Does Makeup Age Your Skin? 6 Mistakes That Make Skin Look Tired

There's a lot of conflicting information going around on social media and in everyday conversations about how makeup affects the skin. The idea that makeup damages your skin, in particular, spreads by word of mouth. So does makeup really age your skin?

Skin aging has more than one cause. Makeup can be one of them, but that depends entirely on which products you use, how you apply them, and how you remove your makeup.

If you think makeup is giving you wrinkles or speeding up aging, you're most likely making one of the 6 mistakes below.

6 Makeup Mistakes That Make Skin Look Tired

Almost all the mistakes that make skin look more tired and older than it is have to do with application habits, not the products themselves. Here are the six most common ones:

1. Applying Complexion Products to Unmoisturized Skin

As we age, our skin starts to lose moisture. Applying complexion products to dehydrated, dry skin makes lines and imperfections look more noticeable than they really are.

Moisturizing your skin before you start your makeup is the most basic step for getting foundation to spread evenly. Using a makeup primer after moisturizing also helps products sit more smoothly on your skin.

2. Using Too Much Powder

Powder is used to set makeup, but too much of it backfires. Excess powder settles into fine lines and leaves skin looking dry and dull.

Applying a thin layer of powder only to the areas where shine shows up, rather than to your whole face, gives a more natural result. When browsing powder options, be sure to choose a texture that suits your skin type.

3. Applying Foundation in Thick Layers

Heavy, thick complexion makeup emphasizes the lines on your skin and gives the impression that your face is being pulled downward. That makes skin look older than it is.

Instead of applying foundation thickly all at once, blending it in thin layers keeps the coverage while giving a natural finish. You can choose a texture that suits your skin type from the foundation category.

4. Using Products That Don't Suit Your Skin Type

There are two reasons a product can be the wrong one: it doesn't suit your skin type, or it's low quality.

The wrong products don't make skin look dry and tired the first time you use them. After a while, irritation, redness, and tightness start to appear, and as skin loses elasticity, it takes on a tired look.

5. Applying Concealer to Unmoisturized Under-Eyes

The eye area is the thinnest and most delicate part of the face. When concealer is applied to under-eyes that haven't been moisturized, the product settles into lines and makes dark circles more noticeable instead of covering them.

Apply concealer only to the spots where there are imperfections and discoloration, not all over your face. By browsing concealer options, you can choose the right texture for the eye area.

6. Going to Sleep Without Thoroughly Removing Your Makeup

Sleeping in your makeup is one of the worst things you can do to your skin. A single night may not cause sudden wrinkles, but it leads to a buildup of oil and dirt that encourages breakouts.

Sleeping without removing eye makeup can irritate the delicate skin around the eyes. Sleeping in complexion products can dry out your skin and damage the skin barrier.

Does Makeup Really Make Skin Age Faster?

It isn't possible to say for sure that makeup directly ages the skin. How well products work with the skin varies from person to person.

To avoid results you don't want, all you need to do is use products that suit your skin type. What really makes the difference isn't the makeup itself, but the routine you follow before and after makeup.

How Does Wearing Makeup All Day Affect Your Skin?

Makeup you put on in the morning usually stays on your skin all day. During that time, oil builds up on the skin and the makeup gradually starts to feel heavier.

If the products you use dry out your skin instead of moisturizing it, your skin starts to feel tight and the products settle into fine lines. That makes the makeup harder to remove and makes your face look tired.

On the other hand, if you use lightweight, moisturizing products that suit your skin type, your makeup won't feel heavy even if it stays on all day. At the end of the day, though, you should always remove your makeup thoroughly.

• Melting Nourishing Makeup Cleansing Balm: With jojoba oil, sunflower oil, bisabolol, and bakuchiol, it gently dissolves makeup while leaving skin feeling soft and smooth.

Does Sleeping Without Removing Makeup Increase Signs of Aging?

A flawless makeup look isn't just about the quality of the products; it also depends on whether your skin is healthy.

Even-toned, soft skin that has kept its elasticity both changes how your makeup looks and helps products spread easily and evenly over the skin. That's why makeup removal is an essential part of your skincare routine.

It's especially important not to leave highly pigmented formulas like eye makeup and lip makeup products on your skin.

• Multi-Functional Makeup Remover (Two-Phase): With its two-phase formula, it dissolves makeup residue, from waterproof mascaras to long-wear foundations, without the need to rub.

To see all the options, you can browse the makeup remover category or our curated cleansing routine picks.

Does Heavy, Thick Complexion Makeup Make Skin Look Older?

Heavy, thick complexion makeup doesn't mean your skin is actually aging. But using too much complexion product can create a look that resembles signs of aging.

Thick layers emphasize the lines on your skin and give the impression that your facial features are being pulled downward. The result is a complexion that looks more tired than you really are.

Can the Wrong Makeup Products Make Skin Look Dry and Tired?

Yes, but the effect doesn't show up right away. Products that don't suit your skin type cause irritation, redness, and tightness over time.

As skin loses elasticity, it takes on a dry, tired look. That's why, when choosing products, how well the formula suits your skin type matters just as much as coverage.

If you'd like to read more on the topic, take a look at our guide to makeup mistakes that make you look tired.

What Should a Makeup Routine Look Like for Younger, More Radiant-Looking Skin?

The five steps below form the foundation of complexion makeup that doesn't wear out your skin:

• Moisturize your skin before you start your makeup.
• Blend foundation in thin layers.
• Apply concealer only to the spots where there are imperfections and discoloration.
• Avoid using too much powder.
• Take care not to leave harsh lines when blending products together.

Aftercare is just as important as prep. After thoroughly removing your makeup, use a moisturizer that suits your skin type and go to sleep with soft skin.

• Cell-Repairing Anti-Spot Concealer (Supreme Cover Concealer): With its lightweight, creamy texture, it hides skin imperfections while offering anti-aging care for the eye area.

If you're looking for a step-by-step complexion routine, check out the flawless skin routine selection, and for all complexion products, browse the face makeup category.

Does Wearing Makeup Every Day Age Your Skin?

Wearing makeup every day doesn't age your skin on its own. What matters is that the products suit your skin type, are applied in thin layers, and are thoroughly removed at the end of the day.

Can Sleeping in Makeup Cause Wrinkles Overnight?

A single night won't cause sudden wrinkles on your skin. But it leads to a buildup of oil and dirt that encourages breakouts, and sleeping in complexion products can damage the skin barrier.