Makeup Tips To Prevent Acne Breakouts

Guest post by Michael Jenson

Makeup can be a wonderful asset to accentuate your skin’s natural beauty. Unfortunately, if you chose the wrong products or use it excessively, it can have an adverse effect on the health of your skin. We have all seen the person who cakes on makeup in an attempt to disguise acne. Covering up acne for the occasional blemish is understandable, but wouldn’t it be nice to not have to deal with the breakouts in the first place? This article will give you a few makeup product suggestions and general makeup tips to help keep your skin looking fresh and acne free.

Non-Comedogenic Moisturizer:

If you struggle with overly oily skin, you should be using a non-comedogenic moisturizer. What this means is that the moisturizer will be oil-free and will not add to your skins already excessive oils. The reason you will want to make the move to this type of moisturizer is because excessive oil leads to clogged pores, which leads to acne. These products help to eliminate excess oils and stop acne development at its source.

If you have dry skin it is ok to use a regular moisturizer as the oil will help to hydrate by trapping your skin’s natural moisture. You may want to switch between normal and non-comedogenic depending on the time of year and climate you live in. In the dry winter, you may want normal moisturizer and during a humid summer you will want something oil free. Sunscreens also come in non-comedogenic options so be sure to keep that in mind when making your next purchase.

Additionally:
Try adding a thin layer of moisturizer to your skin before applying makeup. By doing this you will create a layer of protection between any chemicals in the makeup and your skin.

Non-Acnegenic Makeup:

If your skin is prone to acne breakouts, you should be using makeup that is labeled non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic. These types of products are specifically formulated not to clog your pores and do not contain any type of ingredients known to cause acne like lanolin, fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol (isopropyl or SD alcohol), sulfates, D&C red dyes, and stearic acids.  If the makeup you are using is labeled non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic and it still seems that you are experiencing makeup-related acne, try a different brand as there may be an ingredient that you are sensitive to. Also, using products that are formulated from natural sources rather than chemicals is always going to be a better choice for your skin’s health.

Hypoallergenic Makeup:

Hypoallergenic makeup products are specifically formulated to minimize allergic reactions during their use. These types of products do this by limiting or eliminating the use of skin irritating ingredients. Using hypoallergenic makeup will help to reduce the chance of breakouts or unsightly skin irritations, thus giving you better odds for clear skin.

Do Not Layer Makeup

Only use the minimum amount of makeup necessary to keep your skin healthier. If you apply a layer of new makeup over an already existing layer of makeup, you will essentially be suffocating your skin. The thicker your makeup is the harder it will be for your skin to breathe and the more likely your pores will become clogged. Going a day or two a week without wearing makeup (if possible) would be even better…… it will give your skin a break and let it breath.

Clean Your Brushes

Make a habit of cleaning your makeup brushes and applicators. These items can collect and store bacteria which is a contributing factor to the development of acne. Combine your facial cleanser and warm water in a cup and swish your brushes and applicators in this solution for 60 seconds. After rinsing, leave them to air dry. You should clean foundation applicators once a week and powder brushes once every two weeks to ensure they are clean. Also, you should not share brushes / applicators as this can greatly increase the risk of transferring acne causing bacteria.

Always Remove Makeup Before Bed

Always remove your makeup before going to bed. Sleeping with makeup on will greatly increase your chances of an acne breakout due to clogged pores. When your face presses against the pillow it will compress the makeup deeper into your skin where it can combine with skin oils and dead skin cells to block pores. Place your makeup remover near your toothbrush so you can make it a habit to clean your face before bed.

Additionally:
Instead of harsh chemicals consider using natural products for makeup removal. One example would be to use olive oil to clear your skin before bed. Because of the natural fats, olive oil makes your skin supple while naturally moisturizing and removing makeup. It also delivers vitamin A and E to rejuvenate your skin.

By following these simple tips outlined above, you will be on your way to clearer skin while using makeup. For more information on how to get clear skin, please visit Michael Jenson’s website clearskininfo.net.

Photo Credit: Dmytro Tolokonov