Wearing makeup can enhance your appearance and boost confidence, but it also affects your skin. Prolonged or improper use of makeup, especially when it's not thoroughly removed, can clog pores, lead to breakouts, and contribute to premature aging. Heavy foundations and powders may disrupt the skin’s natural oils, while sharing brushes or using expired products can introduce bacteria and cause irritation. To minimize any negative effects, it's important to choose non-comedogenic products, clean your brushes regularly, and always remove makeup before bed to let your skin breathe and repair overnight.
How Makeup Can Affect Your Skin’s Health
Wearing makeup is fun and confidence-boosting, but if you’re not careful, it can also lead to issues with your skin’s health. Here’s what you should watch out for:
Clogged Pores & Breakouts
Heavy makeup, especially long-wear or full-coverage products can trap dirt, oil, and bacteria on the skin. If not fully removed everyday, this can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
Tip: Always cleanse thoroughly at the end of the day, and double cleanse if you’ve been wearing makeup for extended periods. Shop our hydrating face cleansers.
Premature Aging
Did you know sleeping in your makeup can lead to premature aging? Throughout the day, your skin is exposed to dirt, pollution, and free radicals, so if you don’t wash your face before bed, all of those environmental stressors—including your makeup, stays on your skin, clogging pores and preventing your skin from repairing itself overnight.
Allergic Reactions & Sensitivities
Some makeup contains fragrances, preservatives, or dyes that may irritate sensitive skin. Even if your skin isn’t naturally sensitive, repeated exposure to harsh chemicals or excessive exfoliation can disrupt the skin's protective barrier and lead to allergic reactions.
Tip: Perform patch tests before using new products and don’t exfoliate too often. “Depending on your skin type, you [should] exfoliate your face 1–3 times per week.”
Dryness & Irritation
Matte formulas and high-alcohol products like setting sprays and liquid lipsticks can dehydrate your skin over time which can lead to flakiness and irritation.
How Do You Maintain Healthy Skin If You Wear Makeup
With a consistent routine and the right products, you can achieve flawless makeup and glowing, healthy skin.
Follow A Nighttime Skincare Routine
Following a nighttime skincare routine to remove makeup is important for keeping your skin healthy and preventing issues like breakouts, dullness, and premature aging. Start by using HPPY’s oil cleanser to break down foundation, mascara, and lip products. Then, double cleanse with HPPY’s gel cleanser, followed by a hyaluronic acid serum or Vitamin C serum. Lock all these products in with our barrier cream.
Our products are formulated with BioBerry Infusion™ for whole berry nutrient-infused skincare. They’re powered by HPP technology so that your skin will be deeply hydrated with broad-spectrum free radical protection, from cell to surface.
Choose The Right Makeup Products
Opt for makeup designed for your skin type—hydrating formulas for dry skin, mattifying options for oily skin, and hypoallergenic products for sensitive skin. Look for terms on the label that says "non-comedogenic" and "oil-free.”
Keep Your Makeup Brushed Clean
Dirty brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to acne and infections. It’s recommended to clean your brushes every 7-10 days, and avoid sharing makeup or brushes to reduce the risk of skin infections.
Take Makeup-Free Days
Going makeup-free a few times a week gives your skin a chance to breathe and reset. Use that time to lean into hydration and recovery with one of our nourishing masks.
Makeup is a fun way to highlight your features, but don’t forget about your skin underneath! Sticking to a nighttime skincare routine, choosing the right products, and letting your skin breathe at least once a week, will help keep your skin glowing and healthy.
