Are Your Makeup Products Causing Acne?

Posted by Joy Kakabeeke on

We all know the cycle. You cover up acne with makeup only for the makeup to cause more acne. Then, you use more makeup to cover that up. But, what if I told you that you could stop the cycle and still wear cosmetics? It’s not the makeup itself that is causing skin irritation, it’s the ingredients in your makeup! Read on to find out which ingredients used in your everyday foundations, eyeshadows, primers and more cause acne and which ones alleviate it. 


4 Common Ingredients in makeup that cause acne 


  • Benzaldehyde. 
  • This is an artificial fragrance used in some makeup formulas. Just like many fragrances, it clogs up your pores which can cause bacteria and oils to be trapped in your skin. Artificial fragrances in general are very irritating to the skin. Especially if you have acne-prone skin, this should be avoided. 


  • Lanolin. 
  • Lanolin is the sebum, or skin oil of sheep. Lanolin is a waxy substance used in cosmetics as a way to trap in moisture and smooth the skin. However, this ingredient is highly comedogenic. It causes blackheads, acne and more skin irritations. 


  • Sodium Chloride 
  • They put salt in makeup? Yes, some brands use salt (Sodium Chloride) as a means to thicken the product. But, it comes with a cost, salt is highly comedogenic. Your pores will be clogged right up. Just like eating foods that are high in sodium isn’t ideal for the skin, neither is applying salt to your skin.


  • Lauroyl Lysine
  • Lauroyl Lysine clogs up your pores by preventing your skin from breathing. Some brands use it to give your skin a silky feel. But, it’s not worth it! It’s rated as high on the comedogenic scale which is why it should be avoided. 


    Ingredients in makeup that alleviate acne 

  • Green tea
  • Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that can be beneficial in reducing acne on the face. Medical News Today’s official website found that, “according to a 2017 review of research studies, compounds in green tea known as polyphenols may assist skin health by helping to prevent the sebaceous glands from producing excess sebum, or oil.” 


    Too much sebum causes dead cells to stick together which leads to clogged pores that can create acne. Green tea helps fight this and is a great alternative to other toxins makeup brands use today. 


  • Aloe Vera
  • Aloe Vera is another great toxin-free alternative to the acne-causing chemicals many makeup brands utilize in their formulas. Aloe’s natural ability to soothe redness and acne makes it the perfect ingredient for foundations and primer! The gel produced by its leaves is brimming with vitamins A, B12, C, and E. These vitamins give your skin the nutrients it needs to glow! In addition, its cooling and antibacterial properties combined create a great remedy for acne.


  • Jojoba Oil 
  • Getting rid of the toxic ingredients like Lanolin in your makeup doesn’t mean you won’t have moisturized skin! Jojoba oil is a great toxin-free ingredient that benefits the skin while making it smoother. Plus, it’s non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog up your pores. Its antioxidant properties also help fight off free radicals and irritants that inflame the skin! 


  • Rosemary Leaf Extract
  • Rosemary Leaf Extract is noted as an underrated acne treatment. According to Byrdie’s official website, quotes Dr. Selena Langdon, Medical Director and founder of Berkshire Aesthetics saying, “The whole-plant extract has been shown not only to reduce the inflammation associated with acne but to directly fight a bacterium that causes acne outbreaks." 


    What Clean Beauty by Joy Offers 

    Our products include the listed skin-loving ingredients like Aloe Vera, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Jojoba Oil, and Green Tea. We avoid using acne-causing toxic ingredients that clog pores because we believe that your skin health matters! Our makeup products contain organic, toxin-free ingredients that benefit your skin rather than causing further harm to it. 


    Shop our Pro Prep Face Primer that contains Aloe Vera: Pro Prep Face Primer 


    Shop our Flawless Finish Foundation that contains Rosemary Leaf Extract: Flawless Finish Foundation









    Sources: 

    https://lamav.com/blogs/articles/10-common-ingredients-in-cosmetics-that-actually-cause-acne 

    https://www.byrdie.com/makeup-to-avoid-for-acne-prone-skin-4777095#:~:text=%E2%80%9CBenzaldehyde%20is%20an%20artificial%20fragrance,can%20cause%20allergies%20and%20acne.%22 

    https://www.vitalproteins.com/blogs/beauty/makeup-breakouts?view=amp 

    https://www.aafloodmd.com/blog/5-natural-ingredients-that-may-calm-your-blemishes 

    https://cleanbeautybyjoy.com/blogs/news/is-jojoba-oil-actually-that-great 

    https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/green-tea-for-acne 

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/most-searched-products/faq/how-to-apply-green-tea-on-face-to-treat-acne/articleshow/86198472.cms 

    https://www.byrdie.com/rosemary-skincare-5072338#:~:text=The%20whole%2Dplant%20extract%20has,and%20puffiness%20of%20the%20skin.

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