【Laiwo Medical: Knowledge Sharing】Why does the skin get worse with delicate makeup?
Publish Date： 2025/12/22
I finally survived the "battle acne period" of frequent acne outbreaks. I thought I could welcome smooth skin, but I found that the stubborn red acne marks on my cheeks and chin were still lingering. In order to go out and meet people, I had to cover foundation make-up layer by layer.
But every night after removing makeup, the true condition of the skin becomes even more anxious: not only are acne scars still obvious, but the whole face also turns red and becomes increasingly dry and peeling, and even occasionally a few new pimples appear. Why does this situation of 'getting worse as you cover up' occur? It is very likely that some habits that we have become accustomed to have unknowingly led us into nursing misconceptions.
Misconception 1: Thick base makeup makes it difficult for the skin to breathe
In order to pursue flawless makeup effect, many people will give priority to products with high concealer power, and will repeatedly apply them. But for fragile skin that has just recovered from acne, doing so is like covering the skin with a thick "shell". It may not only block pores and hinder normal skin metabolism, but the subsequent makeup removal process may also cause damage to the fragile stratum corneum due to repeated friction.
Misconception 2: Over cleaning, pursuing "absolute cleanliness"
Due to concerns about the possibility of makeup residue causing acne again, many people have fallen into the obsession of "strong cleansing": first use makeup remover products, then use facial cleanser for double cleansing, and even use cleaning equipment to wash every pore "naked" in order to feel at ease. However, this excessive cleaning can further damage the barrier function, ultimately becoming dry and oily, and greatly reducing defense.
Misconception 3: Frequent "exfoliating" hoping to accelerate the fading of acne scars
Looking at the marks left by acne on the face, many people place their hopes on frequent use of exfoliating and acidic products, believing that they can accelerate the metabolism of dead skin cells and melanin. Little do they know, the stratum corneum of newly healed acne prone skin is already fragile. At this moment, whether it is the friction stimulation of physical sanding or the chemical peeling of acidic components, it is like repeatedly polishing on an unhealed wound. Not only does it easily cause discomfort such as stinging and peeling, but it may also exacerbate skin inflammation, making acne scars even worse.
Shift your mindset from "covering up" to repairing
1. Makeup subtraction: reduce the frequency of wearing makeup and give the skin sufficient rest time. If necessary, you can choose a light and simple makeup product, and try "accurate concealer" spot painting to avoid full face coverage. After thoroughly removing makeup, there is no need for a second cleaning.
2. Repair with 'addition': The core of daytime care is moisturizing and strict sun protection to prevent UV radiation from exacerbating inflammation and pigmentation. At night, the focus can be on soothing and repairing, helping to restore damaged barriers.
3. Seek professional guidance when necessary: If skin problems persist without improvement or recur, seek medical attention promptly. They can provide more accurate diagnoses and provide targeted treatment or care recommendations based on individual circumstances to help restore skin health.
Acne repair is never about "looking good when covered up", but about "nurturing health". I believe that with scientific care and the nourishment of time, the skin will gradually recover towards stability. Finally, Laiwo Medical hopes that every friend who is undergoing post acne repair can avoid pitfalls and internal friction, and have satisfactory skin as soon as possible!
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