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Chances are that putting your best face forward often involves a little makeup to cover up those pesky pimples. It's a small price to pay for an unblemished complexion, especially on nights when you want to look impeccably flawless. But makeup can sometimes irritate your skin, bringing about a vicious cycle in which your attempts to hide blemishes could actually be causing them.
Cosmetics
Breathe a sigh of relief because you don't usually need to stop using makeup to get rid of blemishes. This is especially true if you stick to powder cosmetics, which are far less irritating to your skin than cream-based foundations. Cream foundations can contain oils, lanolins and other ingredients that are comedogenic, which means they tend to clog your pores and cause pimples. If you're currently using a cream foundation, stopping its use will likely help improve your complexion.
Evidence
If, on the other hand, you're using a powder-based foundation, it should be OK to cover your blemishes. A study published in 2005 for the “European Journal of Dermatology" revealed as much. The ladies involved in this study still saw improvements in their breakouts even while using cosmetics, just as long as they treated their pimples appropriately.
Treating Your Pimples
Treating pimples typically involves over-the-counter acne creams. These products are good for removing the excess oil and dead skin cells that clog up your poor, aggravated pores. Look for lotions containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or resorcinol. But if you're dealing with a stubborn breakout, these creams might not do anything to improve your complexion and you'll need to call on your dermatologist for help. She can prescribe a stronger preparation to really get down into your skin and clean out those pores.
Skin Care Routine
To make sure you're doing the most for your skin, always remove your makeup before heading to bed. Even the best cosmetics can eventually plug up your hair follicles when left on your face overnight. Also, get rid of old makeup, as this can sometimes contribute to breakouts. Cleaning out applicators with warm, soapy water can be helpful, as well — at least according to the experts at MayoClinic.com.
Problem Skin
If you're still having problems with acne breakouts, you may be one of the unfortunate few for whom even noncomedogenic cosmetics irritates your skin. Even though you want to cover up that pimple, you may need to leave it exposed and let the medication work its wonders.
