You see a colorful palate of face paint with all the other Halloween goodies, and you have to have it. Your makeup this year will be as epic as your costume, and you just can’t wait to put it on. But hold up there for a minute. If you’re not careful, the stuff you’re about to put on your face can cause some pretty scary skin issues, from acne breakouts to itchiness to a rash.
Products To Avoid
Most “Halloween costume makeup” is heavy, oil-based, and comedogenic. That means it can, and likely will, clog your pores. If your skin is already acne-prone or sensitive, it’s best to run away from this product screaming. It could turn your skin care “goals” into skincare “ghouls.” Especially avoid anything that contains talc, mineral oil, or formaldehyde.
But I Really Want To Wear Costume Makeup
If you have normal skin and you want to take the risk, you can usually get away with wearing costume makeup for one nightâif you prep your skin before and clean it well afterward.
Chose “Theatrical Makeup” Instead
The better alternative to Halloween costume makeup is to shell out the extra money for “theatrical makeup,” which can be gentler on the skin with less scary after effects. Look for makeup that’s labeled “non-comedogenic,” which means it won’t clog pores. Fragrance-free products will help you avoid the sinister color additives and fragrances that are known to cause allergic reactions.
How To Prep Your Skin
Start by washing and moisturizing your face. Then, and most importantly, apply a primer to your skin. This puts a protective layer between your skin and your makeup. Well moisturized and primed skin is less likely to absorb all the junk in the Halloween makeup, so we think this is the most essential part of the preparation process.
Drink Lots of Water
Candy and cocktails can be dehydrating, and water is the antidote. Drinking lots of water is the key to glowing skin on Halloween night and beyond.
Eat Some Skin-Healthy Food
Your skin will need plenty of antioxidants to counter the damage it’s taking with sugar, alcohol, and Halloween makeup. It’s helpful to eat some yummy antioxidant-rich foods on Halloween day, including fresh fruits and vegetables. Dark chocolate and cinnamon are also good choices.
Aftercare
When the party is over, it’s essential to double wash your face before you fall asleep. Start with an oil-based cleanser that will take off the majority of the makeup. Then move on to your daily, go-to cleanser for a second wash. If you’re still standing and not “dead on your feet,” tone and moisturize your skin.
The Next Day
The day after Halloween is the time to really treat your skin right after everything it went through the night before. We recommend you exfoliate your skin with either a physical or chemical exfoliant. This is where a clarifying facial mask could also come in handy.
The Week After Halloween
There’s nothing like surrendering your skin to the capable hands of a professional esthetician to make sure each pore is clear of Halloween makeup. We recommend a professional facial within a day or so of wearing Halloween makeup. Your esthetician will look at your skin under a magnifying glass to see if any of your pores are still congested. If they are, they have the tools to safely extract any gunk that may be left behind.
Halloween is the one time of the year you can be as ghostly, ghastly, and ghoulish as you want to be. But let’s leave the scary Halloween skin behind this year and focus on maintaining our glowy skin goals.
