Removing make-up: the perfect make-up removal routine in six steps
Do you like to invest time in putting on your make-up perfectly in the morning? Then you should give your skin the same loving attention in the evening. Taking off your make-up in the evening is just as important as caring for your skin. Find out how you can remove make-up, why it is important and which cleansing products are best suited to your skin type.
27 April 2023 • 4 min. reading time
Table of contents
The right way to remove make-up – why your daily routine is important
You’re bound to have experienced this: You get home at last after a long day at work and you just want to crawl into bed. The thought of heading to the bathroom and removing your make-up does not really appeal. But you shouldn't skip this task even after a late party. If you go to sleep with your make-up on, you will have to face several unpleasant consequences:
- You’ll wake up in the morning with ‘panda eyes’ that come from smeared mascara, eyeshadow and eyeliner.
- Your pores will look enlarged. Maybe a spot will be starting to form.
- The skin will be irritated and will react with dry areas if you often fail to take your make-up off in the evening.
- Lashes with mascara on can break off more easily.
- The remaining particles of dirt or pollutants can cause oxidative stress, which encourages premature skin-ageing.
The right way to take off face make-up: step by step
Are you unsure how to go about removing your make-up properly? Our step-by-step guide shows you what you should look out for. This is how to thoroughly cleanse your skin in the evening and prepare it perfectly for a regenerating nightly rest.
Step 1: Prepare for your make-up removal routine
Tie your hair back and wash your hands thoroughly. By doing this, you avoid bringing new bacteria to the skin whilst cleansing. A hairband will give your hair extra protection from getting wet as you cleanse your face.
Step 2: Remove eye make-up
To remove make-up from your eyelashes properly, we recommend eye make-up remover. Soak a cotton pad in the product, place it onto the closed eye and press gently. Let the cleansing product briefly soak in and then wipe off the mascara from the eyelashes, working from the inside to the outside with the pad. You can remove eyeshadow and eyeliner in the same way as well.
Removing waterproof mascara
If you want to remove waterproof mascara, you should reach for an oil-based eye make-up remover for waterproof make-up. The oil removes waterproof products extremely easily. Alternatively, you can also use a cleansing oil that you massage in with your hands and rinse off with water.
Eye make-up remover
Eye make-up remover
Step 3: Cleanse the lips
Traditional lipstick can be removed easily with traditional make-up removers or micellar water. It is more difficult with products that promise to be long-lasting and waterproof. With these you can once more reach for an oil-based cleanser or a rich lip balm.
Step 4: Remove make-up
Now cleanse the rest of the face – foundation, concealer, blusher and bronzer are removed in this step. A two-step system is best suited for this. Double-cleansing is particularly effective and tolerated well by the skin.In the first step, remove most of the make-up. For this you can use, for example, a micellar water, a cleansing milk or an oil cleanser. Dry skin types benefit particularly from an oil-based cleanser because such cleansers provide additional hydration. For oily or normal skin, it is better to reach for a less moisturising product like micellar water or cleansing milk.The second step removes the remainder of the make-up and the traces of the first cleanser. Not many people know this: Micellar water should also be washed off because it contains soap.
Step 5: Clarify with toner
Caution, myth alert: Many people believe that this step is part of the cleansing routine. But a toner is not a cleanser – it’s a skincare product. If you use the right products first and have used the double-cleansing method, your skin should be completely free from dirt and make-up.A toner rebalances the pH value of your skin and prepares it optimally for further skincare. Simply put the toner on a cotton pad or a reusable pad and sweep it over the skin. Don’t neglect frequently forgotten areas such as the roots of the hair, the ears and the spot between the chin and neck. There should now be no more traces of make-up on the cotton pad.
Step 6: Night-time care
Now the skin is thoroughly cleansed and ready for extensive nourishment. This can be very individual and should be tailored to skin types. Combine serums, creams and face oils the way it feels good for you. In the evening, especially, maybe take time for a little facial massage to release the stress of the day.
Make-up removers: These products are matched to your skin type
Along with the skin type, it also depends on whether you prefer light make-up or creamy foundations, high-coverage concealers and waterproof mascara. Our tips will help you to find the right cleansing products:
Removing make-up from dry skin
To remove make-up from dry skin properly, we recommend a cleansing oil, cleansing lotion or milk. These products remove make-up as well as dirt and therefore protect the skin. Simply apply with the hands, massage in and finally remove with clean water. It is especially thorough and beneficial to use a muslin cloth dampened with warm water to remove the cleanser. If you are wearing a lot of make-up, you should use an oil-based product or eye make-up remover first.
Cleansing oils & lotions
Cleansing oils & lotions
Removing make-up from combination and oily skin
You shouldn’t be afraid of oil-based cleansers even with oily or combination skin. These products remove all traces of make-up particularly thoroughly and care for the skin at the same time. You should just take care to finish with a cleansing gel or a cleansing foam. This removes excess oil and leaves the skin feeling comfortable.
Cleansing gel & cleansing foam
Cleansing gel & cleansing foam
Removing make-up from sensitive skin
Oils are also well-suited to sensitive skin. The moisturising texture provides a particularly protective way to remove make-up with little friction. But micellar water in combination with a cotton pad can be used as a good first cleansing step for sensitive skin – though with waterproof make-up, it is best to go for oil-based cleansers.
Micellar water
Micellar water
Takeaway
Tailor your cleansing products to your preferred type of make-up and your skin type – then it will be super easy to remove your make-up every day. Secret weapons like micellar water and oil-based products will remove even waterproof make-up and high-coverage concealer. Discover premium products that effectively remove your make-up and optimally prepare your skin for your skincare routine.
You might also be interested in
Certified security
