The Cosmetic Conundrum: To Wear or Go Bare?

On a purely healthy skin level, we always recommend going makeup-free to avoid clogging pores. That said, whether or not to wear makeup is a personal decision. There are so many reasons people choose, or choose not, to wear makeup. For some, it’s about style. Some want to look more polished. Others more natural. Some want to cover flaws. Some worry about aggravating skin issues. The most important thing is doing what makes you feel comfortable.

If you choose to wear makeup…

If wearing makeup makes you feel more confident and put together, then, by all means, wear it. Just make sure to choose products that won’t clog pores and aggravate skin issues. Avoid heavy foundations and opt for loose mineral-based pigments instead. If you prefer the consistency of a liquid foundation, look for one that’s oil-free and water based. And check the label for comedogenic ingredients. If you notice flare-ups when you use a particular cosmetic, toss that one out.

To make your own light foundation put a nickel size amount of the Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15 Lotion in your hand and mix in a small amount of the mineral makeup. A darker or lighter foundation can be made depending on the amount of pigment that you add.

If you choose to go bare…

You might find it difficult at first, but going without makeup will keep cosmetic buildup from creating impactions. It takes about thirty days for a complete cell turnover cycle, so if you feel like you are trying to hide skin issues, you might find a month cosmetic-free will be a great help toward eliminating those issues. Make sure you are sticking to your skin care regimen religiously. Give your skin time to adjust and for your own natural radiance to be revealed.

The value of a clinical skin care regimen is never more clear than when you dare to go bare.

Either way…

Makeup or no, a foundation of healthy skin will ensure your best face forward. Invest in your skin care first with issue-specific treatments to target trouble areas.

Start with the right cleanser. It should be formulated to effectively rid skin of impurities, dirt, pollutants, and oil without drying or irritating. Is your skin dry or easily irritated? Look for something with hydrating and soothing elements to support a strong skin barrier. Cleansing Milk or Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser are good choices. Acne-prone? BP 3% Acne Wash or Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Wash are excellent choices for clearing pores and killing bacteria. Mandelic has the bonus of being a natural brightener and a non-irritating option for skin of color. Both the BP and Mandelic cleansers are available in an exfoliating scrub as well.

A toner clears impurities and dead skin cells, minimizes the appearance of pores, supports a healthy barrier, and enhances the absorption of corrective serums. Again choose ingredients to support skin needs and target issues. Skin Nourishing Toner is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin including rosacea-affected skin. See our complete toner collection for more options for treating acne-prone skin, uneven tone, or hyperpigmented skin.

Skin is constantly renewing, sloughing off dead skin cells and replacing them with new ones. Accelerating the process helps to bring impactions up and out, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and lift excess pigment for overall smoother, brighter, clearer tone and texture. Our multi-tiered vitamin A therapies address all those issues and work in all skin types. Mandelic Acid serums are particularly good for dark skin tones because their slower absorption rate makes them non-irritating. Use booster serums like Spin Trap Antioxidant Serum for brightening, collagen boosting and photo-protection; Rejuv Rx, our Botox in a bottle, for plumping and firming; and Bleaching Cream for lifting stubborn dark spots.

Whatever your skin type or makeup persuasion, sunscreen is mandatory. Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15 offers super light, non-greasy UV protection, plus hydration. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of radiance.

Comedogenic ingredients to avoid

The following list includes ingredients which score a 3 or above on the 0-5 comedogenicity scale. When these appear within the first seven ingredients listed on a product you’re considering, you may want to opt for something else. The further down a product ingredient list these items appear, the less the product formula contains.

Isopropyl isostearate...............................5
Isopropyl myristate..................................5
Myristyl Myristate.....................................5
Laureth-4.................................................5
Oleth-3.....................................................5
Coco Butter/oil.........................................4
Acetylated lanolin.....................................4
Acetylated lanolin alcohol........................4
Lauric Acid...............................................4
Isopropyl Palmitate..................................4
Isostearyl Isostearate...............................4
Myristyl Lactate........................................4
Stearyl Hptanoate....................................4
Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth 20..............4
Mink Oil....................................................3
Soybean Oil.............................................3
Shark Liver Oil (Squalene)......................3
D & C Red #30........................................3
Stearic Acid TEA.....................................3
Myristic Acid............................................3
Buytl Stearate.........................................3
Decyl Oleate...........................................3
Isostearyl Neopentanoate.......................3
Glyceryl Stearate SE...............................3
Wheat Germ Glyceride............................3
Laureth-23...............................................3