Is it safe to wear makeup on eczema? This is a common question many people wonder. If you suffer from this itchy skin condition, we know it can be tempting to want to cover up flare ups with products. In this blog post, we’ll explore the do’s and don’ts of wearing makeup on eczema to avoid further irritating your sensitive skin.
Can Makeup Cause Eczema?
Many people wonder if makeup causes eczema: however, the exact cause of eczema is unknown.
Instead, researchers believe that the condition is linked to both genetic and environmental factors.
That being said, there are many triggers that you likely come across daily which could irritate your skin. These triggers can include chemicals and toxins found in beauty products. If you notice a burning or stinging sensation when you wear makeup, this can be due to harmful ingredients found in the products you’re using. That’s why we’re such strong advocates of products that use natural ingredients with names you can actually pronounce!
Ingredients to Avoid
To prevent further aggravating your already sensitive skin, always make sure you read labels carefully to check for any harmful ingredients. This is especially important when you’re trying a product for the first time.
We recommend looking for products that are “fragrance-free” or “made for sensitive skin” as artificial fragrances can negatively affect your skin. Sadly, no matter how good something smells, fragrances are almost always artificial (unless they are essential oils).
Also be wary of drying alcohol, talcum powder, and dyes. These have a tendency to further dry out your skin. Ingredients such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and retinol can also have a drying effect on the skin.
Preservatives, such as methylparaben and butylparaben, are helpful in the sense that they keep makeup from growing bacteria, but they can also cause inflammation. A better alternative is a natural preservative such as grapefruit seed extract.
Eczema-Friendly Ingredients
To help draw moisture from the air to your skin and get that “glow,” look for ingredients such as shea butter, glycerin, and lanolin. Your skin will love the extra boost of hydration!
To protect your skin from harmful UV rays, we suggest choosing products that contain sunscreen (zinc and titanium only). This will help strengthen your skin’s natural barrier and reduce the redness associated with eczema. Applying vitamin B3 (niacinamide cream) before applying your makeup can also be helpful.
Eczema and Makeup Tips
No matter how tired you are at the end of the day, we can’t stress enough how important it is to remove your makeup every night. Washing your face before bed is an important part of any skincare routine – make it a habit!
We recommend you use a gentle makeup remover that will not only remove any makeup but will also clean your face of any oil or dirt buildup from the day. Avoid formaldehyde and any products that contain fragrances, preservatives, dyes, or alcohol.
After washing your face, be sure to moisturize. This is important because if you suffer from eczema, you have chronically dry skin. Replenish hydration with a natural moisturizer such as our Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream. With 6, all-natural ingredients that were handpicked for their known soothing abilities, this oil-based balm is perfect for anywhere on the body – even delicate areas like the face!
In addition to reading labels when trying a new product, we also recommend doing a “patch” test first to make sure your skin doesn’t have a negative reaction. This is especially important when applying a new product to the face.
Lastly, make sure you are practicing good makeup hygiene and washing your makeup brushes and sponges often. You can also opt for using your fingers (just make sure you wash your hands before!) This will help prevent a buildup of old makeup which is a breeding ground for bacteria and can clog your pores.
In addition, pay attention to product expiry dates. A good rule of thumb is that you should change your mascara every three months even if it isn’t empty.
References:
https://www.adorebeauty.com.au/eczema/guide/makeup-with-eczema
https://nationaleczema.org/makeup-tips/
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/treatment-16/cosmetics-eczema-makeup
