We are super fans of a fabulously fresh face. After all, as both skincare purveyors and enthusiasts, we’d much rather spend our time nurturing strong, healthy skin rather than covering it up; bare is beautiful (shout out to reigning queen Alicia Keys)! But even we can appreciate the yen for a flawless beat every now and again. The question then becomes, how does one make makeup moves while prioritizing skincare? Or, maybe more intriguing, can the two be one in the same?
Spoiler alert: They sure can.
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: Makeup, when it is both properly formulated and used in the right way, can actually be good for your skin.
Good to Know: A flawlessly made-up face begins with healthy skin. Further, the more you care for your skin, the healthier it will be, and the less makeup you may feel inclined to apply. So, when incorporating makeup into your routine, focus first on skin care.
Recommended Products: So Clean! Facial Cleanser and Rose and Shine Rose Water Toner.
Is Makeup Bad for Your Skin?
If you wear makeup, you likely at some point have been told that it’s bad for your skin. But that’s not exactly true. Or at least it doesn’t have to be.
The “dangers” of makeup have been touted for ages. This is likely due to a couple of things, one of which being that many people who use makeup unfortunately don’t do so properly. Things like layering excessively or not properly washing the face either before or after wear (blasphemy!) can bring on a host of skin issues like clogged pores, breakouts, and even premature aging. Stressed and vengeful wearers are then often quick to blame the makeup itself, rather than bothering to ID the true culprit. News flash – ya’ may not be basic, but YA’ GUILTY!
Another reason for makeup getting a bad rap is that throughout the years, it has been made from some SUPER unsettling stuff. Pore clogging ingredients like ash, talc, silicone, and animal fats, as well as irritating artificial fragrances and chemicals that have literally been linked to cancer have helped make up makeup for centuries! And while we can’t tell you that makeup being produced in this way is a thing of the past (it still happens today, so always read your labels), we can absolutely say that more appropriate options now exist. Better yet, there are actually cosmetic brands whose entire lines are built of healthy, nutrient-rich formulas to enhance not only what your skin looks like with makeup, but also what it looks like without it!
Choosing Makeup That is Good for Skin
When on the hunt for cosmetics, it’s important to avoid any nasties, some of which can surprisingly still be found in even the most haute brands. This is especially true in America, where restrictions are not so… well, strict. Consequently, it’s always important to read the packaging; if you don’t know what an ingredient is on a list, look it up to better understand its origin. The European Union abides by some pretty reassuring guidelines, prohibiting the use of more than 1,300 ingredients in products sold overseas (that’s 1,289+ more than the USA, btw). A comprehensive list can be found here. It’s a good idea to avoid these whenever possible, but if you prefer a more consumable abridgment, some repeat offenders include:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Silicones
- GMOs
- Artificial Fragrances
- Phthalates
- Petroleum
- Aluminum
- Propylene Glycol
- Polyethylene Glycol
- Formaldehyde
- Diethanolamine
- Riclosan
- EDTA
- Toluene
In terms of what to seek out, opt for clean, non-comedogenic ingredients, of at least mostly natural origin. Any fragrances for example should never be artificial, as these are often the reason for any cosmetic related irritation. Products that feature botanical oils however exhibit a mindful approach to product scenting. Further, essential oils can also offer their own skin benefits, potentially imparting things like anti-inflammatory effects or added hydration. A lot of cosmetic brands are also choosing to incorporate ingredients that are more traditionally used in skin care - vitamins, minerals, healthy moisturizers like hyaluronic acid, and even SPF for example. Seeing things like this on an ingredient list can be a good sign.
…But all of this is a lot to account for. So, obvs, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a quick roundup of some good-for-your-skin cosmetic brands.
Makeup Brands for Healthy Skin
bareMinerals
BareMinerals has come a long way since they burst onto the scene in an infomercial near you! Boasting alliterative assertions like clean, conscious, and cruelty-free, you may be skeptical as to whether or not BareMinerals can deliver on all its promises; but deliver, it does. For gentle, buildable formulas, infused with beneficial minerals and naturally derived extracts, look no further. Their rigorously tested cosmetics repeatedly outperform competitors and are clinically proven to improve the look of skin immediately as well as over time.
Aveda
This beloved brand, built on principles of holistic beauty and environmental responsibility, has long been trusted for its mindfully designed personal care. Each one of Aveda’s creations is inspired by the ancient art of Ayurveda to purposefully promote balance of the mind, body and spirit. Further, their nourishing cosmetics are designed to feed your skin through power-packed formulas that are up to 98% naturally derived.
Au Naturale
If full-spectrum color is what you seek, don’t you dare turn to conventional cosmetics before going Au Naturale. Their boldly pigmented, all-day-stay makeup is chock-full of nourishing, organic ingredients to support your skin care, rather than derail it.
Makeup Tips for Healthy Skin
Now that you know what to use, let’s talk about how to apply it. There are a few things you can do to further protect the health and wellness of your skin when applying your carefully selected cosmetics.
1. Wash. Your. Face.
No painter ever created a masterpiece on a dirty canvas… unless of course they did so on purpose and called it art. That’s totally possible, but also very much not the point! Wash your dang face! Flawless makeup application comes first from healthy skin. And healthy skin is clean skin. So, before you apply, give our So Clean! a try for a complexion that’s raring to go.
2. Prime.
An often-neglected step, priming your skin, especially when planning to wear your makeup for more than just a few hours, will help give your look some serious staying power. This keeps things light by lessening the urge to reapply or add additional layers to your made-up mug. Just be sure to choose a clean formula and stay away from anything with silicone, as this may clog pores.
3. Dab; don’t rub!
For Heaven’s sake, stop rubbing your face! The combination of pressure and sweeping motions can actually age your skin. And, in the case of makeup application, it can cause pore impaction. Instead, dab and pat makeup onto your skin with clean fingers or an applicator.
4. Spritz.
Similar to priming, a final “spritz” can help set your look while giving you some extra dew factor.
5. SPF.
Just because your makeup sits in between your skin and the sun’s rays doesn’t mean you don’t need sunscreen. OMG, you totally forgot it, didn’t you? A perfect beat from wing to tip but no sunscreen - SMH. But have no fear! A post-application application of Sun Bum’s Face Mist will keep your skin crisp-free, and your makeup crispy!
So, go ahead; get your makeup on! Just be sure to use the stuff that augments your skin care. Because faithfully giving your complexion what it truly needs will always get you glowing – with or without makeup!
Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
