Xanadu Med Spa

Can I Use Make-up if I Have Acne?

We have almost reached a point where it is widely believed that if you have acne, you can’t use makeup, almost like it is common sense. But is that really the case? As it turns out, makeup and acne can mix, and wearing makeup on acne-prone skin is by no means out of the question.

Crucially, if you have acne, then your choice of makeup can make all the difference. Indeed, makeup can cause acne in its own right – acne cosmetica is a genuine affliction and can affect people that might never previously have had acne-prone skin.

If you have acne but want to wear makeup, you must be careful about the brands and types of makeup you buy. Some say that foundation is the key to wearing makeup while having acne, although it can also be highly problematic. Choosing the wrong product can result in breakouts. Foundation can be an ally in your makeup routine if you use a product that won’t clog pores or otherwise interfere with any acne treatment you might rely on.

In this feature, we look at how to wear makeup the right way, even if you have acne-prone skin, suffer from acne breakouts, or want to rely on makeup products designed for sensitive skin that will never worsen acne, no matter your style.

Enjoy the Professional Touch with Xanadu Med Spa

If you have acne-prone skin, it makes sense that you’ll take a little more care over which products you put in your makeup bag. When you’re mostly concerned with pimples and breakouts, the last thing you want to do is to make your acne worse.

There are many factors to think about when choosing makeup, not least the basics, such as skin tone, flaky skin, and excess oil. Combine that with acne, and you also have to think about tiny bumps, new blemishes, and further breakouts, which can become overwhelming without professional advice.

No matter your makeup routine, acne alone is not a good enough reason to stop wearing it. If you experience an outbreak, your first instinct might be to avoid makeup altogether. However, you don’t need to do that by any means, and if you’re worried about oily skin, pore-clogging, or anything else, the team at Xanadu Med Spa is here to help.

We can help you to choose the right makeup for your skin type and ensure that no matter what you do, there is little chance of more acne appearing. Crucially, we will work with you to ensure that everything we recommend is relevant and tailored to your skin. After all, poor makeup advice can do more harm than good, and cosmetics are not necessarily designed with acne in mind.

Meanwhile, if you’d like to take steps to address your acne as well, our team is vastly experienced in dealing with acne patients. We can help you avoid more breakouts and provide insight into the acne medications that dermatologists recommend for clear skin. This ensures you no longer have to limit yourself to oil-free makeup remover and only use mineral makeup that is guaranteed to avoid acne-causing bacteria.

If you’d like to speak to an expert who can advise on everything from cleansing dead skin cells to chemical peels and much more, call our Fort Collins med spa now at 970-591-7919.

AviClear Non-invasive Treatment for Acne

Over the past decade, treatment for acne has been rather underwhelming. There have been a number of topical creams and treatments that have been touted, but very few of them have proven to be effective treatments. There have also been a number of prescription acne treatments, such as Accutane, which have such serious potential side effects, most patients would not be willing to risk it.

Fortunately, in the last few years, the FDA has approved a new ground-breaking treatment, Aviclear. This treatment is non-invasive and utilizes lasers to provide effective treatment of acne for sufferers. 

Here at Xanadu Med Spa, Northern Colorado, we are proud to offer the new Aviclear treatment to patients. The process is pain-free and has no downtime, and is proving to be the go-to treatment for people who have problems with acne.

So, Can I Use Make-up If I Have Acne?

Using makeup with acne might clog pores. A mild outbreak could alter your perception of eye makeup and influence whether you add concealer to your cheeks. However, as any dermatologist will tell you, there is absolutely nothing to prevent you from wearing makeup if you have acne. However, you might need to make a few modifications to your typical makeup routine first.

Here are our top tips:

1. Always Ensure You Start With Clean Skin

Many of the stories behind not using makeup with acne stem from the fact that people are happy to apply makeup without cleaning their skin first. Avoid primers and look to wash the skin before you apply anything.

Depending on the severity of your acne, you might want to take things a step further. For example, you might want to use a lotion or gel that incorporates salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells before you put your makeup brushes to work.

Even if your acne is not overly serious, you should always choose products that work with your skin. If you prefer to prepare your skin beforehand, use an oil-free moisturizer before applying foundation or any other products.

By taking steps towards clear skin before you wear makeup, you can ensure that there is no additional interaction between your makeup of choice and anything you use to manage the condition, such as benzoyl peroxide or an acne patch.

2. Ensure Your Makeup Brushes Have Been Cleaned Thoroughly

Sometimes, the hardest part of skin care is ensuring you do not come into contact with any potential infection. Unfortunately, even women that take every possible step to prevent irritation can fall victim to poorly cleaned tools.

If you have acne, it’s vital to remember that your skin is already predisposed to absorb oil, and any attempt to wear makeup can block pores. It’s equally important to ensure your tools of choice do not work against you.

If your skin clears quickly, dirty makeup brushes can ruin your plans. Whether you’ve exclusively used a gentle cleanser or used coconut oil instead of alternatives, introducing bacteria from a dirty makeup brush can lead to further pimples and breakouts.

3. Consider Mineral Makeup

If you have sensitive skin, it’s worth getting acquainted with mineral makeup. It’s great for sensitive skin in general, and dermatologists recommend it for anyone suffering from acne.

If you decide to consult an expert on your skincare routine, you might be able to improve the condition of your skin with the makeup itself. While acne will not eventually clear just because you apply foundation alone, makeup products that hydrate or contain organic ingredients might help with pimples and flare-ups.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is generally fine to wear makeup if you have acne, but specific products might worsen the condition. Foundation and concealer can be particular culprits as there is always a chance that they might clog pores. Incidentally, if you feel or have been advised that you’re susceptible to clogged pores, keep an eye out for non-comedogenic makeup, which is formulated specifically to avoid blockages.

Where possible, it might be necessary to change the makeup worn during a breakout or, where possible, take a break from wearing it while any inflammation clears.

The worst types of acne makeup are typically oil- or liquid-based. As noted above, anyone concerned about the effect of makeup on their skin should try to use mineral-based products and take breaks from makeup whenever possible.

Acne outbreaks do not have to mean avoiding makeup altogether, but they might mean altering your routine in terms of the products used and the frequency with which you wear them.

Get Expert Advice at Xanadu Med Spa

At Xanadu Med Spa, we want our clients to look and feel their best all the time. Whether that means trying new products to manage acne without giving up on makeup or addressing the root cause through therapies, treatments, and supplements, we’d be delighted to discuss your options, including the new Aviclear treatment.

The initial consultation is always free, so if you’re in the Fort Collins area, call us to find out more about how we can help at 970-591-7919.