Take Off Your Make-up the Right Way with Make-up Remover

You probably know that regular soap and water isn’t the way to go when you’ve got make-up to remove. If you don’t know how to take off waterproof mascara, full-coverage foundation and long-wear lipstick, it can require more than just a splash to remove—and having the right and best make-up remover products is key to ensure that you’re getting the best skincare.

Not using the right make-up remover doesn’t only leave residue on your skin; it can also clog your pores and lead to inflammation and a weakened skin barrier—not to mention increased breakouts. You definitely don’t want to put the rest of your skin products on top of a poorly cleansed face.

Here are a few tips how to remove your make-up the right way; kick off your skincare routine with the right make-up remover.

Use a waterproof make-up remover:

It might seem self-explanatory, but waterproof make-up needs waterproof make-up remover to take it off. These formulas are designed to break down hard-to-remove products like long-wear lipstick and waterproof mascara, but the best waterproof eye make-up remover is a formula that’s also gentle. Using anything too harsh has the potential to irritate sensitive areas of your face, like your eyes and lips.

Try: L’Oréal Paris Gentle Eyes and Lips Waterproof Make-up Remover , which removes waterproof make-up while still being super-gentle on your complexion. Plus, it’s a non-greasy formula that won’t leave any residue behind.

Get rid of any regular make-up with an effective but gentle make-up remover that won’t strip your skin.

Getting rid of make-up that isn’t waterproof still requires an effective product. It’s particularly important to pick a formula that is gentle on your skin but that also helps strengthen your complexion. By using a gentle make-up remover formula, you can soak a cotton pad and hold it against your (closed) eye to wipe away eye make-up without irritating your skin.

Try: L’Oréal Paris Gentle Eyes and Lips Waterproof Make-up Remover, which also has pro-vitamin B5 in it to moisturize, soothe, heal and help regenerate your complexion.

Use Micellar water as a make-up remover

Micellar cleansing water is French in origin and contains super effective micellar technology. Basically, cleansing oil molecules are suspended in water and the oil attracts dirt and oil without drawing moisture out of the skin—and without the need to rinse with water. Simply wipe a saturated cotton pad over your face and watch make-up, dirt and debris disappear. Use Micellar water as make-up remover, since it is an incredibly effective face cleanser. The key? Pick the right formula for your skin type.

If want a make-up remover for dry skin:

• Look for micellar water formulas that will improve your skin barrier or add hydration or lipids. The feeling you want to avoid is tightness or any sort of irritation—that means your skin barrier has been compromised, which will lead to more dryness and potential redness and irritation. While you might think hydration starts with face cream, it can actually start with your cleanser and make-up remover.

Try: L’Oréal Paris Micellar Water Make-up Remover for Normal to Dry Skin

If you are looking for make-up remover for sensitive skin:

• You want to look for skin products that have attributes similar to those picked for dry skin, but also pay close attention to any potentially irritating ingredients. These include fragrance, alcohol and harsh soaps. All of these can make any underlying sensitivities (like redness, spots and bumps) flare up.

Try: L’Oréal Paris Micellar Water Make-up Remover for Sensitive Skin

If you want make-up remover for oily skin, or acne-prone skin

• Look for formulas that will help to rebalance or control sebum. The key is in the rebalancing—while you may want to shed excess oil, if you remove it all, you’ll risk causing the opposite problem. (Having dry skin can also contribute to breakouts.) By using a formula that balances sebum, you can gently remove make-up and the excess oil without stripping your skin completely. Balance is key in any skin-care regimen.