Ghosts, goblins and zombies, oh my! The time is upon us when we search for the spookiest, most ghoulish costumes, pile on the face paint and makeup, attend costume parties or walk the neighborhoods collecting bags full of sweet treats.
Halloween is a dreamy indulgence in sweets, but it can also be a nightmare for your skin. Colorado Dermatology Institute’s Dr. Schroeder suggests the following tips for maintaining a fresh complexion after Halloween has come and gone.
Know Your Products
- Stick to products and brands you are familiar with to avoid scary breakouts or other allergic skin reactions.
- For products you do not use regularly – body paint, glitter and glue, fixatives and pigments, test the product on a small area of your hand or wrist to test for any allergies before you apply to the entire face or body.
Moisturize Before Application
- We live in Colorado where hydrating is a must. Apply a heavier-than-usual moisturizer as a base, especially if you plan to apply heavier makeup for your costume look. This also helps create a nice clean finish that won’t flake off.
- Don’t forget about your scalp! Condition your hair and scalp if you plan to walk the neighborhood in a heavy or scratchy wig.
- Make sure to hydrate from the inside. Plenty of water after a night of celebration will leave you feeling nicely rested the next day. Plus, it’s great for your skin.
Wash It Off – No Excuses
- No matter how exhausted you are after a night of Halloween revelry, be sure to wash off your makeup completely before going to bed.
![1381663_611900788873797_1194346185_n]()
Don’t forget to wash off your ghoulish face paint before bed – no excuses! Gently cleanse your face then apply moisturizer to re-hydrate your skin.
- Be thorough and gentle with your cleansing. Use cleansing products that are specific to the kind of makeup to be removed, the facial area from where it’s to be cleansed and your skin chemistry.
- After you’ve cleansed, use a generous amount of moisturizer to hydrate your skin. Moisturizers work best when you’re sleeping as the skin is at complete rest.
About Dr. Schroeder
As part of a unique affiliation with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Dr. Susan (Ellis) Schroeder has joined Colorado Dermatology Institute in Colorado Springs two days a week.
Dr. Schroeder brings a wealth of knowledge to Colorado Dermatology Institute, having completed formal fellowship training in Cosmetic and Surgical Dermatology and having specialized in this area in private practice. She addresses any aspect of aesthetic medicine from major resurfacing and tumescent liposuction to anti-aging products.
In addition, Dr. Schroeder is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus and maintains a medical practice with the Lone Tree Health Center.
Colorado Dermatology Institute
Colorado Dermatology Institute is a full service dermatologic care facility providing services in Mohs Micrographic surgery for skin cancer, general dermatology and various cosmetic procedures. To learn more about the Colorado Dermatology Institute, visit CoDerm.com.
Additional sources: www.myskin.com