Makeup removal is an important element of evening skin care regimen that cannot be omitted. After a long day, the facial skin is covered with dirt, fumes, sweat, sebum, bacteria which all clog the pores. As a consequence, the skin is overloaded, it cannot breathe freely and blemishes and blackheads are more likely to appear. Inaccurate makeup removal or its lack is the main cause of skin irritations as well as red, itchy eyes and swollen under-eye area. What’s more, it’s also a barrier for nourishing substances contained in cosmetics. Therefore, daily thorough face washing and regular exfoliating, which removes dead skin cells are essential. How to do the perfect face and eye makeup removal? How to choose a toner that will match a particular skin type and what exactly is pH? Find out if makeup removal with soap and water is safe for your skin, and get ideas for an at-home makeup removal.

How to remove face makeup?

In order to cleanse the facial skin, makeup removal cosmetics (such as milk, foam or gel) should be used on a daily basis. The preparation must be selected to match the given type of skin. The product which requires the use of water should be combined with lukewarm water because the hot dissolves and removes the fatty protective layer of the epidermis.

The most moisturizing ingredients are included in cleansing milk, which additionally oils the face most effectively. However, you should not use it if your skin is oily. The product should be applied with a cotton pad and gently wipe the face with it until the cotton pad is completely clean. The foam and gel can either be used in the same way, or treated as a face wash and first, massaged into the skin and then rinsed with water.

If you wash your face with gel and water, moisten the skin of the face and neck beforehand. Then, just apply a small amount of the preparation onto the palms of your hands, spread evenly all over the face and massage gently until it lathers. Finally, rinse thoroughly.

How to match face toners to different skin types?

Although the most makeup removers are infused with conditioning ingredients, it always a good idea to wipe your face with a toner afterward. The product will restore proper pH to the skin. Proper skin reaction is the best protection against harmful external factors. In addition, the toner will eliminate the feeling of tightness and will refresh the epidermis.

In order to take care of the skin prone to irritation, it is worth using hypoallergenic toners, because it contains bioflavonoids with anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. The toners for oily and sensitive skin are often enriched with powders that give the mattifying effect and maintain it for at least several hours. The addition of willow bark makes the face bright and the pores well removed. A toner for both oily and dry skin should not contain alcohol.

What is pH?

The pH is the scale by which the concentration of hydrogen ions is measured in the solution and, consequently, determines the acidity or alkalinity of the solution. Water is neutral and its pH is 7. Acidic solutions have a pH lower than 7, and alkaline – higher than 7. Skin pH is about 5.5, so its pH is acidic. High pH of the skin impedes the process of exfoliation of the epidermis and leads to drying of the skin. In addition, it promotes the multiplication of bacteria responsible for the formation of acne.

How to remove eye makeup?

To remove eye makeup the right way, apply a cosmetic specially designed for this purpose – a classic or a bi-phase one. The latter will remove even waterproof makeup, because it contains oils that will effectively dissolve all kinds of cosmetics, and a water component will soothe irritation. Before each use of the bi-phase liquid, make sure to shake well to mix both phases.

Because the skin on the eyelids and around the eyes is very thin, you should deal with it very gently. For this reason, instead of rubbing the eyelids, use a cotton swab soaked in the makeup remover, for example, milk or micellr water, press it against the skin genty and wait a few seconds. Once it dissolves the cosmetics, move the cotton swab mowing it from the inner corner of the eye towards the temple. Do this until the cotton swab is completely clean.

The mascara should be washed with vertical movements. Under the lower parts of eyelashes, it is worth putting tissues that will help to avoid smudging the mascara on the lower eyelid and in consequence, the “panda” effect. In turn, horizontal movements should be used to wash off the eyeliners and eyeshadows remaining between eyelashes.

Is makeup removal with soap and water safe for the skin?

Healthy and young skin can be washed only with water, but the use of ordinary soap is not recommended, because it destroys the protective layer of the skin, accelerates the formation of wrinkles, makes the skin dry, leaves a basic sediment on it and facilitates the penetration of allergens and other irritating external factors. To prevent this, use the washing bar, a syndet that contains less than 10 percent soap and more than 90 percent of synthetic detergents.

Ideas for at-home makeup removal

For those who love natural solutions, we have prepared ideas for homemade makeup removal that will successfully replace traditional milk, foams and gels.

Yeast mask

The yeast mask soothes irritations, cleanses and removes sebum. To prepare it, crumble 5 g of fresh yeast and combine it with a teaspoon of liquid honey and the amount of water that will allow you to obtain a smooth paste. Apply the mask to the face, and after 10 minutes, wash away with lukewarm water.

Cucumber mask

The cucumber mask tightens the pores and brings the feeling of freshness. In order to prepare it, cut the cucumber into thin slices and place it on the face and neck. To keep them from slipping and drying out, cover them with a damp gauze. Leave them on your face for 20 minutes.

Pumpkin mask

The pumpkin mask cleans the face very well. To prepare it, mix half a cup of mashed pumpkin with the same amount of natural yogurt and leave aside for 2 hours. Collect the milk obtained in this way and apply it to the face in the morning and in the evening, then rinse with water.