Gentle Makeup Remover
Gentle Makeup Remover
Removing makeup is a vital first step in any evening skincare routine to avoid clogged pores, irritation, and even prematurely aged skin. However, with so many different types of makeup remover and cleansers available, it can sometimes be hard to know which is best for your skin type. Should you use a cleansing oil? And what is double cleansing?
What is the best makeup remover for sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin can present in a variety of ways, often with redness or dryness, and can be easily irritated by certain skincare ingredients. Therefore, selection of a gentle makeup remover is essential for sensitive skin types.
An eye makeup remover like Avène Gentle Eye Makeup Remover has soothing and hydrating ingredients that won’t dry out the skin, and even provide relief to sensitive or puffy eyes. It is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.
Micellar waters, such as La Roche Posay Micellar Water, are also a popular choice for those with sensitive skin as they contain only purified water, hydrating ingredients and very mild surfactants (molecules that naturally attract dirt and oil). Micellar water has long been a staple of skincare routines in France and among supermodels, so it’s no wonder they’ve become so popular in recent years.
However, while gentle on your skin, micellar waters are not great at removing heavy makeup. It is easier to remove heavy makeup with the lipids found in cleansing oils (see below) to remove heavy makeup and mascara.
What is the best makeup remover for dry skin?
Dry skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, need a cleanser that is moisturizing, hydrating and will soothe the skin, keeping it free from irritation. Zerafite Creamy Cleanser is a gentle, moisturizing cleanser that effectively removes makeup and deposits that much-needed moisture onto the skin.
If you’re prone to dry skin, look out for cleansers that contain stearic acid, an incredibly hydrating ingredient that acts as an emollient and an occlusive. It can help protect the skin against water loss, as well supporting the skin’s protective barrier.
Sunflower seed oil is also emollient that is a good ingredient to look for in cleansing oils. Sunflower seed oil is full of skin moisturizing fatty-acids and antioxidants. Sunflower seed oil and stearic acid are not harmful to the skin’s barrier, nor will they clog pores.
The best makeup remover for eyelash extensions
If you regularly wear eyelash extensions, you’ll know that the lash glue easily dissolves with some cleansers causing your expensive eyelash extension to fall out sooner. Excessive rubbing and cleansing of eyelash extensions will also shorten their longevity. So do not use a cleaning oil or creamy cleanser on lash extensions unless you want you lash extensions to fall out sooner.
If you want to prolong the life of your eyelash extensions, try a soothing cleanser such as Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel. This soothing, non-foaming cleanser contains natural ingredients such as aloe, portulaca olearacea extract, and camellia sinensis leaf extract. While aloe has long been known as a gentle, healing skincare ingredient, portulaca and camellia also contain anti-inflammatory benefits to soothe any irritation caused by the lash glue, as well as prolonging the life of your lashes.
The best makeup remover for stage makeup
If you frequently wear heavy makeup, or stage makeup, then cleansing oils are the best choice for you to effectively and gently remove all traces.
Cleansing oils help to remove heavy makeup by dissolving away the ingredients in mascara and cream-based foundations, while depositing hydrating fatty acids (lipids) on the skin to nourish it. Cleansing oils are surprisingly gentle and will wipe even the heaviest of makeup away without tugging or the need to rub. And despite the name, it is a perfect makeup remover for even oily skin types.
If you have oily skin and choose to use a cleansing oil, we recommend double cleansing. First use the cleaning oil to remove makeup and follow with a foaming cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type to remove any residual oil.
PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil is suitable of all skin types and actively dissolves dirt, oil and debris (including stage makeup). It contains Grape Seed Oil, which contains polyphenols and essential fatty acids for lightweight hydration; Almond Oil, a moisturizing ingredient that calms any irritation and helps the skin retain moisture; and Glycine Soja Oil, an anti-inflammatory rich in vitamin E.
Should I double cleanse to remove makeup?
There’s no doubt in our mind that you should always double cleanse to remove heavy makeup and sunscreen. Start with a cleansing oil to lift makeup and dirt, and follow with a facial cleanser suited to your Baumann Skin Type to ensure your face is left fully cleansed and dirt-free. A clean face is essential for any skincare routine to ensure ingredients are fully absorbed and the benefits reaped.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.