Makeup often boosts women's confidence, but daily application of heavy cosmetics can significantly stress skin health. According to dermatologists, the "skinimalism" trend (minimalist skincare) or going barefaced not only lets skin "breathe" but also brings noticeable positive changes.

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Here are five benefits of saying goodbye to makeup.

Reduce acne, minimize pores

Doctor Hadley King, a dermatologist in New York, US, explains that foundation and powder often contain oil or silicone bases. When combined with sweat and dirt, these products can easily clog pores.

Going barefaced helps reduce excess oil, keeping the skin surface clear. Consequently, pores appear smaller, preventing the formation of acne and blackheads. However, during the first one to two weeks, you might experience mild breakouts. This is a normal reaction as the sebaceous gland regulation mechanism rebalances itself.

Restore natural protective barrier

Heavy makeup often requires aggressive removal. Excessive scrubbing or using high-concentration cleansing products can damage the lipid barrier (skin barrier).

When you stop wearing makeup, you reduce chemical exposure to the skin, allowing the protective barrier to heal itself. This helps skin maintain natural moisture, reducing sensitivity and redness.

Prevent premature aging

Doctor Nadia Kihiczak, a specialist at Spring Street Dermatology in the US, notes that powder makeup often settles into fine lines, inadvertently making the face appear older.

More importantly, improper eye makeup removal can stretch this delicate skin, leading to loss of elasticity and promoting the appearance of crow's feet. Limiting makeup better preserves collagen and elastin structures.

Avoid bacterial infections

Makeup brushes, sponges, and powder compacts are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria if not regularly cleaned. Each time you reapply powder, you introduce bacteria to your face. Keeping a bare face eliminates the risk of contact dermatitis and eye conditions like blepharitis, which can be caused by bacteria buildup in mascara or eyeliner.

Thicker, healthier eyelashes

Frequent mascara application makes eyelashes dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Doctor King states that simply stopping eye makeup for one month can reduce irritation. Recovered eyelash follicles help lashes grow evenly and appear significantly thicker.

How to maintain a beautiful bare face?

Experts recommend that "barefaced" does not mean neglecting your skin. To feel more confident without makeup, you can follow these steps:

Gradually "detox": Many people feel less confident when suddenly stopping makeup entirely. To avoid this psychological shock, start slowly. You can skip heavy foundation first to let skin breathe, but still keep a bit of lipstick and eyebrow pencil for a fresh look. Once accustomed, you can further simplify the remaining steps.

Sun protection: This is a mandatory step to prevent UV rays from causing melasma and freckles. Choose a lightweight cream or one that naturally enhances skin tone.

Moisturizing: Well-hydrated skin will be plump and radiant without foundation.

Deep cleansing: Don't mistakenly think going barefaced only requires washing with plain water. Once you use sunscreen, you must remove makeup at the end of the day. Oil-based sunscreen ingredients adhere very strongly, and regular facial cleansers struggle to remove them completely. If not thoroughly removed, accumulated sunscreen residue will clog pores and cause acne.

Nhat Minh (According to Women's Health)