How to Remove Makeup: 5 Tips to help you get a perfectly bare, makeup-free face. Plus the 5 worst makeup-removing mistakes you can make

We all know that thorough cleansing is the first step to having healthy skin, but occasionally it seems that no matter how hard you scrub or lather, you just can’t manage to remove all of your makeup. There, we have been. Despite our greatest efforts, we still don’t know how to totally remove makeup. In order to learn the best techniques for removing all traces of makeup from our skin, we spoke with dermatologists and makeup artists. Continue reading for five expert ways to attain a flawlessly naked, makeup-free face.

5 Makeup-Removing Mistakes

1. Applying eye makeup remover to the entire face

Eye makeup removers are more effective than your standard face makeup remover and aren’t just a marketing gimmick (laden with oils and other emollients). While this helps you get rid of extremely difficult-to-remove waterproof mascara, if you use it on the rest of your skin, it might clog pores and cause breakouts.

2. To remove heavy makeup, use your regular cleanser.

If the skin is tarnished with pollutants, products—including makeup—don’t settle in well. You probably won’t be able to remove all of the makeup from your face with your regular cleanser, and you won’t receive all of the hydrating, skin-friendly advantages from the formula that you’re supposed to along with washing your face (i.e., hyaluronic acid, ceramides, etc.). The end effect was a dry, bare face with makeup remnants.

3. Overreliance on cleaning wipes

As much as I like using cleansing wipes, you shouldn’t just rely on them (convenience is king). Not only can they cause skin to tug, but they also struggle to completely remove all of your makeup. According to Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, “using a wipe could contribute to clogged pores and acne breakouts if you have particularly oily or acne-prone skin.” Additionally, certain wipes can leave an irritant-containing chemical residue on people with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. However, if you use them sometimes as a fix, your skin won’t suffer—just exercise caution and follow up with a double cleanse.

4. Hard scrubbing

Simply put, your face skin is far more sensitive than the skin on your body. This means that while applying the same pressure to scrub your face is not acceptable, you can scrub your body with an exfoliating loofah. It is harmful and pointless to scrub it vigorously with your hands, cotton pads, makeup-removing wipes, or other materials. Spend a few extra seconds using gentle circular movements to remove makeup, and then pat dry with a soft cotton towel. Avoid rubbing back and forth while removing eye makeup as this could irritate the eye; instead, use sweeping strokes and pull up before wiping again.

5. Leaving out the neck, jaw, and hairline

Having trouble with pimples along your jawline or hairline? Maybe it’s this makeup-removing error. In fact, according to Dr. King, this is among the most frequent occurrences in her patient population. Many people apply makeup on their neck and jawline in the morning, but when it comes time to remove it, they forget to do so, according to the expert. But these locations are crucial, particularly since the neck is a region that is particularly prone to premature aging symptoms.

Professional Tips to remove makeup

1. Soap and water works better than makeup wipes

You already had a sneaking suspicion that makeup wipes were a scam. Wipes can be a great first step in the makeup removal process; in fact, it’s ideal to use them before cleaning. But ideally, a proper sink session should come next. Makeup expert Azra Red tells us what we don’t want to hear: “Many of us make the mistake of just using wipes and going to bed, but the makeup truly is not all off—you still have to wash your face, ladies.” What will effectively remove residue and prepare your skin for a nice nighttime routine is water and face wash. If you merely use wipes and then apply moisturizer, you could clog your pores with debris and develop pimples the next morning. If you solely use wipes and then moisturize, you run the risk of clogging your pores with debris and waking up with breakouts or blackheads.

2. Cleanse your hairline and push your hair back

We completely understand: Putting your hair up in a ponytail can seem like too much work when it’s past midnight and your pillow is calling. But if you don’t, you’re probably stopping washing your face a few inches short of your hairline. According to celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas, “people frequently gather makeup residue under their hairline, which results in clogged pores and outbreaks.” Noted. To make sure you remove all traces of makeup, take the two seconds to tie it back or put on a terry headband.

3. Use a cleanser made to remove makeup

Joanna Czech, an esthetician, notes that women frequently use facial washes that aren’t designed to take off makeup. You may use a makeup remover like micellar water first—or think about switching to a cleaning oil or balm—if you think yours fits this description (evidence: those light BB cream smudges on your face towel postcleanse). These are among the best in gently removing even the most tenacious makeup, such as liquid lipsticks, stay-put foundations, and brow pigments (two great options to try: Caudalie Make-Up Removing Cleansing Oil and Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm).

Some of you might be thinking, “There’s no way using an oil-based solution will make my face cleaner,” and we get that. The latest oil cleaners, however, can actually do miracles. Czech, whose favorite products include Tatcha One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil and La Mer The Cleansing Oil, claims that many people are unaware that oil dissolves oil. She like to remove them using a washcloth to give the cleaning process more power. She advises milky and gel textures as good substitutes if you really can’t take the feel of an oil cleanser. Here are a few more that we adore.

4. Cotton balls should be replaced with flat cotton pads.

According to dermatologist Rebecca Kazin, “Cotton balls might leave behind residue or break down after use and leave fibers on your lashes or skin.” At a time when you’re attempting to detox and calm yourself, this could cause irritation. Always choose flat cotton pads with a quilted feel over cotton balls. According to cosmetic artist Fiona Stiles, standard drugstore pads perform rather well, but specialised ones may be worthwhile for serious makeup users. She explains that she exclusively uses Japanese cotton squares because of the way the cotton is woven, which prevents any shedding. They’re like little magical pillows that take away everything.

5. Always apply moisture after removing makeup.

Makeup removal should always be followed by at least some targeted moisture, even if you don’t have dry skin: If you recently removed your lipstick, rebalm your lips and apply eye cream. The most delicate skin on your face, the eye area, might become dry after makeup removal, according to Kazin. “You must keep it moist and supple.”