The 1 Overlooked Makeup Habit Dermatologists Warn Could Age Your Skin Faster

Genetics, natural loss of collagen and reduced cell turnover are all intrinsic factors that contribute to skin aging. However, external factors such as foregoing sunscreen, a poor diet and the way you remove your makeup can also play a role. Yes, we said the way you remove your makeup.

Makeup removal, especially, is an often glossed-over habit that, if not done properly, can affect skin health. “Removing makeup properly is critical to maintaining healthy skin, but not all techniques for removing makeup are good for it,” said dermatologist Dr. Geeta Yadav. The key is finding a balance between removing makeup thoroughly while still supporting the health of the skin barrier.

Between harsh cleansers and abrasive tugging, you may be paving the way for skin that shows signs of aging even more quickly, without even realizing it. Below, HuffPost spoke with dermatologists to learn how exactly makeup removal affects the skin, how it can accelerate skin aging and how to gently remove makeup while keeping the skin barrier intact.

Why is makeup removal important?

First up, a lesson in why makeup removal is important to begin with. “Makeup residue and buildup on the skin not only makes skin more susceptible to skin congestion and blemishes, but also premature aging,” Yadav said. “Leftover makeup can also irritate the skin, causing inflammation that can accelerate skin aging.” Not to mention, some makeup formulas are comedogenic, meaning they can clog pores, especially when not removed properly.

How does makeup removal affect the skin barrier?

How you remove your makeup might seem like a minor detail, but it can have a big impact on your skin’s health, especially when it comes to preserving your protective barrier, or the outermost layer of skin, also known as the stratum corneum. This layer acts as your body’s first line of defense against irritants, locking in moisture and supporting skin repair.

“If you’re stripping your skin’s lipids during makeup removal — or leaving makeup on the skin resulting in skin congestion — the skin barrier cannot function at its best,” Yadav said.

As dermatologist Dr. David Li at Boston Derm Advocate said, it can also have negative effects on the appearance of your skin. “Harsh makeup removal could result in a compromised skin barrier, which can lead to dryness, irritation, redness, and signs of aging,” he said.

Beware of harsh cleansers.

Harsh cleanser formulas can accelerate skin aging by damaging the skin’s protective barrier and triggering chronic inflammation — both of which undermine healthy, youthful skin.

“Cleansers with alcohol and sulfates shouldn’t be used daily, if at all, as they strip the skin of not just dirt, makeup and sunscreen, but also its natural oils, leaving it dehydrated and damaging the skin barrier,” Yadav said. “Your skin barrier needs lipids to keep hydration and nourishment in the skin and irritants out.”

Are makeup wipes a good or bad idea?

Makeup wipes are a convenient way to remove the day’s dirt, oil and makeup. As long as they don’t contain alcohol or sulfates, they aren’t likely to directly lead to premature aging. Still, they can contribute to it over time, especially if used frequently or improperly.

“Chronic mechanical shear forces on the skin, such as from tugging, could potentially weaken collagen and elastin fibers over time, leading to reduced skin elasticity and greater likelihood of skin sagging,” Li said. This is especially true if you’re attempting to remove waterproof formulas, which may require more aggressive rubbing.

Skin aging aside, aggressive removal — either mechanical or chemical in nature — could also result in “damage to the epidermis, resulting in irritant contact dermatitis, friction induced trauma and discoloration,” Li said.

How to remove your makeup gently

Behind every great skin care routine is an equally important step: gentle, effective makeup removal that protects your youthful glow. If you’re looking to adopt a better approach to makeup removal, there are several things you can do. For one, opt for oil-based or creamy cleansers, “which will help break down makeup on the skin and wash it away while still leaving some moisture behind,” Yadav said.

Another important step of makeup removal is how you follow up — always be sure to layer on a moisturizer afterward. “Removing makeup usually causes a disruption in the skin barrier, depending on how it’s done; therefore, skipping moisturizer results in the barrier disruption to potentially persist and compound over time, resulting in skin that looks dry and dull,” Li said.

Finally, aim to be as gentle as possible by patting your skin dry with a towel rather than rubbing. “Patting gently would likely minimize friction and mechanical stress; forcefully rubbing, on the other hand, can cause irritation, disrupt the skin barrier and accelerate skin laxity,” Li said.

Looking for a dermatologist-approved cleanser? We’ve got you covered.

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