How to Remove Makeup: The Best Expert Tips to Keep Your Face Completely Clean
You’ll be surprised to find out that I’m still talking about how to remove makeup these days. I know you’re all experts at this by now, but it’s worth noting that even with all the right techniques and products, we still go to bed with dirty faces.
But before you run screaming for the hills, I’ve put together some super easy and quick tips to help you make sure your face is completely clean and all traces of makeup are gone.
Tip 1: Let the Products Do Their Work
When you’re quick with your makeup removal, you can’t help but pick up your cleanser and imitate Sonic the Hedgehog’s moves. But you have to take your time to get your face squeaky clean and makeup-free. What I mean by that is that you need to let the cleanser do all the work to start dissolving the makeup. I find that letting the product sit unnoticed for about 2 minutes is the best option to ensure that the makeup on your face is removed and that no residue is left on your cute white pillowcase!
The easiest way to achieve this is as follows:
Wet your face with warm water.
Pick up your makeup remover and apply it all over your face. Make sure the makeup remover is eye-safe.
Now let the product do its work. You can use this time to brush your teeth, killing two birds with one stone.
Next, wipe off the product with a damp washcloth. Using warm water gives the washcloth an extra luxurious, spa-like feel while also opening up the pores to prepare them for the next step in your routine.
This final step is up to you and your preferences. You can follow up with a serum and moisturizer or double cleanse (more on this later!)
This may sound like a daunting task, but you have to remember that makeup removers are designed to remove makeup (fun fact) and you don’t need to break a sweat to get your makeup off your face as quickly as possible. Specially chosen ingredients take time to dissolve makeup like foundation so that it can be removed from your face with a washcloth, face cloth, or sponge.
Tip #2: Avoid using makeup wipes
There’s no denying that makeup wipes are simple, convenient, and get the job done quickly! As useful as these wipes are, there are many downsides to using them on your skin too frequently and they’re not very eco-friendly.
While using wipes is a good starting point for removing certain products, it shouldn’t be the last step in skin cleansing. Use a makeup wipe for a quick wipe and then cleanse thoroughly. This will penetrate the pores and remove any residue and bacteria. What not to forget is excess sebum (the natural oil produced by the skin), which can build up and lead to blemishes like pimples, blackheads, and acne if left unattended.
Tip 3: Find the best cleanser for your skin
The main purpose of a cleanser is to “clean” your face of impurities and products. One aspect that is often forgotten when using a cleanser is to use one that is right for your skin type. It’s a simple thing that people don’t really think about, but it has a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your face.
Makeup removers, balms, creams, lotions, and water come in different formulas. All of these serve their respective purposes, and it all depends on the texture and skin type you prefer. For example, dry skin can use a balm that provides a nourishing feeling when applied to the face.
Tip 4: Don’t use a face cleanser to remove makeup
Using a face cleanser to remove makeup is a bit like taking a shower with your clothes on. Using it before removing foundation and other makeup does not really do your skin any good. If anything, move everything on your face, but don’t remove it.
By all means, continue using a cleanser, but remove your makeup with it before washing your face. Industry experts call this the double cleansing technique, and it’s the most effective way to ensure clean, makeup-free skin. Yes!
Tip #5: How to Remove Mascara
Mascara, eyeliner, liquid eyeliner—none of these are going away anytime soon, but it’s worth noting that we’re still not removing our eye makeup properly. Here’s how to remove every last bit of eye makeup and save your poor sheets from black stains!
Soak a cotton swab in makeup remover. Micellar water works great and is gentle on the eyes.
Dab the soaked cotton swab along your eyelids and lashes to give the product enough time to dissolve the stubborn mascara.
Next, take a cotton pad with a small amount of makeup remover and hold it against your lashes. Once you’ve given the product enough time to work, you can move the cotton pad toward your lashes to take away any mascara residue.
If you notice some mascara or eyeliner, etc., left behind, repeat the previous steps.
As tempting as it may be, if you remove a dollop of mascara from your lashes, they will weaken and start to fall off.
Tip 6: Don’t forget to remove makeup from other areas of your face.
This really only applies to those who apply foundation to other areas of their face, such as: B. On the ears and neck for a unified look. These areas should not be forgotten when cleansing.
Take a washcloth and wet it with warm water
Wipe areas like the neck and ears where you apply foundation, bronzer, etc.
Next, take the cleanser you used on your face and apply the product with your fingertips
Use the same washcloth to wipe off the cleanser until all makeup is removed
When cleaning these different areas, don’t forget your hairline as this is where makeup tends to accumulate
Tip 7: Don’t forget the rest of your skin care routine
You’ve just double cleansed and your skin feels super fresh and refreshed. I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to keep that feeling going for a little longer.
Regardless of your skin type, it’s recommended that you follow the rest of your skin care routine as usual. The reason is that the clean, radiant feeling after cleansing changes. Oily skin produces oil, while dry skin stays extremely tight and uncomfortable. To avoid this, apply a moisturizer to keep your skin barrier healthy and the oil-water balance in place.
So, here are some tips and tricks that industry experts believe will help you sleep easier knowing you don’t have to wear any makeup!
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.
