Dermatologists: Can using lipstick as blush cause acne?

Our lipstick collection really crowded. And, combined with our proximity to natural blush cream blushswiping our favorite lipstick across your cheeks it seems what a great idea, right? At first I thought yes. But even though we have dozens of shades and textures at our disposal, this multi-purpose makeup hack can actually cause breakouts. Lipstick is meant for lips, not cheeks, so can using lipstick as a blush cause acne? To find out if our favorite lipstick is to blame. pimples on our cheekswe turned to the experts. Before that, we consulted with a certified dermatologist and founder All dermatology,Dr. Melissa Kanchanapumi Levin, about whether using lipstick can damage your skin. 

Can using lipstick as blush cause breakouts? 

According to Dr. Levin, lipstick can cause acne when used on the face. The reason is that makeup can be comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores. In turn, this can lead to acne. “Lipstick is made from a variety of waxes, such as beeswax, candelilla wax, and ozocerite, as well as various oils and fats, such as mineral oil, cocoa butter, petroleum jelly, and lanolin,” Levin says. She explains that thick and waxy lipsticks can cause breakouts due to the comedogenic action of the ingredients. 

“There is a current dermatological term called cosmetic acne, which means that your acne is caused by the application of makeup,” says Levin. However, determining if your makeup is to blame for things like diet and hormones is difficult because cosmetic acne is very similar to other types of acne. "If you notice new breakouts on your cheeks after using lipstick as a blush, stop using and see if the pimple goes away." 

How to Minimize the Chance of Lipstick Pimples 

While your lipstick may cause breakouts, Dr. Levine says not all oils are bad for your skin. If you're going to use lipstick as a blush, she recommends avoiding heavy cream foundations, highly pigmented formulas, and occlusive products. What's more, spraying hand sanitizer on the top of your lipstick or shaving off the top coat before applying the product to your cheeks can help minimize acne-causing bacteria. However, it is safer to stick with light, creamy formulas meant for the face, such as Maybelline New York Cheek Heat.  

Whatever you use as blush to keep your makeup from causing breakouts, cleansing your face at the end of the day is the most important step. “I recommend using micellar water for more sensitive or dry skin, or non-comedogenic oil-based cleansers and balms for those who wear heavier makeup,” Dr. Levin says.