Your Skin & 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.
