I stumbled on a statement quite recently where the maker said, in a nutshell, that wearing makeup gives you bad skin and will clog your pores. Therefore, you should not wear makeup regularly or at all. If you want to wear makeup, only wear it rarely.
I must say its a very bold and not altogether accurate statement. I do remember people telling me back in the day that wearing makeup could make bad skin worse or could turn good skin bad. I didn’t realise this way of thinking still prevails till today!
Does wearing makeup cause bad skin or will it clog your pores and give you pimples and acne? I’ll say yes, but also no.
Yes: Makeup CAN give you bad skin and clog pores
Yes, makeup can do all that. It can clog your pores and give you pimples and breakouts. If you have more sensitive skin and use a foundation that is too oily or heavy for your skin, or if there is an ingredient in there that irritates your skin, you can experience breakouts and if you don’t take care, it can make your skin look worse.
The biggest culprits are usually foundation, powder and blush. These are products you apply over a wide surface of your skin and ingredients in there that do not agree with your skin can cause you problems. Know your own skin and don’t be swayed just because everyone loves a product – your skin may hate it.
One ingredient I know of that causes people to break out is silicone. It can clog pores and although it is also present in a lot of skincare, many people also break out from silicone in their foundations, powder and blushes. The product you will most likely find containing large amounts of silicone is usually face primers which is why if you have problem skin, it might not be the best product to use. Using makeup can therefore cause more harm than good and for some people, this scares them away from using any.
Yet, there are makeup like mineral makeup which rode a crest of popularity about 5 years ago and which is now lingering on the fringes of the makeup world. Mineral makeup is known to be kinder to skin than regular department store or drugstore makeup. The foundations have fewer ingredients, no fragrance and are more gentle while offering the same benefits of regular makeup. So, if you have very sensitive skin then mineral makeup is an option to consider. On the upside, mineral makeup is also usually affordable and natural.
Another thing to consider is the age of your makeup. If you aren’t careful about tossing out old or expired makeup then yes, you can expect it to cause problems for your skin. Also, know where your makeup comes from. There are many affordable brands available these days of high quality. There is no excuse to knowingly buy fake makeup or makeup from unknown sources. I personally am much fussier about my base makeup (foundation) and blushes than I am about eye or lip colours. I’d save on the latter but always splurge for the former, provided its a good one.
Using too much product isn’t good for your skin either. Remember, less is more. If you already have good skin, you do not need a lot of foundation to achieve that fake, flat, photoshopped look people strive for in photographs. Makeup for professional photography is different from day-to-day makeup. For everyday, you only need a light layer, with some subtle enhancements and that shouldn’t be bad for your skin at all!
No: Makeup WILL NOT give you bad skin and clog pores
On the flipside, I’d say that makeup does not on its own give you bad skin and clogged pores. Part of it may be attributable to what the makeup item contains. The other part is down to proper makeup removal, cleansing and skincare.
When wearing makeup (and this is true also of BB Cream because some people actually do not consider BB Cream makeup. Yes, I find it mind boggling but it happens. BB Cream is makeup, folks and should be cleansed off properly!) the removal process is just as important, or even more important, than the application.
If you want to wear makeup, you have to establish a good makeup removal routine, be it using cleansing oils, cleansing waters or cleansing milk. It is important to remove it all, as this will help ensure the remnants do not clog your pores. I like to double-cleanse with a gel cleanser thereafter, whichever method of removal I use, as I feel that cleans my skin better. Also, it is very important to practice this makeup removal irrespective of the time you get home. Nothing good ever came out of being lazy!
Another thing to consider is the makeup that you use. These days, many brands infuse skin-caring benefits into their makeup so it is no longer the plaster type textures of the days of yore, when makeup went on thick as a mask with a thick, oily, heavy texture. These days, many makeup bases have a lighter water base and have some element of skincare incorporated and even sun protection. Makeup these days can therefore even be beneficial to skin.
Don’t cake it on if you don’t have to. There’s no need to wear 15 layers of makeup to go to work if you’re just going to be at your desk all day. A lot will depend on your work place of course and how polished you have to look. If all you want or need is a touch of subtle enhancements (and I have been advised to at least put on some powder and a lick of lipstick to look more confident in the eyes of the public!) then go light.
