Do you ever face the challenge of makeup related breakouts? One of the most usual question we get asked is: Does makeup cause acne? The answer is Yes. A lot of long-established makeup definitely causes acne. This may sound rather unpleasant but please know that we never bring a problem to the table without also bringing a solution.
Let’s start with the problem and where it typically starts.
- As teenagers, when we enter puberty, our hormones change and we start to produce sebum (oil). This results in a slowing down our natural exfoliation process and thickening of the skin starts to arise. This clogs pores and follicles preventing oxygen from getting down into the skin and oil from getting out. As a result, we get acne blemishes and acne related inflammation.
- Our firs urge is to cover the acne with makeup. To the young person, makeup seems like such a perfect solution for instantly covering the blemishes, making skin look brighter and even smoother.
- We start using harsh cleansers and topical medications with drying agents that dehydrate the skin which prompts it to produce even more oil to compensate for the dry surface layer that we are creating.
- In complete hopelessness we consult physicians that put us on strong medications that may solve the problem but often have side effects that outweigh the solution.
What is the best makeup for acne?
When looking for a makeup brand, never just look at the promotion. Always inquire into further by looking at the ingredients, seeing how it fares with professionals and checking the reviews. Typically, a good line will not only be recommended by professionals such as dermatologists and aestheticians but it will also have good consumer reviews.
How do I reduce redness from acne?
There are two ways that we can reduce redness: One is by wearing soothing ingredients that tone down inflammation. The other is to wear yellow based pigments on the skin. Yellow neutralizes redness very effectively.
How do I cover my acne with makeup?
The most important starting point is to, of course, use clean, non-comedogenic formulas. Next, work in layers rather than trying to cover everything at once. Here are the steps we recommend for a typical acne coverage application.
- Start with clean, hydrated skin.
- Apply Moisturizer
- Apply Disappear Concealer to the areas that breakouts are most visible and blend out the edges so there are no lines of demarcation. We recommend the Camouflage Brush or Sculpting Brush for smaller areas or the Blending & Contouring Brush for large areas.
- Apply PurePressed Base in your color using the flocked sponge in a pressing and rolling motion for an opaquer application.
- Spritz with our Balance Hydration Spray to meld all the layers together.
- Repeat the application of PurePressed Base and Hydration Spray as many times as necessary until the area is completely covered.
Remember that acne can also be exacerbated by using products and brushes that harbor bacteria so make sure to clean your brushes on a regular basis and, as often as possible, use inert products like PurePressed Base to prevent cross contamination (when the bacteria from your face starts growing in your makeup).
Regular visits to an aesthetician will also help you to create a game plan for addressing your acne and switching to healthier makeup and skincare products for acne. Please feel free to submit any questions you may have about this article or makeup related acne in general. We look forward to seeing your transformation!