Does Wearing Makeup Cause Premature Aging?

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Makeup is an art. From hiding flaws and blemishes to highlighting our favorite features, it makes us feel confident and youthful. That’s why it is known as a woman’s best friend but slathering your face with makeup products might not be a healthy idea.

At this point, you must wonder, “Does wearing makeup cause premature aging?”

Makeup on its own doesn’t cause aging but the chemicals present in makeup products can take a toll on your skin health and result in premature aging. Ingredients such as parabens, talc, propylene, and dimethicone accumulate on top of the skin resulting in clogged pores and a dull appearance. 

Does that mean we should stop using makeup? Does all makeup harm your skin and cause aging? Let’s find out! 

What is Premature Aging? 

Premature aging is when your skin starts to show signs of mature skin earlier than what is standard. It causes your skin to appear older than your actual age and can negatively impact your health. 

Aging is natural, but several factors can cause this process to speed up. Signs of premature aging include:

• Winkles fine 
• Fine lines
• Age spots
• Dryness
• Dull skin
• Sagging skin
• Hyperpigmentation 

Does Makeup Cause Premature Aging? 

The way you apply makeup can contribute to aging and the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne breakouts. 

For example, not removing your makeup at night can harm your skin. At night, the skin undergoes a cell regeneration process involving repairing skin cells and creating new ones. This process is hindered when a layer of makeup covers the face. 

Cleansing your skin doesn’t allow your skin to clear. It congested pores, causing acne flare-ups. Similarly, applying makeup too harshly damages collagen and capillaries, which can reduce elasticity and cause discoloration.

Tip: When applying makeup, be gentle and avoid rubbing products onto your skin. Don’t apply thick layers of products. This will do more harm than good. 

Using expired makeup can cause premature aging and skin damage. Most cosmetics should not be used for more than 30 months. Expired makeup products can cause acne outbreaks and infections. 

Does Makeup Harm Your Skin? 

Yes, regular use of makeup can harm the skin, especially if you don’t follow a proper cleansing routine. Let’s discover some ways makeup breaks the skin:

Irritates the skin

Makeup is harmful to all skin types, whether you have dry, sensitive skin or oily, acne-prone skin. Be extra cautious when purchasing new makeup products, especially if they are for sensitive areas of the face such as the eyes. 

Pro tip: When purchasing makeup products, Apply a small amount of the product on the inside of your wrist. 

Clogs Pores

If you’re not new to makeup, then you probably already know that cosmetics clog pores and may be the culprit behind acne flare-ups

Our pores naturally clean and protect the skin, but a layer of makeup covering the pores hinders this natural cleansing process. As a result, sebum congests the pores leading to pimples and acne outbreaks. 

Don’t Forget: Use a light cleanser before bed to remove the remnants of makeup and prevent long-term skin damage.

Dries out the skin

Makeup causes dryness by eliminating sebum, a natural oil produced by the skin. As a result, a layer of dead skin cells covers the surface of the skin, reducing the ability of your skin to absorb products, and leading to clogged pores. 

Which Makeup Ingredients to Avoid?

Do you apply makeup every day? If that’s the case, you must be extra cautious about what you put on your face. Here are the top makeup ingredients you must avoid:

Fragrance: If the product label mentions fragrance as an ingredient, be warned: it is one of the worst ingredients you can apply to your face. 

Cosmetic brands use numerous irritating chemicals to add scent to their products. These chemicals are associated with asthma, allergy, and hormone disturbances. 

Parabens: Parabens are essentially a red flag when it comes to makeup products. So if you spot this ingredient on a product label, avoid it at all costs!

This ingredient leads to cellular damage which increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Plus, they cause hormone disruption and thus may even cause skin cancer. 

Triclosan: This antimicrobial chemical is mostly found in antibacterial soaps and is a common ingredient in cosmetics. Triclosan is associated with thyroid issues and antibiotic-resistant bugs.

Lead: More than 61% of lipsticks contain lead as an ingredient. The neurochemical is linked with behavioral and language disabilities and hormonal issues. If you apply lipstick regularly, the amount of lead exposure is frightening! 

The list of makeup ingredients that you must avoid is limitless. Go for organic makeup brands since they tend to be less harmful. 

Makeups That Don’t Harm The Skin? 

Yes, there are makeup products that do not harm the skin. The key is to read ingredient labels to find the right product for your skin. Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, or clinically tested products do not harm the skin

Non-comedogenic makeup is ideal for people with acne-prone skin. Hypoallergenic products are recommended for sensitive skin since they do not contain irritants such as dyes, scents, parabens, etc. 

