How the Right Makeup Can Help Clear Your Skin (And What to Avoid)

If you're like me and have acne-prone skin, finding the right makeup brand is soooo important for keeping your skin clear and supporting a functional skin barrier. After putting in all the work internally to heal your skin, the last thing you want is your makeup clogging your pores and undoing your hard work.

But don’t worry! You can still enjoy beautiful coverage without compromising your skin’s health. The key is to make the right choices when it comes to the makeup products you use.

What to look for in acne-safe makeup

Choosing the right makeup can make a huge difference in how your skin looks and feels. Here’s what to look for:

  1. Non-Comedogenic Formulas
    Choose products labeled non-comedogenic to reduce the risk of clogged pores. Ingredients to avoid include Isopropyl myristate, Isopropyl palmitate, and other derivatives like Butyl stearate, Myristyl myristate, and Decyl oleate.

  2. Avoid Heavy Oils
    Steer clear of oils like coconut, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, neem oil, shea butter and mineral oil, which can trap bacteria in pores.

  3. Fragrance-Free Products
    Fragrance can irritate sensitive, acne-prone skin. Opt for makeup that is fragrance-free to avoid unnecessary irritation.

  4. Alcohol-Free Products
    Drying alcohols like denatured alcohol can disrupt the balance of your skin and lead to more breakouts. Look for makeup that is alcohol-free to keep your skin balanced and hydrated.

  5. Mineral-Based Makeup
    Mineral makeup with ingredients like zinc oxide can be gentler on your skin and even offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Plus, mineral makeup is often less likely to irritate or clog pores.

  6. Avoid endocrine-disrupting chemicals: The list is long but here are the main ones to look out for: phthalates, parabens (e.g., methylparaben, ethylparaben), triclosan, toluene, synthetic fragrances, butylated hydroxytoluene.

My rule of thumb: If you don’t recognise most of the ingredients, put It down!


Always Remove Your Makeup at the End of the Day

No matter how tired you are, never skip this step! Leaving makeup on overnight can clog your pores, irritate your skin, and lead to breakouts. Be sure to gently cleanse your face to remove all makeup, dirt, and oil. Giving your skin a chance to breathe and heal overnight will make a huge difference in your skin’s clarity and health.

Remember makeup is just one part of the puzzle. While choosing the right makeup will certainly help prevent breakouts, it’s not a cure-all. You won’t see lasting results until you address what’s happening internally with your hormones, gut health, stress levels, and more. Your body is trying to tell you something, let’s listen to it.

Here are some of my favourite brands:
~ Ilia Beauty
~ Bare Minerals
~ Mother SPF
~ Ere Perez
~ Inika Organic
~ Eco Tan
~ Lust Minerals
~ RMS Beauty

Visit Clean Beauty Market and One Fine Secret for more brands…


TIP: Download an app called Yuka, it’s a game-changer! You can scan your makeup and skincare products, and it will instantly tell you how safe they are. It’s such a time-saver, and the best part? It’s FREE! you can also use this on food products as well.

If you want help you clear your acne or skin concern and radiate confidence without wasting time, money, and energy on ineffective solutions, you can book a FREE 15-minute consultation today. My approach focuses on understanding your unique skin type, diet, lifestyle, and underlying health conditions to create a tailored plan that addresses the root causes of your acne.

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