How to Create a Skin-Friendly Makeup Routine

Everything that comes into contact with our face—whether it’s serum, makeup sponges, phone screens, or our hands—can affect the skin. 

The average adult face has 20,000 pores, which means there are 20,000 opportunities for ingredients, bacteria, or dirt to penetrate the skin and cause skin changes or complete damage. 

It all depends on what products you use and how you keep your skin healthy and clean (without touching your face, of course). Cosmetics are often one of the many products we apply to our skin every day. 

Similar to skin care, choosing the right products can ensure that your makeup routine helps rather than harms your complexion. Learn how makeup affects your skin, what ingredients to look for (and avoid), and how to make sure your makeup isn't making existing problems worse. 

What effect does makeup have on the skin? Foundation, concealer, lipstick, eye shadow, blush...all types of makeup have unique formulas that can affect the skin. Cosmetics that don’t harmonize with your skin tone can lead to acne, premature aging, inflammation, skin sensitivity, dehydration, and more. 

That's why it's important to consider all the products and ingredients you use on your skin (as well as what you eat and how much sleep you get) when it comes to skin concerns. Remember: everyone has a different skin tone. Trendy cosmetics that work for one person may not work for another. 

Cosmetic Ingredients to Watch Out for (or Avoid). So how do we know which ingredients are right for our skin? The truth is: we usually don't. At least not without some experimentation. "There are many cosmetic ingredients that can clog pores and irritate the skin," says Victoria Stiles, celebrity makeup artist and creative director of ShikSona Beauty. 

"In most cases, the level of irritation depends on the sensitivity of the user. For example, if you are allergic to latex and latex is an ingredient in the cosmetics you use, it may cause problems. If you are allergic to gluten, then This can also be an issue when choosing products that are right for your skin." 

If you have acne-prone or oily skin, a cream formula may not be right for you, while dry skin types may avoid powders. When shopping, look for ingredients that are good for your skin. 

“When shopping for makeup, look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane to keep skin plump, soft and hydrated all day long,” advises Diamond Hannah, director of product development at clean makeup brand MERIT. Skin and makeup will be fresh but not greasy. 

Vitamin E, humectants (like polyglutamic acid), and ceramides are others to add to the list. When in doubt, we recommend shopping clean beauty brands and avoiding toxic and questionable ingredients like parabens, phthalates, talc, and artificial fragrances, which are known to be harmful to the skin and body Functionality is negatively affected. 

While being completely vocal may not be for everyone, another option is to use skin care products that provide both cosmetic benefits and beneficial ingredients. For a no-makeup look, choose our luminous drops in Pure Gold or Pure Bronze. 

Apply to provide hydration and antioxidant protection while covering blemishes and adding radiance. They're also non-comedogenic (proven not to clog pores), making them a great alternative to makeup - especially when foundation and creams are common sources of breakouts. 

Looking for more skin care and makeup blending products? Our Antioxidant Oil Serum doubles as a highlighter (just apply to browbones, cupid's bow, and bridge of nose), while our Tinted Silk Slip doubles as cream blush; just follow our Marketing Coordinator Adar below Just follow the tutorial. 

Skincare products to make your makeup look better. Use your skin tone as the base for your makeup. Taking good care of your skin will bring success to any of your beauty looks. Before you pick up your makeup brushes, start with a clean, freshly washed canvas.  To exfoliate, use our at-home dermabrasion tool. Facial makeup becomes more flawless by removing dead skin cells and peach layer. In our photo, face masks are another way to rejuvenate your skin before a big event or a night out. Leave on for 15 minutes to instantly brighten dull skin. 

Another rule of thumb: Always hydrate before applying makeup. It's much easier to paint on a smooth canvas than a peeling canvas, right? 

Apply moisturizer and leave it on for a few minutes before applying foundation. This includes your eyes and lips! Apply lip oil and smoothing eye cream before applying lip gloss and concealer to the eye area. If you wear makeup during the day, don’t forget sunscreen, it can help prevent the spots and blemishes we want to cover up in the first place. While SPF-infused cosmetics may seem like a no-brainer, experts say these products don't offer enough UV protection because mixing their formula with other ingredients dilutes their SPF. Instead, use a sunscreen that contains ingredients like zinc oxide, which blends well with makeup. If you plan to be outdoors all day, sprinkle your makeup with SPF powder every two hours. No matter what cosmetics you use, some habits can exacerbate existing skin problems. Follow these rules to keep your complexion healthy: Always remove makeup before bed and/or exercise. Leaving makeup on your skin while sleeping or sweating can clog pores and increase your risk of breakouts and irritation. 

Double cleansing with an oil-based cleanser like Day Dissolve ensures makeup and sunscreen are properly broken down, followed by a water-based cleanser to remove all dirt. If you're not aware of any limitations, gradually incorporate makeup into your daily routine and see how your skin reacts. 

Watch for an increase in bumps, irritation, redness, or acne, which may be a sign that your makeup doesn't quite match your skin tone. It may be helpful to choose travel-size samples or products during this process to avoid wasting formula or spending unnecessary money. Clean your makeup brushes regularly. Once a week is recommended, but the right rhythm depends on how often you wear makeup. Don't share brushes or tools with others as they can spread germs. 

 Avoid wearing makeup on broken skin, such as after acne breakouts or during a psoriasis flare-up. The area is an open wound, and filling it with cosmetics can slow the healing process. If you really want to cover up pesky blemishes, start with an acne patch or a makeup-friendly aftercare product. Let your skin care products work first to avoid pilling. While this isn't a cause for concern in and of itself, it can be frustrating when makeup pills look cakey after use. The best way to avoid this is to let your skin care products sit for a few minutes before applying makeup. If this doesn't work, the formula may not be compatible with your skin products. 

 Throw away expired products as makeup and skin care products are shelf stable. Pay attention to the product's PAO (expiration date after opening), which is usually stated on the packaging. If in doubt, if the formula smells bad or is the wrong color, it may have expired. Using products past their sell-by date may lead to acne, infection, and rashes. In general, the following applies to different types of makeup: