#nomakeup – The Benefits of going Make Up Free

Should we wear make up or be make up free?

We explore the benefits of going make up free below, but be careful of social media claims because sometimes all is not as it seems…

There was a study completed by the University of Georgia last year, which identified that we are more likely to rate a woman attractive if she claims, or appears, to be make up free. Recent social media trends have pushed this pressure with the hashtag #nomakeup. But, on close analysis, the researchers found that many people claiming to be make up free had been carefully curated with make up to appear that way.

Individuals shown this photo with the caption #nomakeup rated her as more attractive than study participants who saw the photo tagged #makeup. Even though the photos are exactly the same.

One of the researchers explains this – “The movement claims to be about empowering women,” said Rosanna Smith, lead author of the study and an assistant professor in the Terry College of Business. “But our research showed that the no-makeup movement actually exacerbated a key tension that women often have to manage: They’re pressured to look attractive or maintain a set of beauty standards. But they’re also punished or ridiculed for putting effort into maintaining those standards by wearing makeup.” (reference). 

Putting pressure on women to go make up free also ignores that some of us need make up to support our confidence when we have medical conditions, such as acne or rosacea. However, there are definite clinical benefits to being make up free, which Dr Cherry explores below.

The benefits of being make up free

The benefits of going make-up free after a week, months and even a year are all well documented resulting in  ‘re-setting’ or ‘re-calibrating’ our skin, making our skin look more refreshed and rejuvenated.

However true and inspiring this concept is, many of us are going to be reluctant to ditch our face-on/ face-off routine so easily, especially when work calls.

There’s nothing I like more than stripping my make-up off and celebrating facial nudity after coming home from work to re-set.  So, rather than be make-up free completely all day and night, I do it as soon as I get home as a compromise. I also stay makeup free every weekend, social calendar permitting! I find it clears my skin and allows it to ‘breathe’.

Our skin gets occluded by make-up preventing our skin cells to be reactive to the environment it’s in. So it is important to cleanse our skin of make-up, not just at night, but for a period of time.

Key  benefits:

Better skin tone and surface

The occlusive nature of make-up means that there is a reactive increase in oil production, clogged pores and breakouts. Allowing the skin to breathe without the occlusive layer of make-up re-balances the oil production and hydration.

You are also using less cleansers than usual to take the make-up off so you don’t over cleanse or over exfoliate which can strip the skin of its natural oily protective barrier layer.

Less acne break-outs

Using the same make-up brushes and applicators causes introduction of bacteria to your skin increasing the chances of skin irritations, infection and acne. Also unclogged pores and hydration also mean less chances of acne break-outs.

Less skin issues such as rosacea, eczema, general skin sensitivity and irritation

With a more balanced oil production, hydration and less irritation and congestion, your skin cells will thrive and be less reactive in their natural environment. Your skin cell life-cycle is approximately every 28 days. Therefore it will take a month for your new refreshed skin to come up to the surface and reap the benefits!

How to improve your skin so you need less make up, or feel more confident make up free

Keep your skin care routine simple. This way, you will do it every day and it is achievable. Daytime: cleanse (would be a gentle cleanse if not wearing make-up), moisturize and sunblock. Night time: Cleanse, active ingredient (if needed such as a retinoid, HA), moisturize.

Get regular facials. This helps with breakouts, dull skin and fine lines. As mentioned above, the skin’s lifecycle is about 28 days so getting a monthly facial will help keep your skin looking great – and you will feel less of a need to use make up.

Address medical concerns – if you suffer from breakouts, rosacea, eczema, pigmentation or sensitivity, there are things we can do to help – it might be a course of prescriptions or treatments, but it is often an easy fix that can make a world of difference. Book in a consultation with Dr Cherry if you do need additional support.

Aesthetic procedures can also help – anti-wrinkle treatments, fillers, Profhilo – all make your skin smooth, without piling on the make up.

If you want to embrace the natural look with minimal or no make up, but need support. Get in touch to get your skin into great shape. Call or 0203 9411815 or email hello@23skin.co.uk