5 Makeup Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Skin

While makeup can help hide blemishes and improve your look, it can also hurt your skin and even promote wrinkles. If you do wear makeup and notice more acne, irritated skin, and other issues, they might be due to the way you use cosmetics or handle your skin after applying the product.

Continue reading as we list the five makeup mistakes that can hurt your skin and what you can do to avoid or prevent damage. 

1. You wear makeup to bed

After a busy or tiring day, it can be tempting to just crash into bed without removing your makeup. While doing this occasionally won’t probably harm your skin, making it a habit can spell disaster. Leaving your makeup on all night may lead to clogged pores, dull complexion, and more breakouts.

Do take note that the oil and sebum your skin produces throughout the day can combine with makeup that has been lingering in your pores for hours. The same is also true for the bacteria that come into contact with skin every time you touch your face or through environmental pollutants.

Not washing your face before hitting the hay can lead to a host of problems, including:

• • Oil buildup
  • Breakouts
  • Rashes

• Enlarged pores

• Eye irritation (if you wear eye makeup)
• Dull skin and wrinkles

Washing your face at night is the best way to avoid these skin concerns. It is advisable to double cleanse, which involves using an oil-based cleanser first, followed by a water-based formula. This helps get rid of impurities and makeup remnants after cleansing, as well as combat excess oil without drying your skin. 

If you’re in the market for a new cleanser, Dr. Sylvia’s Gentle Milk Cleanser is worth considering. This is a fragrance-free formula that thoroughly cleanses the skin without stripping off natural oils. It also has a milky texture and creamy consistency, and can help relieve dryness and irritation. 

2. You wear heavy/eye makeup while working out

Physical activity is good for your skin and overall health, but doing it with makeup on is terrible for your skin. As working out can lead to excessive sweating and more oil production, there is an increased risk of clogged pores, uneven texture, and dull complexion. This is especially true if you wear heavy makeup, including oil-based foundation, mascara, eye shadows, and eyeliner.

Preferably, it is best to avoid makeup while working out. If you, however, can’t really go bare-faced, keep your makeup light and minimal like a loose powder, instead of an oil-based foundation. Also, avoid wearing a lot of eye makeup; a touch of waterproof mascara is enough.

Further reading: Exercise and Acne: Taking Care of Your Skin When Working Out

3. You use expired products

We get it. Makeup products can be expensive, so it’s hard to throw them away even though they’re past their expiration dates. The sad part is expired makeup can harbor harmful bacteria that can hurt your skin. These products, furthermore, won’t work as well due to the breakdown of ingredients or change in consistency. 

Compromised ingredients could cause the skin to react negatively, resulting in redness, inflammation, and irritation. Expired products are also more likely to have bacteria growing in them, which can increase your risk of developing infection or blisters when applied to the skin.

Always pay attention to the expiration dates on your products and dispose of them properly. You should also do the same when you notice a change in color, smell, or consistency. Cosmetics like concealer or foundation should be tossed out after a year,  while liquid eye makeup (like mascara and eyeliner) should be replaced after three months of use. 

4. You apply makeup on dry skin

Uneven results and clumped-up makeup aren’t the only ones you have to deal with when applying cosmetic products on dry skin. Apart from the fact that the product won’t apply or stick well to the skin, it could also remove any traces of moisture on your skin. This can dry out the skin more and make dry patches more visible. 

What you need to do is prep your skin properly before applying anything. Make sure to apply moisturizer to hydrate the skin and prepare it for makeup application. Next is a primer, which fills lines and wrinkles and creates a barrier between the skin and foundation. You can also benefit from exfoliating your skin gently to remove dead skin cells and make your face smooth. 

Dr. Sylvia’s Deep Hydrating Moisturizer hydrates and strengthens the skin without the use of oil-based ingredients. It provides the moisture and protection necessary for healthy skin, as well as strengthens the epidermal barrier to provide water-locking benefits. This is ideal for those with oily and acne-prone skin. 

5. You don’t clean your makeup brushes and other tools

Makeup brushes and other tools absorb and collect oils, dirt, and dead skin cells every time you use them. So, if you go weeks or months without cleaning them, you are likely introducing bacteria and dirt buildup to your pores. This could compromise the health of your skin or contribute to clogged pores and skin irritation.

Here are other things that could happen if you don’t clean your tools:

• Breakouts
• Uneven or streaky makeup
• Pore congestion
• Infections (especially if you share makeup and tools)
• Yeast overgrowth (especially if you store them in damp areas like the shower)

Makeup brushes that are commonly used with concealer, foundation, and other liquid formulas should be cleaned once a week. For those that are used for powders, blushes, and eye shadow, once every two weeks is fine. Makeup sponges, on the other hand, should be cleaned once a week.

The good news is you can find cleansers specifically made for makeup brushes. You can also use a slightly foaming cleanser with some water to clean them. If you’re in a pinch, dish soap is okay too, as it is effective in removing oil. Just make sure to rinse it out thoroughly. 

For more skincare tips and product recommendations, browse through our blog. And if you need help with skin concerns, don’t hesitate to contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor.