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Now Reading: Your Skin And The Effect Of Not Wearing Makeup
Take off your makeup. Make yourself comfortable. And read on. The Doctor is in! Nadine Eden chats to our Group Clinic Director Dr Toni Philips about the effect of not wearing makeup on our skin.
Is Makeup Bad For The Skin?
And If So, Which Products Are The Most Damaging?
Even high-quality brands of makeup contain additives, chemicals and preservatives. These can include parabens, artificial fragrances, sodium lauryl sulphite/sulphate, phthalates, formaldehyde and oxybenzone. These are all commonly used in the manufacture of makeup, and are all equally damaging. They are used to make the product look and feel nice to use, also for longer shelf life and anti-bacterial reasons.
What Kinds Of Skin Issues Can Regularly Wearing Makeup Cause?
The main problem with wearing makeup is congestion, especially for combination or oily skin types. Even on normal to dry skin types, makeup can interfere with the function of the skin barrier. For example, parabens or phthalates block the water balance in our skin barrier, therefore eventually causing more dryness.
Of course, with a good, daily skin care routine, especially cleansing in the evening, it’s safe to wear makeup daily. But I would always advise as many makeup-free days as possible to give the skin a break.
What Happens To The Skin When We Give It A Break From Makeup?
Is A Week Long Enough To See A Significant Difference?
Our skin is a living organ, which has a complex, ongoing cycle of regeneration and restoration. Healthy skin is naturally resilient, but it can be damaged quite easily by over-exposure to many things such as UV rays, and anything we apply topically, especially makeup. Even if you have a good skin care routine and cleanse properly at the end of each day, your skin still has to work hard to regain its natural balance, so that the cells can breathe and restore themselves each night.
Make-up free days take the pressure off your skin and also off your skin care routine. The skin will be much happier in its natural function when nothing is applied to disrupt the skin barrier (surface layer). After a week or so going makeup-free, you’re likely to notice more glow, and a peachier tone to your skin. This is because your skin care products are supporting the skin optimally and your skin will respond more effectively.
What Skincare Tips Do You Recommend To Support Your Skin While Not Wearing Makeup?
Don’t stop your usual skin care routine! If anything, be even more consistent.
If you don’t already, make a real commitment to carry out your skin care routine morning and evening. After a few weeks, it will have become a habit. And you will definitely notice a difference in the way your skin looks and feels.
Invest in a quality tinted SPF30+ or SPF50, as this will help you feel less ‘naked’ without full makeup. And take a long, hard look at your natural skin. If there’s anything you aren’t happy about, for example, brown patches, redness, fine lines/wrinkles, plan a trip to a good aesthetic clinic for some professional advice and treatments. Great skin is possible for everyone.
FAQs
Make-up free days take the pressure off your skin and also off your skin care routine. The skin will be much happier in its natural function when nothing is applied to disrupt the skin barrier (surface layer). After a week or so going makeup-free, you're likely to notice more glow, and a peachier tone to your skin.
Is it better for your skin to wear makeup or not? ›
When worn for long periods of time, makeup clogs your pores and therefore limits collagen and elastin production in your skin, leading to lines and wrinkles. This is on top of exposure to the sun's damaging rays, which cause 90% of visible skin aging.
Does taking a break from makeup help your skin? ›
Your complexion will become balanced
When you stop applying makeup, you essentially let your skin breathe. This allows the natural oil build up to balance out the skin and deeply hydrate.
Why is my skin worse without makeup? ›
Don't be discouraged if you notice that your skin actually looks worse at first. "Some people may experience breakouts when they stop applying their everyday makeup. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it's normal for your skin to take a few days to acclimate," product chemist Eddie Omar tells Refinery29.
Should I do skincare if I don't wear makeup? ›
Everyone, whether they wear makeup or not, should have some type of skincare regimen. Even if their skin care regimen only consists of washing their face in the morning and in the night time, then that is better than nothing.
What happens to your skin if you never wear makeup? ›
After a week or so going makeup-free, you're likely to notice more glow, and a peachier tone to your skin. This is because your skin care products are supporting the skin optimally and your skin will respond more effectively.
Is skin healthier without makeup? ›
When you don't wash your makeup off your face, dead skin won't be replaced with new cells. These dead skin cells will lead to dull and dry skin. Less makeup leads to less germs that will interrupt the formation of your new skins cells. You'll feel a more clear, vibrant and hydrated face.
What happened to my skin when I stopped wearing makeup? ›
You are less likely to experience breakouts, blackheads, or pimples because the no makeup movement won't clog your pores. This is great because it also allows your skin to breathe, and you won't have to use harsh acne products that can dry out your skin.
Does foundation age your skin? ›
In short – no. Makeup itself does not age your skin. What could potentially age your skin is if you are using makeup and don't have a strong skincare routine for both before and after makeup application.
Does not wearing makeup make you look younger? ›
By avoiding makeup or curbing excessive wear you can improve the health of your skin, lessen the impact of skin conditions, and enjoy a fresher, younger-looking appearance.
There are skin benefits to not wearing makeup, but there are also makeup products that are good for your skin, too. Your relationship to makeup should benefit and boost your life, not harm it—so if it's not your thing, that's totally fine. It's all about what makes you feel most beautiful and the most comfortable.
Is it really necessary to wear makeup? ›
Protects the skin on your face
Most people argue that there are no real benefits of makeup, but they are entirely wrong, as makeup not just helps with confidence and makes our skin look better, but it also protects it.
Will my skin clear if I stop wearing makeup? ›
Acne cosmetica will often clear when you stop using the makeup and hair and skin care products that clog your pores. If anything else is causing your acne, however, you'll still see acne.
Are there any benefits to wearing makeup? ›
Makeup helps you to protect your skin and keep it safe from pollution, smog etc that harm your skin. Makeup creates a slight barrier around your skin to keep it from being directly exposed to dust. While makeup is not going to offer total protection, the risk of being harmed will at least remain minimal.
Is makeup better than skin care? ›
Makeup provides an immediate boost to your appearance, but its effects are temporary. Skincare, on the other hand, works on a deeper level to improve the health and appearance of your skin over time.
Is it better to go makeup free? ›
Makeup = Clogged Pores
The most obvious reason to go makeup-free is that it will improve the look and feel of your skin. While certain skincare products like cleansers penetrate the skin, makeup just sits on top of it.
