How To Remove Makeup & Eye Makeup

Most of us wear makeup at least once a week, so it's important to know what the best way to remove makeup is to ensure we're getting the most out of our skincare and not doing any more damage by using incorrect techniques. Read on to discover the best way to remove makeup, and find the best makeup remover for you.

Why should you always make sure to take your makeup off properly?

There's a whole range of things that can happen to your skin if you don't take proper care of it by removing makeup at the end of each day. This includes eye infections, skin irritation, styes, broken lashes, clogged pores leading to blemishes, and dry skin. But don't worry, we're here to help. Read on to discover the best way to remove makeup.

8 Steps On How To Remove Makeup

lady with brunette hair wearing a pink robe and removing makeup

8 Steps On How To Remove Makeup

1. MOVE YOUR HAIR BACK TO GET TO YOUR WHOLE FACE

Be thorough to make sure you're removing makeup from all areas of your face. If your hair is in the way you may miss the edges of your face which can lead to a build-up of product which could later develop into blemishes or spots due to your pores becoming clogged. Invest in an elasticated hairband to ensure all your hair is kept off your face and that way you'll have better access to your entire face.

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lady with blonde hair using a cleanser to remove makeup

How To Remove Makeup & Eye Makeup

2. TAKE YOUR TIME & BE GENTLE

Your face is much more delicate than other parts of your body, particularly around your eye area, which is why it's important to be gentle with your face as you're removing makeup. Skin around the eyes is actually as thin as an egg membrane making it more susceptible to damage such as micro-tears and can feel more sensitive than other areas of your face. Skin around the eyes is also drier than other parts of your face, which is why you should find a hydrating or moisturising product for removing makeup.

8 Steps On How To Remove Makeup

3. USE A CLEANSER DESIGNED TO REMOVE MAKEUP

Due to the skin on your face being more delicate than that of other areas of the body, it's important that you're not adding extra strain to it by using a harsh product to cleanse with, or having to apply more pressure to get the same effects when removing makeup. A big no-no is using using baby wipes when removing makeup - these aren't designed to remove makeup and will likely lead to you adding extra pressure and doing more than good for your skin. Instead, you should use products specifically designed for removing makeup such as the NIVEA Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes, enriched with Aloe Vera for an extra boost of TLC for the skin that will do the job and efficiently remove makeup from your face. An added bonus of these cleansing wipes is that they are biodegradable and are made with 100% renewable fibres.

lady putting cream on her cheek while removing makeup

8 Steps On How To Remove Makeup

4. MAKE SURE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE EDGES OF YOUR EYELID

Don't assume that just because you can't see any makeup on your face that it isn't there. A common faux-pas made when removing makeup is to neglect the edges of your eyelid where makeup gathers around your eyelashes. If you like to wear waterproof makeup, it can feel like a laborious task, but it's even more necessary to remove makeup properly. If this isn't removed properly before bed it can lead to irritation and the development of styes, which can be very sore and uncomfortable. One of the best way to remove makeup around the eyelashes is to apply a wet cotton pad or flannel to the area to soften the makeup beforehand, and then follow this up with an effective makeup wipe such as the NIVEA MicellAIR Professional Micellar Make-Up Remover Wipes, specially designed to remove waterproof and stubborn makeup, while also protecting lashes.

lady with brunette hair using cotton pads to remove makeup

8 Steps On How To Remove Makeup

5. COTTON PADS ARE BETTER THAN COTTON BALLS

If you choose not to use makeup remover wipes, make sure that you're using cotton pads rather cotton balls, as you'll waste less product using them. Cotton balls absorb too much of the formula leading to waste, and may leave pieces of cotton on your skin, as well as not really removing all of your makeup effectively.

lady with brunette hair removing makeup in the mirror

8 Steps On How To Remove Makeup

6. USE A CIRCULAR, UPWARD MOTION

In order to remove makeup from your face you will have to rub it, but the best way to remove makeup in this way is to use a circular, upward motion as this helps to stimulate blood flow to the skin which helps the body deliver necessary nutrients to your face in the blood. Wiping your face downwards also drags your face down which can contribute to sagging skin and a loss of skin elasticity if done over a long period of time, but by wiping your face upwards it helps to prevent that.

lady with wet hair using a toner to remove residue from removing makeup

8 Steps On How To Remove Makeup

7. Use a toner afterwards to remove further traces of dirt

Toner is used to cleanse any remaining dirt left in the pores after removing makeup. It's a quick absorbing liquid that also removes traces of oil and corrects the balance of the skin which in turn helps to control acne. Even the best makeup remover is likely to leave something left behind, so it gives you added cleansing for clear skin.

