Is Makeup Bad for Your Skin? What You Need To Know

Makeup can cover blemishes, even out redness or discoloration, draw more attention to features you love about yourself, and complement an outfit or hairstyle.

Wearing makeup can have both negative and positive effects on your skin. Your skin is a barrier protecting your body from germs, dehydration, ultraviolet (UV) rays, and injury, so it plays an important role in your overall health.

Makeup is one of the most widely available beauty products sold in the United States. While not all makeup is damaging, it could contribute to skin symptoms that make your skin less healthy over time.

• Exposure to chemicals: Some makeup products contain carcinogens, substances that may cause cancer. Experts aren’t sure if the amount of carcinogens in makeup is enough to cause harm, but it’s worth noting because makeup is often worn for long periods. 
• Skin reactions: Common ingredients in makeup products like preservatives, fragrances, and color dyes can irritate skin, causing mild or temporary redness and itching or more severe allergic reactions. 
• Infection: If you don’t take good care of your makeup or continue using it once it’s expired, you can expose your skin to bacteria and mold that may cause skin infections. 
• Clogged pores: Pores are small oil and sweat glands. Wearing makeup or using other occlusives (barrier-forming skincare products) can clog pores, making them wider and more noticeable. Clogged pores are sometimes a common cause of acne.
• Premature aging: Makeup is commonly used to cover up signs of aging, but wearing it regularly could speed up aging. This is especially true if makeup puts unnecessary stress on your skin by drying it out, causing irritation or inflammation, clogging your pores, or weakening the skin barrier.

Not wearing a lot of makeup or not always wearing it can support skin health. Choosing quality products and caring for your skin are also important.

• SPF protection: Makeup products with an SPF of 45 or higher, like some foundations, have been shown to reduce signs of aging and the risk of skin cancers.
• Beneficial ingredients: Aside from SPF, some makeup contains beneficial ingredients for your skin, such as moisturizers, acne-fighting chemicals like salicylic acid, and anti-aging compounds like retinol.
• Improved mental health: Some studies show wearing makeup for yourself can boost self-esteem and confidence. One 2024 study found that wearing makeup can reduce symptoms of depression while improving the way you view yourself. 
• Creative expression: Makeup can be practical, but many people wear makeup to express themselves creatively or practice drawing and painting techniques. This has been shown to improve mental health, lower anxiety, and relieve stress.

Some factors influence how makeup affects your unique skin.

Ingredients

Makeup contains many different ingredients, such as water, preservatives, dyes, fragrances, and chemical compounds that stabilize the product, make it easy to apply, and improve its feel on the skin. Natural rubber and metals are regularly found in makeup products. Many of these ingredients are considered allergens, potentially weakening skin and leaving it prone to damage.

Some of these ingredients may also be endocrine disruptors, chemicals that affect how well your body makes the hormones it needs to be healthy. These ingredients include phthalates, triclosan, and parabens. 

Skin Type

Some makeup products are designed to work better on certain types of skin, like oily, dry, normal, or combination skin. For example, a foundation formulated for dry skin might have extra moisturizers to help lock in hydration. If you have oily skin, a foundation with extra moisturizers could make your skin greasy, clog your pores, and leave you prone to redness or breakouts.

Choosing products that work with your skin type will help it stay healthy.

Use

For best results, take the time to read about how your product should be used. This is especially important if you’re combining makeup or skincare products. Some ingredients interact, increasing the risk of irritation or making it hard for a product to work as intended. 

Leaving makeup on your skin for long periods can weaken the skin barrier, causing clogged pores, breakouts, and even eye infections. It’s important to remove makeup thoroughly, cleanse your skin before bed, and apply beneficial skin care products like a moisturizer or serum.

Maintaining healthy skin while wearing makeup requires thought. Here are some tips for healthy makeup use:

• Consider ingredients: Choose makeup free of ingredients that could be endocrine disruptors, like phthalates, and look for potential allergens like metals, fragrances, and dyes. Avoid products that clearly irritate your skin or aren’t compatible with your skin type.
• Have a good cleansing routine: If you wear makeup, remove it every night before bed. Try double-cleansing at night, removing makeup with an oil-based cleanser or balm before washing with soap and water.
• Take breaks: Because makeup can clog pores, cause irritation, and expose you to chemicals, going without it one or two days per week can help your skin recover from stress and rebalance itself. 
• Throw out expired makeup: Using expired or old makeup can cause a skin infection. Some products tell you how long you can use them after opening the package. Throw away makeup anytime it changes consistency or texture, becomes discolored, or has a bad smell.
• Practice good makeup hygiene: Wash your hands before applying makeup. Don’t share your makeup with other people. Keep product containers sealed and in cool, dry places. Wash your brushes and other applicators regularly.

Wearing makeup regularly has pros and cons. Some products include ingredients like SPF to protect from UV damage. Frequent makeup use can also cause acne and inflammation, weaken the skin’s natural protective barrier, and speed up aging by stressing your skin. 

Some makeup also contains chemicals like preservatives, heavy metals, and stabilizers. With repeated use, these ingredients can affect skin and overall health.

Limit the potential negative effects of makeup on your skin by choosing products with safe ingredients, cleansing your face well every night before bed, and going without makeup one or two days per week.