The Scary Truth About Halloween: Rashes, Breakouts & How to Avoid Them

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With Halloween just around the corner, most of us are busy focusing on the fun of finding the perfect costume, planning spooky parties, and, of course, indulging in way too much candy, but the real fright might come after the trick or treating is over. From heavy costume makeup and sugar overload to adhesive-packed accessories and costume fabrics, Halloween festivities can wreak havoc on your skin. Breakouts, irritation, and skin reactions are just a few of the spooky surprises your skin might face. But don’t let the fear deter you from Halloween fun. With a few tips, you can keep your skin happy and healthy through the spooky season.

Here’s how to enjoy your Halloween festivities without letting your skin suffer the scary consequences:

Preventing Acne

The scariest thing about Halloween can be waking up with a breakout the next day. Costume makeup can be comedogenic, meaning it clogs your pores, leading to breakouts. The ingredients in these spooky makeups can be harsh on the skin as well, causing irritation and further putting your skin at risk. Here are some tips to help you rock your Halloween costume without the next-day consequences:

1. Choose Skin Friendly Costume Makeup

Not all costume makeup is created equal. Many products contain heavy oils or harsh chemicals that can clog pores, cause irritation, and trigger breakouts. Look at the ingredients in your makeup to help combat this spooky consequence. Opt for non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic makeup options. Additionally, choosing water-based makeup can help prevent breakouts from clogged pores, especially if your skin tends to be more oily.

2. Prep Your Skin

Preparing your skin prior to applying makeup can make a big difference. Start with a clean and moisturized face as your base. Application of a primer can create a barrier between your skin and potentially harmful makeup. This will also allow your makeup to go on more smoothly and last longer throughout the night!

3. Splurge for New Makeup

Although it can be tempting, do not use last year’s leftover Halloween makeup. Makeup that has been sitting open, hiding in the dark corners of your cabinet, has been in prime conditions for bacterial growth. Toss the old stuff and get new, clean makeup to help prevent breakouts.

4. Don’t Skip Your Nighttime Cleanse

Don’t forget to wash off the night before heading to bed! Using an oil-based cleanser can be beneficial in removing waterproof makeup and excess oil on the skin. Don’t forget to moisturize afterward to soothe and hydrate your skin.

5. Limit Sugar Intake

Foods and candies high in sugar can cause increased inflammation and oil production, contributing to skin breakouts. Fight these effects by enjoying your Halloween treats in moderation. Balance this consumption with plenty of water and skin-friendly foods rich in antioxidants, like berries, leafy greens, and nuts. Your dentist might thank you as well!

Preventing Contact Dermatitis

The only thing scarier than ghosts and goblins? Waking up after Halloween with an angry, itchy rash. This frightful reaction is often caused by Contact Dermatitis, a type of skin rash that occurs when your skin comes into contact with an allergen or irritant. There are two main types of contact dermatitis:

  • Allergic Contact Dermatitis: an immunologic reaction that is triggered by an allergen. These substances include metals, plants, medicines, cosmetics, and preservatives.
  • Irritant Contact Dermatitis: caused by a harsh substance that causes direct damage to the skin’s protective barrier. These irritants include acids, alkalis, solvents, and detergents.

Symptoms typically include a red, itchy rash with dry or scaly patches, and sometimes even blisters or bumps. This reaction is typically evident within several hours of contact with an irritant. Such a reaction caused by an allergen usually appears within 24-48 hours of exposure, but may develop as soon as 8 to 12 hours after contact or may be delayed as long as 4 to 7 days

Many Halloween products, such as costume makeup, face paint, masks, and accessories, can contain dyes, fragrances, and preservatives, leading to such reactions.

Here’s how to avoid a Halloween skin scare:

1. Utilize Patch Testing

After purchasing your new costume makeup or paint, perform a patch test by applying a small amount on a small area of the skin, such as your inner forearm, at least 24-48 hours before use (we recommend the inner aspect of your forearm). This area can then be monitored to see if there is a reaction to this new product. If you notice any irritation, redness, itching, or swelling, this new product is one to avoid.

2. Beware of Accessories

Fake eyelashes, prosthetics, fake nails, and glitter can help you complete the look of your dreams, but the adhesives used to keep them in place can be irritating to the skin. Opt for medical-grade or latex-free adhesives. Make sure to be gentle when removing these products and do not rip them off; rather, use a proper adhesive remover or warm compress to dissolve the glue safely. Nickel, a common allergen, is found in a large amount of costume jewelry. Be aware of this common metal and seek out accessories that are nickel-free.

3. Avoid Latex if You’re Sensitive

Many masks and prosthetics contain natural rubber latex, which is a common allergen for many. If you are sensitive, select a latex-free alternative to prevent a reaction.

4. Choose Costume Fabrics Wisely

Whether you are donning all black or your costume entails bright colors, many fabrics utilized for costumes contain heavy dyes that can irritate the skin. Additionally, many of these costume fabrics are composed of rough, synthetic materials that can further cause inflammation. Combat these effects by washing any new costume fabrics to remove any residue before wearing. Consider wearing a layer of clothing under your costume to provide a barrier to these irritating fabrics.

5. Clean Your Hands Often

Whether you are touching up your Halloween makeup or reaching into the candy bowl, our hands come into contact with a lot of potential sources of irritation. Anything your hands come into contact with can unknowingly be spread to the face and cause a reaction. Irritation of the eyelids is commonly caused by these contaminants transferred from your hands. Make sure to wash or sanitize your hands throughout the night to avoid spreading allergens to your face.

 

Halloween is all about having fun, dressing up, and eating way too many sweets, but your skin shouldn’t have to pay the price. With a few mindful choices and a good nighttime skin care routine, you can enjoy all the spooky fun without waking up to a skin nightmare. And if you do have any skin care frights, reach out to your local dermatologist to help restore your skin to its original glow.

Resources

  1. Commissioner, O. of the. (2022, November). Novelty Makeup. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/novelty-makeup
  2. Marks, J. G., & Miller, J. J. (n.d.). Eczematous Rashes. In Lookingbill and Marks’ Principles of Dermatology (6th ed.).
  3. Zirwas, M. J. (n.d.). Review of Contact dermatitis to cosmetics. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30421329/.