Cosmetic Acne Prevention
Posted on 02. Jan, 2009 by admin in Acne Prevention
Make It Up, Break It Out: Acne and the Problems Makeup can Cause
For a number of years now cosmetologists and dermatologists have had debates on the harmful effects that wearing makeup can have on your skin, especially in those who suffer from acne. It is only true in part when you hear that you may find yourself in a vicious cycle of having more outbreaks by wearing makeup to cover red blemishes.
Mild Forms of Acne
Cosmetics that are known for causing acne or acne cosmetics, is a type of acne that is common and it is generally mild. Because of the fact that it is a type of acne that occurs because of products you put on your face rather than being the type that is caused by the complex steps that result in true forms of acne, any person wearing these products can end up getting it. It will generally develop over a short period of time and it can continue to cause problems from then on. This acne is the type that can be characterized by a rash of small bumps that usually appear on the chin, forehead and the cheeks. If you notice a new breakout and you have recently used a product that you have never used before, stop using the product to see if the breakout begins to subside.
Note: Even though studies show that acne is not caused by makeup, it can however cause the problem to worsen. No matter which particular type of acne you have, you will be doing yourself a favor by knowing the most common triggers in topical products.
Are Comedogenics the Culprit?
Have you ever noticed at the end up the day you do not have the same amount of makeup on your face as you had when you started your day? So where did it all go? Your clothing and hands smear off a portion of it, and some ends up seeping down into your pores. Various makeup products are made with ingredients that are called comedogenic, which are substances that are common for clogging the pores of your skin. Whether certain cosmetics cause follicles to become plugged or not, there are specific ingredients that can cause irritation of the follicles. When this occurs you are left with the little bumps that are commonly known as cosmetic acne.
7 Rules to Follow for a Clean and Fresh Routine
Clever techniques used in marketing can have you easily confused on which cosmetic products will be the best choice for you.
1. Oils that penetrate the skin should be avoided – It is best to try to avoid many of the cosmetic oils, as they are known to aggravate problems with acne. One of the very common substances that can trigger an acne outbreak is lanolin, and it can be found in a variety of sunscreens and lotions. It at all possible you should try to buy cosmetic products that are labeled non-comedogenic or oil-free, as you will not have near the worry of breaking out with acne blemishes.
2. Watch out for fragrances – One of the major causes for irritations and allergic reactions on the face are from fragrances. Products that are clearly stated to be unscented can also include some type of fragrance to cover up the scent of ingredients they are made from. To make sure you are safe from breakouts of this type you should only purchase items that advertise to be hypoallergenic or fragrance-free. Every person has different levels of sensitivity and you may find some products will not bother you, while others do. Cinnamate, bergamot, musk and ambrette have been found to be the most common in causing irritations. If you are unable to determine the ingredients of specific products, you can easily apply a small dab on the underside of your wrist or at the back of your ear. If you see no signs that the area is irritated after a few days or repeated application, then it is more than likely safe to use on other areas as well.
3. Use caution on blush and shadows – Most face powders, blush and eye shadows contain the mineral mica. This mineral can easily clog up follicles and irritate your skin because of its flaky and jagged shape, so you should be careful in using products that contain a lot of shimmer. Another well known comedogenic is coal tar derivatives, which is an ingredient in a large number of blushes used to add a pink tint to your cheeks. When choosing a blush that works well with your color you should use not use blush made from creams, it is recommended to only use gel or powder blushes, and ones that are not made with carmine.
4. Say no to eye creams – Milia is the condition of small cysts that are white and form beneath the eyes. These are caused by eye creams that are generally much heavier than moisturizers that are used on the rest of your face. These heavy products are known to make their way to other areas of your skin, in turn causing areas of acne on your forehead, cheeks and temples.
5. Hair styling carefully – A majority of hair products contain oils, alcohol and adhesives, which are known problems on areas such as our face. If you are someone who suffers from acne problems you should use as much care as possible when using products to style your hair. You can save yourself a lot of frustration simply by covering your face when spraying products on your hair, and it will also help if you can keep pomades, oils, mousses and gels away from the skin at your hairline. When exercising you should avoid using these products as they can easily be carried onto your skin when you perspire, and this can cause breakouts.
6. Exercise and shower – It is always a good idea to shower after you have been exercising. Sweat and makeup clogging your pores can cause skin irritation and acne breakouts. Even if you wear cosmetics that do not contain comedogenics, heavy perspiring can cause these types of products to clog your pores as well.
7. Cover your lips the right way – Numerous glosses and lipsticks are known to be greasy, and they contain wax, petroleum, and other substances that are comedogenic. Always try to keep in mine, the higher the gloss in the lipstick you wear, the higher the risk there is for clogging your pores. If you have problems with pimples around the mouth area, then it is best to choose lipsticks that have a matte finish.
As long as you are careful in the products that you choose, making sure to select items that are non-comedogenic and are oil-free you will be helping a great to stay away from items that trigger acne breakouts.