Most importantly, use proper skincare. I “treat” my skin in the evenings when I do my evening skincare routine to protect my skin as much as it is to treat it. Exfoliate your skin regularly and do a face mask when you can. It goes a long way towards taking care of your skin, and when you have better skin, you will find yourself wearing less makeup, so goes the circle of life! 😀
Wearing makeup isn’t all bad
I had a bad case of acne when I was younger, all the way till I started working when I discovered learning how to wear concealer and foundation. I wish someone had taught me back then that it wasn’t bad to wear a thin layer of foundation over my face to hide the redness from the pimples and acne. It would have gone much further to boost my self esteem when I needed it most.
So go on, wear some makeup. But remember to use a light hand, wear something good quality and when the time comes, remove it properly and there’s no reason why your skin should be any worse 🙂
What do you think? Did wearing makeup give you bad skin or were you taught that it would give you bad skin?
I used to be told it would give me bad skin and since I already had bad skin, I was understandably concerned. I never wore foundation until I started working. I wish I knew then what I know now.
Paris B
Note: All images attributed to Disney “Mulan”. There is much to be learnt from watching cartoons 🙂
I really think it’s the old school of thoughts that wearing makeup can give you bad skin and it was the sort of old school of thoughts that I adhere to. Then, after some research and reading up on my own (thank you, Google!) I realised there are many factors that can play havoc on one’s skin. Genetics, lifestyle (diet, exercise or not, hydration, etc), environment (pollution! I remember breaking out in a matter of days when I was in Hong Kong because it was covered in smog) and most importantly – hormones! That’s why the Pill is sometimes prescribed to control acne.
Makeup have come such a long way from the days of heavy and caked on style. A lot more research and technology is in place to develop products that are actually kind to our skin.
Personally, I had bad skin when I was in my late teens when the most makeup I’d wear was lipgloss. So, there’s really no logic in place that says makeup gives you bad skin.
Whats sad is I think that the old school perception keeps perpetuating itself because people continue to believe what others say instead of learning it up a little more or to do their own research. So many things can cause breakouts (as I well know) that to just blame it on wearing makeup is almost as shallow as saying that wearing makeup makes you look like a tart. It only does if you pile it on like a drag queen 😛 As a kid, I never wore any makeup. Not a lick, till I went to uni and even then, only for some occasions. I wonder how I turned into this makeup nut 😛
Great advice here P! I also love that the pics are from Mulan hehe
Thanks Jess! The pics from Mulan just jumped out at me for being so apt! 😀 Plus I love that Mulan is a very strong female character 😀
miss paris, i wear BB cream. is that consider as make up? and i did not use any make up remover or cleansing oil to remove it. i just use facial wash to wash my face. is it will clog my pores?
Hi CT, yes BB Cream is considered makeup. It may not be bad for your skin or clog your pores right now, but I would suggest that you look into using a makeup remover for the face anyway because you really need to get it properly removed from your skin. It’ll be better in the long run. From my experience, face wash isn’t quite enough unless your face wash does get your skin very clean (some do). If you aren’t comfortable with cleansing oil (some people can be sensitive to the ingredients) I find cleansing waters more gentle.
Oh thank you so much for the advice, miss paris! =D
Haha I love Mulan so I’m digging all the pictures in your post! 😀
I agree with you – makeup by itself isn’t bad (well unless you’re sharing it with a gadzillion people or only wash your brushes when blue moon shines). Whether or not a makeup item clogs your skin / gives you bad skin depends heavily on how well your skin tolerates its ingredients and how well you remove it! I also cringe when people actually treat BB creams as moisturizer or skin care *shudder*
Do you think that wearing eye makeup indirectly causes fine lines because of the extra (albeit gentle) tugging done when removing it as compared to not wearing eye makeup at all? Don’t bash me but I’m actually inclined to believe that 😛
Hello Jenn, that’s why eye creams are invented!! :p
Hi Ting! 😀 Prevention is better than cure – says paranoid Jenn! Wakakaka!! 😀
One is not supposed to rub the eyes when removing eye makeup, Jenn! 😛
I do triple cleanse as most ladies do here. Oil based eye makeup remover (pat pat pat and careful there!), oil cleanser (so slippery!) and foam cleanser. 😀
And yes I still do get fine lines, but I’m fine with them. I’m over 30, so I have to embrace the reality. HAHAHAHAHA
Triple cleanse! You hardworking women! 😀 Makes me seem like a slob for using only cleansing oil to remove makeup and cleanse my face at the same time! Lol!
