Why Makeup Wipes are the WORST

...And what to use instead

Removing your makeup properly is the biggest foundation of a great skincare routine. If you’re not removing your makeup well, you cannot cleanse your face effectively, and that causes breakouts. I know that sounds trite and obvious, but let’s be honest: we all know what a struggle it is after a long day to take your makeup off thoughtfully. Most of us just drag a makeup wipe over our faces and and hit the hay- this is NOT enough! In fact, it can be a huge contributor to the skin problems you are experiencing.

Makeup wipes take a huge toll on your skin- and on the environment.

Makeup wipes are THE WORST way you can take off your makeup. They take a toll on your skin in so many ways. The dragging and wiping motion is much too rough for the sensitive skin around your eyes and contributes to redness, irritation, and fine lines and wrinkles over time with continued use. Think of it this way: it takes much more effort and roughness to remove baked-on food from your stovetop when it’s dry, than to first spray with some cleaning solution to soak in and lift away the mess. In this way, you want to let your makeup remover do all the work, so you don’t have to tug at your skin to remove your baked-on makeup, so to speak. Also, another downside to makeup wipes is the residue they leave on your skin. Makeup wipes contain a lot of surfactants (detergents) that aid to break down your makeup, but if you’re not rinsing them away, they can and will cause irritation and breakouts. Another notable downside is that they are environmentally unfriendly. They create a lot of waste, and some of them are not biodegradable which means they will end up in landfills and oceans.

The best way to remove your makeup

The simplest and most effective way of removing makeup is by using an oil-based cleanser. Back in the day, our grandmas used cold cream to remove makeup, which is basically just an oil-in-water emulsion that is really moisturizing. The ingredients in good oil cleansers are simple, and they're generally affordable! A lot of us are wary about putting oil on our faces, especially if you already have oily/combination skin, but trust me- oil cleansing is the best thing you can do for your skin no matter your skin type. Oils sink deep into pores to lift away dirt and makeup, so it actually balances the skin by removing any impurities that have accumulated during the day- including our own oiliness.

Oil Removes Oil

It’s important to remember, oil removes oil- if you were to wipe away the motor oil from a gear on a car, you would notice that it is impeccably clean- that is because oil binds itself to grime and dirt, keeping that grime from accumulating in the engine, so your car runs smoothly. Oils are great cleaners- they easily break down makeup so you don’t have rub hard for it to work. It just melts into the skin and does all the heavy lifting for you. There are many types of oil cleansers – cold creams, cleansing balms, and liquids, that are wonderful at removing makeup. Some oil cleansers work with water to rinse away cleanly, while others like cold cream you must wipe away gently. I encourage you to try different oil cleansers and see what works best for you. Just make sure it is fragrance-free! You will notice that most oil cleanser ingredients are incredibly simple- this is what makes them amazing. Less is always better!

Once you’ve removed your makeup this way, you’ll notice that your skin feels softer, hydrated, and less irritated. It gives you the proper base to cleanse your face more effectively so you’re actually removing everything. This way, your skin is prepared to accept active ingredients that target whatever skin issues you are looking to correct. Your skincare will not work unless your skin is properly cleansed! With use of oil cleansers over time, people with oily skin will notice that their skin is actually LESS oily because the cleansing oil removes a lot of that naturally occurring oil without stripping their skin, and allows moisturizer to penetrate better and deliver the hydration skin really needs. For those with dry skin, oil cleansers will nourish the skin so that your regular face wash doesn’t strip it dry. It cleanses the skin without being harsh.

I think everyone can benefit from ditching makeup wipes and trying an oil cleanser. At worst, if it doesn’t work for you, please consider at least using a makeup remover liquid or micellar water on a cotton pad to gently soak away makeup instead. Just remember not to rub your skin! Overall, I think most people will enjoy using oil cleansers and see a great difference in their skin. You just have to know how to use them properly! Check out my Nighttime Skincare Routine to learn how to use oil cleanser.

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