Fact or fiction: Can makeup age your skin?

Makeup seems like the ideal solution for skincare troubles—with a little concealer, it can look like a pimple was never there! But some cosmetics may be doing your skin more harm than good.

Concerns about makeup are common among our patients. After all, everyone wants to look and feel their best without causing harm to their skin. To calm your worries, our pros did a deep dive into the relationship between makeup and signs of aging. They examined the potential effects of different products, ingredients, and external factors that may contribute to the aging process.

So, does makeup age your skin? Let’s get into it! 

Makeup’s potential effect on skin

Foundations, blushes, concealers, and highlighters can enhance natural beauty and boost confidence. However, there may be makeup side effects, especially if you’re not also following a proper skincare routine. Some products contain ingredients that may lead to irritation, particularly when applied to sensitive or acne-prone skin. It’s essential to know the specific ingredients in your makeup products and how they may affect your skin. 

Keep an eye out for ingredients known to cause breakouts (aka comedogenic or pore-clogging ingredients), as these can lead to acne flare-ups that may be challenging to manage. You can protect your skin’s health and help prevent breakouts by studying the ingredients in your makeup and following a consistent skincare routine.

Should you wear makeup?

Wearing makeup is usually fine—it does not directly contribute to signs of aging. However, certain ingredients may contribute to the appearance of signs of aging.

Drying ingredients are a great example. They may make fine lines and wrinkles appear more prominent—another reason to maintain a consistent skincare routine that avoids irritants and uses products compatible with your skin type. Consider choosing makeup for acne-prone skin or makeup for sensitive skin.

Ultimately, deciding to wear makeup is a personal choice. Makeup is one way to express yourself and enhance your natural beauty, but it’s not for everyone. So go ahead and rock that lipstick or bare-faced glow with confidence!

4 makeup ingredients to consider avoiding

We advise reading the ingredient list of your most-used makeup products. There are several common ingredients to consider avoiding, as they may contribute to irritation, dry skin, or even breakouts. These are some common offenders:

• Fragrance: Many makeup products contain added fragrances. These may cause irritation, especially on sensitive skin.

• Alcohol: Alcohol may lead to dry skin and irritation, and this dryness may contribute to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

• Coconut oil: Although coconut oil can be an excellent moisturizer for some skin types, it can also be pore-clogging for others,¹ potentially leading to breakouts.

• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): This ingredient is a common foaming agent in makeup and skincare products. It may clog the pores or irritate² the skin.

To keep your skin in tip-top shape, read your products’ labels and consider choosing makeup without these potentially irritating or pore-clogging ingredients. It’s vital to avoid products that may cause irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Other skin-aging factors

Aging is a natural process, and here at Curology, it’s one we believe in celebrating. However, we understand you may not be the biggest fan of fine lines and wrinkles. Factors that contribute to signs of aging are divided into two basic types: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic aging factors are unavoidable (e.g., the passage of time), while extrinsic aging factors can be avoided or defended against.³ Here are several extrinsic factors that may contribute to the appearance of aging skin:

• UV rays:⁴ The sun’s UVA and UVB rays may damage the skin, which can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Sunscreen is your best friend! Our experts recommend applying a broad-spectrum formula with at least SPF 30 every day.

• Pollution: Polluting particles in the environment may irritate the skin.

• Inconsistent skincare: A skincare routine that’s appropriate for your skin type goes a long way. Inconsistent application may contribute to dryness, sensitivity, and breakouts, potentially exacerbating the appearance of aging. 

• Smoking:⁵ It’s no secret that smoking is unhealthy, but did you know it may worsen signs of aging? Smoking may contribute to decreased skin elasticity, rough skin texture, and premature wrinkles.

• Poor sleep: Proper sleep is essential to overall health and well-being. Even skin needs a break to look rested and fresh. Insufficient sleep may contribute to dark circles, puffiness, and a tired appearance. 

Tips for combating signs of aging

The signs of aging are linked to a loss of collagen and elastin,⁶ which may reduce the structure and firmness of the skin and lead to fine lines and wrinkles.⁷ There are several ways to hold onto these proteins. Here are some pro tips: 

• Stick with a consistent skincare routine: Using retinoids, such as tretinoin, may help boost skin cell turnover and collagen production, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and increase the youthful appearance of the skin.⁸ Tretinoin is one of the best anti-aging skin care ingredients on the market, and it’s available in some of Curology’s personalized prescription formulas.

• Eat and sleep well: Good sleep hygiene and a balanced diet are essential for a healthy body and youthful skin. 

• Avoid smoking: As we said before, smoking may negatively impact the skin. You’ll feel the benefits if you quit (if you haven’t already)! 

• Use sunscreen: Photoaging is aging that’s caused by sun exposure.⁹ The best defense against photoaging is UV protection. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ daily to avoid skin-aging damage.

• Moisturize regularly: Routine hydration is a great way to potentially improve the appearance of signs of aging. An essential step in every skincare routine, moisturizing is vital for maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier. 

Curology can help

If you want to fight fine lines and wrinkles, we’ve got your back! Curology was founded in 2014 by Dr. David Lortscher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, with a mission to make quality skincare accessible. We can prescribe clinically researched ingredients to help minimize the signs of aging and treat acne, hyperpigmentation, and rosacea. 

Getting started is easy. Just answer a few questions and snap some selfies to help us get to know your skin. If Curology is right for you, we’ll pair you with a licensed in-house dermatology provider. They’ll prescribe a personalized prescription formula with a mix of active ingredients to help achieve your specific skin goals. They’re also happy to provide general skincare advice tailored to your goals. 

With a Curology subscription, you can try our full line of skincare products, which are dermatologist-designed to be non-comedogenic, dye-free, and paraben-free. Our cleansers, moisturizers, lip balms, and more can complete your skincare routine. For sun protection, try our Everyday Sunscreen.

P.S. We did the homework so you don’t have to:

1. Abel, F. and Shojan, A. Comedogenicity of Oils. International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research. (August 2019).

2. Branco, N., et al. Long-term repetitive sodium lauryl sulfate-induced irritation of the skin: an in vivo study. Contact Dermatitis. (2005).

3. Farage, M. A., et al. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors in Skin Ageing: A Review. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. (2008).

4. Farage, M. A., et al. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors in Skin Ageing: A Review. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. Ibid.

5. Farage, M.A., et al. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors in skin ageing: a review. Int J Cosmet Sci. Ibid.

6. Fenske, N., Lober, C. Structural and functional changes of normal aging skin. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. (1986).

7. Zhang, S., & Duan, E. Fighting against Skin Aging: The Way from Bench to Bedside. Cell Transplantation. (2018).

8. Mukherjee, S., et al. Retinoids in the Treatment of Skin Aging: An Overview of Clinical Efficacy and Safety. Clinical Interventions in Aging. (2006).

9. Shanbhag, S., et al. Anti-aging and sunscreens: Paradigm shift in cosmetics. Adv Pharm Bull. (2019).

Donna McIntyre is a board-certified nurse practitioner at Curology. She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing at MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA.

* Subject to consultation. Subscription is required. Results may vary. 

Written by

Curology Team

Medically reviewed by

Donna McIntyre, NP-BC