"Halloween Makeup" Advisory Issued

NEW ORLEANS - Oct. 27, 2014 - PRLog -- With Halloween right around the corner, dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Dr. Keith LeBlanc Jr. advises the public to be weary of cheap costume makeup and aware of the possible side effects it may have on the skin, such as breakouts, rashes, itching and irritation.

Dr. LeBlanc, founder of Metairie, Louisiana based The Skin Surgery Centre, offers the following five tips to help locals protect themselves from unintended skin issues due to costume makeup and is available for follow-up questions and interviews.

Before applying any Halloween makeup, it is important to remember that most of it is not designed with the skin in mind.

Five Tips To Protect Your Skin on Halloween

1) Buy Higher Quality Makeup - Makeup sold at costume shops often contains artificial colors, fragrances, waxes and oils, which can cause severe skin reactions and block pores. It’s best to skip this thick, heavy makeup entirely and use every day non-comedogenic makeup instead. Look for oil-free and alcohol-free, water-based or liquid makeups, which are better than ointment based face paints. Consider using a brand name or an organic face paint kit. These will allow your skin to breathe through your makeup and will not suffocate your pores.

2) Select “Theatrical" Makeup Over "Halloween" Makeup - Rely on makeup that is designed specifically for use with costumes and is gentler on the skin. Theatrical makeup usually includes FDA-approved ingredients. Halloween makeup, on the other hand, often includes elements that can be harmful to your skin and irritate the nostrils and around the eyes.

3) Look For Makeup That Includes Parabens - Parabens are a group of commonly used ingredients that acts as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products. When it comes to Halloween makeup, you need parabens to ensure the substances will be guaranteed until the expiration date listed on the package. Without parabens in Halloween-type makeup, you are putting yourself at risk for bacterial overgrowth, and eventually breakouts, rashes, itching, and irritation. Ingredients to look for include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isopropylparaben, butylparaben and isobutylparaben, or BHT (butylated hydroxtoluene). Despite the benefits of parabens in makeups, be cautious as parabens themselves can be the cause of irritant and allergic rashes.

4) Prep Your Skin - Thoroughly moisturize your skin before applying makeup to keep it hydrated and fresh-looking. This will provide a good foundation that protects your skin from makeup buildup and drying out, while also assisting with easier removal later on. Avoid moisturizers that contains beeswax, castor oil, cocoa butter, dimethicone (and other silicones), lanolin, petrolatum or mineral oil. This will also help prevent your skin from breaking out.

5) Remove Makeup Before Going To Sleep - While higher quality makeup can remain on for almost 12 hours, it's important to remove any makeup before you go to bed. If it’s left on too long it can clog your pores and can cause a break-out the next day. Use a gentle cleaner, and apply cortisone cream if necessary. If you are wearing an oil-based makeup, you need an oil-based remover to take it off. Likewise with water-based formulas. Traditional makeup contains mostly oil- and/or water-based ingredients that are easily dissolved in a composition that is mostly water and/or oil. Leave all of your face wash products out on the counter before you leave for the night to help you remember to wash up.

About The Skin Surgery Centre

Based in Metairie, The Skin Surgery Centre (theskinsurgerycentre.com (http://theskinsurgerycentre.com/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank)) is a state-of-the-art facility for surgical and cosmetic treatments to maximize the health and appearance of skin. The Centre specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstruction as well as the latest minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, including botulinum toxins, soft-tissue fillers, chemical peels, and anti-aging skin care regimens.