Join The No Make-Up Revolution

Should you try a one-week make-up detox?

Chemicals in make-up could be blamed for causing dryness, irritation and acne, so it's no wonder the 'no make-up trend is sweeping over us. Let's separate fact from fiction and answer the question, "What would happen if we skipped wearing makeup for a week?"   

The good, the bad and the ugly

Since ancient times, women have had a love affair with cosmetics. Japanese geisha whitened their faces with rice flour powder while women in Renaissance Europe powdered over their suntanned skin to hide that they belonged to the agricultural class. While our ancestors may have gained the look they desired, they were actually poisoning themselves in the process by whitening their skin with products that contained lead and mercury.

We've come a long way since then — or have we? What effect does makeup have on our skin, and our overall health. The answer? It depends.

Wearing layers of products every single day means you're absorbing the chemicals in those products every single day. How much, and what chemicals, will vary from person to person and product to product.

We wear makeup mostly only on our faces, which means a very small portion of body surface area is involved in any absorption, and if we are diligent, we are removing it in the evenings so we are not wearing it around the clock.

While makeup can cause irritation, rashes, acne and other annoying conditions, in some cases makeup can also protect the skin from damage, particularly if it contains SPF protection. And while many worry about the cosmetics industry having lax regulations or , now many cosmetic companies are offering organic and 'clean' alternatives, free from parabens and other nasty ingredients that may irritate the body.

One week make-up detox...or even longer?

So, our makeup probably isn't going to kill us, but what if we gave our skin a break from make up for just one week? Stopping the use of foundation for a week could help clear up acne breakouts, and it could stop any rashes that are caused by irritating ingredients.

For women who are willing to go au naturel for even longer, stopping the use of foundation for a month could help resolve true allergic reactions and begin to improve acne. A full year with no foundation could help improve skin health for women whose skin problems were exacerbated by constantly wearing makeup.

Importance of removing make-up

If you're not willing to forgo the foundation, it's important to remove makeup every evening to give the skin a chance to clean itself and breathe. Use a method that is gentle on the skin and moisturising, rather than harsh and drying. The goal is to leave the skin healthy and intact rather than irritated and inflamed. Healthy, well-moisturised skin is the most resistant to invasion by unwanted chemicals.

Make-up ingredients to avoid

Skin sensitivities vary from person to person, that said, it's best to avoid formaldehyde-related preservatives (which are often unlisted, as they can be lumped in with "fragrance"), such as DM, DM hydantoin, phthalates (plasticizers) and "anything with a benzene ring," such as oxybenzone, a sunscreen ingredient. Women with extra sensitive skin should avoid glycolic acid, vitamin C, salicylic acid, retinol, and retinyl palmitate.

For acne-prone skin, staying away from products that are too heavy or contain too much oil may help reduce breakouts. Conversely, makeup that contains oil can be helpful in reducing irritation and inflammation for those with dry skin.

Nature's Bounty Beauty Solutions Tip:

Give your hair, skin and nails a tasty treat of vital nutrients with our mixed berry-flavoured Nature's Bounty® Hair, Skin and Nails Gummies. These gummies contain vitamins C and E to support and protect your skin cells, selenium for healthy nails, and biotin and zinc for shiny, luscious hair.¹

^{1. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin and to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and nails and to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, skin and nails and to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.}