Psoriasis And Makeup: All You Need To Know
Today’s blog post is near and dear to many female readers of Smart Psoriasis Diet. It took me a while to research and fact check this one because as you can guess, I am not that familiar with using makeup on psoriasis (but to be honest, I did consider it many times in my younger years!). However, I sought advice from the most important woman in my life, my beautiful and talented wife, to help sculpt this post.
Let’s get straight to the point, having facial psoriasis sucks…
Your face is usually the first thing people notice when you enter a room. Having psoriasis on other parts of your body can affect your self-esteem. But having it on your face, especially if you are a woman, can make you feel even more self-conscious.
Fortunately, adapting the right skin care routine and makeup can help you look your best as well as bring back your confidence.
In this post, we are going to offer tips on psoriasis and makeup. This includes choosing the right makeup for your skin, how to apply, and why body washes for psoriasis is highly recommended.
How To Wear Makeup If You Have Psoriasis
Skin experts agree that makeup can help mask some of the scars brought about by this chronic, immune-mediated skin condition. The secret, however, is to use a light touch.
The less makeup you need to apply on your face to conceal the redness, the better. Another important thing to remember when applying makeup is never to use it on open psoriasis lesions.
The same applies to skin that is still irritated or cuts that have not healed. If you suffer from Erythrodermic or Pustular psoriasis, you may not be able to use makeup on your skin at all since these types of psoriasis are prone to irritation caused by cosmetic and other skin products.
Makeup Application For Psoriasis Tips
Preparation is key when applying makeup for psoriasis.
Start By Reducing The Scaling
Makeup looks better on a smooth surface. So, before applying it, make sure to minimize psoriasis scaling on your face for better results. One of the best methods for de-scaling is hydration. Hydrate your lesions by sitting in warm water with bath oil for about 10 to 15 minutes. After that, gently exfoliate the scales with a towel. Make sure to do this once every week to help soften and reduce the hard, dry, scaly patches.
Hydrate
Use an appropriate moisturizer and cleanser to prepare and protect your skin. Try to find products that are hypoallergenic, non-clogging and fragrance-free. This will stop your scales from flaking as well as help them appear less red. After that, apply a primer to help the rest of the makeup go on smoothly.
Use Liquid Base Products, No Powders
Avoid using powder-based products, including foundations and concealers. This is because the powder tends to make your skin even drier, which may lead to more flaking. For best results, use liquid-based products as they stick better to your face and provide more coverage. Always remember that less is more when it comes to makeup and psoriasis.
Foundation First
Regardless of your skin type, always start by applying foundation before the concealer for a more natural look. You may end up not needing to use concealer after all. Remember to keep the coverage simple. Do not let yourself fall into the temptation of putting on a lot of makeup. Applying too much foundation will only draw more attention to your face.
Choose Your Concealer Carefully
Concealers are usually similar to foundation only that they are thicker and less translucent. Concealers help to cover up the psoriasis lesions. Green concealers are highly recommended for facial psoriasis. They provide a highly efficient way to counteract the stubborn redness that may not be covered well by regular concealers, and make your skin look clearer after applying makeup. Just make sure to choose one that matches your skin tone.
Stick To A Few Essentials
Sticking to a few essential high-quality products will achieve far better results than a complicated array of facial products. The fewer products and ingredients you apply on your face, the less the risk of your skin reacting negatively or getting irritated. Get a good, high-end foundation that offers good coverage in just one layer.
Avoid Glitter
Don’t use sparkle makeup or anything that has glitter. Instead, opt for matte finish cosmetics. Using glitter and sparkle only attracts more attention to the areas that you are trying to conceal. Even worse, they can irritate your skin.
Take It Off Right
Always look out for makeup cleansers and removers with gentle and mild formulas that are specially made for sensitive skin. For instance, creams are recommended as opposed to gels which have high alcohol content and thin lotions which do not lock in moisture. Do not use abrasives and scrubs that can irritate your skin further.
Makeup Removals For Psoriasis
You can use your fingers, soft cotton balls or gentle cotton cloth and a mild makeup remover to take off the makeup. Petroleum-based removers help to soften up the makeup, making it easy to take it off. Using harsh scrubs or cloths can make psoriasis flare-ups more irritable.
How To Choose The Right Make Up For Psoriasis Sufferers
Facial psoriasis should be treated with care because your facial skin is particularly sensitive. Here are some tips for choosing the right makeup for psoriasis:
- Avoid foundations that are too slippery as they tend to cling to the areas you are trying to conceal
- Avoid using powdered formulas as they emphasize flaking and scaling
- Choose foundations that contain sunscreen
- Always look for makeup products that match your skin tone
Consult Your Dermatologist
Take the initiative to consult your dermatologists on which skin products that suit your condition. Your dermatologist may even prescribe treatments that can help improve psoriasis to protect your delicate facial skin.
Before applying any new product to your face, always do a patch test first. You can test it underneath your jaw by applying a little bit of the product, be it foundation or concealer. If after a while the product does not irritate your facial skin, you are good to go.
Pay Attention To The Ingredients
With the help of your dermatologist, you should be aware of the components to avoid, such as irritating fragrances or drying alcohol, and which ones to look for like emollients. Cosmetics labeled ‘water and sweat resistant’ are highly recommended as they aren’t absorbed into your skin. Choosing moisturizers and foundations with sun protection (SPF) ensures that you don’t have to worry about too much sun on your skin.
Always Test It First
Before applying any new product to your face, always do a patch test first. You can test it underneath your jaw by applying a little bit of the product, be it foundation or concealer. If after a while the product does not irritate your facial skin, you are good to go.
Final Words
The aim of following the Smart Psoriasis Diet is not to have to worry about having to use makeup on psoriasis. If you follow the six simple steps as part of your daily psoriasis diet plan and routines, you will massively improve your psoriasis and hopefully, make it a second thought in your life, and not the living nightmare it can be when flare-ups are at their worst.