The Best Way to Remove Your Makeup

As fun as it is to apply makeup at the start of the day or for a dressy night out, there’s nothing like the feeling of removing makeup, wiping it off and getting back to a fresh, clean face when the day is done.

Of course, as modern makeup has become more long lasting, makeup removal can be a chore rather than an easy, clean sweep. And if your makeup is waterproof, it’s even more of a challenge!

Your regular cleanser might not be the best way to melt away every last bit of makeup. As it turns out, preferences with makeup removal products vary by region and the type of makeup remover you choose depends more on personal preference and the kind of makeup that you’re removing than on your individual skin type.

Australian consumers tend to use traditional foaming cleansers to remove makeup, but in other areas of the world, people use more of a wipe-off cleanser, something you don’t rinse, or they prefer oil-based cleansers.

Neutrogena^®’s experts recommend that every woman have an eye-makeup specific remover in her arsenal for stubborn mascara and eyeliner that’s specifically designed to break down oil-based products. They say that’s because, in chemistry terms, oil dissolves oil.

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you’ll want to follow any cleansing oil with your regular cleanser, to rinse away excess oil.

If your makeup isn’t heavy, long wearing or oil based, you can skip a cleansing oil and simply remove it with a cleansing wipe. Wipes make makeup removal easy, as the texture of the fabric gives the cleansing ingredients extra strength, helping to scrub away every last bit of lipstick and eye shadow.

The best part about makeup remover cleansing wipes? Most are designed to be “rinse free” — so you can cleanse your skin right in the comfort of your bed.

Makeup removal may seem like a no-brainer, but sadly it’s a step many people skip — a bad habit that can lead to clogged pores and irritated skin.