As I have gotten older my skin has become more sensitive, changing in appearance and texture. I am struggling with eczema now as my skin has dried out no matter how much I moisturize it. Until recently, I have been struggling to find the right products—a long list of prescribed creams, over-the-counter lotions, among many more that do not enrage my overly sensitive skin. With the pandemic and quarantine measures that kept me comfy on my couch, I could get away with little to no make up for days on end. But returning to life in-person has forced me to be more serious about my skin sensitivity. As I am heading out more, I have more of a need to wear makeup on a regular basis than I did last year. And while I am certainly not complaining about getting dolled up, I’ve had to find products that won’t cause any outbreaks. Of course, I am no expert and won’t ever claim to be; however, these are simply some insights on what has worked for me. Even for those who don’t typically have sensitive skin or suffer from eczema, I urge you to pay close attention to the products you use on your skin. Many beauty products contain harsh chemicals that aren’t really good for anyone. These are some that certainly make my skin happy.
When I realized I had eczema it developed in the worst place possible…my face. Wintertime is always the toughest for people with dry skin. If there’s one thing that can make you feel insecure it’s a breakout on your face. Initially I cut off all makeup products. I tossed whatever I was using before; I didn’t want to take any risks not knowing what was causing my breakouts. I spent a lot of time with a fresh, all-natural face, allowing my skin to breathe and fully recover. But when I returned to makeup, as many 21-year-old gals would do, I knew I needed something clean and hydrating. In a previous article I wrote back in the winter, I mentioned the Elf hydrating face primer. I tend to only use the primer when I am really doing a full look. I have found that having that hydrating barrier between my skin and my makeup, makes for a better experience all-around. Any primer works well when you really need it. Elf makes a range of face primer to put on before you apply any foundation. While there are even better brands out there with better primers, so far for me, this one gets the job done, and is usually only around $7 at any drug store.
I knew I needed to steer clear of powders on my face. Powders over liquid makeup are known to dry out your skin more. Because my skin is excessively dry, liquid makeup suits me better. If you are on the opposite side of the spectrum and you suffer from oily skin, it might be best to stick with powders to avoid excess oil accumulation. For me, the Rare Beauty liquid foundation, liquid concealer and liquid blush is perfect! With liquid makeup, a little bit goes a long way. I only need a few drops of each around my face to blend together a polished look. For anyone unaware, Rare Beauty was founded by the queen herself, Selena Gomez. Not only is this brand clean from harsh chemicals, but it is completely vegan and cruelty free. These qualities are ones that I try to look for to ensure I am not only keeping myself and my skin safe, but doing my part for a better future.
Another brand to highlight that has always preached its clean and cruelty free agenda is bareMinerals. bareMinerals was a pioneer for clean beauty within the cosmetic industry. Over time, they have found a way to develop clean products that don’t skimp on quality. Until very recently, I have steered away from any eye makeup as my eczema becomes most severe on my eyelids. It wasn’t until I discovered their simple ingredient eyeshadow palettes that I felt comfortable using products on my eyelids again. I purchased their mineralist eyeshadow palette in the shade named “Rosewood.” It includes neutral tones alongside shades of pink, perfect for a variety of looks. I have not found any discomfort or lack of quality when using it either. Thank goodness! For so long I have stuck to very simple makeup consisting of just foundation and mascara which suffices for my day to day. But some nights when I want to dress up a little more, I have this palette. Additionally, from bareMinerals I use a clean strength & length mascara.
Living with a skin sensitivity such as eczema is difficult at times but thankfully there are tons of products out there that make it easier! Consciously choosing what to use on your body is a great mindset to develop. After all, it is up to us to take care of our own bodies.
Passion For Fashion is an Opinion culture column used to explore the world of personal style, fashion tips for students, and more.
Be First to Comment