5th October 2022

How Halloween Makeup Can Affect Your Skin

Halloween is just around the corner and you’re probably excited to get dressed up and paint your face but be careful because Halloween makeup can be particularly troublesome for your skin.

Scary Symptoms

If you’ve ever noticed that you lose control of your skin in the initial weeks following Halloween, you might want to think about adjusting your plans as you prepare to celebrate the spooky season this year. The main culprit of the chaos is Halloween makeup and prosthetics. Halloween is a fun excuse for those that wouldn’t usually experiment with makeup to unleash their creativity to create some truly monstrous looks, but naivety and inexperience are things that can ruin your skin.

As with anything, you get what you pay for. Usually, the cheaper the product, the harsher it’s going to be on your skin. That’s not to say you have to break the bank when you’re on the hunt for makeup this October – be on the lookout for products that are both hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. A lot of Halloween makeup lacks these essential properties, spelling disaster for your skin.

Hypoallergenic Halloween makeup has been specially formulated to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction, but that doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get one. If you know that your skin is particularly sensitive and often reacts to new products, take extra care when experimenting with Halloween makeup. In most cases, allergic reactions are minor but they can still cause irritation, inflammation, redness, rashes and itchy skin. With that said, a more severe reaction is entirely possible, with symptoms ranging from swelling, eye irritation and even anaphylaxis.

Non-comedogenic Halloween makeup has been specially formulated so that it doesn’t block your pores. This is especially important if you suffer from enlarged pores as makeup can irritate an underlying skin concern further by clogging them, spreading infection and causing acne breakouts. If your pores are large and open, schedule a skin health assessment so that you can get to the bottom of the problem and take back control of your skin.

Halloween Makeup Tips

Read the ingredients

As mentioned previously, Halloween makeup is notoriously harsher than general makeup in an attempt to offer full coverage and vibrant pigments. Always read the ingredients to find hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic products and ensure that there are no nasty, hidden chemicals.

Always do a patch test

Apply a very small amount of makeup to an area of skin that you can leave alone for 24 hours, if possible. Somewhere like the crook of your elbow is great. Wash the area first, apply the product, cover it with a plaster and monitor for the next 24 hours. If you notice any itching, burning or pain, remove the plaster and wash the area right away.

Moisturise

To prevent your skin from drying out throughout the night while also reducing the risk of your Halloween makeup cracking, moisturise your skin first. This will also act as an extra protective barrier for your skin.

Clean your tools

Give your brushes and sponges a good clean before and after you use them. Wash with warm water until the water runs clear and blot them dry with a towel. This reduces the spread of bacteria.

Out with the old

Don’t use last year’s old products – they do have an expiry date. That goes for absolutely all makeup, not just Halloween cosmetics. Old makeup harbours germs and could trigger a different reaction within your skin.

Wash the night away

At the end of the night, no matter how tired you are, wash your makeup off! Start with micellar water – you can get ones that are specifically designed to break down waterproof makeup. Follow up with a cleanser to remove leftover dirt and finish off with a moisturiser to hydrate and soothe the skin, alongside any treatments you usually use.

Expert Skincare

As always, if you’re concerned with your skincare and need help bringing your complexion back to life, get in touch with Dr Firas. He will assess your symptoms and devise a bespoke treatment plan to nourish and rejuvenate your skin. If you feel as though you just need a little boost after Halloween, something like Mesotherapy or Profhilo® might be the perfect pick-me-up. Schedule your consultation today!