Hot girl summer, but remove your makeup properly afterwards

Have you done right by your skin this summer?

After a long Summer of, well, summer-ing, I have one question for you: how did your skin hold up? I can already guess that most people either did not wear sunscreen or did not apply it well. Some people may have seen their skin become more dry and scaly as they forgot to drink water between binge day drinking. Whichever category you fall in, what is most important is that you enjoyed yourself through it all.

Of the many ways we tend to abuse our skin during warmer, funner months, nothing can be worse than sleeping with your makeup on! I did it about five times this summer and regretted it each time! If you were dutiful and remembered to remove your makeup after a long day or night out, way to go. Sometimes you can do all of that, yet your skin still looks like you slept in a full beat. The reason for that could be that you did not remove your makeup properly, and that is what we are here to discuss today. Before we get into that, let’s start with:

The different types of makeup remover

Like all skincare products, makeup remover comes in different forms. Some of the most commonly used makeup removers are:

• Balms 
• Cleansing or micellar water 
• Cold creams
• Makeup wipes 
• Oils

The type of makeup remover you choose is a matter of preference, skin type, and the base of the makeup you are removing. For example, if you have oily skin, it may be best to avoid an oil-based makeup remover. Whereas, if you have dry skin or care for your skin as much as you say you do, it is best to avoid makeup wipes altogether. Why? Many makeup wipes are alcohol-based, so if you wear makeup and use alcohol-based makeup remover often, you will strip your skin of its natural oils. That leads to excessive dryness and a roughened skin texture. Worst of all, it may cause an acne outbreak as acne is often the result of the overproduction of oil by your sebaceous (oil) glands. Whew! A whole science lesson. 

Many companies produce makeup-removing products for specific parts of your face. There are eye and lip makeup removers, for example. Companies do this because certain cosmetic products contain ingredients that could be more stubborn than others. If you wear matte lipstick, you may find that a water-based makeup remover may not remove it as well as an oil-based remover. Because eyeshadow is powdery, it can be easier to remove it with a water-based makeup remover such as cleansing or micellar water. 

5 steps to remove your makeup properly

Before I grew up, it was not uncommon for me to use good old-fashioned baby oil to remove my makeup. I watched my mother do it every day after work, and her skin is immaculate. Though I upgraded to The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser, I still appreciate the hydration that comes along with an oil-based makeup remover. This oil-based cleanser goes on smooth as it seeps into your pores and melts the makeup off your face. I may not be an expert, but I am neurotic about clean skin. So, follow the steps below to ensure that you remove your makeup after a long day of being a glamazon!

1. If you use an oil-based makeup remover, let it sit on your skin for a couple of minutes (read: TWO minutes) before cleansing. The same can be done with balms and cold creams. For makeup wipes, you may need to use 2-3 of them to remove as much makeup as you can before cleansing.
2. Because oil and water do not mix, you may have to cleanse your face twice to remove the excess oil left behind with makeup. Although many will argue that the texture of a washcloth can be as bad as Kylie Skin’s infamous walnut scrub, feel free to use a washcloth to help the cleanser dissolve any leftover residue. 
3. After cleansing, use a toner to remove excess dirt and oil. Some toners are milky, while others are clear and watery. Either way, use whichever works best for your skin type and routine. Toner is an excellent primer for skin serums and other treatments that you may use. 
4. Apply your skin serums, treatments, and a moisturizer to seal your skin. 
5. Sleep well.

So, there you have it: five easy ways to remove your makeup. The most important thing to do when removing makeup is to be diligent about getting the dirt out. Some of us scrub our skin raw with a cotton ball until all of the dirt is gone. Us is me; I am us, but that is neither here nor there. Anyway, enjoy the remainder of your summer on the streets, wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, and for God’s sake, please do not sleep with your makeup on! Until next time.