How to prepare your skin for Halloween make-up and care for it afterwards
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s not just the kids who are excited about dressing up – more and more adults are getting in on the fun too. From detailed face painting to bold prosthetics, Halloween make-up has become essential for bringing these looks to life.
While Halloween is all about getting creative with your look, it’s also important to give your skin some TLC before and after using all that make-up. With the right skincare routine, you can keep your skin feeling hydrated, balanced and irritation-free.
What’s different about Halloween make-up?
It’s important to keep in mind that Halloween make-up isn’t the same as your everyday foundation or eyeshadow – it’s often much heavier than what your skin might be used to and it can be packed with artificial dyes and fragrance. These ingredients can irritate the skin, leading to clogged pores, spots and irritation – especially if you’re not used to wearing make-up regularly. To avoid unwanted reactions, a simple precaution is to conduct a patch test. Apply a small amount of the product on the inside of your elbow a few days before Halloween to give your skin enough time to show any sensitivity before you use it on your face.
HALLOWEEN SKIN
The key to minimising the effects of heavy or poor-quality Halloween make-up is all in the prep. A few simple steps can create a protective barrier between your skin and the make-up, ensuring smoother application and making removal much easier when the night is over.
Do the prep work
Before applying any make-up, make sure your skin is free of oil and impurities. A good cleanser, like our Dr Somji Detoxifying Charcoal Cleanser will help to clean without stripping the skin’s natural moisture and you will also have a clean canvas for make-up application.
Hydrate with a moisturiser
Applying a nourishing moisturiser is essential to prevent the skin from becoming dry or irritated under layers of make-up. Look for a product that offers deep hydration. Our Dr Somji Night Recovery Cream is super hydrating and perfect for creating a protective layer between your skin and the make-up. It contains humectants to ramp up hydration and green microalgae to calm and soothe.
Use a primer
A primer is a must, especially when using Halloween make-up that may be lower in quality. It creates a smooth base for the make-up and acts as a barrier, helping to prevent clogged pores. Primers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid can offer added moisture, which is especially helpful when using thick and drying face paints.
HOW TO REMOVE HALLOWEEN MAKE-UP
At the end of the night, removing your Halloween make-up properly is vital to avoid breakouts, irritation or damage to the skin’s barrier.
Double cleanse
Leaving make-up on overnight can lead to clogged pores and breakouts, so be sure to ‘un-mask’ as soon as you can. The double cleansing method is ideal for removing stubborn make-up. Start with an oil-based cleanser or micellar water to help break down heavy make-up like face paint and glitter. Then use our Dr Somji Detoxifying Charcoal Cleanser – not only will it deep cleanse the skin, thanks to the added kaolin clay, it nourishes and repairs too, with babassu oil seed extract and moringa seed oil. It also doubles up as a face-mask, so leave it on for an extra five to ten minutes to fully purge the pores and pamper the skin.
Avoid scrubbing
It can be tempting to scrub at your skin, especially if you have stubborn make-up like waterproof face paint, but this can cause irritation and micro-tears in the skin. Instead, use a soft muslin cloth in gentle circular motions to gently lift the make-up off the skin.
Soothe with a hydrating moisturiser
After removing all your make-up, treat your skin to a hydrating cream to replenish moisture. Our Dr Somji Night Recovery Cream is an excellent choice. If your skin is red or irritated from prolonged make-up wear, try the Dr Somji Anti-Redness Concentrate. It has a calming formula filled with anti-inflammatory, plant-derived centella exosomes that works quickly to soothe irritated skin.
Remember to keep your skin well-hydrated in the days following Halloween, to help restore its natural barrier and repair any damage caused by harsh make-up.
Do have fun dressing up, but keep your skin in mind too. A little care goes a long way to keeping it happy. Have a great Halloween!
Dr Munir Somji is a cosmetic surgeon and co-founder of DrMediSpa, located in Marylebone, Knightsbridge and Loughton. He has over a decade of experience in performing and teaching advanced aesthetic non-surgical and surgical procedures. Recognising the impact of skin health and the link to confidence and wellbeing, Dr Somji is passionate about restoring patient confidence and has gained himself a reputation for his meticulous work, reassuring manner and performing treatments that deliver subtle results.
