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Talk about a vicious cycle -- you put on your makeup to cover acne, but wearing the wrong makeup can cause acne. Think about it: acne is the result of clogged pores that start to fill up with oil, dirt and dead skin cells to create inflamed red blemishes. Certain kinds of makeup, especially the ones that contain oil, can act as the "dirt" part of the equation. No thanks.
Makeup That Heals
As if your makeup wasn't working hard enough to just cover your skin, you also can buy makeup that helps to heal your acne. Blemish-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid are added to powders, concealers and liquid makeup to heal your skin. This additive helps to "unplug" all the junk that causes your acne. Give it some time to work, though -- unplugging doesn't happen in day. You will have to apply the makeup frequently for its active ingredients to take effect.
Nix the Oil
When you have acne, the idea of putting more oil on your skin can sound like a terrible one. But you may be surprised to find out that manufacturers add oil to a number of cosmetics. For some people with really dry skin, oil is a good thing. If you have acne, the oil is a bad thing and can contribute to your acne. The easiest way to ensure your makeup doesn't have oil is to read the label. While you may not have paid attention to the word "noncomedogenic" before, it's your new best friend because it means your makeup doesn't have oil in it.
Don't Get Too Heavy
When you layer tons of heavy liquid makeup on your skin, it loses its ability to breathe. And if your skin cannot breathe, it is likely to become clogged. Instead of heavy liquid makeup, try powder makeup products such as powder foundation, eyeshadow and blush. These makeup applications have a tendency to be less clogging and irritating. A good option here is mineral makeup -- it uses natural ingredients such as mica to cover your skin and keep it clear.
Skin Sins
Your hard work in buying the right makeup can all be taken away if you commit one or more "skin sins." This especially includes not taking off your makeup before you go to bed. Just think of it -- your face rubbing against your pillow, sinking in to your pores. Take the extra 30 seconds and wash it away before you go to bed. Also, don't use dirty makeup tools. If you've got old makeup brushes and sponges and you can't even remember when you washed them last, it's time to replace them or give them a good cleaning. Otherwise, you're just putting the bacteria that love to cause acne back on your face.
