Many believe that makeup can have a detrimental effect on our skin. But does a makeup detox really work?
Lately, there is a lot of talk about giving our bodies a break, usually from a certain type of food. How could we forget the juice cleanses that became so popular about 5 years ago? Now, we’re also hearing about letting our skin rest from makeup. There is a lot of support and promotion for makeup detoxes, but do they really work?
Many women start using makeup at an early age and aren’t used to leaving the house without it. In fact, they feel “naked” without it. But we’ve now also learned to celebrate natural beauty and that the decision whether or not to wear makeup is a very personal one. A woman’s beauty isn’t actually related to whether or not she wears makeup. Beauty is something intangible and subjective, and we must learn to seek internal, not external, validation. If not wearing makeup makes you feel comfortable, that’s very valid. After all, your face should express your identity.
Before deciding to quit your makeup routine and live an au natural life, keep the following points in mind. Breakouts or oily skin might not be the result of makeup but of not having the right routine and products.
Know Your Skin
One factor you should always take into account is the type of skin you have. Your skin may react to a new makeup product added to your routine or, over time, a certain product may start to wreak havoc. But, this is primarily because we don’t always know what our skin needs. If we choose beauty and makeup products made for our skin type, it’s very likely that using makeup continuously won’t have an adverse effect on our skin.
Shop Wisely
Once you know what benefits and affects your skin, you can buy products that really help. I recommend organic products or ones made from natural ingredients. Reducing the number of chemicals you use can lead to vast improvements in the condition of your skin. Also, look for products that complement your skin and strengthen its natural properties.
Don’t Believe Everything You Hear
There are many myths about the skin, like we breathe through our skin, so makeup can suffocate it and that the ingredients and chemicals in our makeup get absorbed by the skin. But these claims aren’t true. The skin is an organ that acts as a shell for our body; it protects us from external factors. Composed of water and oil, the first layers of the skin absorb oil and repel water. As the amount of water in our skin gets reduced, the absorption of oils decreases. So, our skin cannot absorb the ingredients in foundation. As for the part about whether makeup can suffocate us, it’s simply not true. The skin has no respiratory function for humans.
A few years ago, I read about a new “diet,” not for food, but for makeup habits. The diet is called ” 5: 2 No-Makeup,” and it consists of not wearing makeup two days a week. Consider this a two-day makeup detox. Personally, I have not tried it; anyone who knows me knows that I love my makeup and experimenting with new lip colors and liners. But I found this trend interesting, so I’m sharing it here. I did a bit of research, asking dermatologists and friends who lead makeup-free lifestyles if doing this type of “diet” really works if done over short periods of time (one or two months) and whether we’d really see a change in our skin. What I learned is that we’d need to do two makeup-free days per week for more than three months.
The results of a makeup detox depend on your beauty routine and the products you use. If you use makeup that is not suitable for your skin, it is possible that a detox will have significant results. But if you truly have a structured and specialized routine, a makeup detox may not work wonders, and you won’t see any changes once it is over. That said, it is worth doing a reset for your skin. Rest for one day a week, not because your skin necessarily needs it, but because makeup routines take time. For example, if you skip makeup on Sundays, this might allow you to sleep in a few extra hours or enjoy a morning cup of coffee. Plus, you won’t have the tedious task of removing your makeup at the end of the day. Once you realize how much time you invest in doing your makeup (and believe me, it’s a lot), you’ll realize it makes sense to take a break from time to time.
One last tip: if you decide to reduce your day-to-day makeup use or perhaps even eliminate makeup entirely from your daily routine, go for it, but don’t stop protecting your skin. If you stop applying foundation, find a good sunscreen and choose a balm that hydrates your lips. Keep applying moisturizers and oils in the morning and at night. All of this will help your skin feel fresh, more hydrated, and healthy.
Remember that before making any changes to your beauty and makeup routine, you should consult a dermatologist, who can guide you on what’s best for your skin type. And, if you really want to try a makeup detox, my advice is to just do it. You have nothing to lose and you may love going makeup-free in the long run!
XO
Sira