Women wear makeup for a variety of reasons that may include covering a blemish, looking good, or feeling more confident. By enhancing their beauty, it gives a boost to an otherwise wearied appearance.

However, when it comes to beauty products, it can be a tough decision choosing the right products for your skin.

Francoise Gahongayire, a dermatologist at King Faisal Hospital, Kigali, notes that with a lot of products on the market, it is essential for one to discern the right products and avoid falling victim to the fake ones.

"Products with the label "tested” are better quality and can be more trusted because the content is clinically tested and with good quality,” she says.

Gahongayire, however, warns that not all skin care products that often boast "clinically tested” or "dermatologist tested” are actually genuine products.

She thus advises users to purchase beauty products from pharmacies or professional sellers to avoid counterfeit products that may, in the long run, have side effects on them.

Dr Elisah Agaba, a dermatologist at University Teaching Hospital, Kigali (CHUK), also advises that women with sensitive skins should first see a dermatologist, who will recommend the right skin care products.

Cleansing off makeup

Makeup is supposed to help one look and feel more beautiful, but leaving it on overnight can have the opposite effect. Dirt, oil, makeup, particles from the polluted environment, and dead cells accumulate on the skin during the day, the more reason one should wash it off before going to bed.

Claudine Utuje Mwangachuchu, a makeup specialist in Kigali, advises that it is always best if one thoroughly cleans off their makeup to avoid any chances of clogging pores. She advises on how to cleanse the skin.

"One can use a makeup remover, facial cleanser, cold cream or toner to cleanse your skin and make sure it's free of makeup. Anytime you’re not taking care of your skin, you’re contributing to clogged pores. Removing it gives your skin the chance to breathe and recalibrate its moisture levels. It's this ideal balance of oil and water that makes your skin feel comfortable. It also helps keep the good stuff in and the bad stuff out,” Mwangachuchu says.

She recommends use of warm (not hot) water to loosen caked-on makeup to gently open pores of the skin. Women with dry skin should also always apply a moisturiser to avoid their skin from drying and breaking.

Gahongayire says that although a few cases of leaving makeup overnight may have no harm on the skin it is always important to keep the skin clean and healthy.

"If you want to avoid waking up to pimples, you need to remove your makeup each night before bed. If you don't cleanse your face, dirt and dead skin cells are not removed. They stay on the skin, clogging pores and leading to chronic inflammation in the form of pimples.

"And if you're already prone to sensitivity, sleeping with makeup can trigger skin issues. Like with acne, it just goes back to finding a cleanser suited to your skin type. If you have a sensitive or even eczema-prone skin, look for skincare formulas that are fragrance-free as often times, the fragrance offers no additional benefit,” she notes.

Be sure to always use a moisturisser and sunscreen afterward since the process can leave the skin raw and sensitive, Gahongayire adds.

"Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, but it also strips away oil, so you have to replenish that moisture right away.”

In addition to washing your face and applying a daily moisturizer, she says a regular exfoliation routine can help slough off the outer layer of dead skin cells and keep your skin from looking flaky.

Mwangachuchu notes that foundations and thick, oil-based primers are the worst offenders if not cleansed off properly.

"They prevent the skin from renewing itself naturally at night, causing blackheads, acne and dullness and might even be prematurely aging your skin. Sleeping with lipstick on can also result in dryness and chapping.

"You don't need a complicated skincare regimen for glowing skin, a simple routine totally suffices. Focus on exfoliating to shed old skin cells and encourage cell renewal and moisturising to balance oil and water levels in the skin. Exfoliation should be done with care and with caution. How you do it should depend on your skin type and sensitivity level,” she explains.

With highly-pigmented lipsticks, Mwangachuchu says scrubbing the lips with a cleansing wipe to fully remove before bed, then applying a generous coat of balm to build moisture back up is ideal.