Fact: Clear, flawless skin starts with a thorough cleanse. You will be doing your skin the ultimate favour if you take your makeup off the right way. Not doing so can lead to a myriad of skin issues like acne, dryness and even wrinkles, due to the collagen breakdown. Not to mention, leaving your eye makeup on overnight can cause eye infections, broken lashes and eye irritation. So, start taking notes as we line out the 5 most common mistakes that most of us are guilty of making while taking our makeup off.
Removing makeup can seem like an uphill task when you’re exhausted and want to get your beauty sleep. However, when you sleep with makeup on, your skin is unable to breathe, which disturbs the oil and moisture balance, causing breakouts, irritation and inflammation. It can also make your skin age faster by accelerating the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Now that you know how important it is to remove your makeup, here are 5 makeup removal mistakes you must avoid:
1. Using The Wrong Formulations For Makeup Removal
The aim is to get squeaky clean skin, but without damaging it. Like a skincare routine, makeup removal should also be done with products suitable for your skin. Using the wrong products can cause an allergic reaction, inflammation and redness.
The best makeup removers are those that are mild, non-aggressive, and gentle yet effective on your skin. You can try micellar water as a cleanser for oily skin, as it is one of the lightest formulas and makes your skin look and feel fresh. People with dry skin can consider using milky or creamy cleansers as they contain emollients that gently cleanse, soothe and hydrate your skin. Similarly, if you have sensitive skin, you should opt for formulas that gently remove dirt and debris without compromising the skin, like a cleansing balm or rose water.
2. Using Hot Water
Your skin is delicate and removing makeup with hot water can damage your skin barrier. Similarly, using icy cold water is not an ideal choice either as it would not work effectively to remove oil thoroughly from your skin’s surface. We’d suggest opting for lukewarm water instead to cleanse your skin efficiently and maintain its natural oils.
3. Not Taking Care Of The Eyelids
When it comes to removing eye makeup, the slower you go the better. Your eyes are super sensitive and tend to get irritated faster than any other part of your skin. Use gentle cleansers to remove the stubborn eye makeup and to lift off the mascara. Take a few drops of the cleanser on a cotton pad, place it on your eyes for a few seconds and let it sit. Give it a couple of minutes, it will slowly break down your makeup. Now gently wipe off the product buildup and repeat, if necessary. Do not scrub!. To remove any leftover makeup or dirt gathered on the corner of your eye and lash line, use a Q-tip.
4. Not Being Gentle With Your Skin
Be gentle with your skin while removing stubborn makeup and do not scrub or rub aggressively. Being too aggressive on your skin can damage the barrier, causing breakouts, redness and inflammation. For products designed to stay all day long, you can opt for the double cleansing method. First, use an oil-based cleanser to melt down the makeup, and then cleanse your face with a water-based cleanser. Pro tip: Avoid using cleansers with microbeads and don’t rub your skin too hard to avoid rashes and redness.
5. Not Following The Post-Cleansing Steps
The process of removing makeup can dehydrate your skin and strip off its natural oils. It can further deplete the moisture level of your skin and cause dryness. Once you remove all the makeup, follow the remaining steps of the CTM routine. Use a toner, serum and a suitable moisturiser or night cream to seal moisture and hydrate your skin thoroughly.
Read on for seven pro tips to help you get a perfectly bare, makeup-free face.
- Wash your hands to avoid transmission of bacteria or germs to your face.
- Tie your hair in a bun or ponytail so that you can efficiently cleanse your face, including the hairline, without any strands or flyaways disturbing you.
- To remove your lip makeup efficiently, soak the cotton pads in a cleanser or micellar water and place it on your lips. Wait for a few seconds and gently wipe it off. Do not rub your lips aggressively.
- Take a dollop of cleansing balm and massage your face to deep clean the pores and remove any leftover makeup.
- Wipe your face including your hairline, ears, neck and folds of the neck with a microfiber cloth or cotton pad.
- Use gentle face wash to remove all the makeup residue, dirt and oil, and pat dry.
- Do not use hot water to cleanse your face. Go for lukewarm or cold water instead.
- Complete the skincare routine with a toner, serum and moisturiser.
Here Are Some Makeup Removal Products You Must Explore
Now that you know how crucial yet easy it is to remove makeup, go ahead and explore some of the glam makeup looks and get festive-ready.
1. How Can You Remove Foundation From The Face?
Massage your cleanser over your face gently, focusing on your hairline, neck, corners of the nose, and around your ears. Once your makeup gets dissolved, wipe off with a soft cotton pad. Follow it with a mild face wash.
2. What Can You Use At Home To Remove Makeup?
It is best to follow the double-cleansing method, i.e., use an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser to remove makeup. Instead of an oil-based cleanser, you can use coconut oil as it helps break down the makeup and gently remove the residue from the skin.
Tip: Avoid if you have acne-prone and oily skin.
3. Is Micellar Water Good For Removing Makeup?
Yes. Micellar water is a gentle and mild formulation to remove makeup. It is one of the best cleansers for oily skin as it cleans the pores, removes the dirt and oil while hydrating the skin. It also reduces irritation and inflammation, keeping your skin soft and smooth.
