Can You Wear Makeup After a Facial? Answer + Do’s and Don’ts

In reality, facials don’t exactly come with zero drawbacks (1). If you don’t follow certain aftercare instructions after your facial, you can experience all sorts of skin problems.

Can I use Makeup after a Facial Treatment?

The short answer to that question is, “no.” Almost all types of facials, according to experts (2), have some downtime.

So, to help your facial skin recover faster, you should refrain from using makeup for at least a day.

It’s also advisable that you schedule your facial three days before any major events so you will get better results.

Can you wear makeup after botox? If you want to apply makeup after Botox, be sure to wait for at least a day as well. 

Keep in mind that since your pores are still open after your facial, makeup will make you more prone to a number of skin problems like irritation and breakouts.

If you’re considering a different skincare procedure, let’s say, a micro-needling session, it will take more than 24 hours before you’re able to safely apply makeup again.

Here’s a short descriptive answer for you.

@annatharani No makeup for at least 24 hours 🌸 #facialsvancouver #yvrfacials #vancity #vancouvertiktok #englishbay #acnetreatment #microneedling #fyp #esthetician ♬ original sound – Anna Tharani

What Should You Do After Getting a Facial?

The effects of a facial treatment normally fade after five to seven days. During this time, you will most likely experience unwanted side effects.

To help you get the best results out of your facial treatment, here are some aftercare advice that you should be aware of.

1. Refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol

Smoking (4) can clog facial pores, worsen your skin condition, and cause acne. Similarly, drinking alcohol (5) increases your chances of getting dry or sagging skin.

2. Skip Your workout routine

Heat and sweat are a big no-no after your facial. They can cause irritation to your newly exfoliated skin and dehydrate your body, making your facial treatment ineffective.

So, if you have any plans to work out or go out for outdoor activities after your facial is done, it’s probably best to reschedule such plans.

Ideally, it would be more convenient to schedule your facial on your rest day. As an alternative, you can choose to do your workout routine before your facial treatment.

3. Keep Your Skin Hydrated

When you are hydrated, it becomes easier for your skin to eliminate toxins, absorb essential nutrients, and maintain its healthy glow.

On top of that, proper hydration allows your skin to be less itchy and irritable.

4. Clean Anything that You Normally Use on Your Face

To further prevent any build-up of bacteria or debris on your skin, you should set aside some time to sanitize almost anything that comes into contact with your face.

Whether it’s your gadgets, pillows, or makeup brushes, it’s always a good idea to promote a cleaner environment for your skin (7).

Ideally, you should also avoid dusty or polluted places after your facial to avoid clogged pores and fresh outbreaks.

5. Use a Gentle Cleanser

Using a gentle facial cleanser (8) will also help you remove any unwanted particles from your face and extend the benefits of your facial.

6. Follow your Esthetician’s Instructions and Advice

In addition to following my advice, you should also listen carefully to your esthetician, as they know the best thing to do for your specific skin type. 

If you have any concerns with your skincare routine, make sure to share it with your esthetician so they can suggest skincare habits to help you have a better routine.

What Should You Avoid After Getting a Facial?

You will probably be tempted to do your typical skincare routine. But is that exactly safe for your skin?

Since your skin will go through a recovery period, you’ll be more prone to a number of skin problems such as irritation, redness, and acne scarring.

To prevent these problems from happening, here are some of the things you should avoid after getting a facial.

1. Touching Your Face

I get it. It’s only natural that you have the urge to feel your clearer, younger-looking skin after such a soothing treatment. However, you will have a more sensitive skin following your facial.

So, you’d better avoid picking at your skin. Otherwise, the irritation or redness in your skin will worsen.

Applying abrasive skincare products like scrubs after a facial isn’t ideal either. They can cause over-exfoliation (9), a common skin problem that compromises your skin’s natural look and health.

Joshua Zeichner (10), a New York City board-certified dermatologist, said that over-exfoliating can create little cracks in your skin barrier and cause problems like dehydration and inflammation.

ALSO CHECK: How Long After Microneedling Can I Wear Makeup?

2. Heavy Cosmetics

Heavy facial products such as toners or retinol usually contain compounds that can cause irritation and dry skin. You need to avoid these kinds of products for about a week after your facial.

Although you can’t deny that makeup is pretty useful at hiding particular skin problems like dark spots, you can still find other ways to hide your skin problems without makeup.

RECOMMENDED: How to Hide Dark Spots on Your Face Without Makeup?

