Can Makeup Cause Breakouts?

By Tracey Long September 02, 2018

When you have a skin flare-up, the first thing you want to do is hide. And because staying in bed forever is just not feasible, the next best option is often to cover the redness and blemishes under a thick coating of makeup.

If you've ever applied foundation to cover a breakout only to wake up with even more blemishes the next day, you've probably wondered:

Can makeup cause breakouts?

The short answer is not always.

Makeup itself isn't usually the direct cause of acne. However, certain ingredients, heavy formulations, poor makeup hygiene and improper removal can contribute to clogged pores and make breakouts more likely in people who are already acne-prone.

The good news is that you don't necessarily have to stop wearing makeup if you have acne or sensitive skin. Choosing suitable products and following a gentle skincare routine can help support healthy-looking skin.

In this article we'll cover:

Can makeup actually cause acne?
Ingredients that may contribute to breakouts
How to choose makeup for acne-prone skin
Common makeup mistakes that may worsen breakouts
A gentle skincare routine for makeup wearers

Does Makeup Cause Acne?

For most people, makeup doesn't directly cause acne.

Acne develops through a combination of factors including excess oil production, clogged pores, bacteria, inflammation, hormones and genetics. Makeup can sometimes contribute to this process if it blocks pores or isn't removed properly.

Some people may also experience acne cosmetica - a type of acne associated with long-term use of pore-clogging cosmetic products. It often appears as small bumps or whiteheads and can develop gradually over weeks or months.

Rather than avoiding makeup altogether, it's often more helpful to look at the products you're using and your overall skincare routine.

How Makeup May Contribute to Breakouts

Pore-Clogging Ingredients

Some cosmetic ingredients are more likely to block pores, particularly in acne-prone skin.

Everyone's skin is different, but heavy, occlusive formulations may increase the likelihood of congestion for some people.

Look for products labelled:

Non-comedogenic
Oil-free (where appropriate)
Fragrance-free if your skin is sensitive

Heavy Makeup Layers

Applying multiple layers of primer, foundation, concealer and setting products can create a heavier film over the skin.

If these products aren't removed thoroughly, they may contribute to clogged pores over time.

Choosing lighter formulations where possible can help reduce buildup.

Sleeping in Your Makeup

One of the biggest skincare mistakes is going to bed wearing makeup.

Throughout the day, makeup collects:

Sweat
Sebum
Environmental pollutants
Dead skin cells

Leaving these on overnight increases the amount of debris sitting on your skin and may contribute to congestion.

Dirty Makeup Brushes and Sponges

Even if you're using high-quality makeup, dirty tools can undo your efforts.

Brushes and sponges can accumulate:

Oil
Dead skin cells
Product residue
Bacteria

Cleaning your makeup tools regularly helps minimise transferring this buildup back onto your skin each time you apply makeup.

Harsh Makeup Removal

Removing makeup should never feel like scrubbing your skin.

Aggressive cleansing, harsh wipes or excessive rubbing can disrupt the skin barrier, leaving skin feeling dry, irritated and more reactive.

Instead, focus on cleansing gently while ensuring all makeup is removed.

Look for Noncomedogenic Cosmetics

Thankfully there are now plenty of options for people with sensitive or breakout prone skin. Look for products advertised as ‘noncomedogenic’, which means that the product has been especially formulated to exclude ingredients that can clog pores.

Sunscreens can also contain ingredients that can irritate or clog your skin, so consider swapping to a non-clogging sunscreen as well. You can shop for noncomedogenic foundations on the Adobe Beauty website.

AMPERNA® Sunscreen

Mineral Makeup Might be the Beauty BFF You’ve Been Searching For

Mineral makeup has been around for a while, but you may not be aware that it’s often recommended for people with sensitive or irritated skin.

“I recommend that all my clients switch to mineral makeup,” explains Sally. “This is because mineral makeup generally allows the skin to breathe better because it’s more lightweight and it doesn’t have the artificial fragrances that can irritate certain skin types, or the heavier ingredients that can clog the pores.”

Sally suggests that her clients try brands like Jane Iredale, whose range includes mineral makeup created specifically for those with skin conditions like dermatitis. Furthermore, she advises that they avoid products that contain talc, which dehydrates skin and blocks the pores.

