No, the name acne cosmetica does not refer to a new product designed to eliminate your acne by using makeup. This condition is a particularly frustrating one for women because it involves dealing with acne as a result of the makeup you use. If you’ve been hiding your acne breakouts with excessive makeup or are experiencing acne for seemingly no reason at all, then you may be suffering from acne cosmetica.

This type of acne is brought about by the type of makeup you use. Even though this form of acne is usually mild, it can still be a nuisance. If you rely on makeup to cover up your existing acne, you may be making your acne worse and if you’ve never had acne but start to notice mild breakouts, it could be due to the cosmetics you use on a daily basis. Acne cosmetica can appear anywhere but is most commonly found on the face, hairline, neck and even the scalp. While acne cosmetica appears similar to other types of acne, this particular form tends to not have any inflammation associated with its breakouts, and causes the skin to feel rough.

When makeup is used, certain ingredients can clog the hair follicle, which causes it to become blocked, causing excess sebum (oil) to appear. The end result is acne cosmetica. When found on the hairline and scalp, it is often due to the use of follicle-clogging hair products such as pomades and hair oils. Because this type of acne is caused by makeup and some hair products, you don’t have to have acne prone skin to develop acne cosmetica.

It is important to pay close attention to your skin as soon as you start to experience an outbreak. If you currently suffer from other types of acne, then you probably do not have acne cosmetica but the use of daily makeup on top of your acne isn’t helping it, either. Let your skin breathe by not wearing any makeup during the day, if it can be helped. If you have to use makeup, make sure it is labeled “non-comedogenic,” which means that the ingredients will not clog your pores and make your acne worse. For those experiencing acne cosmetica who otherwise never have, be sure to identify where the breakout is occurring. If it is your face, chances are your skincare products or makeup may be causing the problem. Is the acne appearing on specific areas of your face like the eye area? Then the problem may be with your eye cream. If it is your scalp or hairline, then it may be a hair product. Anytime you buy a new makeup item, observe how your skin reacts. If you find yourself experiencing acne cosmetica, then stop using the product immediately and with diligent skincare, the acne should clear up on its own.

Aside from not using the makeup or hair products that are causing your acne cosmetica, you can also opt for products labeled “non-comedogenic” as well as those that are oil-free and water based. Also make sure to thoroughly cleanse your face and hair after using such products.

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