If you are as beauty-obsessed as us, you’re always on the hunt for new makeup looks and techniques. However, after a long day, wiping off your makeup with a beauty wipe doesn’t always cut it. Although there may be evidence of makeup removal on the wipe, they are often doing more harm than good as they contain drying agents - such as alcohol.
Using a makeup wipes are convenient, and better than sleeping in a full face after a long day or night out. We have curated a list of makeup removal do’s and don’ts below, to keep your skin hydrated, happy and healthy.
Why is it Important to Remove Makeup at Night?
Everyone has had one of those nights, you’re exhausted and its late, and you don’t even think about washing your face. However, sleeping with makeup on makes an impact on more than just your sheets, it can affect the skin as well. Leaving your makeup on overnight can result in:
- Dull complexion
As wonderful as makeup is, if not removed properly every night, it can cause collagen production breakdown. This can increase the depth and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles due to a decrease in elasticity. This also causes a dull, tired appearance that expedites signs of premature ageing on the skin.
- Breakouts & Clogged pores
Your skin naturally produces an oil known as sebum - which serves as a protective barrier. If sebum accumulates on the skin, it can clog pores and cause unwanted blackheads and break-outs. Most makeup contains mineral oils that can mix and trap the sebum on the face, which amass on the surface of the skin and cause breakouts.
- Dehydration
As the skin is the largest organ, it needs to breathe and be constantly hydrated and moisturised. Keeping your makeup on over night can trap oils, pollutants and free radicals on the skin, which can throw off the balance of oil and water levels on the skin’s surface. This leaves the skin feeling dry and flaky in the morning, and can lead to irritation, so grab that cleanser and work that skin!
Removing your makeup is essential to maintain a glowing complexion. However, finding the right cleanser to remove your makeup is key. We’ve established that cleansing wipes don’t actually cleanse the skin, instead only remove visible signs of makeup on a surface level.
MAKEUP REMOVAL DO’S:
1. Do: Use skin-type specific cleansers
Cleansers are specific to skin types, to determine your skin type view our quick and easy online skin quiz. Oily, dry, combination and normal skin require differing makeup removal regimes. Gentle cleansers are found to be most suitable for normal and combination skin, as they hydrate the skin without causing an accumulation of oil on the T-zone area. For oily skin types, gel-based or foaming cleansers have been proven to clean out pores and strip away excess oils while removing makeup effectively. However, dry skin types require a gentle, hydrating cleanser that removes makeup and impurities without compromising the skins moisture barrier. So do your research!
2. Do: Be gentle!
The skin on your face is more sensitive than the rest of your body, meaning it requires a little extra TLC. Minimise the abrasive tugging and rubbing effects of the skin by removing eye-makeup with a makeup wipe or micellar water and a cotton pad. This will minimise the need for harsh rubbing around the eyes, where our skin is the most thin and sensitive. Follow this by wetting the face with lukewarm water and applying cleanser to the fingertips. Apply gently in circular motions to the skin and rinse again using water - make sure to be gentle!
3. Do: Apply moisturiser!
After cleansing it is fundamental to follow your skincare routine through— yes, yes, we know it has been a long day, but future you will thank you for it! After cleansing, the skin can appear ‘dried out’ as the natural oils on the outer most layer of the skin have been removed. Applying moisturiser restores the moisture barrier and prevents environmental damage by hydrating the skin.
MAKEUP REMOVAL DONT’S:
Makeup removal seems like a simple task, however it’s more complex than you may realise. Your skin may even be suffering as a result of incorrect cleansing method. Here are some makeup removal ‘don’ts’ to keep in mind:
1. Don't: scrub the skin!
We know our skin is sensitive, and sometimes our makeup is stubborn and requires a little tough love to remove. However, it is important to avoid harsh scrubbing on the skin - especially around the most sensitive areas such as the eyes. This can be avoided by gently removing some of the makeup prior to cleansing the whole face, this can be achieved by using a cotton pad and micellar water before cleansing. It’s important that you take your time, when we’re in a rush, it's easy to think a quick scrub will suffice. However, its more effective to let the cleanser remove the makeup for you rather than rely on harsh scrubbing.
2. Don't: skip the double cleanse!
Makeup remover will take care of removing the makeup, however, the skin underneath requires cleansing as well. Double cleansing is the key to completely removing the makeup and purifying the skin, to ensure a clean, radiant complexion. This can be achieved by washing the face once, to remove makeup, and repeating this process again to purify the skin. During the second cleanse, ensure to use gentle, circular motions to increase blood circulation.
3. Don't: Use makeup wipes only.
Although we may sound like a broken record, only using makeup wipes will dry out the skin and leave makeup behind, which can accumulate on the skin and cause breakouts. Makeup wipes can remove initial layers of makeup, however, must be followed by a cleanse to remove the makeup that accumulates in the pores.
Removing your makeup properly is essential to maintaining healthy, hydrated skin. Although its easy to dismiss makeup removal routines after a long day, your future self will thank you for it. Click here to view our wide range of organic donkey milk skincare products, including gentle cleansers and skin-specific moisturisers to maintain your healthy glow.