Cosmetics and Other Irritants
September 18, 2008Acne caused by cosmetic products actually has its own name, acne cosmetica, which is supposedly caused by makeup. The fact of the matter is, most of today’s cosmetics are noncomedogenic, in other words, they don’t cause acne. This type of acne is rarely ever seen among people these days, but it’s close relative, pomade acne is. This type of acne does get its name in reference to pomade, the hair product. Pomade and similar products such as vaseline, hair stylers, and other oily hair products. If you must use these products try only applying them to the tips of the hair so they don’t create excess oils on the face.
If you’d like to investigate further into what cosmetic ingredients may be causing your acne, continue reading. The following ingredients are commonly blamed for the development of blackheads and whiteheads. If you’re experiencing inflammatory legions, you are most likely having a strange reaction to something in your cosmetics, but this is not acne.
Lanolin
Lanolin, is an oil found in sheep skin, chock full of fatty acids. These oils are closely related to those found in our skin. It’s no surprise these oils would cause outbreaks and blemishes. Isopropyl myristate, a compound used to add a sheer finish to many makeups is notorious for blocking pores and causing irritation. Lastly, D and C red dyes are coal based mixtures, these simply irritate the skin, causing outbreaks of acne.
Oil-Free isn’t Really Free
Many people choose to avoid oil based cosmetics these days, and rightly so. Many modern cosmetics have strong ties to acne among adults and teens. “But all my cosmetics are oil-free!”, you exclaim. While this may be true, the manufactured chemicals used to substitute the oils are often times worse than the oils themselves. In fact, these synthetic products are typically even worse than the oils your face produces naturally.
Cosmetic Acne is mostly caused by 5 products
When troubleshooting the cause of your cosmetic acne, pay particular attention to blush, foundation, powders, and creams (including many moisturizers). These five kinds of products are responsible for more than 80 percent of all cosmetic acne.
Sun can worsen Acne Conditions
Sunlight was once believed to be good for the skin. In recent years we’ve learned that this is not the case, though it is extremely rare that sunlight be a direct cause of acne. In many cases, it just worses skin and acne conditions. Excess sunlight can take quite a toll on your skin, causing irritation.
Washing your Face too Much can Irritate Acne
Cleaning your face too often or too roughly can’t directly cause acne, but it will irritate the skin if you are. Scrubbing your face to frequently and without the proper tools can greatly irritate your skin causing the acne you already have to worsen. Make sure you are using nonabrasive pads and noncomedogenic soaps or scrubs.
Cigarette Smoke is bad for the skin
An especially troublesome outside irritant is cigarette smoke. The smoke alone, in combination with all the chemicals found in cigarettes is especially bad for your skin. If you just can’t seem to get rid of acne and it seem like you’ve ruled everything out, this may be the culprit. If you yourself smoke, I strongly encourage that you quit. If you are constantly around those that smoke your acne may be affected by the second hand smoke.
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Tags: acne cosmetica, cause of acne, cosmetic acne, cosmetic ingredients, cosmetic products, hair products, makeups, synthetic products
