Many women don’t use makeup just to cover up some minor defects, but also to enhance the best features they have. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if this is your case and makeup is part of your daily ritual, you must follow a few simple, basic rules to make sure your makeup products pose no threat to your skin and overall health.
Tips for Healthier Makeup Choices
1. Don’t hold on to your makeup products forever. All of them have an expiration date, which usually starts with the day you first open the product. Some cosmetics such as facial powders and eyeshadows can last for as long as three years but others like mascara are only good for 3 to 6 months.
2. The lifespan of cosmetics can be significantly shortened through improper storage. Makeup should be kept away from sunlight, heat, and humidity. If your lipstick melted in your purse while you were walking on a hot, summer day, you might be better off without it, even if it will return to a solid state once it’s out of the heat. Makeup that has become unsuitable to use may also show signs such as changes in color, odor and/or texture.
3. Applying makeup with dirty hands or on a dirty face is something you should never do. Not following the rules of proper hygiene can get you exposed to bacteria, infections, fungus, and mold.
4. The safety of cosmetic products also depends on their cleanliness and the use of cosmetic applicators and brushes. Be sure to regularly clean reusable applicators and brushes and replace the ones that cannot be washed.
5. Never share cosmetics with other people. It doesn’t matter if it’s your best friend or someone you just met. Infections and germs can be easily spread via cosmetic products so sharing them with friends and family may render useless your efforts of keeping them and yourself clean.
6. Don’t ignore an allergic reaction to a makeup product, no matter how insignificant it may seem at first. A tingly feeling in your lips, slight itchiness on your eyelids, and other symptoms can worsen after repeated and/or prolonged wear.
7. If you have a skin condition, an eye infection, or irritation, it’s best to leave the affected area make-up-free until it heals. Through contact with the chemicals present in makeup, your problem can get worse, or at least you can face an extended healing process.
8. Use makeup products as they were intended. Even if you really like the color of your blush don’t use it on your eyelids. The same goes for every makeup product you own. Lipstick was designed for lips, eyeshadows for eyes …etc. Containing specific substances that do not harm the area they are intended to be used on.
9. No matter how tired you are, never go to sleep with your make-up on or a dirty face. While we sleep, our body regenerates, skin included. Whatever your favorite facial cleansing and make-up removal products are, make sure you use them. The dirt and make-up can clog your skin’s pores that leads to premature aging, breakouts, irritations, and other problems.
