It’s a rumor floating around the skincare world for ages. Does makeup age your skin? Is it damaging to your skin? We are here to help you finally put the rumors about wearing makeup to bed and do what is best for your skin!
Seriously, Does Makeup Age My skin?
In short – no. Wearing makeup itself does not lead to premature aging. What could potentially cause premature aging is if you are wearing makeup and don’t have a strong skincare routine for both before and after makeup application.
Skincare and makeup should be friends, not enemies! As long as you maintain a consistent skincare routine, you shouldn’t see any signs of premature aging due to your makeup.
Does Makeup Damage Your Skin?
Now, just because makeup doesn’t age your skin doesn’t necessarily mean it is good for your skin’s health in general. Wearing makeup can cause other issues that don’t fall under aging, such as acne breakouts, blemishes, dryness, irritation, oily skin, etc. These issues can be caused by certain ingredients commonly found in makeup products, such as fragrances, dyes, and preservatives.
Makeup brands are working harder and harder these days to create beauty products that are non-comedogenic and even some that benefit the skin instead of harming it. Make sure to look for cosmetics that are free of these harsh ingredients when you’re shopping around for new supplies.
Always keep an eye on expiration dates: once expired, makeup can become contaminated, which could lead to even more damage and irritation.
Bye, Bye Makeup?
There is no need to throw your concealer and foundation out the window. It isn’t a given that these products will cause damage and it can definitely be avoided. You just need to be smart about your skincare before application, during application, and, you guessed it, after application.
Skincare Before Makeup
Before you wear makeup, make sure to cleanse the face to clear it of any dirt and grime. After washing, apply a product that protects the skin from free radicals and hydrates the skin, as most makeup products dry out the skin. Choose a cleanser that can thoroughly clear your pores. Avoid any buildup of dirt and product in the pores, as clogged pores and breakouts always go together.
A great product for under makeup is our Soulmate Brightening Treatment. It exfoliates the skin with glycolic acid but also has hyaluronic acid to keep the skin moisturized. Added bonus – it has a matte finish so it makes the perfect primer.
And as always, finish your daytime routine with sunscreen. Apply sunscreen to prevent premature aging. Sunscreen protects you from sun exposure, as that often results in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Choose a product with an SPF of 30 or higher to keep your skin healthy and protected all day long. Opt for our moisturizing sunscreen, Chase the Sun SPF Moisturizer, formulated with natural zinc oxide to block harmful UV rays and maintain your youthful appearance.
How to Apply Makeup Safely
Make sure to apply makeup gently. Don’t rub too hard when putting on products, and make sure not to pull the skin too hard with brushes and sponges, as these harsh techniques will break down collagen and elastin over time, which could result in wrinkles and other signs of skin aging.
Also, make sure you clean your brushes/sponges/applicators. Dirty brushes are usually the culprit for clogged pores and breakouts. Brushes should be washed at least once a week.
Skincare Before Bed
Arguably, the most important steps you take to make sure makeup does not age your skin all happen before bed. ALWAYS remove makeup before bed. Did you hear us? Aging skin or not, NEVER sleep with makeup on. Leaving makeup on overnight can cause so much damage to your skin.
Step 1: Cleanse
Your skincare routine before bed is key to any nighttime routine, and removing makeup should be step 1. Remove makeup with a gentle yet effective cleanser and lukewarm water. We recommend our Bright Side Cream Cleanser, loaded with nourishing natural ingredients that effectively remove dirt, excess oil, and makeup without drying out the skin. Cleansing well can also contribute to healthy skin cell turnover, which slows down the aging process and maintains youthful skin.
If you feel like you still have makeup on your face after one wash, we recommend looking into double cleansing. Use a different cleanser (with a different base) to wash again, like our Down to Earth Mud Gel Cleanser.
Step 2: Tone
After cleansing, use a toner, like Coast Is Clear, to absorb trapped dirt and oil and prevent bacteria from getting clogged in the pores. Make sure the face is as clean as possible. Our witch hazel toner is also packed with vitamins and minerals to ensure the skin stays balanced and stable.
Step 3: Hydrate
Lastly, apply a natural moisturizer that can make up for any hydration lost from makeup application. Our Up the Anti anti-aging night cream restores and hydrated the skin as you sleep, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Niacinamide aids in moisture retention.
So, Does Makeup Age Your Skin?
While makeup doesn’t directly age your skin – it can cause damage if not applied correctly. Maintain a consistent skincare routine: make sure to apply smoothly and safely and always prep and cleanse the skin before and after use. Make your skincare and makeup work together to contribute to building the healthy skin you want.