Makeup must come off, but not all makeup removing practices were created equal. Not only is it important to wash today’s look off before it becomes tomorrow’s, but it’s also important to pay attention to how you remove your makeup.
There’s an army of chemical-based products out there just itching to irritate or even damage your skin. We recommend going the all-natural route. (No surprise there.) So before you reach for something harsh, check out a few of our tips and tricks for removing makeup without the burn.
Why You Should Remove Your Makeup
Leaving makeup on can result in a bunch unsexy outcomes depending on the product and the part of the face. A few frequent problems include irritation, infection, wrinkles, dry skin, and breakouts. With so many products and applications out there, we shed light on a few common culprits.
Foundation
Foundation’s job is to hide skin imperfections by covering them. While this may have you looking great in the short term, leaving it on can have a longer-term counterproductive effect. When left on too long, foundation can clog pores and trap dirt under against your skin.
Lipstick
Similar to foundation, lipstick blocks the skin on the lips. If left on for too long, lipstick can dry out the lips.
Eyeliner
Did you know, on average, you blink nearly 30,000 times a day? While blinking is healthy, all that lid action can push eyeliners and mascara into your eyes. A buildup of these products in your eyes can lead to irritation or infection.
Products to Naturally Remove Makeup
Feels like everyone and their grandma has some crazy concoction that they swear by for removing, right? There seems to be no end to the all-natural recommendations out there. To be honest, we’ve explored plenty, but we haven’t tried them all (see milk and olive oil). Different tricks will work for different skin types, but here are a few all-natural ways of removing makeup that prove to be effective.
Coconut Oil
Is there anything you can’t coconut oil for? But seriously, coconut oil is a fantastic all-natural makeup remover. The best part about coconut oil is that it doesn’t require a lot of fuss. Just dab the coconut oil on your fingertips or a cotton ball and pat your face lightly. Once spread evenly across the skin, wash the coconut oil off with warm water. Not only will the coconut oil remove the makeup, but it will also hydrate your skin leaving you feeling refreshed.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is another dynamic plant product that can help remove your makeup. You can find aloe vera products at grocery stores, pharmacy, and all-natural stores. Aloe comes in many different forms, but gel will be the easiest to use. Give the gel a squeeze—no need to go overboard—then rub it gently around on your skin before washing off with lukewarm water. For added benefit, try rubbing a little the gel into your skin for a minute or two after the makeup is washed off.
Steam
Removing makeup with steam is one of our absolute favorites because it feels like you’re a personal spa. To remove products with steam, fill the sink with hot water and lean over it. As condensation builds on your face, use your fingers or a soft cloth to rub the makeup off lightly. If you’re having trouble getting steam to collect, try laying a towel over your head to create a mini steam room for your face.
Hydrate Your Skin After Removing Makeup
Even when using the hydrating makeup removal methods we’ve recommended, you may still find that your skin is dry or irritated from the makeup itself. If that’s the case, try adding in a product that helps refresh and revitalize the skin. We recommend the Jojoba Gel Cream which softens, hydrates and protects skin that’s been dried out by makeup. A gentle, all-natural product like this will work hand-in-hand with your new makeup removal tricks.
