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Anyone who wears makeup knows that the most disappointing part of the experience is taking it off. All your hard work in creating the perfect cat eye will be wiped away in seconds, even if it took 30+ minutes to finish your face. Whether you wash your face with soap or whip out the makeup remover wipes, there are a variety of ways to take the product off your face so you can finish off your day and hop in bed. But while they all get the job done, some methods may be worse for your skin than others, expediting aging and even damaging your skin in the process. In order to preserve your complexion and maintain your natural beauty beneath your makeup, there’s one removal mistake you should be aware of that may be negatively impacting your skin.
It’s second nature to start rubbing your eyes to get the makeup off, but this is actually the worst thing you can do for both your skin and your lashes. Particularly when using a makeup wipe, rubbing can be abrasive to the sensitive area around your eyes, and when made a habit, can expedite the development of wrinkles. Skincare expert and co-founder of CLEARSTEM Skincare, Kayleigh Christina explains, “You want to avoid using hot water, wash clothes, paper towels, or any other abrasive products as this will cause micro-damage to your skin. Creating micro-damage does not allow our skin to heal, thus giving it a dull, dry, worn out, and aged look.”
Invoking harsh methods of makeup removal on your skin can rub and tear at the sensitive eye area, reducing elasticity over time. While makeup remover wipes are quick and effective for getting product off your face quickly, your under eye area is composed of extremely delicate skin and needs to be treated with care. “Harsh rubbing can pull out lashes and cause irritation,” notes Sophia Knapp, licensed cosmetologist and beautician at Oxygenetix. The skin under your eyes must be washed gently, but keeping your lashes intact should also be a priority when removing your makeup, and harsh rubbing can rip them from the roots as you work to remove excess mascara.
Instead, makeup artistLiz Fuller suggests using a gentle soap-free cleanser to take off your makeup, using a light massaging motion to remove the product. “Make sure to use a very gentle wiggle over the eyes and eyelashes to remove shadow, liner, and mascara. Remove with a warm washcloth,” she says. Additionally, micellar water on a cotton pad is another gentle way to remove makeup without tugging and rubbing, as you can soak the cotton with the product and press to your lids to remove your makeup with ease, particularly around the eyes.
Preserving the longevity of your skin comes from a combination of factors, from a solid skincare routine, a healthy diet, and even how gently you remove your makeup. In order to keep your skin bright, smooth, and healthy, it’s best to keep the rubbing at a minimum, so finding removal methods such as micellar water or a sensitive skin cleanser are going to be the best ways to remove even the toughest makeup without sacrificing your skin over time. You may just want to get the job done and hop in bed at night, but taking care to remove your makeup well is essential for maintaining a youthful complexion for years to come.
