So, your teen has shown some interest in makeup, or maybe you’re a teen yourself reading this and looking for the best makeup for teen beginners.
Either way, if you have sensitive skin, you’ve probably noticed something—not all skin handles makeup the same way.
You may have a friend who can pile on product after product with zero problems, but put on a single swipe of foundation and breakout! If you or your teen falls into this second category, you’ll want to be a little more careful about the products you use.
Fortunately, you don’t have to give up makeup completely to keep your skin calm and healthy. With the right approach and products, teens can enjoy makeup while taking good care of their skin.
Why does makeup cause skin reactions in teenage beginners?
During the teenage years, the skin already undergoes many changes due to hormones, which can make it more reactive than before. If your makeup causes reactions, it’s usually for a few different reasons.
Pore-clogging ingredients
Many makeup products contain ingredients that can clog your pores. These are called phagocytic components. When your pores get clogged, oil and dead skin cells get trapped inside, creating the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria. This is why you may experience pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. This can also lead to dull-looking, lackluster skin—the opposite of the glow you want!
Irritating ingredients
Some makeup ingredients can irritate your skin when you apply them. Fragrances are a huge culprit here—they may make your makeup smell nice, but they’re one of the most common causes of skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Other common irritants include some that can be harsh on the skin, some dyes and dyes, and alcohol-based ingredients that can dry out your skin.
When your skin is exposed to these ingredients over and over again, it can become red, flaky, itchy, or rashy. Over time, this can damage your skin’s protective outer barrier, making it more sensitive to everything – not just makeup.
Heavy Formulas
Some makeup products are thick and heavy and tend to suffocate your skin. If you’re wearing this makeup all day while you’re at school or even gym class, that’s a lot of time for your skin to be covered in heavy product. The result can be clogged pores and frustrating skin reactions.
Common ingredients new makeup users should avoid
If your skin is easily irritated, start with a minimalist approach. The following ingredients are among the most common triggers for sensitivity or flare-ups.
- Scent or fragrance: Even small amounts can lead to itching, redness and allergic reactions.
- Denatured alcohol (denatured alcohol): Sharing sprays and toners can strip moisture from your skin and worsen dryness.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): A foaming agent sometimes used in foundations or cleansers that can irritate the skin and cause dryness, possibly causing oil production and clogged pores.
- Make-up oils: Ingredients like coconut oil and cocoa butter can clog pores.
- Dimethicone: It can block pores and lead to acne and irritation.
- Certain dyes and pigments: Bright reds and yellows, such as D&C Red 30, are more likely to cause allergic reactions.
- Preservatives: Some like parabens can irritate the skin and also disrupt the endocrine system, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances.
- Oil Distillation Ointment: Derived from petroleum, it can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions and can be contaminated with harmful substances.
- Phthalates, formaldehydes, heavy metals, oxybenzone and ethanolamines (such as DEA (diethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine): These can cause redness, irritation and sensitivity and have been linked to health risks.
To keep skin free from a range of skin reactions including sensitivity, redness, dryness, mild rashes and long-term side effects, read labels and look for clean non-toxic makeup and skin care.
Choose products that are labeled as non-comedogenic, fragrance and dye free, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and contain ingredients that support your outer barrier like ceramides, aloe, bisabolol, and oat extract (all included in CV Skinlabs products). Mineral-based makeup is often a good choice for teenagers.
Note that you can use Calming Moisture as a soothing daily moisturizer and makeup primer, and Rescue + Relief Spray as a post-cleansing toner to soothe irritations, help remove makeup, and as a setting spray after makeup.
These products can help keep the skin free from a range of skin reactions including sensitivity, redness, dryness, mild rashes and long-term side effects such as increased skin sensitivity and premature aging.
Makeup for Teen Beginners: Start with Healthy Skin!
There’s one thing that many teenagers don’t realize as they start experimenting with makeup – the best makeup starts with healthy skin. You can buy the most expensive, trendy makeup in the world, but if your skin underneath is dry, irritated, broken out or damaged, it’s not going to look as good as it could.
