Makeup elevates ones’ facial appearance. It may cover up flaws, but when nicely done, it is an instant mood booster because of the unparalleled beauty it gives. However, it is one thing to glam up with makeup but another, to form bad habits that lead the breakout. Using dirty makeup tools to not washing your face regularly is among the habits to drop if you want to get rid of a breakout. These are makeup habits that are causing you breakouts:
1. You are not applying makeup to clean face
To avoid breaking out from your makeup, make sure to prep the skin using a salicylic acid-based cleanser to remove excess oil, dirt, and dead cells from the surface. Prepping skin with a cleanser is an easy way to keep makeup from breaking you out.
2. You are not cleaning makeup brushes regularly
When is the last time you thoroughly cleaned your makeup brushes? If you can’t recall the last time your tools and applicators got a good scrub down, they are probably harbouring all kinds of icky bacteria, oils, and dirt, which are doing your skin no favours. Treat your makeup brushes like hair on your head.
3. You are using your fingers to apply makeup
Your fingers are great tools for perfecting your beauty look — after all, there’s no better way to warm up a liquid formula or get a precise look than with your own fingertips. But if you aren’t washing your hands immediately before putting makeup on, you’re probably transferring bacteria and grime from your hands to your face,
4. You are using the wrong makeup for your skin
All skin types can be prone to breakouts, especially if you’re using products that are unknowingly clogging your pores and helping acne-causing bacteria to grow and thrive. Ensure you steer clear of comedogenic ingredients that are known cause skin trouble. These include fragrances and dyes, which “contain strong chemicals that can be especially irritating to sensitive or acne-prone skin.
5. You share makeup
Sharing makeup of any kind is a major no-no. By using the same products and tools as someone else, you’re introducing their bacteria and oils to your skin, which can irritate you or cause breakouts. You’re also upping the risk for infection, which is definitely more unpleasant than a pimple, and certainly more dangerous.
6. You are using expired products
Makeup has a shelf life, and in some cases, it is not nearly as long as you would think. Your products should come with an expiration date on them. You should replace your mascara every three months, eyeliner and eyeshadow every six to 12 months, and lipstick every one and a half years. Meanwhile, the average expiration date for foundation, powder, and other facial makeup is 12 months.
7. You are wearing makeup everyday
Wearing too much makeup can cause or exacerbate acne flare-ups. Worse still, wearing it every single day gives your skin few opportunities to breathe. If you can, try going without any makeup at least one day a week — your skin will likely welcome the break.
8. You don’t take off makeup properly
No matter how tired you are, you absolutely must take off your makeup every single night, thoroughly washing your face before you hit those sheets. When you leave the makeup on your skin, a.) it clogs pores so that can lead to sebum build up, which potentially leads to more acne, and b.) it can interfere with your skin’s natural ability to repair itself and exfoliate properly.