It's that time of the year again when everyone is gearing up to dress in their best costumes and use makeup to help them look their best. But you might be concerned about whether or not your Halloween makeup will cause you to break out. After all, you don't want to have to deal with acne in addition to your costume, so here are 6 best tips to help you prevent makeup-induced acne.
Acne is the last thing anyone wants to deal with when Halloween is just around the corner, but unfortunately, it's a reality for many people.
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells and it can happen for various reasons, including hormonal changes, stress, diet, and, yes, even makeup.
If you're planning on wearing Halloween makeup for your costume, it's important to be aware of the reasons why it can cause acne and the best tips to prevent makeup-induced acne.
6 Reasons Halloween Makeup Causes Acne
Here are 6 reasons Halloween makeup causes acne:
1. It's made with harsh toxic ingredients.
A study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 39 Halloween makeup products, all of which contained toxic ingredients that could pose a host of severe health issues.
Makeup made with harsh toxic ingredients is more likely to cause irritation and inflammation because it compromises and weakens your skin barrier by stripping your skin from its natural oils and moisture.
A compromised and weakened skin barrier allows allergens and pathogens to enter your skin, which triggers severe allergic reactions and acne breakouts.
2. It contains fragrances and synthetic dyes.
Halloween makeup contains artificial fragrances and dyes to achieve that bold and vibrant look. However, these ingredients are known to be some of the most common skin irritants which can trigger inflammation, redness, swelling, and acne breakouts.
The term "Fragrance" is considered "trade secrets" under the US Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, which means manufacturers are not required to list their fragrance ingredients on product labels.
As a result, "Fragrance" is the term used to hide all the toxic ingredients manufacturers use in product formulation, making it difficult for consumers to know what they are buying.
Now you may think that natural fragrances may not fall under this category, but according to the International Fragrance Association, even natural fragrances can be as toxic and allergenic as synthetic fragrances because they don't have official regulations.
When it comes to dyes, studies have shown that the most commonly used dyes are unsafe for your skin because they are classified as allergens, irritants, carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents.
Synthetic dyes are made using coal tar, petroleum, or heavy metals salts, leading to skin irritation, inflammation, sensitivity, clogged pores, and acne breakouts when applied topically.
With that being said, they are primarily associated with acne because they disrupt your skin's natural oil balance and increase sebum production, leading to clogged pores and acne breakouts.
3. It's comedogenic.
Comedogenic ingredients in makeup products are one of the leading causes of acne because they increase sebum production, and — because a comedogenic formula is usually thick and occlusive — it sits and traps oil, dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria on your skin; all of which clogs pores and eventually breakouts.
4. It's oily.
Oily ingredients in makeup include oils or mineral oils like petrolatum, mineral oil, and paraffin, which are known to be pore-clogging.
And, just like comedogenic ingredients, these ingredients work by sitting on top of your skin and trapping oil, dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria on the skin, which leads to clogged pores and acne.
5. It contains glitter.
Glitter is made from small pieces of aluminum-coated plastic with sharp edges that are very abrasive to your skin because the rubbing action caused by removing glitter causes small micro-cuts on your skin, resulting in irritation and breakouts and premature aging.
Not only that but microplastics, which is the material glitter is made from, help potentially dangerous organisms survive for extended periods of time by providing a "lifeboat", which further aggravates and damages your skin.
6. It's difficult to remove.
Halloween makeup is difficult to remove because it's made with ingredients that are designed to last all night that a regular cleanser can't dissolve.
Therefore the constant friction and scrubbing necessary to remove Halloween makeup can lead to skin irritation, inflammation, micro-tears, and breakouts.
But if you don't remove your Halloween makeup properly, it will sit on your skin overnight, which is a recipe for disaster; here's why you shouldn't sleep with your makeup on.
6 Best Tips To Prevent Makeup-Induced Acne
If you're worried about getting acne from your Halloween makeup, here are 6 best tips that will help you prevent Halloween makeup-induced acne:
1. Invest in makeup with safe and high-quality ingredients.
If you're concerned about the ingredients in your makeup and their potential to cause acne, it's important to invest in products that are made with safe and high-quality ingredients to protect your skin and avoid any skin concerns.
Several brands offer makeup products specifically designed for acne-prone skin, so it's worth researching to find the right products for your skin type and skin needs; if you're on a budget here are 8 best tips to help you find affordable but high-quality cosmetics products.
2. Avoid using products with fragrances and synthetic dyes.
When avoiding acne, you should always watch out for two ingredients: fragrances and synthetic dyes.
Fragrances in makeup products are irritating to your skin because they are classified as allergens, irritants, carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents.
And synthetic dyes are also problematic for all skin types — especially for acne-prone skin — because they can clog pores and lead to irritation.
To avoid these ingredients, always check the label of your makeup products before buying them to ensure they don't contain fragrances or synthetic dyes.
3. Use oil-free and non-comedogenic makeup products.
If you're concerned about keeping your skin looking its best, use oil-free and non-comedogenic makeup products to avoid clogging your pores and causing breakouts.
Oil-free makeup products don't contain any oils or ingredients that can clog pores, while non-comedogenic makeup products are formulated not to clog pores.
When shopping for makeup, always look for products labeled "oil-free" or "non-comedogenic" to make sure they won't cause breakouts.
4. Avoid using glitter.
We get it! It's Halloween, and glitter is fun, so you may be tempted to use glitter in your makeup look. But if you want to add sparkle to your look, opt for shimmery eye shadows or lip glosses.
It's best to avoid using glitter altogether; however, if you're planning on wearing glitter, be extra gentle when removing it to avoid damaging your skin.
5. Patch test the makeup.
Before using any makeup product, do a patch test first to ensure you're not allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients.
To do a patch test, apply a small amount of the product to a small area of skin on your jawline, behind your ear, or on your wrist.
If you experience any reaction, such as redness, itching, swelling, or burning within a few minutes, wash the makeup off immediately, and avoid using the product, as it's likely you're allergic to one of the ingredients.
It's also a good idea to patch test each time you use a new batch of makeup, even if you have used the same brand and shade before, because formulations can change over time, and what worked for you in the past may no longer be suitable.
By taking a few minutes to patch test your makeup, you can help to avoid any unwanted reactions.
6. Properly remove all your makeup before going to bed.
Sleeping with your makeup on can lead to several skin concerns — here are all the reasons why you shouldn’t go to sleep with makeup on — which is why it's a must to remove all your makeup before going to bed.
To properly remove Halloween makeup, you need to double cleanse your skin with an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser.
Oil-based cleansers help break down the oils and waxes in Halloween makeup, while water-based cleansers help remove any residual product and dirt from the skin.
By double cleansing your skin, you can be sure all traces of makeup are removed and your skin is clean and clear; here are other tips to help you remove all traces of makeup.
With these tips in mind, you can enjoy your Halloween without worrying about your makeup causing you breakouts!
If you have acne-prone skin, Halloween makeup is not your only concern; these 10 tips along with these 10+ Best Halloween Skincare Face Masks will help you get through this season to prevent a Halloween nightmare so you can enjoy the holiday without worrying about your skin.
Leave a Reply