and Acne: Are You Making Your Skin Worse?

Many women use makeup to help them feel more confident, have fun with the latest styles, and experiment with different brands and colors. But could your cosmetics be why you have some pimples or other skin issues? Knowing more about the topic could help you maintain clear skin without having to stop using makeup, including tips you may find helpful for your skincare routine.

How Makeup Can Make Acne Worse

The effect of makeup depends on many factors, including your skin type, what makeup you choose, and other factors. Some people can use any type of makeup and have clear skin. Others have sensitive skin and must carefully choose what comes in contact with their skin or risk breakouts, rashes, and more. With that in mind, let’s look at some common ways makeup can cause or worsen acne:

Clogged Pores

Choosing a heavy foundation may not be the way to go, as it can prevent the pores in your face from breathing. Over the course of the day, bacteria, dirt, and sweat can get trapped in the pores. They then become clogged, particularly if you’re using that foundation daily, which is how breakouts start. You might also notice more blackheads .

Added Fragrances

Do you love the smell of your makeup? Unfortunately, that pleasing scent could be from hidden ingredients and put you at risk. A better way to go, usually, is with natural fragrance products that don’t have those additional things in their formula that are irritating your skin unknowingly. If you are already acne-prone, this makeup could worsen it.

Forgetting to Remove It

Going to bed without removing makeup can lead to skin issues. That is because during the day, your skin accumulates a lot of dirt from the air and perhaps from touching your face. While one night of forgetting to remove the cosmetics before bed might not make a difference, regularly sleeping with makeup on can. It could block pores at night and lead to breakouts in the coming days.

How to Prevent Acne due to Makeup Use

Do you have to give up the concealer, blush, and other things you love to use? No. But being smarter with the choices surrounding them can increase your chances of having a glowing complexion. 

Consider Oil-Free

Firstly, look for oil-free on the cosmetics label. Some formulas even say “won’t clog pores” on the packaging. That indicates the product is lightweight and breathable. If you’re not sure, do your homework and read reviews online about other people’s experiences with it. 

Remove Makeup Every Night

While you just want to crawl into bed and sleep, removing the makeup is a must. Follow with a cleanser and then a moisturizer made for your skin type. If you already have pimples, learning more about how to spot treat them to help them heal can help, including what is best to use for your skin needs. Learn about the cystic acne healing stages to understand the right next step for you.

Wash Your Makeup Tools

Taking the time to wash brushes and sponges regularly is worth it. Otherwise, you risk dirtying your skin by applying makeup with ones that have accumulated bacteria from using them over time. A weekly wash with a gentle cleaner or a special makeup solution, according to its recommended instructions, makes sense and could prevent new pimples.

Conclusion: Staying Confident with Clear Skin


While applying makeup can increase confidence, it can also lead to makeup if you make some of the mistakes described above. The noted tips may help, including being mindful about what makeup you use, as well as creating effective self-care and beauty routines.

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