8 Steps On How To Remove Makeup

8. Always moisturise afterwards

Even if you're using a very hydrating cleanser or makeup wipe to remove your makeup, makeup removal should always be followed by adding a moisturiser because wearing makeup dries out the skin, so it's important to lock in all the moisture that you can to keep your skin looking healthy and cared for. Moisturising your skin regularly also helps to prevent wrinkles and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

IT'S CLEAR: HOW TO REMOVE MAKEUP PROPERLY BEFORE GOING TO BED

Even if you’re coming home late and would love to just fall into bed: Facial cleansing in the evening is essential for beautiful skin. But why is it so important to remove makeup before going to bed?

MAKEUP, SWEAT AND DIRT COULD CLOG YOUR PORES:
If makeup stays on your face, the skin fat can’t drain properly which can lead to clogged pores and impurities. Even if you don’t use any makeup, cleansing in the evening is very important. During the course of the day, dust and skin particles and bacteria stick to your skin. Removing the traces of the day from your pores will effectively prevent blackheads and pimples.

RESIDUE ON THE SKIN CAN ACCELERATE SKIN AGEING:
Pollutants also stick to your skin during the day. If you don’t cleanse your face, those substances can trigger oxidative stress and promote the formation of wrinkles.

PASSING ON MAKEUP REMOVAL CAN DISRUPT THE SKIN
REGENERATION:
While we sleep, the skin works at full speed and increasingly forms new cells. Makeup and dirt can interfere with that process. You should remove your makeup in the evening so that the regeneration process can take place unhindered at night. With supplementary night care you support your skin in cell renewal and promote a fresh complexion in the morning.

NIGHT CARE ROUTINE FOR BEAUTIFUL SKIN

Getting rid of makeup is a part of your night care routine. In this video you will learn the important steps of your facial care – so that your skin can regenerate perfectly over night.

REMOVE MASCARA RIGHT: SAY NO TO PANDA EYES

If you leave mascara on your eyelashes over night, the fine hairs might break. But what is the best way to remove eye makeup as gently as possible?

Water-soluble mascara can gently be removed with micellar water. If you need to remove waterproof mascara, micellar cleansing wipes or special eye makeup removers are a good choice. They effortlessly and gently remove eye shadow, eyeliner and waterproof makeup from your skin and eyelashes.

HOW TO REMOVE MAKEUP WITH A COTTON PAD:

Soak pad with eye makeup remover or micellar water.
Apply with light pressure to your closed eyelid, allow to soak for a short time – the mascara will dissolve smoothly.
After a few seconds (count to 5), wipe the mascara carefully with a cotton pad downward or from the inside to the outside.
Repeat until the mascara is completely removed.

Be careful: When removing makeup from your eyes, it’s important to be as gentle as possible. Mechanical stress such as heavy rubbing or scrubbing can irritate the sensitive skin around the eyes, which may lead to redness and eye wrinkles.

Types Of Makeup Remover

Find the best makeup remover for you.

Makeup wipes
These are perfect when you're on the go often or you want a quick and easy way to effectively remove makeup at the end of the day.
Makeup remover gel
This is gentle on the skin and is especially good for removing eye makeup as the gel softens the makeup around your eyes making it gentle on your eyelashes. Try the NIVEA MicellAIR Micellar Gel Eye Make-Up Remover.
Micellar Water Cleanser
Much like makeup remover gel, micellar cleansing water is gentle on the skin and effective at removing makeup. Discover the NIVEA micellar water range today.
Cleansing Milk
If you want a super hydrating way of removing makeup that leaves skin feeling soft, try using a milky cleanser such as the NIVEA Naturally Good Milky Cleanser - it's made from 99% of natural origin ingredients.
Oil-Enriched Cleanser
Oil-enriched cleansers contain effective oils that first target tough to remove makeup such as waterproof mascara and then cleanse the rest of the face with refreshing cleanser. If you wear lots of heavy makeup this could be the makeup remover for you. Try the NIVEA Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover.