5 Tips to Protect Your Skin from Heavy Halloween Makeup

As fun as it can be to go all out with creative, bold makeup for Halloween, we can’t ignore the fact that heavy makeup can also take a toll on our skin. Transforming into your favorite look shouldn’t come at the expense of your skin, so we compiled five essential tips to keep your complexion glowing, healthy, and irritation-free during spooky season.

1. Prep skin properly

Before you dive into any Halloween glam, make sure your skin is prepped and ready. Start with a gentle toner to balance your skin’s pH and remove any residual oils or impurities.

Beautylish recommends:

• Mila Moursi pH Balancing Toner
• Susanne Kaufmann Soothing Toner

Then, follow up with a barrier-repair moisturizer — this is crucial, especially if your makeup is formulated with harsh ingredients. A moisturizer rich in hyaluronic acid and antioxidants will create a protective layer, helping shield your skin against potential irritants and keep moisture locked in.

Beautylish recommends:

• Pure Culture Beauty Barrier Restoring Moisturizer
• Jouer Cosmetics Hydrate Repair Skin Barrier Cream

2. Use a primer that suits your skin type

The right primer not only helps your makeup last longer but it also creates another protective layer against your skin. If you have oily skin, opt for a mattifying primer to keep excess shine at bay. Dry or sensitive skin? Go for a hydrating primer that nourishes while creating a smooth base. This extra layer acts as a shield between your skin and the heavy makeup , minimizing clogged pores and breakouts.

For dry skin , Beautylish recommends:

• BY TERRY Hyaluronic Hydra-Primer
• Nudestix Dewy Barrier Hydrating Stick

For oily skin , Beautylish recommends:

• Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer
• Danessa Myricks Beauty Smooth FX Refining Gel

3. Clean your brushes and sponges

Using dirty makeup brushes and sponges can introduce bacteria and dirt to your skin, which is the last thing you need when wearing heavy makeup. Before kicking off the Halloween festivities, thoroughly clean your tools with a gentle brush cleanser or soap. This simple step ensures you’re not adding any unnecessary grime or bacteria to your face , reducing the risk of irritation or breakouts.

Beautylish recommends:

• beautyblender blendercleanser Solid Charcoal
• Parian Spirit Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner

4. Gently—and properly—remove makeup

When the party’s over, resist the urge to scrub off your makeup. Harsh removal can damage your skin’s barrier and cause irritation , especially around the delicate eye area. Instead, use gentle, no-rinse micellar water to carefully cleanse makeup, dirt, and debris from the skin without stripping. Then, double cleanse to ensure clean skin.

Beautylish recommends:

• Bioderma Sensibio H2O
• Bioderma Hydrabio H2O

5. Finish with a calming mask

Finally, treat yourself to a calming or soothing mask featuring ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or hyaluronic acid. This will help soothe any irritation and restore hydration , leaving your skin refreshed and ready for the next day.

Beautylish recommends:

• Mila Moursi Hydrating & Soothing Mask
• Chantecaille Jasmine & Lily Calming Mask