Does Make-Up Harm the Skin?

April 2021 | Reading time: 4 minutes

Men and women all over the world wear make-up, whether it is for a special occasion, or on a daily basis. In the last decade, make-up tutorials have become some of the most watched online videos, and people use popular techniques such as contouring. Few of us stop to think if our skin is suitable for such products, and how make-up can cause harm.

At VIVO Body Studio, we are all about looking after our bodies and treating them with the respect they deserve. As a result of this, we have explored whether make-up can harm the skin, and how you can change your habits to ensure that your skin looks and feels great!

Harmful Effects of Make-Up

Your reaction to cosmetic products will vary depending on the type and quality of your skin. If you have naturally oily skin, then you should be careful about which products you are putting on your face. When you have oily skin, the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum oil which clogs the pores on its own, with or without make-up. This often leads to the development of spots and acne. However, cosmetic products contain oils that can aggravate the pores and the already excessive amount of oil in the skin. This worsens existing cases of acne if you do not remove your make-up properly.

If you do not have oily skin, this does not mean you are safe. Oils in make-up products cause ‘acne cosmetica’, which has the same appearance as normal acne, but is solely caused by make-up clogging the pores. Thicker products may make your skin more prone to developing acne, or other skin conditions.

As well as this, some people have allergic reactions to the ingredients in make-up. Eyeshadow can harm the skin because the eyes are a sensitive area. In addition to this, the eyelids and the area under the eye tend to dry out when we get older. We need to take care to ensure that the skin is hydrated and moisturised, which make-up could prevent. Contact dermatitis is a kind of eczema that flares up after contact with a specific product. This skin condition has become common in older women who have used cosmetic products continuously for many years.

Last but not least, make-up can damage your skin if you wear it during sleep. When you sleep, your skin repairs itself, and the dead cells are replaced by new ones. During this process, the skin hydrates itself using sebum oil that is naturally produced. However, make-up blocks the pores and stops the sebum from cleansing and repairing the skin. As a result of this, the skin can become aggravated and produce spots. Your skin may also age prematurely and lose its shine if it does not get the chance to regenerate.

How To Avoid This

When you go to put on your make-up, think about whether you need it. At VIVO Body Studio, we believe people should love the natural beauty of their bodies, and try not to harm this. Of course, this does not mean you cannot wear any make-up at all. Instead, consider wearing less make-up, for instance only a light layer of foundation. This should help to keep your pores clearer and stop the build-up of spots or acne.

The most important thing you must do is take off make-up at the end of the day. This is crucial if you wear multiple layers of cosmetic products. By unclogging the pores before you go to bed, you ensure that your skin can refresh itself while you sleep. It is advisable to moisturise your skin as well, to give it a helping hand in the repair and hydration process, particularly if you have dry skin.

Do whatever you can to look after your skin! Our bodies are amazing in their ability to repair themselves. It is imperative that we do not stop this, and help in any way we can.

If you are worried about the condition of your skin, why not help to initiate skin repair with our LED Light Therapy treatment. This uses three types of LED light to hydrate skin, reduce signs of ageing and combat acne, leaving your face feeling fresh and healthy.