The Makeup Removal Guide

Makeup removers are the unsung heroes of skincare. We love our moisturizers and serums, but we don’t give enough credit to makeup removers for doing all the heavy lifting—like taking off our favourite long-wear lipstick or waterproof mascara—so that our skincare products can work their magic.

Cleansing your face may not be the most glamorous part of your skincare routine, but it certainly is important. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about cleansing your skin with L’Oréal Paris’s Fine Flowers line, including tips on how to remove makeup and the best face cleansers to choose from.

The benefits of using a makeup remover

You may want to splash water on your face and call it a day, or stick with a bar of soap, but neither will thoroughly cleanse your skin, especially if you’re a fan of waterproof or long-wear makeup. Water alone can’t remove everything, and soap can strip your skin of essential oils and nutrients. A cleanser, on the other hand, is gently formulated with ingredients that are nourishing for the skin. Even if you don’t wear makeup on a regular basis, your skin is still susceptible to oil, dirt and pollution from the day.

So, the next time you go to bed without removing your makeup or cleansing your skin, remember that skipping this part of your nighttime routine is harmful for your complexion in the long run. It can lead to blemishes, irritation and dead skin buildup. It can also prevent your favourite skincare products, like sleep masks or serums with active ingredients like glycolic acid and retinol, from penetrating into your skin. The most important case for taking the time to properly remove your makeup? It will help prevent the signs of aging.

Thankfully, makeup removers have come a long way. They do a solid job of taking off every last stitch of makeup, and many of them are packed with skin-nourishing ingredients. There are also several different formulas and textures to choose from so there’s something for every skin type and concern.

Six cleansing tips to ace your skincare routine

Steer clear of scrubbing your skin, which will aggravate your complexion. A good makeup remover will easily remove your makeup with gentle massaging.

For a thorough clean, double cleanse your skin. The two-step process starts with an oil cleanser, which removes oil-based impurities like makeup, dirt and excess sebum. Follow it up with a foam cleanser, which goes into the deeper layers to remove sweat and debris.

Too tired to make the trip to the bathroom to remove your makeup? Keep makeup wipes by your bedside table for nights when you don’t have time to go through your entire evening skincare routine.

Makeup wipes are also great to have with you when you’re on-the-go. Stash them in your gym bag or your carry-on so that they’ll come to the rescue in emergencies and whenever you don’t have your regular products by your side.

Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to wash your face. The correct way involves using lukewarm water to cleanse your skin, because hot water can strip skin of essential oils. Avoid pulling and tugging by patting your skin dry with a towel.

Always follow up with your skincare products once you’ve cleansed your skin. The next step might be a toner like L’Oréal Paris Fine Flowers Toner, which gently soothes and balances your skin, or a serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to lock in hydration. Finish off with a moisturizer.

Choose the best cleanser for your skin

There are so many different types of cleansers on the market that it’s hard to know where to begin! L’Oréal Paris’s Fine Flowers line uses skin-soothing rose and jasmine and works for all skin types, including sensitive. Here’s how the find the right cleanser for you.

L’Oréal Paris Fine Flowers Cleansing Milk This gentle, creamy cleanser soothes and removes makeup with its fine flower-infused formula.

L’Oréal Paris Fine Flowers Cleansing Gel This gel-cream emulsifies upon contact with water and turns into a lightweight foam that cleanses, purifies and removes makeup residue.

L’Oréal Paris Fine Flowers Makeup Removing Cleansing Wipes A single swipe gently removes impurities, including stubborn waterproof makeup.