Makeup is a great way to help your skin look fresh and flawless, and – of course – it’s fun to play with different styles and looks. But if you’re not removing makeup properly at the end of the day, you could be jeopardizing your skin’s health and appearance.
It’s tempting sometimes to just go to bed without cleansing your face or fully removing eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara. On occasions when we skip the makeup removal process, it’s not uncommon to see new blemishes pop up soon after. This happens because pores become clogged, bacteria breeds and breakouts result.
Beyond simply not cleansing your face, you also might be making some mistakes with makeup removal that can jeopardize your complexion, causing irritation, encouraging fine lines and wrinkles, and more.
Luckily, it’s easy to
remove makeup the right way. Take a look at these common errors and simple fixes, recommended by a dermatologist.
How to Remove Makeup: Mistakes to Avoid
Makeup removal mistake #1: You’re using wipes daily
While it’s not a problem to use
makeup removal wipes when you’re on the go, after a workout or occasionally sleeping away from home, they should not be used as your primary makeup removal method at the end of every day.
“I routinely see persistent redness, irritation, dry skin around the eyes and base of neck and itching from makeup wipes, and the patch testing I have performed in these cases tends to reveal preservative allergies,” says Erum N. Ilyas, MD, MBE, FAAD, board certified dermatologist and CEO and founder of
AmberNoon.
Instead, use a makeup removal cleanser, such as
Beauty Without Cruelty Extra Gentle Eye and Face Makeup Remover, with ingredients designed to nourish and protect your skin. Alternately, you can use cold cream or petroleum jelly products (such as
Vaseline) and a cotton ball to wipe away makeup before cleansing.
It’s always a good idea to have your skin analyzed by an esthetician or dermatologist, and to discuss the best makeup removal methods for you.
Makeup removal mistake #2: You’re scrubbing too hard
If makeup does not wash easily with soap and water, chances are the oil or wax bases of your makeup products may require a different method for removal. Instead of scrubbing, try wiping away residue using a cotton ball and
micellar water.
“There are some that have a tendency to think they need to ‘scrub’ the remaining makeup residue from their skin, but inevitably if you resort to manual exfoliation to remove makeup, you will likely take some skin with it,” Ilyas says.
Instead, try hydrophilic- and hydrophobic-based products instead. Hydrophilic or
water based products will wash easily with soap and water.
“Hydrophobic or oil-based products will need a product that is similar to help remove it, and this is where a petroleum jelly-based product or moisturizer will work better with less irritation to remove these products,” Ilyas suggests.
Makeup removal mistake #3: You use alcohol-based toners or astringents
For everyday makeup removal, it’s best to skip astringent products that can be drying or irritating. Toners and “tingling” products may offer a satisfying “clean feeling” – but they are not intended for removing a face full of makeup every night.
“It can feel good to use these products at times and that there is a satisfaction of sorts from seeing dirt come off the skin and lingering on a cotton ball; however, alcohol based astringents will likely begin to irritate the skin or run the risk of altering the pH of the skin and lead to further irritation,” Ilyas says.
Makeup removal mistake #4: You forget to moisturize
After removing makeup, it’s natural for some superficial skin cells to be lost to the process. To keep your skin nourished and properly hydrated, it’s a good idea to follow up with a high-quality
facial moisturizer.
Keep in mind that skin is an organ and serves as a barrier to the environment. Rehydrating after makeup removal not only helps restore and protect skin, but it contributes to skin’s overall health and wellness.
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