When you return home after a long day, you probably want nothing more than to collapse face-first into bed. We’ve all had those days, right? But going to sleep with your makeup on comes with a higher cost than washing your pillow the next day.

 

Grinding your makeup into your sensitive skin for six to eight hours clogs your pores and traps oils, grime, and bacteria—not to mention the tiny abrasions your skin suffers if there is any kind of glitter in your products.

 

But what’s the best way to take off your makeup? If you want a fast and efficient makeup remover that doesn’t damage your skin, we have some great ideas to try.

 

Face Cloth

 

One of the best ways to remove your makeup is with a wet face cloth. Plenty of companies have single-use sheets for you to use, but that gets expensive, and it’s not so great for the environment.

 

Luckily, Gleamin has your back (or actually, your face) with our muslin face cloth. We make it with 100% organic cotton, and all you need to do is add water. Wet the cloth and gently wipe your face. Then, rinse out the cloth, and use it again, and again.

 

Face Masks

 

If you have ten minutes to spare at bedtime, check out our clay face mask. It’s best to use it on a bare, clean face, so don’t try it as a makeup remover. Also, it heals and soothes your skin, removes impurities, and makes you feel your best.

 

Face masks provide a wide range of benefits, especially when they have superfood ingredients like Vitamin C, Aloe Vera, and Turmeric. They moisturize your skin, pull out impurities, and even fade dark spots to even out your complexion.

Micellar Water 

 

If you’re worried about damaging your skin and causing micro-abrasions, you might not want to scrub it too hard. Lucky for you, we have another great suggestion— micellar water.

 

Micellar water is a special type of water infused with moisturizers and cleansers. There’s no alcohol and nothing abrasive in the water, so you won’t have to worry about scrubbing too hard.

 

It works by cleaning out your pores without scrubbing or removing the outer layers of your skin as exfoliators do. It doesn’t just remove your makeup—it also cleanses your face before bed.

 

Oil-Based Makeup Removers

 

Oil-based makeup removers are also popular. The oil varies based on the manufacturer, so you might see coconut oil, castor oil, baby oil, or rosehip oil as the primary ingredient.

 

Some creams are oil-based, and others are water-based. Oil-based makeup removers soak up the oils and powders of your makeup and allow you to remove them from your face. The oils dissolve the makeup and are fantastic for sensitive skin.

 

Keep in mind that after using an oil-based makeup remover, you’ll need to clean the remover off your face so that the oils don’t clog your pores. That adds an extra step to your skincare routine, which can be a hassle for some people.

 

Water-Based Makeup Removers 

 

Water-based removers don’t have the same problem. Micellar water counts as a water-based remover, but there are plenty of others, too. The issue with water-based makeup removers is that they aren’t always strong enough to remove stubborn foundation and eye makeup.

 

Both oil and water-based makeup removers have their pros and cons. So, when you’re looking for the right makeup remover, try experimenting with different types of removers to find something that works for your skin.

 

Tips to Remove Makeup

 

Here are a few makeup removal techniques that can do the trick without damaging your skin. Try a few (or all) of these tips to remove your makeup swiftly before bed.

 

Tip 1: Go Slow 

 

You’re probably in a hurry to get into your pajamas and snuggle into your comfy bed, but your skin deserves the best, and that means taking your time. Rub slowly and ensure you get all of the crevices of your face.

 

Concentrate on the mouth and eyes, dip around the nose, and then go underneath the chin. Your makeup migrates throughout the day and seeps into fine lines, wrinkles, and other places around your face. You don’t want that makeup to stay on while you get some beauty sleep, so go slow and clean it all up.

 

Tip 2: Cleanse Afterward 

 

Although it feels like taking off the makeup is enough, take the time to clean your face completely. Some makeup removers, like oil-based products, leave behind oils that trap bacteria.

 

It’s impossible to tell just by looking whether your pores are clogged or not before they start to form acne. To be on the safe side, cleanse your face after the makeup is off, so you wake up in the morning with fresh, rejuvenated skin.

 

Tip 3: Don’t Forget Your Hairline 

 

As we said, foundation moves and bleeds throughout the day. Plus, most people apply their foundation up to their hairline, so there isn’t a weird place on your forehead that doesn’t match your skin tone.

 

However, many of us forget to push our hair back and really cleanse that area. You don’t have to scrub hard, but be thorough when you remove the makeup there.

 

Besides keeping your pores clean, you also have to consider the hair follicles. Like your pores, they easily become clogged and infected, which leads to acne.

 

Another place to concentrate on is the edge of your eyelid, right in the creases. Regardless of eye shape, mascara and eyeliner collect there, and if you don’t remove it all, you could wake up with raccoon eyes or worse.

 

Tip 4: Avoid Cotton Balls

 

Cotton balls seem like the perfect tool for removing makeup, but they fall apart too easily to be of much use. If you are using a liquid tool to remove makeup, consider soaking a pad or cloth with the liquid and gently wiping your face instead.

 

Even if it looks like your cotton balls are durable enough, they leave behind tiny fibers that aren’t easily noticeable. Those fibers get in your eyes, stick to your eyelashes, or else abrade your skin and leave you feeling uncomfortable all damn day.

 

Some people have found that tissues and toilet paper cause a similar problem, so look for special makeup remover pads or else use double-quilted toilet paper. When it’s reinforced, you won’t have to worry about it ripping or shredding while you carefully rub off the makeup.

 

Tip 5: End With a Good Moisturizer

 

The natural moisture barrier generated by your face’s natural oils is a barrier against tiny particles in the atmosphere and UV rays. What does that mean for you? Your skin craves moisture, so reward your face with a little extra TLC.

 

Some makeup removers also include moisturizers, but if you’re in doubt, include your favorite product after taking your makeup off and while finishing cleansing your face. Locking in that moisture helps you fight off sunburn and dry, cracked skin.

 

That’s a Wrap 

 

We get it - it’s a drag to take your makeup off at the end of a long day, but it’s crucial for your skin’s health and vitality. Choosing the right makeup remover and following it up by cleansing and moisturizing your face is the best way to keep your skin clear and healthy. As we say, it’s time to get your glow on!

 

Sources

 

How to Remove Makeup: 7 Tips to Get Every Last Bit Off | Glamour

 

5 Benefits and Uses of Micellar Water | Healthline

 

Oil VS Water: Which Makeup Remover Is Right For You | Sample Store