Applying Makeup and Lipstick with Cold Sores: What You Need to Know

Having a cold sore doesn't mean you have to forego your daily makeup or lipstick routine. Some considerations are important to protect your skin and prevent the spread of the virus. Understanding how to properly apply makeup and lipstick when you have a cold sore can help you maintain your routine while managing the condition. It's all about being careful and knowing the right techniques.

Applying Makeup with a Cold Sore

You can cover a cold sore with makeup, but it must be dry and scabbed over.

Open wounds are vulnerable to infection, and makeup and applicators can harbor bacteria.

To prevent contamination and spreading of the virus, use a Q-tip, a disposable applicator, or your fingertips to apply makeup.

The virus that causes cold sores can spread to other areas of the body.

It's important to take precautions and avoid touching your face during an outbreak.

While it may be okay to use makeup on cold sores, you don’t want to cover it with makeup at first sight.

When cold sores are new, they’re typically open so not only will your makeup not stick, you don’t want anything getting into the cold sore.

When your cold sore enters the healing stage, you can now put makeup on to lessen its appearance.

To cover a healing cold sore, it’s recommended to use a highly concentrated, heavy concealer.

Applying Lipstick with a Cold Sore

You can apply makeup and lipstick on these bad boys (or around, at the very least).

You can apply foundation and lipstick on top of the blister.

But there's a catch: You want to avoid putting anything on during the open blister stage of the cold sore. While it is ok to use lipstick or concealer to cover up a cold sore, there is 1 exception depending on the stage of your cold sore.

You should probably skip covering it up if you have an open cold sore because that could cause it to get infected.

You don’t have to discard lipstick after a cold sore because the virus is already in your body, but should avoid sharing it with others during an active outbreak and clean all makeup brushes and products regularly to prevent bacteria build up to avoid reinfection.

Precautions

Keep in mind that the risk of catching or transmitting herpes through sharing cigarettes, vapes and similar items is low but not zero.

There are some precautions you can follow: Avoid sharing smoking and vaping devices: Do this if you or your friends are sick or experiencing cold sore symptoms. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly before and after using a vape. Clean and disinfect: If sharing a vape becomes unavoidable, make sure to clean and disinfect the device thoroughly before and after each use.

Use alcohol wipes or a disinfectant solution recommended by the manufacturer. Use disposable mouthpieces: Consider using disposable mouthpieces or covers when sharing a vape.

This can provide an additional layer of protection by minimizing direct contact between the device and your mouth.

Additional Makeup Tips for Cold Sores

When applying makeup to a cold sore, always use a disposable applicator such as a cotton swab.

Avoid double dipping your applicator into the makeup container.

Instead, decant a tiny amount of makeup into a small container.

Thoroughly sanitize any brushes or tools after use.

A thick, creamy consistency will offer the best coverage.

Choose a hydrating, full coverage, or long-wearing formula.

Select a shade that is the same as your skin tone.

Tinted moisturizers are available if you prefer lighter coverage.

Medicated concealers with ingredients such as zinc oxide, niacinamide, and witch hazel may offer healing benefits.

Green and yellow color-correcting concealers may minimize redness.

Keep the area dry and clean.

Carry a makeup kit to touch up your makeup throughout the day.

Additional Lipstick Tips for Cold Sores

Apply a pure lip balm to your lips to hydrate them – crucial when you wear a long-last lipstick as they’re generally pretty drying.

Apply foundation all over the face.

Grab some creamy concealer and apply a small amount to your index finger.

Gently press the concealer onto the cold sore.

You can also use a lip lacquer to provide an extra layer of protection.

Lip lacquer is more difficult to lick off than a regular lipstick and it can help keep the area moist.

If you prefer to use lipstick, consider using a coffee stirrer to shave off a portion of the lipstick so you don’t contaminate your makeup.

Using SPF Lip Balm and Tinted Lip Balm for Cold Sore Protection

In addition to makeup and lipstick tips, incorporating an SPF lip balm into your routine can provide ideal protection for your lips, especially when dealing with cold sores.

Sun exposure is a known trigger for cold sore outbreaks, so using a lip balm with broad-spectrum SPF helps shield your lips from harmful UV rays, reducing the likelihood of flare-ups.

Applying SPF lip balm regularly keeps the lips hydrated and protected from environmental elements, which is crucial during a cold sore outbreak or healing phase.

Consider opting for tinted lip balms as a preferred alternative to traditional lipstick when you have or are prone to cold sores.

Tinted lip balms offer the benefit of light color coverage while providing hydration and sun protection simultaneously.

They are generally less irritating than long-lasting or drying lipsticks and help maintain moisture, which can prevent cracking and further irritation of cold sores.

Using tinted lip balm can help you maintain a natural look while minimizing the risk of aggravating the sore and supporting lip health. Earth's Daughter line of lip balms provides both SPF 15 chapsticks and tinted lip balm options, combining sun protection with hydration and gentle color, making them an excellent choice for cold sore care.