Hello party season—and hello breakout. It’s the very moment you want to feel the most fabulous and need to be at your most confident. It’s a tale as old as time, but it never gets any less irritating. Festive frolics can leave your skin looking pretty tired in other ways too (puffy eyes and dark circles, anyone?).
Fortunately, we’re here to tell you that you’re going to look amazing anyway—true beauty is definitely more than skin deep, after all. Additionally, we can help you treat those annoying pre-festive season breakouts, thanks to Hero Pimple Patches.
But why do you seem to get a breakout at the worst possible time? And is it ok to wear makeup when you do? Should you take a makeup break? Keep reading for some tips and tricks—and some sound advice from our dermatologist expert, Dr Sonia Khorana…
Why do I always get a breakout in party season?
While the root causes of acne remain the same all year round, some of the triggers that can leave your skin looking and feeling less than party perfect can definitely be attributed to the season of goodwill.
If you’re staying up (and out!) later, you’re probably getting less sleep than your skin is used to. Combine that with potentially drinking a little more alcohol than usual— which can lead to waking up more often and lower quality sleep—and you’re not giving your skin or the rest of your body the best possible support.
Eating food with a high glycaemic index can also trigger breakouts, according to Dr Sonia, so late-night snacks on the way home might not be helping either. I know, we’re party poopers. But it’s really just about moderation and trying to stick to good habits as much as you can, which brings us to…
What role does makeup have to play in all this?
The late nights of party season can also disrupt your skincare regimen, and—no judgement, as we’ve all done it—it’s not unusual for people to forget to remove their makeup before they go to sleep.
And if you’re anything like us, you’ll probably be rocking a bigger makeup look than your everyday style, which might mean more products in larger quantities.
The type of products you use will play more of a role in the impact they have on your skin than the amount you use, but the odd makeup-free day will give your skin a much-needed break.
Should I avoid wearing makeup altogether?
This probably isn’t realistic—although we strongly suspect you look beautiful without it—but if you are prone to breakouts, you should probably be a bit careful about what you use.
That’s partly because some makeup can actually contribute to a form of acne known as acne cosmetica.
This can take a while to develop after exposure to the trigger—which means the cause might not always be obvious—and can appear as just small red bumps on the skin as well as presenting as standard spots and pimples.
The delayed reaction here can leave people in a vicious circle of applying more to cover their damaged skin, which in turn leads to more acne and more makeup and more acne… oh, you get the gist.
Should I wear makeup at all when I’m having a breakout?
According to the NHS, if you’re having a breakout, you should stay away from oil-based (or comedogenic) products. This applies to your skincare and suncare products as well as your makeup.
It recommends that you use water-based (or non-comedogenic) products instead, as these are less likely to lead to your pores becoming blocked. Think of products that are sheer or offer a lighter coverage, and that are fragrance-free.
And—as we’ve already said—it pays to completely remove all your makeup before you settle down to sleep.
What can I do when a pimple strikes?
Relax—we’ve got you covered. To be more accurate, Hero Pimple Patches will quite literally have your breakout covered—in medical-grade hydrocolloid, no less. Hydrocolloid patches have been used in medical settings to heal wounds for some years, so they’ve got experience in tackling situations even trickier than a pre-party pimple.
You’ll even be able to wear a pimple patch under your makeup when you’re out and about, thanks to Hero Mighty Patch Invisible, which is perfect for daytime and evening wear. Dr Sonia says you should always apply the patches to clean, dry skin so they stick properly—and wait for around half an hour after applying skincare for the same reason.
Hero Pimple Patches are easy to incorporate into your getting-ready ritual and could make a real difference for your skin. Sounds like a reason to celebrate to us.
From all of us at Hero, have a lovely festive season and have fun!