AMPERNA® Mineral Makeup

Avoid Ingredients That are Known to Clog and Irritate

If you’re set on sticking with the makeup you’ve always used or aren’t keen on changing to mineral, check cosmetic labels to make sure they don’t include any of the following known irritants:

Acrylics

These ingredients help other elements in the makeup to bind together, but they can also clog your pores and trap any dirt and oil already on your skin.

Alcohols

Alcohols are added to cosmetics to aid penetration and provide ‘all day’ coverage, they can really dehydrate and irritate sensitive skin.

Fragrances and colours

Fragrances and colours are included as a way to make your cosmetics look and smell lovely, they contain chemicals, which can exacerbate flare-ups for sensitive or acne prone skin.

Parabens

These ingredients are a group of man-made compounds that are used as preservatives. They lengthen the shelf life of products and inhibit the growth of mould, but they can trigger hormonal flare-ups.

Review Your Skincare Routine

While certain types of makeup can definitely trigger or exacerbate breakouts for some people, simply changing your makeup brand may not be enough to clear your skin. Health, lifestyle, diet and hormonal factors can all impact your skin’s condition, as can your skincare routine.

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that if you’re treating your acne and still seeing breakouts, reviewing your skincare routine could be the solution. They list out a range of skincare habits that can worsen acne, providing advice on how to change some habits in order to optimise the process of clearing your skin including:

Avoid sharing makeup brushes or makeup because bacteria, oil and dead skin cells from other people can transfer to your skin, causing clogged pores and breakouts
Don’t sleep in your makeup, even if it’s non-comedogenic
Limit face washes to a twice a day - when you wake and when you go to bed (plus after any sweaty activities)
Use a gentle cleanser applied in a circular motion with your fingertips rather than an abrasive scrub
Don’t pop or squeeze breakouts as it can lead to the bacteria spreading, worsen the pimples by pushing the clog deeper into your skin, or cause scarring (easier said than done from a former popper!)

Clinician Sally Cussell is a firm believer in the benefits of practising a good skincare routine in between treatments, but stresses that each routine should be personalised to the individual’s specific skin type and needs.

Read Is it Time to Simplify Your Skincare Routine?

AMPERNA® Gentle Cleanser

In general, she recommends using a gentle cleanser, and cleansing twice if you’re going to wear regular makeup (instead of mineral makeup) to make sure that you get everything off. This helps to remove traces of oil or dirt that can build up over time to clog the pores.

A Gentle Skincare Routine for Makeup Wearers

A simple skincare routine can help remove makeup effectively while supporting your skin barrier.

Step 1: Cleanse

AMPERNA® Ultra Gentle Soothing Cleanser [BALANCE]

A lightweight gel cleanser that removes makeup, sunscreen, impurities and daily buildup without leaving skin feeling stripped.

If you wear heavier makeup, you may benefit from cleansing twice in the evening to ensure everything has been removed.

Step 2: Support Your Skin

AMPERNA® Pro+ DS Soothing Serum [RESCUE]

Formulated with AMPERNA®'s microbiome-focused technology, this lightweight serum helps support balanced, healthy-looking skin while providing comfort to sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Step 3: Introduce Targeted Active Ingredients

Once your skin feels balanced, consider gradually introducing products that help improve the appearance of acne-prone skin and uneven texture.

Depending on your skin goals, this may include:

Introduce active ingredients slowly and adjust your routine according to your skin's needs.

Step 4: Hydrate

AMPERNA® Lightweight Soothing+ Emulsion [HYDRATE]

A lightweight moisturiser designed to replenish hydration and support the skin barrier without feeling heavy on the skin.

Step 5: Protect

AMPERNA® Pro+ Bio Soothing Day Mineral CC SPF15 [HYDRAPROTECT]

Daily mineral sun protection helps protect your skin from UV exposure while providing lightweight hydration and a natural-looking tint that sits comfortably under makeup.

All AMPERNA^® products are noncomedogenic and are designed to actively help to calm and soothe breakouts.

When you suffer from sudden sensitised flare-ups or from skin conditions such as perioral dermatitis, dermatitis, eczema and rosacea, you may want to temporarily just cleanse with water.

Have you used any cosmetics that contributed towards breakouts? Did you find out which ingredient was leading to the irritation?