As girls, we all wear makeup, regardless of the fact that it may be the underlying cause of our acne. Wearing makeup makes us feel beautiful and more confident in ourselves. At this point in time, it is well known that the possible causes of acne are a result of increased stress levels and changes in hormones. But are these the only possible causes of it or could it be something else? When women breakout, they are more prone to wear makeup to hide their blemishes however the makeup could be the reason that their acne is not going away or getting worse.
Many dermatologists recommend not wearing makeup as it can make a patient’s skin condition even worse than it is. However this recommendation is not based off of a true claim but moreover a belief that makeup could worsen acne. In 2005, Dr. Hayashi conducted a study to assess the effects of makeup on skin. In this study, a makeup artist was asked to teach basic makeup techniques to a group of 18 women with acne. The women would apply makeup for four weeks while their skin was being treated. The study resulted in higher self-esteem, a better social life, and improved acne. While this study cannot conclude whether the women’s acne would have gotten even better without the makeup or if the makeup interfered with the acne treatment, it is safe to say that the makeup did not have any negative effects on the women’s acne due to the fact that it improved their skin.
Although the study showed that makeup did not worsen the women’s acne, Dr. Hayashi had the study participants use makeup that is specifically designed for acne-prone skin. The foundation and concealer used were “non-comodogenic” and “non-irritating.” This suggests that perhaps certain cosmetic products may be better or safer to use than others.
Another possible cause of the women’s acne improving could have been the psychological effects that the makeup had on the women. Since the study resulted in higher self-esteem, it is most likely that the makeup caused the women to feel better about themselves. Could it be that makeup actually helps fight acne? Having acne is a stress within itself and the embarrassment that it brings can further worsen a person’s skin. Therefore, anything to ease the psychological burden and stress that acne brings about must have some positive effect on the skin.
Overall, the study conducted cannot conclude that makeup worsens or improves acne. However, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that makeup does not worsen acne.
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