How To Remove Your Makeup Properly

Why You Should Remove Makeup At Night

• During sleep, the skin renews itself and promotes collagen production, reducing the appearance of aging signs to reveal healthy skin. Sleeping with makeup on stops the skin from breathing and breaking down collagen, making it look dull and tired.

• Makeup is made of oily substances, and when left on, it can clog pores and lead to breakouts.

• Not removing makeup at night can have harsh effects on your skin as it contains alcohol that dries the skin out.

• Leaving on mascara all night can make eyelashes brittle and dry, eventually letting them fall off.

Makeup removal is crucial for overall skin health. It removes cosmetics, pollutants, and dirt from your skin, which may cause irritation, premature aging, and other skin-related issues.

Pro Tip

While removing mascara, remember not to tug on the skin on your eyelids, as it is very delicate.

Head to the next section to learn about some ways to remove makeup effectively in an eco-conscious manner.

How To Remove Makeup Without Wipes

• Micellar Water: Micellar water works great to remove makeup while leaving your skin moisturized. Saturate a cotton pad with micellar water and wipe it over your skin to remove all traces of makeup.

• Oil Cleansing: Oil cleansing doesn’t have anything to do with your skin type. Apply oil to your face and lightly rub your skin to gently remove impurities, dirt, and most makeup.

• Gel Cleansers: Gel cleansers are often oil-free and non-comedogenic, making them great to cleanse sensitive skin. Use them to remove waterproof eye makeup and reveal fresh and healthy-looking skin.

• Cream Cleansers: Cream cleansers are a boon for people with dry skin. The gentle formula exfoliates makeup, grime, and dirt, leaving the skin smooth and bright.

• Soap And Water: Nothing beats the old soap and water technique. Get a skin-friendly face soap, rub it on your palms with water, and gently sweep your palms on your skin in a circular motion. A splash of water, and your skin is all clear and shining. Choose a soap that suits your skin and makeup type.

• Vaseline Petroleum Jelly: That tiny tub of Vaseline is sitting under all the unnecessary baggage load in your big handbag. Pick it out and apply a small amount all over your face. Let it sit for 4-5 minutes and wipe off gently.

• Cold Cream: The classic cold cream can do wonders in removing makeup and moisturizing your skin. Apply a small scoop on your face and gently wipe off with a cotton cloth or pad. Wash off to reveal clear and smooth skin.

• Baby Oil: Baby oil can sweep away all the dirt, impurities, and makeup instantly. Take a dime-sized amount on a cotton pad and gently wipe your face with it. And voila! You get a makeup-free face in minutes. It is a gentle and super soft way to remove makeup.

If you don’t like hoarding a lot of cleansers, moisturizing products, chemical exfoliators, etc., natural methods of makeup removal are what you need. Ingredients like coconut oil, baking soda, honey, and more from your kitchen counter can help remove makeup effortlessly without the harsh chemicals of cosmetic products. The final result is glowing, fresh, and clean skin. Let’s find out how you can use natural items for removing makeup. Read on.

How To Remove Makeup Naturally

• Coconut Oil: Believe it or not, coconut oil is the easiest way to remove makeup. Take a pea-sized amount on your palm, rub it all over your face, and massage gently. Rinse the oil off to get smooth, clean, and brighter-looking skin instantly.

• Olive Oil: Olive oil is great not just for your body but also for your skin. Massage a few drops of the oil on your face gently, removing traces of makeup. Wash your face with lukewarm water or a cleanser.

• Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil offers excellent benefits for the skin. It is hypoallergenic and does not clog pores. These characteristics make it perfect for makeup removal. To remove your makeup, take 2-3 drops of the oil on your fingertips and massage it gently on your face and eyes. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it off using a clean, dry cotton ball. Rinse your face with water or wash it with a gentle cleanser to remove remaining traces of makeup and oil. Then, massage a few drops of jojoba oil on your face to keep it moisturized.

• Milk: Cleopatra’s secret for glowing skin was bathing in milk. While you probably can’t do that, soak a cotton ball in milk and wipe it all over your face. Wash it off for squeaky clean skin.

