Many people, especially women, desire to have fair and glowing skin. While many use makeup as a way to attain good skin, there are other ways to have clear skin without wearing makeup. Due to the outbreak of Covid-19, wearing face masks is one of the ways to prevent the spread of the virus. However, with a mask on, things can get messy, for example with lipstick and foundation, leaving most of it on the mask. According to Annick Umutibagirana, a skincare expert and the founder of Aroma Glam Ltd, a local company that produces natural organic products for hair and skincare, although makeup is fun, it is full of toxins that are not wanted by the body. She notes that cosmetics contain harmful substances that get instantly absorbed by the skin. For instance, popular cosmetic ingredients such as sodium benzoate, propylene glycol and a number of other acids can cause allergic reactions on most skin types. Applying makeup every day can have several harmful side effects on one’s skin and body, such as headaches, hair problems, acne, skin allergies, eye infections, infertility, premature ageing, hormone imbalance, cancer, skin discolouration, and so forth, Umutibagirana adds. She notes that there is beauty in going makeup-free and the outcome is really worth it. Even if you don’t put on makeup every day, you could be exposed to toxic chemicals in soap, shampoo, and lotion. Net photos “We recommend you to only use products that have been verified to be free from beauty’s dark side, animal testing, petroleum by-products, artificial colours, talc and every other harsh chemical ingredients,” the beauty expert notes. However, a person can keep their skin clear and glowing naturally and have a healthy skin. For example, for a clear and glowing skin, wash your face with clean water and dry it with a clean towel when taking a shower or before bed, she adds. “Use organic lotions, oil and moisturisers, take enough rest (you should go to bed between 6pm and 10pm), make sure your hands are clean before you touch your skin, cleanse your face twice a day, as it will remove excess oils that can increase bacteria, also include regular exfoliation to the routine,” Umutibagirana says. Dermatologists warn that leaving makeup on the skin overnight can accentuate wrinkles, and make one’s skin drier or oilier than it usually is. According to ‘Women’s Health’, not washing makeup off before bed is “basically asking for wrinkles”. This is because the makeup and environmental pollutants a person accumulates during the day seep into the pores, breaking down collagen and elastin. This can speed up the ageing process and leave one with fine lines and wrinkles. According to ‘Well+Good’, one’s skin renews itself in a cycle that lasts about 28 days, it sort of turns over a new leaf. The application of daily makeup may interfere with that cycle, therefore, the longer one’s skin can go without makeup, the better it will regulate the skin’s temperature, oil control, hydration, and its natural exfoliation process.