How to Choose Harmless Makeups?

If you want to choose harmless makeup, scan product labels to ensure the product doesn’t contain toxic ingredients that can harm your skin. It’s best to look for certifications to verify that the product is safe to use. Organic, cruelty-free, and vegan products are the safest to use. 

Does No Makeup Help? 

We already know that makeup harms the skin and causes premature aging. Does that mean we should stop wearing makeup? Let’s discover the benefits of wearing no make-up:

The Benefits of Not Wearing Makeup

Improves Skin Health

We already know how damaging makeup can be for the skin. Just like heat damages hair, makeup damages the skin and doesn’t allow your skin to breathe. 

Imagine how much your skin will improve once you stop using makeup! Avoiding makeup allows the skin cells to renew themselves. 

Improves Confidence

Last but not least, makeup improves self-confidence. 

If you wear makeup regularly, quitting makeup will make you uncomfortable the first time. You will feel under confident without makeup, but you’ll get used to it eventually and start to feel confident in your skin. 

Reduce Breakouts

Breakouts occur more often when you wear makeup regularly. A layer of makeup on the face doesn’t allow pores to clear. Sebum, along with dirt and grime clogs pores which leads to acne outbreaks and the formation of pimples.

Avoiding makeup clears the skin and therefore, reduces the chances of acne flare-ups. 

Makeup is a primary cause of acne in the majority of cases.  ~ Dr. Ijaz Ahmed

Fewer Wrinkles

Makeup is counterintuitive. You use it to hide wrinkles and age spots but instead, it makes them worse. When you wear makeup often, it accumulates into the fine lines and wrinkles, highlighting the signs of aging that you’re trying to conceal. 

Once you stop wearing makeup, your skin looks more hydrated, and its texture improves, giving you a refreshed and youthful appearance. 

Effects of Wearing Makeup At a Young Age

Although most moms allow their 13-year-olds to experiment with makeup, it is very harmful to youthful skin. Teenagers are already undergoing hormonal and genetic changes that take a toll on their skin. 

Applying makeup can make this worse and lead to health issues such as eye infections, staph infections, and even acne. 

Tip: 13-year-olds must be allowed to apply small amounts of makeup only. Heavy coverage makeup such as foundations, highlighter, blush, etc. should ideally be used at an older age.  

What to do to delay aging if I wear makeup? 

At some point, we’ve all considered avoiding the use of makeup for healthier, younger-looking skin. Did you know that we can enjoy makeup yet have healthy skin? You can counter the harmful, aging effects of makeup by:

Removing Makeup Before Bed

Use a mild cleanser and a gentle makeup remover to remove the remnants of the makeup on your face. If you want something completely natural, try removing your makeup with olive oil or coconut oil.  

Pamper Your Skin After Removing Makeup

Most of us tend to skip our cleansing routine after a long day of wearing makeup. This carelessness puts skin health at risk. 

After you’ve removed the makeup from your face, use a toner, serum, and a superior moisturizer. A toner will remove every last bit of makeup from your face that your cleanser might have missed. 

Nourishing serums with active ingredients such as Vitamin C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid will rejuvenate your skin and support the cell turnover process, contributing to improved skin health. 

Avoid Scrubbing Your Face After Makeup removal:

When you scrub your face right after removing makeup, it results in micro-abrasions that can lead to breakouts. It’s best to scrub your face once a week to gently exfoliate the skin and get rid of dead skin cells. 

Pro Tip: Avoid harsh scrubs that may irritate the skin or cause redness. 

Steam Your Face Before Washing

If you have time, it’s best to start your skincare routine by steaming your face for a minute or two. It allows other skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin. Plus, it’s an excellent way to clean dirt and impurities.

FAQs

At what age does your face change the most?

Your face changes the most during your mid-thirties and continues to age as you enter your forties and fifties. 

Is it better for your skin not to use makeup at all?

Yes, not using makeup at all prevents breakouts and gives your skin the opportunity to repair itself, naturally. It boosts elastin and collagen regeneration. 

Should you stop wearing foundation?

Foundation is a high-coverage makeup product. So, when you stop wearing foundation it controls oiliness, reduces clogged pores, and minimizes the risk of pimple formation. 

Final Verdict

Wearing makeup gives women a boost of confidence but what follows is not very pleasant. The skin damage caused by makeup products is undeniable. 

But if you follow a proper skincare routine and use the right makeup products for your skin type, you can counter these negative effects.

I hope this article opened your eyes to the damage makeup is doing to your skin and motivated you to switch to better-quality products.