Think of it like painting a wall. If the wall underneath is uneven and damaged, even the best paint won’t look smooth. If you prep the wall first, the color looks much better. Your skin works the same way.
This means that taking care of your skin should be the most important part of your makeup routine. When your skin is healthy, hydrated and calm, makeup goes on smoother and looks more natural. Also, you usually need much less than that to achieve the look you want.
A safe makeup and skin care routine for teenage beginners
Here’s a simple approach that protects your skin while allowing you to enjoy makeup.
Step 1: Start with gentle cleansing (morning and night)
Teens can become overzealous with cleaning, thinking it will stop breakouts. Thorough cleansing is important, but you can overdo it and dry out our skin, which will only make your breakouts worse.
Use a gentle fragrance-free cleanser twice a day. Reuse only after sweating. Avoid harsh scrubbing or using hot water, both of which irritate the skin barrier. Treat your skin gently. Use a soft leather brush if you want to clean thoroughly.
Step 2: Tone with an alcohol-free toner
Toner is still essential to help balance your skin before applying moisturizer. Use a pH-balanced option that does not contain alcohol. We recommend the Rescue + Relief Spray as it helps calm, balance and hydrate your skin after cleansing.
Step 3: Moisturize to protect your barrier
Never neglect to apply moisturizer, even if you have oily skin. Moisturizer helps maintain your skin’s outer barrier, which is vital for healthy, non-reactive skin. Look for light, non-food options. Our Calming Moisture is formulated for sensitive skin and won’t clog your pores. Apply immediately after toning to seal in moisture.
Step 4: Use a Primer
Instead of jumping straight into heavy foundation, try a barrier-supporting primer or a lightweight BB cream. These create a protective layer between your skin and your makeup while evening out your skin tone. Many BB creams also contain sunscreen, which is a bonus for sun protection. Our Calming Moisture also doubles up nicely as a primer and is often recommended by makeup artists for this purpose. Mix it with your foundation for a healthy, glowing look.
Step 5: Keep makeup light and simple
Less is more when it comes to makeup, especially for sensitive skin. For school, a simple routine might include BB cream or a light foundation, concealer where needed (under the eyes or on blemishes), some mascara and maybe some tinted lip balm. The fewer products you use, the less chance of irritation or breakouts.
Choose mascara labeled for sensitive eyes and avoid shimmery shadows or long-lasting lipsticks, as these can be drying and irritating.
Step 6: Remove makeup every night
Sleeping with makeup on is one of the worst things you can do for your skin. It clogs pores, traps bacteria and doesn’t let your skin repair itself overnight like it usually does.
Use a gentle makeup remover or cleansing oil first to break up makeup, then follow with your regular cleanser. Using a soft brush helps ensure everything comes off before applying your toner and overnight moisturizer.
September 7: Give your Skin Barrier an extra boost
If your skin reacts, it often means that your outer barrier needs help. After cleansing at night, make sure you apply the Rescue + Relief Spray to calm any redness, followed by the Calming Moisture to help your skin recover from any damage it may have suffered during the day.
Try our multi-functional Restorative Skin Balm as an alternative to petroleum jelly, which can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, especially for those with sensitive skin conditions such as eczema or rosacea. It helps lock in moisture and protect the skin from external irritants. It works as a great lip balm, brow balm to keep hairs in place, and anywhere your skin needs a little TLC.
Makeup for teenage beginners: Think about your skin’s health
Creating habits now where you take care of your skin first is the best way to ensure your skin will look its best for years to come. In addition to regular cleansing, toning and moisturizing, be a little more careful about what makeup products you use and when. Pay attention to how your skin responds to different products. If something causes redness, itching or breakouts, stop using it immediately.
A simple, well-chosen routine will always look better than piling on products that can irritate your skin. Healthy, glowing skin is the best foundation you can have. Makeup just enhances what’s already there!
NOTE: As a pure beauty, wellness company, we care about the health, sensitivity and safety of your skin. We always recommend choosing non-toxic, clean skincare and makeup products for healthy, glowing skin. Always read your labels and email us for advice.
What are your recommendations for teenage makeup?
Featured image from Kaboompics.com via Pexels.
