Covering Up Acne with Makeup: How Does It Harm the Skin?

Estimated read time 3 min read

If you struggle with acne or other skin issues, then you likely have a few questions. For example, you might wonder if you should stop wearing makeup altogether. Or are you doing more damage than good by using makeup to cover pimples? To help you get some answers, this guide can help.

Statistics about Adult Acne and Makeup

Research shows that 12-20% of US women between the ages of 15-40 suffer from acne breakouts. This percentage might be higher than you realized and provide some context to your struggles. Now it’s clear that you’re not alone in getting a pimple now and then!

You’re also in good company if you’ve tried to conceal your acne with makeup. But is it helpful in the long run?

To answer that question, Dr. Mona Gohara, the Vice President of the Women’s Dermatologic Society says, “acne is caused by hormones, oil production, and inflammatory bacteria. If you are already predisposed to breakouts, makeup can make it worse – particularly oil or liquid based foundations.”

What to do, then? You might worry what others will say if you leave the house with a red blemish on the nose, cheek, or another area of the face. Instead, you may stay indoors and get lonely. Neither solution is ideal. That’s why we want to share two tips below to help you conceal your acne with makeup and without harming your skin. Let’s get to it!

Tip #1 for Using Makeup to Cover Acne

A good rule of thumb is to say no to substandard makeup products. These products are more likely to give you pimples as they’re made with low-grade ingredients. This type of cosmetics can give you a specific type of acne called acne cosmetica. Instead, look for makeup from trusted brands like Sephora that you know are well made. With a Sephora coupon code, for example, you can find solutions that are made for acne-prone skin.

Specifically, search for oil-free solutions. These cosmetics won’t let sebum accumulate around the follicle and mess with your complexion.  If you’re not sure how to tell top makeup from low-quality ones, read the product labels. If the labels say words like non-comedogenic, water-based, non-acnegenic, or oil-free, then that’s good news. These formulations are typically good for acne-prone skin.

By the way, looking for quality items is not only something that you should do for makeup. The same quality rule applies to bath products.

Tip #2 for Makeup Users Who have Acne

Wash your face thoroughly before going to bed after a hectic day. While it might feel like a lot of work and the last thing that you want to do, your skin will thank you for the effort. Pick a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type and use it every night if you typically wear makeup all day. Be gentle while washing the face and pat the skin dry with a soft cloth after washing away the cleanser with lukewarm water. This technique will combat blemishes in the future.

Conclusion

To camouflage pimples with makeup, follow the suggestions above. Doing so will help you to enjoy clearer skin and feel more confident about your appearance.

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