Do Skin Powders Live Up To Their Acne-Fighting Promise?
In the beauty world, face powders are the new black. Which may seem odd, since “powdering your nose” is something our great grandmothers did. But in today’s issue of The New York Times, beauty journalist Alix Strauss covers the latest and greatest powders that are promising to do a lot more than their powder predecessors. From powders that claim to clear up acne to those that say they will take years off the complexion, there’s a whole host of new wave powders to know about.
The new SkinClearing Mineral Powder from Neutrogena contains 0.5% salicylic acid to target acne breakouts. Neutrogena offers other color cosmetics with salicylic acid as well, including their SkinClearing Liquid Makeup and their SkinClearing Blemish Concealer. But is it really necessary to use makeup containing salicylic acid if you’re already fighting acne breakouts with other skincare ingredients? “The most important thing to make sure of, in terms of makeup, is that it is oil-free and non-comedogenic,” says Clear Clinic founding dermatologist Dr. Eric Schweiger. “As long as you are treating your acne with skincare containing proven acne-fighting ingredients, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur, there is no real need to use makeup containing these ingredients.”
As far as acne-fighting ingredients go, more is not always good. When you’re using too many products containing actives such as salicylic acid, you could actually be doing more harm than good. While salicylic acid is very effective in treating acne, it also has the tendency to irritate your skin. If you are going to use color cosmetic products containing these actives, it’s a good idea to apply a gentle moisturizer before hand. A technique Dr. Schweiger refers to as “sandwiching.” The bottom line is not to over-treat your skin and be weary of makeup that claims to clear up your complexion, leave that task to the right combination of prescription medicine, in-office procedures and over the counter treatments.
