With the Miss Universe pageant right around the corner, you’d probably expect to see a TON of glitz and glam, but the opposite seems to be happening. Style Caster recently published an article about the different approach the Miss Universe organization is taking this year. Have you seen the hashtag #ConfidentlyBeautiful on social media outlets? Well attached to these hashtags are photos of some of the most beautiful women from across the world, sans make-up. While their make-up free campaign targets the social issues of physical beauty, there is some dermatological merit behind it as well.
Many women have made makeup an important staple in their day-to-day lives, but they don’t consider the potential harm they can be doing to their skin. Of course these side effects are not standard with every person that wears make-up. The benefits of going makeup free might just make you want to reach over for that makeup remover wipe!
By opting out of wearing makeup you can potentially prevent the following from happening:
Clogged Pores – This is one of the major causes of acne formation. Generally acne forms when hair follicles get clogged; the oil from your makeup is one of the things that combine with dead skin cells to block the follicles. In most cases makeup will flare up already existing acne versus creating it.
Bacteria – Something else that contributes to acne, bacteria. Exactly how often do you clean your brushes? Are you currently looking at your vanity full of dirty brushes? It is recommended that you wash your brushes at least every two weeks. Brushes hold dust, oil, dead skin, not to mention anything else floating around.
Allergies and Irritation – It is common for people to experience allergies and skin irritation from the ingredients found in products. Try looking for make-up with any of the following labels: hypoallergenic (less likely to cause allergic reaction), non-comedogenic (avoids blockage of pores), or non-acnegenic (you guessed it, avoids formation of acne!). Your eyes more than any other feature on your face will benefit from you deciding to go makeup free for a while. The area around the skin is one of the most sensitive areas of skin, some products contain harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin.
Dry or Oily Skin –  Each person’s skin is different. Some people may experience dryness from their powder or another product, others can experience excessive oil production from cosmetics like foundation.
Aging – About two years ago a reporter from the Daily Mail wrote an article about what happened when she slept with her makeup on for one month. The results of her experiment were startling. Her skin had aged tremendously, on top of that she developed irritation in and around the eye area, an increase in redness, pore size, and dryness. Always remember to remove all traces of make-up before sleeping or working out.