The Philippine Online Chronicles

If you think water and soap are sufficient to remove makeup from your face, think again. The chemical composition of today’s face and eye makeup is hard to remove, and requires more than just water, soap and even scrubbing and rubbing against a towel or tissue.  If makeup isn’t removed after being used, its chemicals enter into the pores, which can irritate and damage the skin for the long term --- causing acne and even premature aging. If your eye shadow is not properly removed, it can get into your eyes and infect it and if your lashes are perpetually coated in mascara, they can become brittle if you leave the product overnight.

Why use makeup removers?

Makeup removers are cosmetic products which help to remove makeup properly. Just as the right application of makeup is important, in the same way, the proper removal of makeup is equally important in keeping skin healthy and beautiful.

• Makeup removers dissolve makeup build-up and improve skin clarity.
• Using a makeup remover helps prevent harsh chemicals from clogging pores.
• A clean face promotes skin regeneration, maintaining a healthy and even-toned facial skin.
• Unlike soap, makeup removers essentially do not strip natural oils from the skin.
• Fragrance-free makeup removers are gentle on delicate skin such as the eye area.

How to choose a makeup remover

There are several makeup removers on the market.  But as a rule, you will need several makeup removers according to the makeup product you use, as well as your skin type.  Why? Because the makeup products you use have different constitutions and different textures.  In addition, you need to separate makeup remover for eyes and the rest of the face. The eye’s surrounding skin is very sensitive, hence it needs special cleansing.

Makeup removers are either soap-based (this includes synthetic detergents) or oil-based. Soap-based makeup removers can remove power-based makeup, but will leave behind waterproof mascara which contains water-resistant waxes and polymers.  This is suited to people who have very oily skin.

Remember the Ponds cold cream that your mom uses all the time? Well, oil-based makeup removers can dissolve the toughest makeup. However, there are some women who don’t want to put more oil on their already oily skin. For those who are concerned, there are already cleansing oils available in the market that use natural oils such as olive, grape seed, jojoba, and avocado which can remove makeup without the greasy residue.

Stuff to Try: Shu Eumura Skin Purifier and HumanNature Cleanser and Make-Up Remover

If you can’t decide which base to go with, there are some brands that provide dual phase makeup removers. Some contain oil and others don't. You need to shake the bottle to mix up the two layers --- the first layer is usually for pH balance and the second layer is the makeup removing solvent.  They may not be as good as their oily counterparts, but the silicon-based ingredients work. This type of product makes waterproof mascara more slippery and thus easier to remove with water.

Stuff to Try: Skin Food’s Aloe Water Eyes and Lip Remover, Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye makeup remover and Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

Aside from choosing the type of base, people with sensitive skin should be careful before buying a makeup remover for their skin. They should check the contents on the pack so that they can prevent skin damage.

Makeup removers for your peepers

The skin surrounding your eyes can always use a break, so make sure that your eye makeup remover is gentler than the facial makeup remover.  If your eye area suffers tightness and dryness, go for a rich gentle formula that can flawlessly remove every bit of eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara. In fact, for your eyes, you should use products that contain natural ingredients. If you can’t find one at the cosmetic counter, you can always find something in your kitchen to remove eye makeup. These natural alternatives to eye makeup removers include baby oil, olive oil, or even fresh milk.

Once you’ve found the right product to remove eye makeup, you then want to be sure that you’re using it correctly.

• Use a clean cotton ball and dip it into the cleaning product.
• Use enough amount to avoid having it drip into your eyes.
• Gently apply over makeup and use another cotton ball to wipe it until you're makeup-free.
• For waterproof mascara, gently press down on eyelids and lashes to let it soak for a few seconds.
• In case makeup removers get in your eyes, rinse your eyes thoroughly with water.

Makeup removers for your face

As mentioned previously, always choose a facial makeup remover according to your skin type. If you have super dry skin, consider cleansing oil. If you have oily skin, better keep away from oil-based removers which can lead to skin breakouts, and just stick with oil-free cleansers.  Go for products that are both gently and highly effective.

Here are the steps for removing the makeup from your face:

• Apply cleanser over your face and give it time to dissolve the makeup.
• Gently wipe the makeup with wet cotton balls.
• After removing all the makeup, apply some moisturizer, especially if you applied some alcohol-based products or heavy makeup on your face.
• For oil-based makeup removers, try swiping the oil across lids, lips, face and brows then massaging it in. This loosens dirt and makeup. Then take a cotton ball and gently wipe over skin.

It might be easy to just fall into bed, but the effects of unclean skin can be unforgiving. Makeup removers are important in the process of skin care. By removing your makeup regularly, your skin will feel softer and refreshed and when you wake up the next morning, you’ll have a fresh face to apply makeup on.

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Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertay/