A little makeup can take your everyday look up a notch or it can transform you into your favorite movie or comic book characters. While makeup can certainly work wonders, wearing too much of it too often can put a strain on your skin.
Proper skincare is essential for cosplayers. Luckily, taking care of your skin doesn’t have to take as long as perfecting your look. Here’s what you need to know about skincare for cosplayers, including specific tips for forming a daily and nightly routine.
How Does Cosplay Makeup Affect the Skin?
As a dedicated cosplay artist, you know that every detail counts. Whether you’re attending a comic convention, recording a podcast, or just practicing your next look, you put your skin through the wringer to get the perfect pic. If you don’t take the time to properly remove all that makeup, you could end up with clogged pores, acne breakouts, and premature aging.[1]
Certain makeup products can cause your skin to produce excess oil or, on the other end of the spectrum, damage its protective moisture barrier leading to dryness. Using dirty makeup brushes can irritate your skin and using harsher techniques like face tape to achieve a lifted look puts you at risk for skin damage and premature aging.[2] Cosplayer or not, it would serve your skin well to start taking care of it sooner rather than later.
A Simple Skincare Guide for Cosplayers
It’s never the wrong time to start taking better care of your skin. While you might spend hours applying your makeup for events like Free Comic Book Day, daily skincare doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple steps in the morning and evening are all you really need to support your skin’s optimal health and wellness so you can look your best with or without makeup.
Here are 5 steps for a simple morning routine:
Cleanse – Use a gentle cleanser with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry.
Apply serum – Vitamin C serum can keep skin bright and protected from free radical damage.
Moisturize – Rehydrate your skin with a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type.
Apply eye cream – This skincare product helps reduce puffiness and dark circles.
Use sunscreen – Always wear at least SPF 30, even if you’ll be mostly indoors.
In the evening, you’ll want to remove all traces of makeup along with the dirt, oil, and other impurities that collect on your skin throughout the day. Sleeping in your makeup is a major skincare mistake, so take the time to follow a few simple steps to prep your skin for sleep.
Here are 6 steps for an easy evening routine:
Remove makeup – Try micellar water, cleansing oil, or cleansing balm.
Cleanse – Follow up makeup removal with cleanser to get rid of remaining impurities.
Exfoliate – Regular exfoliation helps keep pores clear and reduces the signs of aging.
Apply serum – Choose a spot treatment or serum to address specific skincare concerns.
Moisturize – Take advantage of your skin’s increased permeability at night to rehydrate it.
Apply eye cream – Provide some added protection for the delicate skin around the eyes.
Choosing the right products for your daily skincare routine is essential. Shop according to your skin type and consider your individual skin concerns as you do. For example, moisturizers for men may contain different ingredients than products for women – you’ll also find differences in products for mature skin.
Additional Skincare Tips for Cosplayers
Cosplay is about more than just dressing up like your favorite characters – its about creating a one-of-a-kind look and sharing your creativity with the world. Blogs like Cosplay Confessions highlight the effort cosplayers put into each and every look. The cosplayers featured in this blog understand the importance of proper skincare and makeup applications.
Here are some valuable makeup and skincare tips:
● Always apply primer before you put on your makeup – it will give you a smooth and even base that will help bright colors pop.
● If you have oily skin, try using a mattifying primer – cosplayers with dry skin can try a moisturizing primer.
● Keep your lips hydrated with lip balm, especially before applying concealer or makeup – dry lips can become accentuated with makeup.
● Always clean your makeup brushes. Cleaning your brushes once a month helps keep your makeup looking fresh and helps you avoid clogged pores and other skin problems.
● When it comes to skincare, don’t just focus on the face – exfoliate and moisturize your body before donning a revealing costume to level up your look.
● Avoid acne-triggering foods in the days leading up to a comic convention – this includes things like sugary snacks and drinks, fast food, and dairy products.
● Include exercise in your weekly regimen to boost circulation and keep your skin healthy.
When prepping for a convention or photo op, it’s easy to focus solely on your outfit and your makeup but putting a little effort into proper skincare can make a world of difference.
Having clear, healthy skin will not only make makeup application smoother, but it’ll up your confidence as well. Follow the tips above to create a simple daily skincare routine and stick to it.
