How to Properly Remove Makeup from the Skin

We all know that healthy and beautiful skin starts with a thorough cleansing, and by removing all your makeup at night, you are doing a great favor to your complexion. But sometimes, no matter how well we wash, it seems that makeup residue still remains.

We’ve been there. Despite our best efforts and using a good cleanser, we’re left wondering how to completely remove makeup residue and, if possible, in a single go.

Cleanser or makeup remover? When to use which? Luckily, you won’t have to wonder anymore! We have for you the best tips to help you achieve a perfectly clean and makeup-free face.

And all you need is a suitable makeup remover for your skin type, for your eyes, and a cleanser.

Dissolve the makeup before washing your face

Your usual water-based cleanser might struggle a bit to break through the makeup barrier since it is oily, and we all know that water and oil repel each other.

Therefore, it’s best to use a makeup remover for the face, micellar water, or neutral oil to first loosen the layer of makeup you’re wearing, before moving on to the cleanser.

Remove the residues with a cotton pad and then proceed to apply the cleanser and lather your entire face. You will see that there is no trace of makeup left after.

This is also known as double cleansing, the secret of Korean women for porcelain skin.

One of the options we have tried is this oil from Mercadona.

Don’t skimp on the product

One of the main mistakes we make when removing makeup from our face is that we are too sparing with the cleansing products.

We should saturate the cotton pads with the makeup remover product, and use a generous amount of cleanser on our faces.

The goal is to loosen all the product we’ve previously put on our skin, and to do it properly, we have to be generous.

Take your time

When it comes to removing makeup from the skin in general – and the eyes in particular – it’s necessary to take our time, that is, let the products do their work.

Apply the makeup remover and let it work. Give it a couple of minutes to act, say, while you brush your teeth and floss.

This will dissolve the mascara, eyeliner, and even the most resistant eyeshadow, so they will slide off easily and thoroughly once you finally clean it.

Also, with this simple gesture, you’ll manage to avoid black smudges under your eyes the next morning.

Giving the makeup remover time to work its magic also avoids having to rub or drag the cotton pad or cloth, a mistake, as friction can damage the delicate skin around the eyes, causing irritation and contributing to wrinkles.

Be gentle with your skin

The process of removing makeup should always be gentle, to not leave the skin dehydrated or irritated.

Massage the product with your fingertips over the eyelids, eyebrows, and lips, and then gently over the entire face.

This will soften your skin and loosen the makeup, so you don’t have to rub vigorously, neither around the eyes nor the rest of the face, which would cause wrinkles, sagging, and lash breakage.

Then take a cotton pad – I prefer them over cotton balls, which can be rough and leave residue – and pour some cleansing product onto it.

Go over the same areas again, being careful not to drag back and forth.

Don’t miss any areas

We tend to forget to remove makeup from the hairline, under the jawline, and the neck, which is very important when we wear foundation.

You should also remove makeup from your lips. If you like bright colors, remove lipstick with eye makeup remover before cleaning your face, otherwise, you risk staining yourself or spreading all the glitter across the rest of the face.

Avoid using baby wet wipes

I cringe when I see women using baby wet wipes to remove makeup. These wipes are not for makeup removal!

If you think that baby wet wipes are formulated to be gentle on a baby’s skin, and that therefore, they will be gentle on your complexion, you should know that a baby’s bottom isn’t covered in makeup that requires special ingredients for proper removal.

Skip the wet wipes and take a look at the best makeup removers on the market. You can also use these 9 natural ways to remove makeup, or try the low-cost options from Mercadona.

Take advantage of the heat of steam

You can also steam your face before removing makeup. Fill the sink or a bowl with hot water and hold your face over it for one or two minutes.

The emitted steam will open the pores and make it easier for the cleanser, so it can penetrate deeper into the skin to remove makeup and residues.

You may not always have the time to do this step, but it’s a good option you can do occasionally.

You can even add a drop of lavender essential oil for a more relaxing effect, like in a home spa.

What to do after removing makeup and cleansing the skin

Now that you’ve removed all makeup and gently cleansed the skin, you can proceed with any toner, moisturizer or serum you like to use.

When you wake up in the morning, you’ll be ready to face the day with clean and fresh skin.

All the hard work from the night before will be rewarded when you can directly apply sunscreen and daytime skincare products, instead of having to remove last night’s makeup.

That’s right, it’s not essential to wash your face again in the morning if you did it the night before.

Although it’s advisable to wipe your face with a cotton pad with micellar water to remove any possible impurities that may have accumulated overnight, such as sweat or saliva.

Moreover, if you have dry skin, washing it with water and soap in the morning may strip it further of its moisture. If you have oily skin, you might want to cleanse again in the morning to remove the buildup of oil from the night before.

But whatever your skin type, removing makeup at night is a must. We all will have nights to forget, but hopefully not removing our makeup at night will be the exception, not the rule!