e.l.f. Discovery
YOUR ULTIMATE MAKEUP REMOVING GUIDE
By Jeanette Crutchfield
You looked slammin’ today. Your skin was flawless perfection. You had the glowiest of glowy complexions. Eyeliner on point and you had luscious thick lashes for days. You nailed it. But at the end of the day, are you taking all that makeup back off? Or are you leaving it on just to have extra 5 minutes of shut-eye?
If you asked a group of people what the most important step was in taking care of their skin, the majority would probably say washing their face. If that’s truly the case, then why do more than half of us skip this vital part of a good skincare routine? Why do so many of us choose to go straight to bed rather than remove our makeup?
Read on to learn why you should not skip this super important step in proper skin care as well as learn about the different types of makeup removers out there (hint... there’s more than just one!). Are you ready to get the dirt on getting clean skin? Let’s dive into the science of removing your makeup at night and why it’s so important.
The Importance of Removing Makeup Every Night
There are many reasons why you should remove your makeup and wash your face at night and it’s not just because your mother said that you should (although she’s right). First and foremost, you should wash your face every night to remove all the dirt, grime, and debris, as well as the cosmetics that have accumulated on your face throughout the day. Properly cleansing your skin and getting all that off can help prevent clogged pores and acne breakouts. And no one wants to wake up with a blemish when it could be prevented.
Washing your face at night can also help your skin look healthier and more radiant. Cleansing your face is an important part of removing dead skin cells. If not removed, these dead skin cells can build up on your skin making it look dull, not as smooth, as well as less glowy than you’d like. A cleansed face with sloughed-off dead skin cells can help your skin on its path to looking its very best.
How to Effectively Remove Your Makeup
The first step in removing your makeup is to make sure you have the right formula for your skin. Choose a makeup remover based on your skin needs, but also one you enjoy using. There are many types of makeup removers out there to help a variety of skin concerns from dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, and more.
These makeup removers also come in a variety of textures and formats making cleansing easy! Finding a formula and texture you enjoy using will make it more likely for you to choose to wash your face at night before going to sleep.
Once you’ve chosen a makeup remover, the next step is simple. There are many types of makeup removers out there with many ways to use them. Simply follow the directions for the one you’ve purchased, and you are on your way to freshly cleansed skin! Below is a list of makeup removers you might find out there along with how to use them.
Different Types of Makeup Remover
1. Cleansing Balm
Makeup removing cleansing balm is an oil-based makeup remover. They can dissolve heavy makeup as well as waterproof makeup. To use the balm cleanser, massage a dime-sized amount onto dry skin. As the balm warms up into your hands, it will turn into an oil. Use a warm, damp washcloth to wipe away the balm along with any makeup, dirt, and other impurities. A cleansing balm is especially good for dry skin as it leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm is a great choice that melts into a luxurious oil texture as it easily removes your makeup.
3. Liquid Makeup Removers
Sometimes your makeup is so stubborn that a regular cleanser can’t remove it all. This can be especially true with waterproof makeup. When you are faced with cosmetics that have staying power, a makeup remover might be what you need. These are typically a liquid that helps to break up the makeup allowing you to remove it easier.
To help in removing your makeup, apply a bit of the makeup-removing liquid to a cotton ball and gently press it onto the makeup for 60 seconds before gently rubbing away the makeup. Typically, after using a makeup remover, you will want to use a facial cleanser to get any makeup or makeup remover residue off your skin.
6. Facial Cleansers
A facial cleanser uses water to help cleanse your skin. These types of cleansers can be used to help remove makeup, dirt, oil, and other impurities from your skin. To use a facial cleanser, you typically wet your face, massage the cleanser into your skin and then rinse it off with lukewarm water, however, follow the instructions on the back of your cleanser packaging for best results. Facial cleansers come in many formats, from creamy to foaming to gel and more, as well as in many formulas based on your skin concerns.
5. Makeup Remover Wipes
Makeup remover wipes are one of the quickest and most portable ways of cleansing your skin. They consist of soft cloths that are saturated in a cleanser that allows you to wash your face anytime, anywhere, even with eye makeup including waterproof mascara. Because of the type of cleanser that is on the wipes, you do not need to use water to wash them off. Makeup remover wipes are also available in a variety of formulas so you can find them for all sorts of skin types such as dry, oily, combination, and more.
2. Cleansing Oils
A cleansing oil is very similar to a cleansing balm. They are both oil-based makeup removers that help to break up makeup, dirt, and debris on the skin, however where a cleansing balm starts out as a thick solid before turning into an oil, a cleansing oil starts out in the liquid form. You use a cleansing oil the same way you would a cleansing balm. A cleansing balm and a cleansing oil are both excellent options if you are doing a double cleanse. Simply remove your makeup with the balm or oil and then follow up with your favorite daily cleanser.
4. Micellar Water
Micellar water (pronounced mi-sell-ar) is a gentle cleanser. It is made of water, moisturizing ingredients, and a mild cleanser. It can help to remove makeup and is one of the easier-to-use facial cleansers. To use, simply put a bit of the micellar water onto a cotton ball and gently rub the dirt and makeup off your skin. There’s no need to rinse the micellar water off.