How to Do Makeup for Oily Acne-Prone Skin

Makeup can supplement your skin care regimen.

The best cure is prevention, and this applies to taking care of your skin. While skin care products, along with a healthy lifestyle, are your main tools for caring and maintaining your complexion, your makeup can act as skin care supplement. This is especially true now that a large variety of cosmetic products are formulated to address different skin conditions such as oiliness and proneness to acne. To control oiliness and prevent acne, pay close attention to the products you use. With a discerning eye, you will be bring out your natural beauty instead of hiding behind makeup to cover up your problematic complexion.

Things You'll Need

• Concealer
• Foundation
• Cosmetic brushes or sponges
• Cosmetic brush cleaner (optional)
• Makeup primer
• Cosmetic brush cleaner or olive oil and dish soap

Instructions

1. Inspect the ingredients of your cosmetic products. Look for non-comedogenic ingredients; these are ingredients that do not clog the pores. Ingredients such as mica and lanolin, which are common cosmetic ingredients, are comedogenic and may cause or aggravate acne. Pay special attention to your foundation since you use it on large areas of your face.

2. Choose products that are specially formulated for your skin type. If your problem is oiliness, opt for oil-free products. If you have acne, look for products that contain salicylic acid, an ingredient commonly found in acne-treatment products. Also look for products with zinc oxide, mostly found in sunscreens or products with SPF, which is an anti-inflammatory ingredient.

3. Apply a makeup primer after your skin care regimen and before any makeup. Makeup primers mattify your skin and help your makeup stay on longer as the oil in your face melts away your makeup throughout the day.

4. Select a green-tinted concealer. Green neutralizes any redness you may have from any breakouts.

5. Clean your cosmetic brushes after each use. Any bacteria trapped in the brushes may transfer to your face the next time you use them and cause breakouts. An alternative to cosmetic brush cleaners is a mixture of olive oil and dish soap. The olive oil will keep your brushes from drying out while the soap disinfects them. Cosmetic sponges should only be used once.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean your face before and after applying makeup. Leftover makeup on the skin can cause breakouts. Removing makeup completely also lets your skin breathe and rejuvenate.

• Choose a skin care regimen that addresses your oiliness and acne problems. Using an effective regimen lets you wear less makeup, which may be contributing to breakouts.

• Acne may be an allergic reaction. Check if you're allergic to any ingredients in your cosmetic products. Switch up products to find out which product breaks you out. Fragrance in cosmetic products is a common cause of allergic reactions that lead to acne. Your hair care products may also be causing your acne and oiliness. Some hair gels melt throughout the day and travel to your face. Hairsprays also have ingredients that are not meant for your skin and may cause irritation when they come in contact with your face.

References

• Acne.org: Salicylic Acid
• Acne.com: Skin Basics