Let’s talk safe and effective makeup removal. This is SO important and I don’t feel like it’s always very easy to find information about this that you can trust. There are about a million different products out there for makeup removal. I truly think you need to find the method that works best for your skin, but you also need to know what is safe. Obviously there are different products for different skin types (oil-free for oily skin, for example), but today I really want to talk about the TYPES of products that are safe and effective.
Let’s Talk Makeup Wipes
Let’s talk makeup wipes first. They’re such a common and EASY way to remove makeup, so they’ve been really popular for years. Lately though, they’ve been the topic of conversation in the beauty world for a couple of reasons. One- they’re not effective, and two- they’re not safe for your skin or the environment.
I spent several years using Neutrogena makeup remover wipes. Oh, to be young and dumb. I have since moved on to better products, both for me, and for the environment. Neutrogena makeup wipes (or any makeup wipes for that matter) are NOT the worst thing on the market by any means, but they aren’t effective, and they aren’t entirely safe. First of all the footprint of using those wipes every night is INSANE if you think about it. I was using at least one to two wipes every evening. Multiply that times 365 and you’ve got well over 700 wipes a YEAR that you’re throwing at the earth. That is CRAZY!
Not to mention, they weren’t doing a great job. The reason I was having to use two and sometimes even three wipes, is that they weren’t taking everything off. They also leave behind a filmy residue on your skin, FYI, which isn’t good!
Using a makeup wipe also means you’re RUBBING your skin quite a bit which is very unhealthy. You’re really not supposed to do any rubbing on the delicate skin around your eye. And, rubbing that wipe and makeup residue all over your skin can spread bacteria, cause your skin to become more oily, and cause breakouts. It’s safe to say you should STAY AWAY from makeup wipes as much as possible.
The Makeup Eraser
Next on my list of removal techniques: the makeup eraser. This is going to be my very brief review, but I fully intend to share a video of me using it on IGTV soon (complete with a Dale cameo).
This product is taking the amateur beauty world by storm, and for good reason. The Makeup Eraser is definitely better for the environment than traditional makeup wipes, and that is a huge draw. It’s just a cloth that removes all of your makeup by getting it wet with hot water and moving it in circles across your skin. It (supposedly) lasts up to three years, and only needs to be washed every four to five uses. Sounds like a miracle product… Right?!
I’ve had mine for over two months now and can honestly say, it does a really good job of removing makeup. It leaves less makeup behind than traditional makeup wipes, but it DOES still leave it behind. It also requires a lot of rubbing, which we already discussed is NOT GOOD for your skin.
I refuse to use it to take off eye makeup because of the way you have to rub it in circles against your skin. The fabric acts like little suction cups and it literally feels like it’s stuck to your face as you’re rubbing it around. Again, it does the job (mostly), so we can call it effective, and it is safe for the environment, but NOT safe for your skin.
I can’t say I’m totally against it, because it is a step up from makeup wipes, and REALLY easy to travel with. But be careful with this- and don’t use it on your eyes!
Safer and More Effective Makeup Removal Products
It’s become my belief that the safest and most effective products for removing your makeup are cleansing oils, balms, and micellar water. Typically these products last FOREVER so even if it seems more expensive than buying your good ol’ pack of makeup wipes, you’re going to be saving money (and the environment) in the long run. Cleansing oils and balms are typically less harsh on your skin.
Cleansing Balm
My favorite budget-friendly cleansing balm is the Pond’s cleansing balm that comes in a little tub. You literally use the smallest nickel-sized amount to remove ALL of your makeup, and because there’s no harsh rubbing required it’s totally safe. You simply apply it all over your face, and then rinse it away!
Cleansing Oil
My personal favorite is this Clinique cleansing oil. You use it the same way you use the cleansing balm- just apply it all over your face (one pump will be plenty of product for your whole face) let it sit for a minute, and then rinse it off. I like to use a wash cloth to rinse this off easily. It’s a little more expensive than the cleansing balm, but I actually think it lasts longer. You only need one pump every time you remove your makeup so the bottle will last MUCH longer than other skincare products.
They also have a whole line of makeup removal products, including a makeup cleansing balm, and a cleansing oil made specifically for lashes, lids, and lips (the most sensitive areas on your face). I haven’t tried these yet but if they’re anything like the cleansing oil I’d say they’re worth using!
Micellar Water
Perhaps my favorite AND THE BEST and most gentle/effective way to remove makeup is using a micellar water. This special water contains micelles that act as magnets to lift dirt away from your skin. Garnier even makes a special micellar water for oily skin, and one that removes even waterproof makeup. I love to saturate a cotton pad, let it sit on my eye makeup for about a minute, and see what comes up onto the pad with NO RUBBING whatsoever. This stuff is seriously amazing to me. It’s also incredibly affordable. I definitely use more of the product than I do of the cleansing oils or balms, but I also know it is effective and very gentle on the delicate skin around eyes. This product is a must-have!
My Recommended Technique
MY personal recommendation for the most effective and gentlest technique would be to use the Clinique cleansing oil, and following up with this micellar water to “double cleanse” your face before bed without drying it out. In fact, I suggest using this micellar water over the whole face after ANY sort of makeup removal just to double cleanse, because it’s so gentle and effective. AND it’s safe for the environment. Lately I have even incorporated it into my morning routine, before using my Tula toner and doing the rest of my morning skincare. I love having a clean face and not feeling too dried out.
I hope this information was very helpful! I love to share my beauty recommendations so always feel free to direct message me on Instagram! You can also check out my morning skincare routine here!
