If your skin is already rather healthy and you don't have any specific issues, chances are that going makeup-free wouldn't make much of a difference. If you are struggling with certain skin issues, though, taking a makeup break might be able to help.
Dr. Michele Green, MD, an cosmetic dermatologist, agreed that giving skin a rest from makeup can help reduce and improve breakouts. “There's more oxygen that'll be delivered to your face; your skin will have more time to repair itself and regenerate its elastin and collagen," says Dr.
Hadley King, M.D., an NYC dermatologist, says: “Often, a barrier of makeup increases oil production, so not wearing makeup can decrease oiliness, clogged pores and pimples.”
Without daily layers of makeup, the skin is free from potential irritants, chemicals, and heavy formulas that disrupt the skin's natural renewal process," says Dr Goel. This allows the skin to breathe and better regulate its natural oils, leading to fewer breakouts and a more balanced complexion.
So go ahead and wear makeup; as much or as little as you like, whenever you want! Wearing makeup won't affect how well your skin ages. Instead, avoid sun exposure, smoking, drinking, and eat a healthy diet. Those are the things under your control that have been proven to have an effect on skin aging. HTH!
This makes way for brighter, healthier skin with less clogged pores and unnecessary breakouts. Inevitably, the longer you go with this no makeup movement, the better it is for your skin. This is because it stabilizes the skin to naturally produce oils and hydration without the added interruption of heavy face makeup.
“Eliminating all products can potentially wreak havoc on your skin, so this is something that I don't recommend,” Dr. Zubritsky tells us. “For example, if you stop washing your face with a cleanser, dirt, debris, makeup, and oil can build up, resulting in more breakouts.”
Acne cosmetica will often clear when you stop using the makeup and hair and skin care products that clog your pores. If anything else is causing your acne, however, you'll still see acne.
“Going mascara free has a lot of benefits. It's low maintenance, meaning no smudging, flaking or dealing with raccoon eyes throughout the day,” says Sheriff. “Your lashes stay healthier since you're not constantly applying and removing product, which can cause breakage.”
2. Facial contrast. Many studies have demonstrated that women wearing makeup that creates a higher colour contrast between their face, eyes, and lips, are found more attractive by men. In fact, lipstick and eyeshadow were created for this exact reason!
To wear makeup or not to wear makeup isn't the question — it's about doing something that makes you feel different. No-one should tell you how much or how little makeup you should wear. It's your face, your makeup, and your life. The overriding lesson here is that your appearance is entirely your prerogative.
Despite historical precedent that the opposite should be the case, makeup sales are beginning to decline. Data from NIQ shows that total makeup sales dropped 1 percent from January through October 2024, with the downturn accelerating particularly during the last 12 weeks of that period.
We found that makeup affects apparent age in multiple ways. Forty- and 50-year-old women appeared younger when wearing makeup. However, 30-year-old women appeared no different in age whether wearing makeup or not, while 20-year-old women appeared older when wearing full face makeup.
Hydrate Your Skin
Make sure you use a moisturizer every day to clean, dry skin. Whether your moisturizer is a cream, mask or serum, it'll help maintain your cutaneous balance. So moisturize morning and night to avoid ending up with a dull complexion. Avoid heavy creams that clog your pores to attract dust.
Your skin will thank you in the form of less breakouts
We all know that breakouts are formed by clogged pores, so it's no surprise that no makeup means better pores. Sure, foundation creates the appearance of clear and blemish-free skin, but sometimes it can actually cause more damage than you think.
Organic makeup is mainly made of plant extracts, vegetable oils and essential oils. Unlike traditional makeup, organic products do not contain harmful chemical components (parabens or other endocrine disruptors, silicones, sulfates, synthetic dyes or perfumes).
Extended use of mascara can lead to natural lash stiffness, which doesn't just contribute to more lash fall out but it can also increase risk of scratching the corneas. Better lashes are also not worth worse skin around the delicate eye area.
Take Makeup Breaks: Give your lashes a break from mascara and other eye makeup occasionally to allow them to rest and recover.
Thanks to their eye-friendly, non-irritating nature, they don't tend to trigger allergic reactions like their pigmented counterparts. This makes clear mascara a must for individuals with sensitive eyes or those who wear contact lenses.
The short answer here is “maybe.” I know it's not the most satisfying answer in the world, but the fact is that each person's skin reacts differently to any type of change. Some people will notice improvements in their skin when they stop wearing makeup and others won't.
key things to remember about leaving your makeup on:
Your Pores Will Become Clogged and You Will Breakout. Your Complexion Will Appear Dull. Your Skin Will Look Older. Your Skin Will Look and Feel Dry.
To wear—or not wear—makeup is completely up to personal preference and comfort, and the reasons behind either choice are different for everyone.
A consistent skincare routine helps support this balance by providing necessary nutrients, hydration and protection. Stopping your routine disrupts this equilibrium, potentially leading to imbalances such as increased oiliness or dryness.
When worn for long periods of time, makeup clogs your pores and therefore limits collagen and elastin production in your skin, leading to lines and wrinkles. This is on top of exposure to the sun's damaging rays, which cause 90% of visible skin aging.