The Dos and Don’ts When Removing Makeup
Part of every good skincare routine involves cleansing, and this includes doing a thorough cleanse to remove makeup at the end of the day. Sometimes there is a stubborn spot or two that seems harder to get makeup off of, and sometimes we scrub too hard, damaging skin in the process. Below are some tips for effectively removing makeup and keeping your skin healthy and moisturized.
DON’T:
Don’t rush it.
Take your time when removing makeup. Those who rush tend to scrub too hard to get makeup off with minimal number of wipes, which isn’t necessarily good for the skin. Apply the makeup remover and let it sit for a few minutes, letting it do its magic. Brush your teeth or floss while you let the makeup remover sit for a bit. This will soften eye liner, shadow, and mascara so they will slip off easily and effortlessly when you finally wipe. This will also prevent smudges from forming.
Don’t scrub too hard.
Friction can damage the skin, especially the skin around your eyes which is very delicate. The effects of scrubbing too hard every time you try to remove makeup can be cumulative, resulting in irritation and wrinkles over time.
Don’t forget to cleanse the edges of your eyelid.
The edges of your eyelid are often neglected during makeup removal. These are the spots where eye liner and mascara can build over time, resulting in eye irritation. This is especially true if you use waterproof liquid eye liner and mascara. You need to make sure that every little speck is gone during makeup removal. Using cotton swabs dabbed with oil-based makeup remover or olive oil can help. Oil breaks everything down so you don’t have to scrub. If there are stubborn mascara chunks, do not tug them as this can result in eye lashes falling out. Use a flat cotton pad soaked with makeup remover, and apply it slowly in the direction your eye lashes grow to slowly slide the mascara off.
DO:
Use a proper cleanser made to remove makeup.
Use a face wash or cleanser that is specially made to remove makeup. Some cleansers contain water only (such as micellar water), and some contain cleansing oil or balm. Cleansing oil or balm is effective at removing even the most stubborn makeup such as stay-put foundations that are meant to be long-lasting, liquid lipsticks, and eye brow pigments. The science behind it is simple: oil removes oil. Remember to wash your face with soap and water after, because oil-based cleansers can leave the skin feeling a bit oily after.
Pull your hair back and cleanse your hairline.
If you have medium or long hair, create a pony tail or bun to ensure that hair does not get in a way while washing your face. Even if you have short hair, it is a good idea to ensure that loose hair strands on the front and sides of your head do not get in the way. Cleansing your hairline is an important step because people often accumulate makeup reside around the hairline, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Here are some hair elastics and nets that can help keep hair out while cleansing the hairline:
Use soap and water.
Sometimes plain and simple soap and water do the trick. If you don’t have makeup wipes handy, soap and water can remove makeup just as well. Most dermatologists advocate for using soap and water for a final cleanse. Many people make the mistake of only using makeup wipes before going to bed, but this does not always ensure that all makeup is off. If you use only wipes and then apply moisturizer right away, you might push dirt into your pores and wake up with pimples or blackheads. You still have to wash your face. Use lukewarm water to remove residues and prepare your skin for a good night regimen.
Moisturizer your face after cleansing.
Even if you don’t have dry skin, makeup removal and face washing should always be followed up with moisturizer application. Removing makeup can dry out the eye area, which is the most sensitive skin on your face.
Use sustainable and eco-friendly makeup removal products.
A lot of makeup removal products contain synthetic chemicals that are harmful not only to the environment, but also to your skin. Sustainable and eco-friendly products usually have ingredients that are more natural and less damaging to the skin. We recommend this eco-friendly product that is just as effective for removing makeup as oil-based and other types of makeup removers:
The Original MakeUp Eraser – This cloth can remove waterproof mascara, eye liner, foundation, lipstick, and more. It is free of alcohol, oils, astringents, parabens, dyes, fragrances, and sulphates. To use, simply wet the cloth (eraser), apply it to your skin the same way as you would with any other makeup remover, and exfoliate. These erasers come in different colours, and they are antibacterial. Because they are reusable (can be washed in the washing machine up to 1,000 times) and can last 3-5 years, they help the planet by reducing waste. Not to mention that they are super soft (made from a special blend of polyester), great for sensitive skin, and economical.