Seriously though, i did try the triple cleansing method before and found it to be abit too much for my combi dry skin. Since my cleansing oil works amazing to remove everything from my face, i just make do with that! Hehe! 😀
Lol i’m not 30 yet, seldom wear eye makeup and i still have fine lines under my eyes. Guess its time for me to face reality as already!! Hahahaha!! XD
Jenn, are you using one of those Shu Uemura cleansing oil? You must recommend one to me so that I can simplify to one-step cleansing (on lazy days) hahahaha!
p/s: I wonder how many nested comments/replies can be allowed here?
No Ting, unfortunately the Shu Uemura ones didn’t work too well for me. I’m using the MAC Cleanse Off Oil… its seriously good stuff! Removes all makeup, makes my skin feel sooo soft! Hehe! 😀
Haha not sure, but I’m really enjoying our replies! Hehehe!! Sorry Paris if we’re flooding and going OT! 😛
Never apologise! I’m thoroughly enjoying this exchange haha! 😀
ooooo I need to jot that down in my list!! Thanks, Jenn.
I enjoy the replies here too. Flooding?? What flooding? >__< Bangkok does a pretty good flooding like nobody else. HAHAHAHAAH
Eh sorry girls I can’t reply to Ting’s last post for some reason so I’ll reply here! 😀
Paris: Thank you!! Come join in the “discussion”! 😀 Hehehe!! 😀
Ting: You’re most welcome! 😀 The main reason i stuck with MAC for so long is because it doesn’t sting my eyes. It’s the only cleansing oil I’ve tried so far to be so effective at removing makeup yet doesn’t hurt my eyes. Can’t complain that they have an amazing Back 2 MAC policy so I get a free lippie with every 6 empty bottles returned too! Hehe 😉
ps: still SOOOO jealous of you living in BKK. I LOVE Bangkok!! Miss that place everyday! Hehe!! 😀
I’ve actually used this MAC cleansing oil and its not bad 🙂 So one point for MAC there LOL!
I never tried cleansing oil before , but i love using cleansing cream to take of makeup ;D they just melt off makeup like very fast and they always smell so good ! I really like the Decleor one , smells great and so gentle !
Mmm… cleansing cream is so decadent isn’t it? 😀 I haven’t tried anything from Decleor but so many people have raved about it and a friend of mine loves it too! I shall have to try it and I think my dry skin will love it!
Triple cleanse! I got scared till I read what you did and then realised that I did the same LOL! Yes I do definitely think that using a separate makeup remover for the eye area is essential and goes a long way towards preventing lines from rubbing and pulling the skin. I was using cleansing oils before till I worked out how bad it was for my eyes. But as I told Jenn in my reply to her comment, I do think genetics play a part in lines around the eyes too. Also, emotions, squinting and smiling. I think I’d rather have the lines if it came from smiling a lot 😀 At my age, not having any lines would be…. unnatural 😛
Jenn, and I envy you living in Malaysia with cheaper cosmetic prices!! :p I have not heard about MAC cleansing oil before as people usually talk about the Shu Uemura or the japanese brands. I will definitely give it a go when my current bottle (it’s from Biore with fake apple scent and it stung my eyes!!! Arrgh!!) is finished.
Paris, hey I learnt the triple cleanse method from you…!! :p I have never used cleansing oil until I stumbled upon your blog. Truth. 🙂 I couldn’t agree more about squinting and smiling ALSO contributes to lines. People who wear glasses tend to squint when they take off their glasses in order to have a clearer vision. I remember a Thai movie in which an aesthetics doctor teaches his gf to smile and laugh without squeezing the eyes together. It was hilarious!!
Speaking of brushes, I’d better give mine a good wash this weekend. Yes, I think there’s a blue moon then 😛 But this is a very good point too. Dirty makeup brushes can cause breakouts too! Oh I’m like you when it comes to BB Cream or mineral makeup. Just because the copy says that you can sleep in your mineral makeup doesn’t mean you should! It is still makeup and still needs to be removed properly!
