After grueling all-nighters fueled by sugary drinks and fried goodies, I can’t help but be ever-so-grateful for the bustling makeup industry and all it has to offer to transform my dark-circle and acne prone complexion into one that is fresh and bright. With each foundation application though, I begin to fear makeup’s effect on my skin. Am I increasingly clogging my pores with each additional dab of powder? Am I setting myself up for early wrinkling?  

The burning question about whether makeup is all that bad for you boils down to your skin type, the type of makeup you use, and the way that you remove it. People with allergies, skin conditions, and sensitive skin may negatively react to makeup, but generally speaking, regular makeup application is not “bad” for most people.  

It is important to choose high-quality makeup that is appropriate for your skin type. High-quality does not necessarily mean exuberantly expensive – a plethora of inexpensive makeup is actually made from very similar ingredients as expensive items, so to best evaluate makeup, look at its ingredients list.  

How well you remove your makeup can really make a world of a difference in terms of your skin’s health. Dermatologists recommend always double-cleansing your skin when wearing makeup, and definitely never ever sleep in makeup as it doesn’t allow your skin to effectively shed, repair and regenerate.

It is undoubtedly nice to doll up with some makeup every now and then. It can make us feel more feminine and confident, and has not been shown to be all that terrible for our skin. Of course, anything in excess can cause problems, and it never hurts to take some breaks from makeup to let your skin breathe, but the next time you need to cover up after that awful all-nighter or are getting pumped for a night out, don’t shy away from your favourite concealer.