Do you ever face the challenge of makeup-related breakouts? If you do, you are not alone. One of the most frequently asked questions is: Does makeup cause acne? We would like to give you as immediate an answer as possible. The answer is yes. Too much traditional makeup definitely causes acne. This may sound like a rather bleak outlook, but please know that we never bring a problem to the table without also bringing a solution. Let’s start with the problem and where it usually starts.
In high school, my friends and I were tormented by the conundrum of trying to make our complexions look better. The challenge was to achieve the results we wanted using makeup but without aggravating the acne we were trying to cover. This may well be the most common makeup-related problem in the world. Here is the typical script:
- As teenagers, when we enter puberty, our hormones change and we start producing more sebum (oil). This results in the natural exfoliation process slowing down and hyperkeratin (thickening of the skin) begins to appear. This clogs the pores and follicles preventing oxygen from entering the skin and oil from exiting. As a result, we get acne spots and acne-related inflammation.
- Our first impulse is to cover acne with makeup. For young people, make-up seems like a perfect solution to instantly cover blemishes, making the skin look brighter and even smoother. But we quickly realized the double-edged sword of wearing traditional makeup on a regular basis. Yes, it covers… but it also creates more acne. This is because traditional makeup is usually made with ingredients like talcum powder and mineral oil, which not only clog pores but are also clogging. This means they suffocate the skin, further preventing oxygen from entering the pores, which creates the perfect atmosphere for even more acne bacteria to thrive.
- As the cycle progresses, we find the need to wear more makeup to cover the acne the makeup is causing. This is like treating depression with whiskey.
- We start using harsh cleansers and topical medications with drying agents that dehydrate the skin, which prompts it to produce even more oil to compensate for the dry surface layer that we they create
- In utter desperation we consult doctors who put us on powerful drugs that may solve the problem, but often have side effects that outweigh the solution.
This scenario, as common as it is, is not hopeless. In the last 27 years a movement has emerged that was started by a brilliant woman who started her career in the showbusiness industry. Yes, in 1994, our very own Jane Iredale began creating makeup that broke the rules of traditional makeup, formulating without sensitizing ingredients like talc and mineral oil or synthetic preservatives and using ingredients that soothe and calm inflammation and can be worn all day without worsening of acne.
While our brand has gained international recognition as THE SKINCARE MAKEUP, we’ve also become the brand many people turn to when they’re on their mind. They bring their questions and problems and we are always happy to answer them and recommend products. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions:
What is the best makeup for acne?
When looking for a makeup brand, never just look at the ad. Always research further by looking at the ingredients, seeing how it fares with professionals and checking reviews. Usually, a good range is not only recommended by professionals such as dermatologists and beauticians, but will also have good reviews from consumers. Of course, we’ll recommend jane iredale Cosmetics because we’ve spent the last 27 years creating products that are just as good for skin health as they are beautiful on skin.
What is the best foundation for acne prone skin?
We recommend the PurePressed Base. We love it because it’s dermatologist-tested, sensitivity-tested, hypoallergenic, allergy-tested, and has the best ingredients for soothing acne inflammation, plus incredible coverage that minimizes the appearance of acne texture while you’re wearing it. Made with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, it blends seamlessly into skin without clogging or clogging pores. It also provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection.
How can I reduce redness from acne?
There are two ways we can reduce redness: One is by wearing soothing ingredients that stimulate inflammation. The other is to wear yellow skin pigments. Yellow neutralizes redness very effectively.
How can I cover my acne with makeup?
The most important starting point is, of course, using pure, non-food-borne formulations like ours. Then work in layers rather than trying to cover everything at once. Here are the steps we recommend for a typical acne cover-up application.
- Start with clean, moisturized skin.
- Apply Dream Tint Tinted Moisturizer to your complexion to give sheer, even coverage all over the face. This layer is important because it blends well with our Disappear Concealer.
- Apply Disappear Concealer to the areas where breakouts are most visible and blend the edges so there are no lines of demarcation. We recommend the Blending Brush or Sculpting Brush for smaller areas or the Blending & Contouring Brush for large areas.
- Apply PurePressed base to your color using the wire sponge in pressing and rolling motions for an opaque application.
- Spray with Balance Hydration Spray to bind all layers together.
- Repeat the application of PurePressed Base and Hydration Spray as many times as needed until the area is completely covered.
Remember that acne can also be made worse by using products and brushes that harbor bacteria, so be sure to clean your brushes on a regular basis and, as often as possible, use inert products like PurePressed Base to prevent cross-contamination (when bacteria from your face starts to grow on your makeup).
Regular visits to an esthetician will also help you create a game plan for dealing with your acne and switching to healthier acne makeup and skin care products. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about this article or makeup-related acne in general. We can’t wait to see your transformation!