As for eye makeup, unlike Ting, I do think it can contribute to the cause of lines around the eyes. Depending on how gentle or not we are with applying the eye makeup product, I do think there is an element of tugging involved especially blending, or using fingers to apply product. Also, we do tend to tug it when using eyeliner and things like that so yes, I do think it contributes but it also depends on how diligent we are to counter that with eye creams (I’m not, oops!) or in taking care not to pull on the skin. As for removal, I prefer to use a separate eye makeup remover, hold the cotton pad over my eyes for a few seconds and then just wipe off everything in 2-3 swipes without rubbing. I think it minimizes the movement of skin and thus minimizes lines around the eyes.
That said, I don’t think not wearing any eye makeup will prevent fine lines. Sometimes, people rub it anyway when tired or sleepy or if irritated. I also believe that lines around the eyes may be genetic. I’m quite lucky in that despite my advanced age, I don’t have much of a problem with crepey eyes. But my younger sister does despite not wearing much eye makeup and that, I think, is to do with our personal genetic make up 🙂
Personally, my breakouts are more from hormones or incompatible skincare. And sometimes, even due to lack of sleep.
Among my friends, those who say their breakout is from applying makeup, are those who don’t clean their face properly at the end of the day. They still sleep in their makeup, claiming it’s mineral makeup / BB cream, so it’s fine (BS!). And they wonder why their pores are clogged >_<
Yep, anything could break us out, not just wearing makeup. Ultimately, it comes down first and foremost to how well we care for our skin and even then, we could eat something and boom! pimples >.< I don't understand people who will actually sleep in mineral makeup. Just because they say you can do that doesn't mean you should! Tsk!
Your statement “Nothing good ever came out of being lazy!” is the ultimate truth. 🙂 Before you changed the layout, there was a little line under the logo that says “there is no ugly woman, only lazy ones” or something like that. Coincidentally, this advice is also what I have lived with for many years. We can’t just go feeling envious of another person’s good skin. Despite the fact the DNA does play a small part, a lot come down to having a healthy lifestyle and taking great care of the skin.
I have mentioned before my mum preaches that makeup makes your skin bad and dull, and make you look dead on the day you don’t wear it. Well, those were in the 80’s or early 90’s when makeup was cakey, like you said.
Washing your hands before applying or cleaning foundation brush after each use is very important to eliminate germs that are the culprits to breakouts as well.
For me, I love my sheer foundations and concealers as much as I love my skin care products (and ahem… eyeshadows). 🙂
Haha you remembered my old tagline! Yes it was a good one to live by. No ugly women, only lazy ones. That’s true for everything isn’t it? I think the 80s really spoilt it for us because our parents grew up during the time when makeup was indeed bad for us and so they pass on that knowledge. You have great skin anyway (and I can vouch for that as a fact!) so sheer foundations are great for you, and I think, for everyone. No one really ever needs full coverage foundation for daily wear IMO 😛
Yes your tag line! How can one forget?? They should teach the girls in school, probably in Hygience class.:p
Awww… thank you Paris. 🙂 My skin do have pimple outbreak during those time of the month but I have to try very hard not to disturb them. Let them mature naturally and take their time… haha! It’s as if I’m talking about aging wine or fruits. Yeah full coverage foundation is not natural. Sometimes I look at those (especially makeup counters) with full coverage and I imagine how she / shim looks like when it’s taken off at the end of the day… must be a shock to see!! And I shy away from those HD foundation. I don’t understand it. Is it only used when you are going for photo-shoot or something?
Hmm to be honest, I’ve never tried any of the HD foundation. The only one I am familiar with is Make Up For Ever but because I got pissed off with the SA at Sephora (the only place MUFE is sold now) I refused to buy anything from the brand locally so no foundation for me! LOL I do find it a bit odd sometimes, if my foundation goes on too well, and has too good coverage. Its like, its not me if I don’t have my freckles 😛
Hahahaha!! Freckles are so cute! Look at Emma Stone (she’s tooo cute!), Emma Watson and Lucy Liu, to name a few. 🙂 I used to envy my best friend from high school who had freckles on and around her nose. Look so innocent… haha 😀
If I were half as cute as Emma Stone, Emma Watson or Lucy Liu, yes freckles would be cute! >.< On me, everyone just wants to slap some whitening products or anti-spot product or other on me! 😛
Since we don’t have big eyes + long lashes like the western girls, or gorgeous tall nose like the Indians, the only thing we have is clear skin. It makes me wonder if that’s the reason why whitening products are selling so well over here. :p
Hmm you might have hit on something here… although I think its more of the China/Japan/Korean influence coz they have this tranlucent skin that’s just mind boggling! We here in SEA are a little less fortunate so we need all the help we can get 😉
My friend from Beijing regularly cooks (1) stew snow fungus with chinese dates (until the snow fungus nearly melt… yuck!!!) (2) stew pork skin (remove the fat underneath) with star annaise and some other herbs for stewing…
She told me that these are supposed to be good for having clear skin. I am OK with snow fungus, although I find it difficult to eat in that state, but pork skin…??!????!??? Do you know any other food that is supposed to give clear skin? 🙂
Hmm I’ve heard of the snow fungus dessert with gingko nuts and red dates. Good for skin and health. But take it too often and you’ll see the weight pile on LOL! As for the stewed pork, I think its to do with the collagen in the skin thats supposed to be good. I do enjoy eating it – not as horrible as you might imagine 😉 But I do also eat spare parts so… 😛
What astonishes me is that some people will actually go to bed without taking off the makeup. Even disregarding the clogged pores and breakouts they may get, they’re dirtying their bedding!
