Keeping Your Skin Health in Mind When Choosing Your Halloween Makeup

Keeping Your Skin Health in Mind When Choosing Your Halloween Makeup - DaytonHalloween is just around the corner, and it is the best time to go crazy with makeup, hair, and costumes. Halloween makeup is fun, and it’s the only time you can creatively go all out with makeup without raising eyebrows. However, Halloween makeup can take a toll on your skin, leading to breakouts, rashes, and irritation if you are not careful. You can still have fun with your makeup by keeping some things in mind to protect your skin and maintain good health. Read on to learn how to better care for your skin during Halloween.

Choosing The Right Products

Halloween makeup is thick and heavier than conventional makeup. This is because it contains fragrances, a higher level of artificial dyes, and oils and chemicals. Before purchasing your Halloween makeup, it is crucial to carefully read the labels to check for ingredients that contain allergens.

You should also avoid products with: 

  • Heavy metals such as lead, cobalt, or cadmium
  • Oxybenzone 
  • Formaldehyde
  • Phthalates
  • Isopropyl myristate
  • Mica
  • Artificial dyes and fragrances
  • Hena 
  • Diethanolamine

Halloween makeup may contain ingredients that irritate your skin, leading to acne and rashes. Choose makeup labeled “theatrical” or “professional” makeup designed for the use of costumes since it includes FDA-approved ingredients to be on the safer side.

For sensitive skin, go for fragrance-free and alcohol-free makeup to avoid drying and irritating the skin. For best results, choose mineral-based makeup for sensitive skin.

If you have acne-prone or oily skin, water-based products are the best to prevent clogging your skin or further worsening breakouts. You can also go for products labeled “non-comedogenic” since they go easy on the pores.

For dry skin, moisturizing is key because it keeps the skin hydrated and free from irritation and itchiness that your Halloween makeup may cause.

You can try natural, biodegradable, and organic products since they are less toxic and can also make your skin look great without irritating or harming skin. Search for products that are transparent about the ingredients they use. Stay clear of synthetic chemicals and dyes to avoid irritating and harming your skin.

If you are concerned about using products you are not used to, you can go for your usual bolder shades of regular makeup brands that you trust to create your Halloween look. The bottom line is that investing in high-quality Halloween makeup is the best way to avoid skin problems.

The advice from Natalie Mays, Advanced Licensed Aesthetician at Dayton Skin Care,“Avoid cheap costume makeup because it can clog your pores, irritate your skin, and cause allergic reactions, among other issues. Your skin deserves the best, so go for quality makeup.”

Avoid Re-Using Last Year’s Makeup

It is crucial never to use the previous year’s makeup because it has remained unopened for months creating the perfect breeding area for bacteria. These bacteria can cause serious breakouts. It is even riskier if you share your makeup with friends and family. 

You can tell your makeup is expired if: 

  • It has separated
  • It contains an “off” smell
  • There is a change in colors, consistency, or textures

Natalie’s Tip: Throw out the makeup even if it was used only once and buy a new one. Every makeup has an expiration date, and most have an open jar symbol to inform you how long it can safely last after opening it. Inside the open jar, a symbol is usually a number indicating the product’s expiration date. Each type of makeup usually lasts for a certain period. Here is how long:

  • Mascara lasts 3 to 6 months
  • Face powder and blush can keep for two years
  • Lipstick and liner last one year, even when unused. If it has gone bad, it is difficult to spread and has an off smell.
  • Eye shadow, if it is cream, 3 to 6 months, while powder can keep for two years, and pencil eyeliner can keep up to a year or two (if sharpened)
  • Liquid eyeliner lasts three months
  • Lip gloss can keep for 12-18 months
  • Foundation, if it is powder – 18 months, while liquid – 6-12 months
  • Primer can keep up to a year from the day it was opened

Prepping Your Skin for Halloween Makeup

Whether you have dry or sensitive skin, it is important to do a spot test with the makeup you are interested in on your wrist at least a day before using it to see how your skin reacts to it. 

Avoid using harsh active ingredients before applying your Halloween makeup to avoid drying or irritating your skin. Harsh soaps, abrasive scrubs, peels, and alcohol-based products can disrupt the skin’s barrier leading to sensitivity and other skin issues. 

After testing the makeup, start preparing your skin. Begin by cleansing and gently exfoliating your skin. Exfoliating gets rid of dead skin and unclogs pores. Then moisturize and apply a barrier cream (primer) before putting on makeup. Primers also help with oily skin by helping create a separate barrier between your makeup and skin. The barrier protects the skin against the Halloween makeup you are going to use. 

Natalie’s Tip:  Most importantly, if you are having outdoor Halloween activities, do not forget to apply a generous layer of sunscreen with SPF 30 and higher. Ensure you apply it before putting on any makeup, and do not forget to reapply every two hours.

Post Care

You should never sleep with your Halloween makeup on as it could damage your skin. Sleeping with heavy makeup will lead to skin sensitivity, dehydration, and irritation. Begin your skincare routine by using a makeup remover based on the type of makeup you have used. Oil-based makeup is usually harder to remove than water-based makeup. You can use an oil-based makeup remover or baby oil to strip off the heavy Halloween makeup. For false eyelashes, use an adhesive remover and avoid ripping them off.

Natalie’s Tip:  Take your time to thoroughly clean (double cleanse) your skin, even if you are tired after a long day of partying and trick-or-treating with your kids.   Use an oil-based cleanser to remove the makeup thoroughly. After cleansing, you can use a chemical exfoliator, especially if you have not used any in the prepping stage. After ensuring your skin is totally clean and makeup free, generously moisturize your skin.

 

At Dayton Skin Care, we’re here to help with all your skin care questions and concerns.  If you develop a negative reaction to your Halloween makeup, reach out to the dermatology team at Dayton Skin Care by calling 937-293-5567.  You can also follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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