It’s common knowledge that we should all be taking off our makeup before we go to bed each night.
Saffron Hughes, makeup artist at FalseEyelashes.co.uk, said: ‘Falling asleep with makeup on is detrimental to skin. It can cause clogged pores, dull skin, puffy eyes and premature ageing.
‘When we sleep, our skin renews itself, so any makeup residue and dirt from environmental stress can interfere with the natural healing process and cellular turnover.
‘Oil-based makeup such as primers and foundations should always be thoroughly taken off as the oil inhibits your skin from breathing.’
However, what might be less commonly known are the mistakes people often make when taking their makeup off – it’s not as simple as washing your face with some soap and calling it a day.
That’s why Saffron has put together a list of the makeup removal mistakes experts want people to stop making…
Not protecting the eye area
The skin around your eyes needs to be treated gently, which means you should be opting for products geared toward that part of your face.
Saffron said: ‘Your eye area is more sensitive and delicate than your facial skin. Use a dedicated eye makeup remover to eliminate mascara and eyeliner, as opposed to a general cleanser. Soak a cotton pad in the remover and gently pat your eyes until the residue is removed.
‘For stubborn mascara, never tug on clumps with your fingers. Press the pad on your lashes for a few seconds to allow the remover to penetrate before moving slowly in the direction of your lash growth. Don’t rub back and forth as this will irritate your eyes, use sweeping motions and lift the pad up in between wipes.
‘Opt for a water-based eye makeup remover, as oil-based can cause under eye puffiness. Also, if the oil-based isn’t washed off very well, any eye products you apply after will not be absorbed deep into the skin. For hygiene reasons, use a single cotton pad for each eye.’
Rubbing your face vigorously
You should be gentle with the rest of your face too, making sure not to rub the skin too hard.
‘Whether you use makeup wipes, cotton pads or a microfiber cloth, you might have developed a habit of scrubbing and drying your face vigorously,’ said Saffron.
‘This action can lead to micro-tears in the skin which creates irritation and inflammation. Being gentle is important for successful cleansing. Dry your face by patting it down as opposed to rubbing. Keep a separate flannel for your face and change it every two days for optimum hygiene.
‘If you find that you need to scrub to get the most out of your products, you may need to be applying more. Once you add more cleanser, let the product do the work for you.’
Only using makeup wipes
Not only are makeup wipes not great for the environment, but they’re also not the best choice to removing makeup.
‘Although convenient,’ explained Saffron, ‘they aren’t enough to clean your face. In fact, they only remove part of your makeup and surface bacteria, leaving behind oil and grime from your day.
‘Essentially wipes smear everything around your facial area without lifting it off. If you must use makeup removal wipes, use them only as the very first step of cleansing.
‘Opt for additional micellar water and cleansing cream for the remainder of your process. Always avoid cleaning the eye area with makeup wipes as excessive tugging from fragranced wipes will lead to dry skin and infections.’
Skipping aftercare
Even if you’ve washed your face perfectly and with all the right products, your routine shouldn’t end there.
Saffron said: ‘Going to bed straight after cleansing will dry the skin and leave a tightened finish. Moisturiser will help to rebalance the natural moisture into your skin after you’ve applied the products to your facial area.
‘Apply a pea sized amount into your hands and rub together before slowly applying to skin. Massage the cream onto your face in circular motions to boost circulation and keep your complexion healthy with a natural glow.’
Using regular cleanser
Different cleansers will work better at different things depending on what they’re made with – hence why many experts recommend double cleansing.
‘It can be tempting to use any cleanser to remove your makeup, but this won’t target the residue’, explained Saffron.
‘Most cleansers are designed to remove makeup or cleanse the skin – not both. Makeup cleansers can be oil, gel, milk or cream. They help remove heavy makeup such as liquid lipsticks, brow pigments and setting powder.
‘Ensure the sole purpose of the product is to remove makeup, otherwise your skin will not be protected against excess oil sebum.’
Avoiding the edge of your eyelids
Yes, you need to be careful with your eye area, but there’s a fine mind between being careful and neglecting it.
‘The most frequently neglected area of the face during makeup removal is the edges of your eyelids’, said Saffron. ‘This area can see a lot of mascara and eyeliner build up over time which can cause irritation.
‘Using a targeted tool such as a cotton swab soaked into eye makeup remover and slowly dab in the corners to remove every trace. Be gentle when doing this and always use different swabs for both eyes.’
Wetting your skin before applying products
It might seem perfectly natural, but no, Saffron said you shouldn’t be getting your skin wet before you put your cleanser on.
‘When you wet your skin before applying products, she explained, ‘you are reducing the impact of the ingredients. Wet skin will dilute the cleanser, and you will be working harder to remove your makeup.
‘For easier removal, use a cream or lotion-based cleanser directly onto dry skin, before massaging your face with water and rinsing off.’
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