3. Visiting the Steam Room

Although a visit to the steam room sounds like a great idea after your facial, it’s not exactly going to be a good experience for your facial skin.

Considering that your skin has already been through a lot of steam from your facial, a visit to the steam room will cause discomfort to your skin. It can also cause broken capillaries on your face. 

4. Hair Removal Procedures

If you’re going to have a hair removal after your facial, you run the risk of over-exfoliating your skin and burning it.

If you’re planning for a laser treatment (11), experts suggest that you schedule it at least two weeks after your facial to prevent any further skin problems. 

5. The Sun

Sun exposure (12) can damage your skin barrier. On top of that, overexposure to the sun can cause dry and loose skin.  That’s why you should avoid sunlight as much as possible after your facial.

To avoid any harm to your facial skin, don’t forget to apply a moisturizer or sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

That said, don’t even think of sunbathing as it can strongly counteract the benefits of your facial treatment. 

Here’s a quick summary to what to do and to not do after getting a facial treatment.

FAQs

Conclusion

Although a facial treatment has a lot of benefits for your skin, you will also need to consider other healthy skincare habits right after it’s done.

Needless to say, you’re meant to take care of your facial skin even after a facial treatment. Otherwise, you won’t be able to enjoy glowing, beautiful skin in the long run!

What makeup are you wanting to try after waiting to get a facial? Let us know down in the comments!

Resources

• 1. Gallagher G. Oxygen Facials: Procedure, Efficacy, Side Effects, Cost [Internet]. Healthline. 2019. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/oxygen-facial
• 2. Araviiskaia E, Le Pillouer Prost A, Kosmadaki M, Kerob D, Roo E. Recommendations for the use of corrective makeup after dermatological procedures. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021;
• 3. Walk-in Dermatology – Will Smoking and Drinking Affect my Skin? [Internet]. Walk-in Dermatology. 2022 [cited 2022 May 19]. Available from: https://walkindermatology.com/will-smoking-and-drinking-affect-my-skin/#:~:text=According%20to%20The%20National%20Center
• 4. Simpkin S. Smoking and its effects on the skin | DermNet NZ [Internet]. dermnetnz.org. Available from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/smoking-and-its-effects-on-the-skin
• 5. Fletcher J. How does alcohol affect your skin? Long and short-term effects [Internet]. www.medicalnewstoday.com. 2022 [cited 2022 May 19]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcoholic-skin
• 6. Manalo D. 7 Ways Drinking Water Helps Improve Skin: Pure Luxe Medical: Medical Spa [Internet]. Pureluxemedical.com. 2009. Available from: https://www.pureluxemedical.com/blog/7-ways-drinking-water-helps-improve-skin
• 7. Migala J. How to Shield Your Skin From Environmental Damage [Internet]. EverydayHealth.com. 2019 [cited 2022 May 19]. Available from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-beauty/how-shield-your-skin-from-environmental-damage/
• 8. What Is A Facial Cleanser & Its Benefits | NEOSTRATA® [Internet]. www.neostrata.com. Available from: https://www.neostrata.com/learn-about-skin-care/what-is-a-facial-cleanser-and-its-benefits.html
• 9. How To Identify and Care For Over-Exfoliated Skin [Internet]. L’Oréal Paris. [cited 2022 May 19]. Available from: https://www.lorealparisusa.com/beauty-magazine/skin-care/skin-care-concerns/over-exfoliated-skin
• 10. Joshua Zeichner, MD [Internet]. Joshua Zeichner, MD. Available from: http://www.zeichnerdermatology.com/
• 11. Simplicity Laser. Laser Hair Removal Pre- & Post-Treatment Care [Internet]. Simplicity Laser. 2017. Available from: https://www.simplicitylaser.com/pages/laser-hair-removal-pre-post-treatment-care
• 12. BERKES E. How Does Sun Exposure Affect the Skin’s Natural Barriers? – BioEsse Probiotic Skin Care Products [Internet]. Bioesseprobiotics. 2022 [cited 2022 May 19]. Available from: https://www.bioesseprobiotics.com/2022/04/26/how-does-sun-exposure-affect-the-skins-natural-barriers/
• 13. Cherney K. What Is a HydraFacial? Benefits, Side Effects, Procedure, and Cost [Internet]. Healthline. 2020. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-hydrafacial
• 14. Frothingham S. How Often Should You Get a Facial or DIY At Home? [Internet]. Healthline. 2021 [cited 2022 May 19]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-often-should-you-get-a-facial#things-to-consider