Dermatologists and dermatology advanced practice providers are experts in treating inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis, acne, and eczema. They can also provide skincare and makeup advice to help patients look their best.
“What is happening underneath the skin is commensurate with what is happening on top of it, and both] are in our purview,” says Mona Gohara, MD, a Dermatologist at Advanced DermCare, Danbury, CT, and an Associate Clinical Professor at the Department of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven. Dr. Gohara and Meredith Baraf, a New York-City based makeup artist, shared inclusive beauty techniques at the AbbVie-sponsored Science of Skin & Scalp Event in New York City.
Here are eight expert-approved makeup and skincare tips to share with patients.
- Toss your blending sponges after two uses
Dirty sponges can be breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, which can exacerbate or cause flares or breakouts, says Baraf. Better safe than sorry: Throw them out after two makeup applications, she says.
- Choose and use soft, fluffy brushes to apply makeup
Harsh bristles can further irritate sensitive skin. Both natural and synthetic bristles can be soft, Baraf says. Try new brushes out on your hand first, and if they feel too harsh, they probably are, she says.
- Accentuate the positive
Whether eyes, brows, lips, or another favorite feature, use makeup to accentuate the positive rather than conceal the negative. “If you love your lips or eyes, accentuate these things and take people’s eyes there,” Baraf says. While it is tempting to cover up blemishes and lesions, applying makeup on an already inflamed area can be a trigger, she says.
- Don’t be fooled by green, clean, or chemical-free labels
“These are marketing terms, not medical ones,” Dr. Gohara says. “Every product has chemicals. Water is a chemical.” That said, the fewer ingredients a product has, the less likely it is to irritate.
- Remove all your makeup each evening
Double cleansing is the way to go, Baraf suggests. Cleanse skin once with micellar water, then cleanse skin again for a deeper clean.
- Don’t scrub
“Scrubbing is for the toilet, not for your skin,” Dr. Gohara. “Your skin is a fragile organ.”
- Beware the Koebner phenomenon
“Glittery grit” in makeup can exacerbate psoriasis, Dr. Gohara says. “Any trauma can cause psoriasis or the Koebner phenomenon.”
- Show and tell
Bring in your skincare products and makeup to show your dermatology provider what you are using so he or she can provide feedback on your regimen.
