To Go Without Make-up

[Bubbles2002]

I am sure some will think this is a really trivial but then others will know exactly where I am coming from. Basically I have been suffering with really bad skin (spots) and it's really getting me down. At the moment it's like a vicious circle because when I don't wear foundation it improves quite dramatically (although still far from perfect) but then I also feel really feel self-conscious of my skin when I haven't got it on. So what would you do - would you just bite the bullet and not wear the foundation any more? I have tried almost every foundation and they all seem to make my skin worse so there is no point changing. I could go to the doctors for something for it I suppose but I am still breastfeeding and when I was on medication for it when I was younger I had inflammation of the gullet through it. It's making me very grumpy indeed. Opinions please. xx

[LucretiaInShadows]

I came out in spots in my mid-20s, for no apparent reason. I tried everything the pharmacist could suggest, and nothing really did a lot except for bleach the towels. I wear make-up most days, but by no means religiously if I'm not at work.

I can't remember how or why, but I eventually tried giving up on all the products and just using soap and water and a light hypoallergenic moisturiser. I'm now fine, just coming out with one or two zits when I'm due on.

[thelittlefriend]

I always had terrible skin when I used foundation. It's a bit of a vicious circle as wearing it gives you the bad skin, but then you keep wearing it to cover the bad skin up! I did eventually stop and now absolutely swear by Liz Earle Naturally Active products. They are the best thing I've ever used, I was really sceptical as the cleanser is creamy so I thought it'd make spots worse. It's fab though. Good luck & hth

[raindroprhyme]

acne.org has sorted my skin. i am blemish free. Hurrah.
I were makeup everyday but to cover scars not spots.
I am so happy in my skin for the first time in 17 years.

[nailak]

i weNt to p when i was 14 ior 15 but at 26 i still have spots, it didnt work

[Serenitysutton]

I'm on a misson to tell everyone this, it took me 29 years

go to the doctor, get antibiotics/ antibiotic lotion. Spots are the an infection. The head are the White blood cells which have fought it. The pore in swollen and inflamed from the infection. The spot is squeezed, or pops of it's own accord and the pus is more around you face. The infection spreads. You apply make up and foundation, te infection is on yor sponge/ brushes and you are spreading it round your face. It won't go totally until you kill it.

My spots were all hormonal but that doesn't change how they spread. Please don't waste any more time with creams or anything, just get ye to the Gp, pay £7 for a prescription and I'm confident it will help. People told me this and I ignored them for Years because I felt like an idiot going to the dr for acne. But spots are not even hard to treat! Good luck

[nailak]

wear a niqaab...

[Bubbles2002]

Right, thanks all. I will most definitely persevere with not wearing it then. It's funny though as I finally feel people are accepting me for me (even if I do look awful) as before the last few weeks I haven't stepped outside without make-up on since I was about 13/14 probably. I really, really hope it will clear up as I want to be able to be happy and upbeat about everything, which I feel I can't be at the moment while my skin is in a state. Thanks and thanks for the advice on vitamin supplements.

[fuzzywuzzy]

I don't wear make up (cant be arsed).

I recently started getting spots when before I had very clear skin, I think it's part of getting older, but I personally found that when I started taking vitamin supplements with zinc my skin cleared up very quickly, I think I might have had a deficiency, I only started taking the supplements as I kept catching colds and was generally feeling run down.

[floweryblue]

Summer is an excellent time to try the no make-up route. Even the slightest tan can help with healing spots, reducing scarring and an even skin tone. Add in some splashing about in the sea and you have all the natural ingredients needed to make your skin feel better.

Do you have blackheads, acne or an allergic reaction? I don't have allergies to skin products, I can use bleach with bare hands and have no effects but give me polycotton bedlinen and I am in trouble, supurating pustules and a feeling of sunburn.

[valiumredhead]

Have you tried Bare Essencuals mineral foundation - it's very good for problem skin. I've been using it for over a year now and no break outs at all.

[olderandwider]

I would recommend seeing your GP for a referral to a dermatologist, when you have time of course. It sounds like you are sensitive to something in cosmetics that may be exacerbating another condition.

[NinkyNonker]

Trust me, no-one will notice. I feel horribly self conscious when my excema flares up, or I get a spot, but then if I am with someone with either I don't notice it OB them, if you see what I mean? It is always more obvious to you.

Just give your skin, and yourself a break. Not very pc, but a little sun will help as well I always think

[IgnoringTheChildren]

I also didn't get on with Sheer Cover (felt quite cheated as it's not cheap!) and wouldn't have gone for mineral foundation again if my friend hadn't raved about LilyLolo. I've also been braving the outside world without make up recently (by 'accident' at first - in a rush with irritating slow DS1 and needy - well he is a baby I suppose - DS2). It is quite liberating and I'm pretty sure that no-one notices! Hope that your skin clears up for you soon.

[Bubbles2002]

It's so lovely to read all your messages, as it is tempting just to go back to covering up every day but I know it will never heal if I keep doing that. As someone on here said I do love the fact that I have much more time on my hands without all the time I need to constantly reapply. And when I am wearing the make-up it does make my skin feel heavy and itchy and almost like I can feel the spots appearing. I also noticed I am getting less migraines since I have stopped wearing it for the last few weeks - so I wonder if it was because it was irritating my whole system? Or maybe just co-incidence. Thanks again all.

[Crawling]

I am 23 I used to wear make up and have terrible spots I had quite a few scars but I stopped wearing make up and given chance (and seeing the light of day) the scars seem to have gone and my skin is far far better, it takes a few months though but once you give it a try it is great now wearing makeup makes my skin feel grungy, heavy and dirty and I hate it.

[Stricnine]

I'm with Rowgtfc72 - only a tad older! - 48 next birthday and don't wear makeup or use any of the regularly advertised skin care 'stuff'... and also get comments along how young I look (!) and how nice my skin is - "what do I use" .. they never believe "nothing"...

Make up is not necessary on a day to day living level so let your skin recover then decide how you feel!

[Rowgtfc72]

I'm 40 next yr and wear make up only for special occasions. I probably feel the same wearing it as you feel not wearing it. The only comments I get are "Haven't you got nice skin," no-one has ever mentioned I never wear make up. Give it a go, it can only do your skin good and you'll find you have more free time with not putting it on. You may surprise yourself !

[Ephiny]

I have sensitive skin and have had spots, I find the best thing is to leave it alone as much as possible - no makeup, and just use a gentle unscented wash/cleanser when needed (I don't even use this every day) and try not to touch my face any more than necessary.

If you feel you can go without the makeup then I definitely think you should give it a try, I bet you'll look fine without it and people won't notice anything like as much as you think :)

[browneyesblue]

Absolutely keep trying without it :) If the skin problems continue though, it may be worth going to the doctors, or eliminating other possible causes (face wash, hair products for example).

If you do want to try another mineral foundation in the future, LilyLolo (someone mentioned them above) sell small sample pots for less than £2.

[izzywhizzyletsgetbusy]

Your hormones are probably still in overdrive which could be exascerbating the problem.

One of my DF's swears by Witch Naturally Clear Oil Control Foaming Face Wash - it's cheap and cheerful and works for her.

Another friend suffers from severe acne which clears up when she goes on summer hols to the Med - sun and salt water can work miracles for various types of skin conditions.

Go makeup free for a while, bathe your face in a salt water solution, and get out in the sun as often as possible.

[Bubbles2002]

Hi all, I've tried a mineral foundation by Sheer Cover and that didn't suit me either. Perhaps I should test out some other ones? I suppose my gut instinct is just to leave the foundation off at all as I am just SO sensitive. But it's just such a big confidence issue with me, I feel so self conscious. I am sure if I could persevere with not wearing the make-up it would probably clear up a lot. Perhaps I should leave it a few more weeks and if it doesn't heal up - perhaps then I should consider doctors? Thanks so much for all your support. Up until a few weeks ago I would never consider leaving the house without make-up and go in to a wild panic if the door knocked and I didn't have my make-up on. When I first stopped wearing the make-up there was a dramatic difference but now I am still getting a few spots and I suppose I am feeling down-hearted. So you definitely think I should face my fears and carry on without wearing it?

[browneyesblue]

I was in a similar position, and it turned out I was allergic to an ingredient commonly found in make-up, shampoos, toiletries, face washes etc (parabens). It really was a vicious circle, as the products I was using to try and help my skin were the main cause of the problems I was having.

I switched to mineral make up, and it doesn't cause me any problems. However, I often don't bother and go without make up a lot, so it's worth a go :)

[TastesLikePanda]

x-post!

[TastesLikePanda]

How about a mineral face powder? They give a light coverage, but don't 'coat' your skin. I've recently converted to them and they are fab!