• Baking Soda And Honey: If chemical exfoliators bother your sensitive skin, baking soda and honey can come to your rescue. Put some organic honey on a cotton pad and sprinkle baking soda like confetti. Apply to the face gently to unlock healthy, clear skin in seconds.

• Cucumber Juice: Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory properties and can help to calm inflamed or acne-prone skin. Purée a cucumber in a blender, add a few drops of your carrier oil, and it’s ready to use. This combination calms your skin while removing your makeup.

While removing makeup is a tedious task, it becomes tougher when you are dealing with waterproof makeup. Trying to get rid of waterproof makeup with ordinary wipes or light cleansing formulas is an effort in vain. Instead, you should use a formula that is gentle on the skin and hard on the makeup.

Quick Tip

You can also opt for alternative makeup removal methods, like makeup mitts, cleaning devices, or reusable remover pads.

Below are a few tips to get rid of heavy-duty makeup without agonizing your skin.

How To Remove Waterproof Makeup

• Double cleanse with an oil-based cleanser and follow it up with a water-based cleanser to remove waterproof makeup.

• Facial oils, cleansing milk, balms, and micellar water specially formulated for waterproof makeup are also good options.

• The eyes are the most sensitive part of the face. Hence, removing eye makeup should be the first step in your makeup removal routine. Always use an eye makeup remover for the purpose. Use a soft cotton cloth or a clean cotton pad on the eyes. Also, use a Q-tip soaked in makeup remover to remove stubborn mascara or eyeliner from specific areas around the eyes. Don’t rub it rigorously and wipe gently. Wash once the makeup is removed.

• After cleansing your face, pat it dry gently to avoid any irritation. Rubbing too hard can cause redness and disrupt the skin barrier. Follow up with your regular skin care routine to lock in hydration and maintain your skin’s natural moisture balance.

Lyn, a blogger and beauty enthusiast, tried microfiber cloths for makeup removal and shared her experience in a blog post. She writes, “If you have trouble finding a cleanser that you like, or if your skin tends to be sensitive to face wash, this is a method you might consider. It’s probably going to be especially effective if you don’t wear heavy makeup (like foundation) regularly and if, like my sister, you have pretty good skin to begin with. But even if you don’t fit those criteria, it can’t hurt to try (i)”.

Note: You should take off waterproof makeup completely and thoroughly to prevent harmful skin reactions or infections.

Heavy, long-lasting makeup is a struggle to get off. It might seem very time-consuming, but knowing how to remove heavy makeup at home can save both your time and effort. Head to the next section for the most effective ways to remove heavy makeup without professional cleansing and exfoliation.

How To Remove Heavy Makeup At Home

• Use natural oils like coconut oil and olive oil to remove makeup and leave the skin feeling nourished and smooth.
• You can also use waterproof micellar water that dissolves intense makeup easily, leaving the skin purified.
• Reusable makeup removing towelettes are another great option for those layers of makeup. Wipe your face with the towelette and follow up with a gentle cleanser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can baby wipes remove makeup?

Baby wipes only remove dirt and grime. They can’t replace cleansers or remove heavy makeup.

Is witch hazel a good makeup remover?

Witch hazel is used to remove makeup traces and impurities. However, it is ineffective in removing long-wearing formulas. Also, the tannins and alcohol it contains may sensitize the skin.

Can moisturizers be used as a makeup remover?

Though body creams and lotions are not meant to remove makeup, you can try moisturizers to remove makeup.

Learn the art of natural makeup removal by watching this video. Learn about natural ingredients, DIY recipes, and skin care techniques for a clean, refreshed face, and glowing skin.

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Barbara RitzmanBeauty Specialist

     

Barbara Ritzman is a beauty and skin care specialist and the founder of Barbie's Beauty Bits. With over 16 years of hands-on experience as a beauty editor, she has collaborated with a multitude of makeup, skin care, and cosmetic brands. Barbara’s expertise has been showcased on major media platforms like ABC, NBC, Vogue, Entrepreneur, Roku, and Allure.more

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Shalini Roy has a Master's degree in English literature from Pondicherry University. She is an ambivert whose expressions have found their way in writing. She channels her passion for all things fashion and makeup to write engaging content related to beauty and lifestyle and has two years of experience. She first found her penchant for writing through poetry and serving...more

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