Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin
Having acne puts you in a difficult situation. You want to use foundation to reduce the appearance of your blemishes, but most foundations only make your skin problems worse. Although it's best to avoid potential irritants if you have acne-prone skin, there are acne-friendly foundations and application methods that will reduce the chance of a flare-up. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
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What to Look For
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Acnetalks.com recommends avoiding oil-based makeup altogether and choosing dry or water-based formulations instead. Look for labels that say "won't clog pores," "oil free" or "non-comedogenic"--a fancy way of saying the product does not contain pore-clogging ingredients. People with acne-prone skin are often sensitive to harsh chemicals, including ones added by makeup manufacturers that give the makeup a pleasant smell, or mask the unpleasant odor of other ingredients. Your best bet is to look for products labeled "hypoallergenic" or "fragrance free."
Not All Oils Clog Pores
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If you are reading foundation labels and you find you can't completely avoid oil in your cosmetics, remember that not all oils will clog your pores. Some oils are fine for acne-prone skin. According to acne.com, sunflower oil, petroleum products and mineral oil don't clog pores. Watch out for lanolin and isopropyl myristate, both of which are commonly found in foundations and are notorious for clogging pores.
Also, compare your foundation's label against the website Sage Advice's five-page ingredients chart. The chart lists chemicals commonly found in cosmetics, and rates them based on the likelihood they will clog pores and cause skin irritation.
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Applying Foundation
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Following a proper skin care regimen when applying foundation can reduce the chances of a breakout. AcneNet recommends gently washing your face first, and then applying topical acne medication. Next, slather on moisturizer and sunscreen, and finally, apply your foundation of choice. If you have problems finding sunscreens, moisturizers and acne medications that work for you, visit acne.org, or speak to a dermatologist.
Other Tips
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To avoid bacteria build-up in makeup brushes that can lead to acne, acnetalks.com recommends changing your foundation brush every few months. Always clean your brushes well following use, and keep the bristles covered when you store the brushes. Remove makeup before going to sleep. No matter how gentle your foundation is, keeping your skin covered with makeup all night can trap sweat between your foundation and the surface of your skin, causing a nasty breakout. Use a makeup remover or a gentle cleansing milk to wash your foundation away before turning in.
Recommended Products
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While there's no guarantee a specific product will work for you, knowing a few products that are popular with acne suffers is a good place to start. Proactiv sells a makeup line that covers blemishes and also contains acne-fighting ingredients. Many users on acne.org message boards swear by Bare Escentuals, a mineral-based powder foundation. Finally, the creator of acne.org recommends Almay products, based on the advice of trusted professors and dermatologists.
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References
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- Photo Credit makeup image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