Spot on! Plus it feels so uncomfortable! I don’t think there’s an excuse for sleeping in your makeup unless you were a) really sick or b) too drunk 😛
I definitely agree with u! Makeup has never break me out. In fact i get break out when i left the house without foundation and with my skincare products only. I think the foundation creates a barrier against the road dust which im allergic to haha
Hello Wenny, I like the idea of barrier. 😀
That’s an interesting point, Wenny! What if the makeup was in fact protecting our skin from daily ravages?! Hmm…
Now you just make me want to go watch Mulan all over again. 😛
Oh yes…there are still people out there that share that thought. Being the makeup/skincare addict of the family, I constantly get remarks about makeup not being “good” for my skin etc. And surprisingly, most of them came from my mum! LOL. Yeah, she’s not much of a makeup person.
I personally don’t think that makeup is bad for your skin. It’ll be bad for you if you don’t remove it and treat your skin properly. Funny thing is most of my breakouts are caused by hormones and incompatible skincare products.
And I have a “ritual” that I follow religiously EVERY night, no matter how tired or late it is: cleansing oil -> regular cleanser -> toner -> eye cream -> serum/oil -> moisturizer. And yes, I follow this like my life depends on it and regardless of whether I wear makeup for that day or not. 😀
My Mum isn’t into makeup either but at least she doesn’t say anything when I wear it LOL Then again I realised I’ve really scaled back since I started learning to wear makeup. I used to really pile it on. Makes me cringe now when I think about it, and it was less than 10 years ago! 😛 I think we have to know our skin above anything else and to above all, use proper makeup not those that you can buy from the pasar malam. I am troubled by people who do so because we don’t know what goes in there and how harmful they can be to our skin. No amount of proper removal can help if the ingredients are the troublemakers. Like you, I have a set routine that I do regardless of whether I wear makeup! I do skip the cleansing oil step if its the weekend and I only have sunscreen on (I know, we’re supposed to remove that too!) but I get lazy 😛
Hello ladies!
I don’t agree at all that make-up (alone) gives bad skin. I agree with the lady before me that break-outs are attributable to so many factors, incompatible SKINCARE, pollution and of course hormones, just to name a few.
I also think that proper cleansing is so important, and that includes using a proper remover to cleanse your face. That is even when we think all make-up has slipped off after a long hot day, or when there is only sunscreen. I think I read from one of your posts that sunscreen is quite difficult to just be washed off without a separate remover! So even when I have no make up but only skincare+sunscreen, I will always double cleanse. When I wear eye make-up, I use separate eye make-up remover as well.
I am having the best skin I have had for years, and it is because of my increased awareness of the well-being of my skin. That includes eating well and addressing the detox issues – warm lemon water in the morning, increased fiber intake, and also diligence in skincare. Creating a barrier between make-up and skin with proper skincare, using thin layers, weekly deep-cleansing of brush, regular exfoliation/masks.
Also, skin will lose its elasticity over time and that is part of the whole process. Some very young ladies have quite a bit of fine lines around their eyes, and that is down to just how we are all made differently, methinks.
Irene
Hi Irene, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this and it looks like most of us are in sync! 😀 Yes, sunscreen actually needs a remover I find but I sometimes get lazy, oops! 😛 Like you, I’m actually having better skin now than I did when I was younger, simply because I’m more aware and am taking better care of the skin I have. I think some of us feel more invincible when young and just because we don’t see any pitfalls when we’re young and our skin is at its peak, we forget that it may show in the future. Also, like it or not, we will age and it will also be reflected in our skin so yes, genetics also plays a big part in how our skin behaves 😀 Very good points, Irene!
My previous beautician actually discouraged me from using make up regularly. She felt it was better to have good skin than lathering it with regular make up. I actually adopted this approach and usually go to work with a good moisturiser and sunscreen and I will top it up with a blush and lipstick. Having said that, I believe it would be nice to have a healthy layer of foundation or BB cream to give a more polish look. I would love to add BB cream to my morning make up if there were more shades for medium-toned girls but unfortunately the BB cream industry only caters for women in a specific skin tone.
I do believe that the method of removing make up even if its only sunscreen is very important. I learned from beauty blogs on the importance of double cleansing and it really helps skin to remain clean. A good hydrating moisturiser and serum/oil keeps face hydrated and prevents unnecessary breakouts. Last but not least of course exfoliating regularly and masking once a week will ensure skin remains in good condition.
I’ve been told, Victoria, that Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream will be coming out in darker shades or perhaps A darker shade so if that is a shade that might suit you, you could have a look at it. My experience with BB’s BB (haha) has been good! Plus being able to not use foundation at all is I think great if you don’t need it. If you don’t have a lot of problems, then just some concealer could give you that polished look you need 🙂
I believe good and healthy skin is more about what’s inside than what’s outside. Sure, make-up can clog pores whatsoever. But even if you don’t wear make-up, there are still chances of breaking out. You can break out from allergies and what not. So yes, I agree 100% with you. The best thing is to find what’s best for YOU. Acne can come and it can go, when it is treated right. It’s not just about what you put onto your skin but also about what you feed your body/skin. Many people don’t know this and many people look at make-up at a negative perspective. It can get really annoying.
Good point about looking after what’s inside as well, Hani 🙂 Heaven knows I break out from eating too much beef, for goodness sake! >.< Who'd have thought eh? 😀 Plus, since we can quite easily break out from anything, wearing a bit of makeup won't make things that much worse can it? Like you, I don't like that people still view wearing makeup negatively - a little makeup is a good thing towards looking a bit more polished. Its not like we're auditioning for the opera or anything! 😉
Mulan! Love the reference. 😛
Cleansing the skin properly to ensure every last bit of makeup is removed at the end of the day is incredibly vital in keeping good skin. No I don’t believe that makeup will give one bad skin or clog pores, even the never-heard-before Daiso cheapies. I agree with LeGeeque; makeup has come a long way with lighter formulas that are non-comedogenic. Makeup alone to say, cause bad skin, is no longer a valid excuse, especially when the lifestyle one leads isn’t a healthy one.
You know what? I’d rather the Daiso cheapies than the pasar malam fakes >.< The problem I think, is that makeup has evolved... but popular thinking is still stuck in the 70s or 80s when makeup meant thick foundation, bright eye and lip colours and big hair. Oy!
Yeah. Totally agreed with you. Makeup isn’t that bad, just we need to remove the make up in a correct way. Makeup REALLY CAN boost girl’s confidence!! =D
Thanks for sharing, Rebecca! I think makeup is great too, not to change anything about us, but to make us look better 🙂
Ahahahahahaha! I love the image you used for that banner. That screenshot from Mulan – fantastic!
I find it so funny that mineral makeup is almost always considered better and “healthier” for the skin than non-mineral makeup. I used to know a girl who was allergic to several metals and used mineral makeup assuming it would be “good” for her, only to be allergic to everything she used – she hadn’t known beforehand that much mineral makeup uses cheap metals as a sort of “filler” in their products. She switched from mineral makeup and her skin got better.
As for whether makeup breaks ME out, I’d say yes and no. If I find a base heavy and greasy and pore-clogging, naturally, I’ll discontinue use – but I don’t find that I break out more when I use tinted moisturizer, primer or concealer (I’m yet to use foundation as I’m only in my early twenties). I find more that my skin is an indication of my all over health, so when I’m not eating well (I’m actually dairy intolerant) or my hormone problems are bad, that’s when I’m likely to break out – not because of my makeup.
