8 Side Effects of Everyday Makeup And What You Can Do About It (2024)

Can’t imagine a day without makeup? We understand. While we appreciate your love for makeup, using it every day can trouble your skin in many ways. Makeup contains a lot of chemicals and components which may or may not suit your particular skin type.

Some of these skin-unfriendly components used in everyday makeup products can even cause irritation, itchiness and sometimes even untimely ageing.

Scroll down to know what happens to your skin when you regularly apply makeup.

Is Wearing Makeup Everyday Bad For Your Skin?

Many of your daily makeup products contain harsh chemicals that can disrupt functions of the protective barrier of your skin, making it easier for pathogens to enter your skin. Using makeup regularly can cause various side effects, impacting the health and natural glow of your skin.

However, this doesn’t mean that you cannot use makeup at all. If you follow a few healthy makeup habits and choose skin-friendly products, you can continue to wear makeup everyday.

8 Side Effects of Wearing Makeup Regularly

It’s important to understand how the makeup you use right now is affecting your skin. If you are experiencing one or more of the side effects listed below, it's time to do something about it.

1. Clogged Pores

If you are applying makeup on a regular basis and leaving it on your skin for a long time, there are chances that your skin pores get clogged. This does not let your skin breathe, making it prone to acne, bumps and other facial skin problems. You may notice bumps around your eyes as well.

2. Untimely Aging

One of the important things that you do maintain your skin’s health is protecting it from sun damage. When you forget to apply sunscreen before applying makeup, you expose your skin to sun damage. Leaving makeup on for a longer period along with sun damage can result in premature ageing signs like wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. Also, when you don’t remove your makeup before you sleep, it can get into your pores, break the elastin and cause wrinkles.

3. Dry or Oily Skin

Makeup products that do not suit your skin type, can make your skin drier or oilier. People with dry skin may experience extreme dryness if they use makeup that’s not meant for their skin type. Similarly, those with oily skin may experience too much of oil production than usual after using the wrong products.

4. Breakouts

Breakouts may occur due to hormonal imbalance, certain medications, improper diet etc. But regular usage of makeup can add to your woes and trigger more frequent breakouts. Skin experts agree that those with acne-prone skin should limit their makeup usage. Applying less makeup can improve your skin’s health and reduce blackheads too.

5. Allergic Reaction

While some makeup products look similar, ingredients vary from one brand to another. Products formulated with mild ingredients do not harm your skin. However products with harmful chemicals like paraben and SLES can cause allergic reactions. If you are allergic to certain ingredients, such products can make it worse. They can make your skin itchy and uncomfortable.

6. Colour Changes

Wearing makeup everyday has side effects but sleeping with makeup through the night can damage your skin to a great extent. Created due to the pollution and sun, free radicals can [1] affect the collagen weakening your skin and lead to changes in your skin colour. For example, when long lasting lipsticks are worn for more than 10 hours, it darkens the colour of your lips as it contains ingredients that block oxygen supply to your lips.

7. Eye Infections

The area around your eyes and your eyelid is thin and delicate. This is also where you use makeup like foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara. Any kind of irritant in your eye makeup can cause severe harm to your eyes. It can even lead to an eye infection.

The Food and Drug Administration [2] advises checking ingredients before using any eye makeup. Avoid using harmful chemical-based products. Eye make up products can also trigger dark circles, if they are not removed before bed or if worn for a long period of time.

8. Cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. As per the Skin Cancer Foundation [3], one among 5 Americans goes through the disease. However, the American Cancer Society [4] has also established that there is very little evidence to conclude the relationship of makeup products with skin cancer. While there isn’t enough evidence to claim the correlation, ingredients like formaldehyde, coal tar, arsenic, silica and chromium are known to be carcinogenic.

When Should You Not Wear Makeup?

1. During Workouts

For those who are both makeup lovers and fitness enthusiasts, wearing makeup during your workout session is not recommended. During workout, your oil and gland pores open up. A heavy coating of makeup clogs pores and stops your skin from breathing. It can cause skin damages like wrinkles, fine lines, acne, blackheads, irritation etc.

2. When Your Makeup Expires

Keep an eye on the makeup labels. Products that have crossed their expiry date will not benefit your skin in any way. In fact, it will cause more damage, and lead to irritation. Also, expired makeup can harbour bacteria, which can cause skin infections.

How To Prevent The Side-Effects of Makeup?

Tips Before You Start Makeup

1. Buy The Right Product:

Every skin type is unique. So, you cannot use a product just because someone else is using it. Know your skin type and buy products that suit your skin and do not cause any allergic reaction. Check the label of the product to know if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. If you are unsure, do a patch test using a tester product.

2. Moisturize:

Regardless of your skin type, never ignore the importance of a moisturizer. Those with oily skin may think moisturizing will make their skin oilier but such is not the case. Moisturizing will help you maintain the protective barrier on your skin. This can save you from skin issues like dryness, redness and even flaky skin.

3. Apply Sunscreen:

Sun damage causes early ageing of your skin. Thus it is important to apply sunscreen before you apply any makeup product. If you are not comfortable with sunscreen, use a moisturizer and foundation that provides sun protection.

Tips After Makeup

1. Clean The Brushes:

Once you are done with your makeup, do not forget to clean up the brushes and sponge. Wash these at least once a week. This is important, as harmful bacteria from your dead skin cells and sweat thrive on your makeup brushes. Deep cleaning your brushes will kill the bacteria.

2. Remove Makeup Before Bed:

It is mandatory to wash off your makeup before you go to bed. First, remove your makeup with a makeup remover, using soft cotton balls. Then, wash your face with a gentle face wash.

3. Never Share Your Makeup:

Sharing your personal makeup with others can spread bacteria. Avoid sharing makeup products.

Wrapping Up

While applying makeup regularly has some side effects, you can still use them by adopting a few healthy makeup habits. Also, when you apply makeup products daily, it calls for special care of your skin. Using good skincare products that keep your skin internally hydrated and healthy will ensure that using cosmetics will not harm your skin.

Begin By Knowing Your Skin