The festive season brings lights, laughter, and a calendar full of social events, but for many, it also means unexpected acne flare-ups and itchy rashes. Between long-wear makeup, late-night parties, and pollution-filled air, the skin undergoes immense stress.
According to Dr. Sheetal Yadav, MD (Dermatology), DNB, MNAMS, MRCP (SCE) UK, a board-certified dermatologist, “During the festive season, I often see a surge in acne and rashes. The mix of heavy makeup, sweat, and pollution creates the perfect storm for skin irritation.”
Here’s how these three common factors can affect your skin — and what you can do to keep your complexion calm, clear, and camera-ready.
The problem doesn’t lie in wearing makeup itself, but in the type of makeup and how it’s removed. Many long-wear or oil-based formulas are comedogenic, meaning they clog pores and trap dirt, sweat, and bacteria creating the perfect environment for acne-causing microbes to thrive.
“Heavy or oil-based makeup can trap impurities, clog pores, and fuel inflammation,” explains Dr. Sheetal. “Certain pigments and preservatives can also cause allergic or irritant dermatitis, leading to red, itchy patches.”
Dermatitis is a broad term for inflammation of the skin (from “derm” = skin, “itis” = inflammation). It includes several skin conditions such as eczema (atopic dermatitis), contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and others.
Itchiness (often first sign), redness, rashes, bumps
Dryness, scaling, thickening, swelling, crusting, or blistering in some cases
For specific types:
Dyshidrotic: blisters on palms, fingers, soles
Nummular: circular itchy patches
Seborrheic: flaky, scaly patches, often on scalp, face, ears. 1
Dancing through crowded events or staying in heavy outfits for hours can lead to trapped sweat and that can spell trouble for sensitive skin.
“Sweat, when trapped under makeup or tight clothing, can lead to miliaria (heat rash) or fungal acne,” says Dr. Sheetal. “It disrupts your skin’s pH and weakens its barrier, making it prone to irritation.”
Miliaria (also called sweat rash, prickly heat) is a skin condition caused when the eccrine sweat ducts get blocked and sweat leaks into the surrounding skin layers.
It commonly shows up in hot, humid climates or during exertion, when sweating is excessive.
Miliaria crystallina – mildest form, blockage near skin surface, tiny clear sweat-filled bumps.
Miliaria rubra – deeper duct blockage, red itchy bumps (the classic “prickly heat” rash).
Miliaria profunda – rare, deepest level of obstruction; often harder to see but more persistent.
Itchy, prickling rash in areas with heavy sweating (folds of skin, under clothes, trunk).
Small bumps, sometimes clear or red, may develop into pustules if secondarily infected.
Contributors: hot weather, fever, intense exercise, tight synthetic clothing blocking sweat evaporation. 2
With increased travel, fireworks, and smog, pollution peaks during festive months. Microscopic particles and toxic gases cling to the skin’s surface, causing oxidative stress that damages collagen and inflames the pores.
“Pollution generates free radicals that break down collagen and aggravate acne, eczema, and sensitivity,” warns Dr. Sheetal. “It also weakens the skin barrier, making it more reactive to cosmetics.”
According to the study “Environmental Air Pollutants Affecting Skin Functions with Daily Exposure,” published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information, everyday contact with air pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and volatile organic compounds can trigger oxidative stress in the skin.
These pollutants cause inflammation, weaken the skin barrier, and make it harder for the skin to retain moisture. Over time, this damage can lead to dryness, premature aging, pigmentation problems, and inflammatory conditions like acne or eczema.
Maintaining healthy skin in polluted environments involves using antioxidant-rich skincare products, gentle cleansers, and broad-spectrum sunscreen while minimizing outdoor exposure when air quality is poor. 3
When it comes to festive skincare, prevention is better than cure.
Prep your skin with a lightweight moisturizer and sunscreen before makeup — it acts as a barrier between your skin and cosmetic pigments,” advises Dr. Sheetal.
Take makeup-free breaks on non-event days to let your skin breathe.
Hydrate inside and out — drink water regularly and use a hydrating serum.
Avoid experimenting with new products right before major events; patch-test at least 48 hours in advance.
Manage stress and sleep — high cortisol levels can worsen acne and eczema flare-ups.
How does heavy makeup cause acne and rashes?
Heavy or oil-based makeup can clog pores and trap bacteria, leading to breakouts and irritation.
Can sweat and pollution worsen skin during festivals?
Yes. Sweat can trigger heat rashes or fungal acne, and pollution inflames the skin and weakens its barrier.
When should I see a dermatologist for breakouts?
If acne or rashes persist, burn, or worsen after makeup, consult a dermatologist for proper treatment.
References:
1. Cleveland Clinic. "Dermatitis: Types, Treatments, Causes & Symptoms." Cleveland Clinic. Last modified August 1, 2017. Accessed October 18, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4089-dermatitis.
2. National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Dermatitis." In StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2025. Accessed October 18, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537176/.
3. Bocheva, Georgeta, Radomir M. Slominski, and Andrzej T. Slominski. 2023. "Environmental Air Pollutants Affecting Skin Functions with Systemic Implications." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24 (13): 10502. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310502.
Edited by M Subha Maheswari