Glad you got the reference, Alison 😀 I think the general rule is that mineral makeup, containing fewer ingredients, is better for skin because everything used is more or less inert. That said, I think a lot depends on what goes in. Some brands are alright for my skin, some aren’t and they can cause breakouts just as with everything else. I know of people who can’t wear popular brands like Bare Minerals because it makes their skin itch. Some ingredients do that. So generally speaking, for people will sensitive skin mineral makeup can be better than regular makeup with all the myriad of chemicals, but ultimately it will depend on how much our skins can tolerate 🙂
I think makeup is only bad for you when you already have bad skin to begin with. I’ve been through a time like that when I had moderate to severe acne. I will put on a bunch of acne treatment products and then cover it up with tons of makeup just so I could feel better about myself. Thinking back, it might have slowed down my healing process. What I should have done is give my skin time to get used to the skincare products and avoid makeup to give my skin room to breath. Of course, its easier said than done since my self-esteem was at its lowest when I had to be barefaced back then. =S
My skin is at its best now finally after a lot of trial and error. It seems that my oily-outside/dry-inside acne-ridden skin responded better to skincare for sensitive skin instead of hydrating or anti-trouble skincare. =_= I also have no problem with wearing makeup although I kept it light with just foundation or BB cream and blusher. And yes, cleansing off the makeup is very important along with the right skincare products. =D
Thank you for sharing your experience with using makeup to cover up acne, Liz 🙂 You know what? I sort of wish I knew then that I could (there are some concealers that have acne fighting properties these days) but on hindsight, although I didn’t use any makeup back then, my acne wasn’t getting any better either! It actually went away of its own accord much later. But you brought up a good point about going bare faced. I don’t wear makeup on weekends, even when I go out. If its to see certain people then I will, but only light makeup. If its just family or close friends, I go bare faced. Probably not even with great skin, but I like having my skin breathe a little. No matter how light our makeup is, it still is an additional layer that needs removing by day’s end!
I think eye makeup doesn’t make your skin worse but certain foundations can clog me up, although I do agree that skincare is the main culprit for my major breakouts. And sadly, that includes sunscreen.
It doesn’t help that I have such sensitive skin that even certain makeup removers cause breakouts (even Bioderma) 🙁 So much for trying to be hardworking and double cleansing. I now just cleanse twice with my Seba Med clear face bar and my skin seems to like it much better.
Aww having sensitive skin is definitely a problem. Sorry to hear that you face problems even with makeup removers! But I’m sure you’ve worked out by now what works for you and what doesn’t and what you need to do to stay clear skinned 🙂 That’s one of the challenges we face – understanding our own skin because we can’t just depend on what others say/do/recommend 🙂
Hi Paris~ Another post that I love! I agree 😀 I don’t think make up = bad skin. I was taught like that though & I believed it when I was way younger but now not at all. I don’t believe it. It is bad for the skin if we don’t treat our skin the way it should be treated, and when we use makeup that isn’t suitable for our skin type. It is not bad if we know how to take care & treat our skin. For example, makeup remover is an important step in our daily skincare routine if we wear makeup. Nowadays when someone just tells me off saying makeup is bad for me, I just don’t care anymore. I believe what I believe LOL 😀
Aww thank you for enjoying this Rin! I must say, I’m enjoying reading all the comments too! I think many of us were brought up with that sort of thinking and are only now trying to change it. I think learning about skincare helps us understand that makeup isn’t all bad too, and in fact, skincare can sometimes cause us more problems than makeup can! Its all to do with how well we care for our skin and when we wear makeup, to be sure to remove it properly. Ultimately, it comes back down to skincare doesn’t it? So, next time someome tells you off for wearing makeup, tell them you aren’t hurting anyone so it shouldn’t bother them! LOL!
It’s not really just makeup that results in bad skin, but more about the type of makeup (i.e. ingredients used, and whether it’s expired) and improper cleansing. Other factors are like you said, lifestyle and genetics etc. As a beauty blogger and vainpot, I can never say no to makeup! Ha ha.
xoxo,
Roxanne
Hi Roxanne, thank you for sharing your thoughts and I fully agree with you too! Sometimes, its what makeup we use that causes the problems not just the use of makeup per se. Besides, wearing lipstick can’t be bad for our skin right? 😉
must remove! it is not good in long run
Can’t believe there are people who believe they can sleep in their makeup eh?