How not removing makeup at night can cause 'cosmetic acne'

Our face throughout the day accumulates fat, dirt and other residues that are in the environment. If, in addition, we add the cosmetics that we apply, our skin becomes the perfect home for bacteria and infections. That is why removing make-up and washing your face before bed should be a daily ritual. On the contrary, not doing so can lead to the appearance of skin diseases or worsen previous dermatoses.

LaVanguardia.com has been able to speak with Josep Pons, image consultant, and with Javier Bassas, skin specialist, who have explained to us the dermatological problems that can be triggered by not removing make-up properly and how to avoid them.

"Removing make-up every night is essential to eliminate impurities, allow perspiration of the skin, which needs the relevant oxygen, to eliminate toxins and for facial perspiration itself," explains Pons. That is why it is very important to maintain good hygiene, otherwise our skin could be very damaged.

“Not doing so can lead to the appearance of skin diseases and even worsen previous dermatoses (such as couperosis, acne rosacea or atopic dermatitis, among others). In addition, many make-ups dry out the skin, making it look dehydrated and dim”, warns Dr. Bassas.

Hiding acne with more makeup further aggravates the injury."

The 'cosmetic acne'

One of the most common problems encountered by dermatologists in their daily clinical practice is the so-called 'cosmetic acne'. "This is a type of acne that appears or worsens substantially after the obstruction of the pilosebaceous unit by the oily components present in some cosmetic products, especially make-up," explains the dermatologist.

And, mistakenly, when this acne appears, they try to 'camouflage' it by increasing the use of makeup and this “aggravates the acne even more”. The motives? Poor hygiene of the face. “'Cosmetic acne' can appear even when using non-comedogenic and dermatologically tested products, but it is more frequent when products with oily textures are used and if, above all, they are not removed from the face at the end of the day”.

Other pathologies

Other skin problems that can appear due to not removing make-up correctly is contact, irritant or allergic dermatitis due to cosmetics. "A large number of cosmetic products contain numerous chemical substances that can cause irritation or allergy when in contact with the skin, especially after prolonged exposure." The symptoms, according to Dr. Bassas, are “redness, peeling and sometimes swelling”.

Selecting the right makeup and, above all, removing it correctly is essential so that these side effects do not appear.

the beauty ritual

The methodology that Josep Pons recommends and that must be followed every night consists of four simple steps:

1.Remove eyes and lips with a specific make-up remover and also the face with a facial make-up remover.

2.A toner suitable for the type of skin.

3.A serum that provides vital components for the skin.

4. A cream suitable for the corresponding skin type.

The 'essential' products that will help us achieve residue- and makeup-free skin are “make-up remover milk, cleansing foams, which offer excellent results with very pleasant textures, or micellar water, which is a 2-in-1 option (milk cleanser+toner)”.