How to remove makeup - Your guide | Kiana Beauty

Why should you remove your makeup?

You should always remove your makeup at the end of the day to clean your skin of foundation, eye makeup and grime such as pollution. When your skin is clean, it is ready for your serum and moisturiser to be absorbed. This means that your skin gets the full benefits of the products in your skin care routine.

If your skin still has traces of makeup on it, your skin care won't be absorbed properly, which means that you won't get the best results.

Additionally, leaving makeup on your skin can block pores, cause acne and affect your skin health.

So, no matter tired you are when you get home, always make sure to remove your makeup so that you can maintain health and glowing skin.

The best makeup removal techniques 

I have been lucky enough to access the wisdom of our experts over the years to create my own skincare routine. Here are my best makeup removal tips for healthy skin.

Cleanser to Remove Makeup

The first step to removing makeup is to pull your hair back if it is long enough to fall on your face. Don't skip this simple yet important step. It allows you to get the cleanser close to your hairline, which means you can remove all of your makeup effectively.

This avoids accumulation of makeup along the hair line, which reduces the chance of breakouts occurring.

I love the Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser because it removes makeup gently and effectively. It cleanses the skin without drying it out or stripping it of its natural oils.

• Formulated for sensitive dry skin
• Enriched with moisturisers
• Skin is fresh & comfortable

Be Gentle when scrubbing skin

Always be gentle when taking off makeup as the skin on your face is delicate. To properly remove makeup without scrubbing the skin, apply the cleanser to your face with a light massage.

This will loosen the makeup. Then, take a soft cloth or cotton pad and skim the face in one direction to remove the makeup.

Remember to repeat the process until the skin is clean.

Eye Makeup Removal

Eye makeup can be really stubborn to remove sometimes. 

The skin around the eye area is delicate, so it is really important to choose gentle formulations. Just as importantly, don't scrub the delicate eye area to remove eye makeup.

Rinse Off  is one of my favourite Clinique eye makeup removers. 

It removes longwearing eye makeup quickly and easily and can be used to remove brow makeup too. It has a gentle formulation which doesn't sting the eyes.

• Oil-free, won't sting eyes
• Ophthalmologist tested
• Suitable for all skin types
• Quickly removes eye makeup & brow makeup

Simply moisten a cotton pad with the eye makeup remover. Then, close your eyes and hold the pad over the lids and lashes for a few seconds to give the product the time to dissolve the makeup before wiping.  

Best eye makeup remover for waterproof mascara

Oil based makeup remover for lipstick

When I wear lipstick, I choose a long-wearing one so that it stays in place all day long, without transferring.

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips is excellent at removing long-wearing makeup. This includes waterproof mascara and lipstick.

It is really easy to use, which makes it easy at the end of the day when I'm tired. 

• Gentle formulation - suitable for all skin types
• Suitable for contact lens wearers
• Removes waterproof makeup
• Ophthalmologist tested

Firstly, shake it well to mix the ingredients together. Then apply it to a cotton pad and gently sweep it across the makeup to wipe it off.

Finally, rinse your face with water to remove any excess residue of the makeup remover. 

Steam to remove makeup 

Steam is your friend when it comes to makeup removal, particularly if you are wearing heavy makeup for an event. Fill a bowl with hot water and hover your face over it for a few minutes before you remove makeup. The steam will open up your pores which allows the makeup remover to penetrate deeper into the skin.

Common Makeup Mistakes

So, we've established that it's really important to remove your makeup every night for clean and healthy skin. Read on below to find out common makeup mistakes that we have encountered from our in-store customers.

Scrubbing Too Hard

It can be really tempting to scrub your skin hard to remove stubborn makeup. However, the skin on your face is delicate and rubbing it will irritate and damage it.

If you have stubborn makeup that won't budge,  I recommend double cleansing or soaking a cotton pad in makeup remover and holding it over the makeup for a few seconds to help dissolve it further.

Always remember to rinse your face again after removing makeup. This removes any final traces of makeup and cleansing product.

Normal Cleanser on Heavy Makeup

Heavy duty makeup needs a heavy duty makeup remover. If you wear heavy makeup or long-wearing makeup, choose a makeup remover for long-wearing makeup. These are especially formulated for dissolving and removing heavy makeup.

Eye Makeup Remover on all parts of the face

Eye makeup is generally harder to remove therefore requires a specific formulation that can remove waterproof product. These products are specifically formulated for the delicate and sensitive skin around the eyes.

If used on the rest of your face, eye makeup removers will clog pores which causes breakouts. They may also strip your skin of essential oils leaving it dry and irritated.

Using the right makeup remover for the right part of your face will keep your skin healthy and clean. When your skin is properly cleaned, your serum and moisturiser are absorbed better and therefore more effective.

Makeup Removal FAQs 

We are the online arm of Berwick Pharmacy and are often asked the following questions when it comes to makeup removal.

Can I use baby wipes to remove makeup?

Please don't use baby wipes to remove makeup! We know that baby skin is soft and delicate, just like the face. However, makeup requires special ingredients in order to be properly removed from the skin.

Can you remove makeup with water?

No, you cannot remove makeup with water effectively. Water may make your makeup slide off your face, but it will not remove makeup from your pores. 

Using water alone may lead you to scrub your skin in order to remove makeup. This is not good for your skin.

How to get makeup off without makeup remover?

Don't be tempted to sleep with your makeup on if you don't have makeup remover.

In this situation, you will need to improvise a little. Try using an oil such as jojoba, olive oil or coconut oil. These natural oils will remove makeup without irritating your skin and are okay one-off solutions.

Can a makeup remover remove nail polish?

No, makeup remover is not formulated to remove nail polish. For the best nail polish removers, see here.

Should I double cleanse?

Double cleansing is when you cleanse your face a second time, to get much deeper into the pores and remove makeup and impurities.

Double cleansing is helpful when you have worn heavy makeup. You can use any of your favourite cleansers for round two of cleansing to clean and balance your skin.

Lancome Jumbo Confort Set

This is a great value Lancome gift set. It contains a luxurious cleansing milk which gently cleanses and comforts your skin.

Follow this up with the silky Lancome toner, Tonique Confort which rebalances and soothes dry skin.

This bundle contains full sized products and will leave dry skin feeling comfortable, refreshed and well hydrated.

Elevate your Lancome skincare ritual with these luxurious Lancome skincare sets.

Browse our range of makeup removers today! 

No matter how tired you are, removing makeup at night is essential. You can shop our full range of makeup removers here.

Need more help with your skincare? Why not ask our beauty experts via our Ask an Expert feature?

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