Does Makeup Cause Breakouts? A Two-Week No-Makeup Trial Found No Change

A two-week experiment of stopping makeup produced no noticeable difference in the writer's breakouts, pores, or redness, and dermatologists told the author that product formulation and nightly removal matter more than avoiding makeup altogether.

I have long struggled with acne and noticed more breakouts, clogged pores, and redness in recent months. To test whether makeup was contributing, I stopped wearing foundation, concealer, and color products for two weeks. After the trial, my skin looked essentially the same, with no clear reduction in breakouts, pore congestion, or redness. I then spoke with dermatologists to better understand the relationship between makeup and skin health. What the article reports: - The author's two-week no-makeup experiment produced no noticeable change in breakouts, pores, or redness. - Dermatologists quoted in the article—Shari Marchbein, MD, and Morgan Rabach, MD—noted that many makeup products now include skin-care ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, niacinamide, and SPF. - Experts reported that makeup can form a barrier that helps protect against pollution and that iron oxides in pigments may help shield skin from inflammatory effects of visible (blue) light. - The article states that skin does not "breathe" or "detox"; it can become dry, congested, or irritated depending on products and care. - Dermatologists emphasized that removing makeup before sleep matters because night is when skin renews and makeup can impede that process. Summary: The writer's two-week test suggested no short-term benefit from going makeup-free. Experts told the author that product formulation and consistent nighttime removal are important influences on skin outcomes. Undetermined at this time.