Throughout the day, when we’re constantly being photographed and judged by how great we look in our social media posts, it can be difficult to get back into a healthy routine. Wanting to look as good all the time requires quite a bit of effort and some surprising choices. The makeup product industry has been telling women for years that a few key products like foundation and mascara can instantly make your skin clearer. While that may be true, applying these products every day can have some side effects on your body that you might not want.
It’s not only unsafe for the skin, but cosmetics can even cause problems with your health. It disrupts the protective layer, which can have a lasting effect on your natural glow. The makeup could also be causing a host of health risks and side effects.
Does doing makeup every day harm your skin?
Makeup is a fun and practical way to cover and beautify your skin while providing a protective barrier. However, many everyday makeup contain harsh chemicals that can disrupt the function of this barrier and make it harder for harmful bacteria or other contaminants to enter your skin. It can also cause skin irritation and breakouts, which may lead to more serious problems over time.
Despite all the rumors, it is safe for everyone to wear makeup every day. Just limit your makeup products to skin-friendly varieties and take care of your skin with some healthy routines.
Makeup is important to many women across the world, and yet there are long-term effects of it on our skin. With that information in mind, this article will help you understand how your makeup could be harming your skin. We’ve listed some side effects below:
1. Clogged Pores
If you apply makeup regularly and feel lazy to wash it off or it sitting on your skin for a long time, there is a chance that you have clogged pores. The makeup product blocks your pores, which makes your skin prone to acne, bumps, and other concerns. It can even make your complexion dull.
2. Allergic Reactions
Cosmetics are packed with harmful chemicals that can create havoc on your skin. Some products are packed with ingredients that don’t work for you. Pre-made beauty products made using gentle ingredients won’t harm your skin, but many cosmetics have a list of harmful chemicals like parabens and SLES. If you wear makeup daily, your skin is exposed to some harmful chemicals and you may experience side effects related to wearing cosmetic products.
Makeup is applied differently on different skin types. There are people with oily skin, and then there are those with dry skin. Regardless of what type of skin you have, it’s important to choose the right makeup product for your complexion.
3. Colour Changes
If you wear makeup that doesn’t complement your skin, you may have noticed that it causes a variety of issues. It can lead to dark spots and make your skin oily and less smooth. Makeup can also prevent oxygen from reaching your skin which leads to discoloration and pigmentation. Because makeup acts as a barrier between the skin and air, it prevents oxygen from getting into your skin which causes it to darken over time.
4. Skin Cancer
Skin cancers are one of the most common types of cancer in the world in general, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. According to research from The American Cancer Society, “there is little evidence to suggest that using cosmetics or being exposed to the ingredients found in many cosmetic products increases cancer risk.” However, “because there are no long-term studies on some of the ingredients like carcinogens and carcinogenic compounds that can be found in cosmetics, little is known about their health effects when used for an extended period of time.”
Though not easy to detect, it’s been found that there are carcinogenic substances like arsenic and formaldehyde in makeup. These substances can lead to the production of cancerous cells.
5. Eye Infections
The area around your eyes and eyelid is thin and delicate. It’s also where you use makeup like foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara. Anything that’s not safe to put on your eye can be harmful to the area. It can lead to an infection.
The FDA advises checking ingredients before using any eye makeup product. Eye makeup products should also be removed before bed as they can trigger dark circles, or if you wear them for more than a few hours.
6. Premature Aging
One of the unintended side effects of wearing makeup is that skin damages from the chemicals present in it can create problems like wrinkles, dehydration and patchiness. Not only does cosmetic damage go hand-in-hand with ageing, but many companies stand to lose a lot of money if customers choose to not use their products.
7. Headaches
Some ingredients that are used to preserve the safety of cosmetics are the chemicals Diazolidinyl urea and DMDM Hydantoin. These chemicals can cause headaches, irritation of the mucous membranes, and damage to an individual’s eyes. If you’ve been experiencing persistent headaches coinciding with using makeup, it may be a sign that these chemicals aren’t functioning properly in your body.
8. Acne
This is a common side-effect of makeup. Most people have experienced it and know the pain! Skin is a part of your body as any of your other organ. It also needs to breathe and grow freely. But When you cover your skin with makeup, your skin end up clogging it. This leads to the formation of blackheads, which, if left untreated can form acne. Make sure you clean your makeup thoroughly – even if you’re not going out – with a natural cleanser before bedtime.
How to Avoid Makeup Side Effects
There are a few things you can do to avoid makeup side effects, whether you’re using regular or professional makeup. Here are some tips:
- Use a light foundation that matches your skin tone. This will help to minimize the appearance of any redness or blemishes.
- Choose a powder instead of a cream foundation to help reduce the appearance of pores and wrinkles.
- Apply blush sparingly so as not to cover your face in color and make your skin look too shiny.
- Allow time for your makeup to set before heading out into the sun or participating in active activities. This will help to avoid any potential fallout from your makeup.
What to Do If You Experience a Makeup Side Effect
If you experience a makeup side effect, don’t be afraid to speak with your beauty consultant. There are many possible causes of side effects and working together can help identify the issue and find a workaround. Here are some tips for dealing with common makeup side effects:
- Know the signs of a potential problem. If you notice an unusual reaction after wearing your makeup, take note of the following:
- A sudden and severe headache
- Reddening around the eyes
- Nausea or vomiting
- A change in skin color (especially if it’s very noticeable)
If any of these indicate that there’s something wrong with your makeup, reach out to your consultant immediately. In some cases, a beauty professional may be able to recommend an alternative product or technique that won’t produce such negative results.
