One of the most important parts of any #greenbeauty cleansing regime is make-up removal. By choosing natural and organic make-up products you are lessening your load of synthetic ingredients which is a great start, but don’t forget you need help washing off the unavoidable environmental pollution, dirt and grime which accumulates over the course of the day. If clear skin is your goal it starts here with make-up removal.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to removing make-up is to team it with a double cleanse method at night. The best way to do this is to use an oil-based product first as this will remove oil-based dirt, makeup and pollution most efficiently; followed by a cream cleanser or water-based wash to remove any remaining residue. Whilst this may seem like a longer process than you may be used to, if your make-up removal ritual is done nightly, the morning cleanse can be a simple rinse. Read on for our pick of products to ensure skin is free to breathe and get the most out of your beauty sleep….
Oil Based Make-Up Removers – great for ensuring make-up is removed easily. Ditch the mineral oil and opt for cleansers containing plant oils similar to those produced by the skin. Natural oil-based products such as the ones below make great eye make-up removers (they may even remove the ‘unconverted’ of their waterproof mascara) and are often suitable for even the most sensitive of eyes. Read on for our selection…
- For Sensitive Skin – Vapour Clarity Cleansing Oil and Makeup Remover utilises Camellia Oil (known as one of the secrets to Japanese women’s beautiful skin) as a base, making this non-irritating cleanser suitable for all skin types.
- Spot-Prone Skin – RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream. Although suitable for all skin types, this oil is particularly beneficial for those that suffer from spot-prone skin due to it’s anti—bacterial qualities.
- For dry skin – Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser this product cleanses by dissolving dirt and debris without stripping the skin. We’ve even used this on eczema prone skin with no irritation!
Water based makeup removers: Originally formulated in Paris in the 1990’s to provide Parisian women with an alternative to cleansing with the harsh water common in France, Micellar Water Cleansers are favoured by make-up artists and models alike for their easy no-rinse practicality. We think they make the perfect eye make-up removers. If you’re a fan of popular Micellar Water containing products such as Caudalie and Bioderma and have struggled to find a natural alternative we have the products for you…
- The Multi-Tasker – Absolution Leau Sour Et Matin Cleansing Water – This is a great product for on-the-go when you don’t have access to water – we never go on holiday without it! It will remove make-up, cleanse and tone the skin.
- Sensitive Eyes – REN 3 – 1 Water formulated as a detergent free ‘beauty water’, this is perfect for those with sensitive eyes.
- On-The-Go – Simply Gentle Cleansing Pads While we wouldn’t recommend them for your main or only cleansing at the end of the day, these certified organic pads do make the ideal wipes for removing eye make-up, cleansing on-the-go or as a morning refresher for the skin.
Cleansers that double as make-up removers: Time poor #greenbeauties will love the multi-tasking benefits of the cleverly designed balm and cream cleansers which double as eye make-up and make-up removers. If you suffer from dry skin and are not a fan of water-based products try one of these…
Cleansing Balms
- For Dry Skin – Skin Saviour Balm This ultra-nourishing balm breaks down dirt and make-up without stripping the skin of its protective layer.
- For Hormonal Skin – Oskia Perfect Cleanser this MSM, Zinc Glycine, and prebiotic enriched balm is ideal if you suffer from the odd spot but want to remove make-up also. Top tip: when a little water is added this balms cleverly transforms into a light milk to lift away make-up and pore-blocking impurities.
- For Reactive Skin – De Mamiel Restorative Cleanser a nourishing blend of skin-perfecting prebiotics, teamed with calendula and nourishing plant oils makes this product particularly soothing to reactive skin types.
- For oily/Combination Skin – Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser Formulated with natural detoxifiers to help flush away stubborn impurities, this pollution and toxin eradicating cleanser leaves skin feeling cooled and refreshed.
Creams
- The Multi-tasker… REN Rosa Centifolia Express Make-up Remover has been designed for gentle yet thorough cleansing. It will even work for those that are finding it hard to ditch the waterproof mascara!
- For Dry Skin…Trilogy Cream Cleanser with Rosehip Oil features some of our favourite most naturally moisturising plant oils such a jojoba seed, primrose and rosehip oil – this cream is a must-have for dry skin types.
- For Sensitive Skin… Pai Skincare Camelia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser is ideal if sensitive eyes are a concern. This cleanser is one of the gentler alternatives for removing accumulated build up of makeup, pollution and dirt.
While removing make-up is the first step in a good cleansing routine there are two tips, our facialist and nutritionist Fay Halkitis recommends for the perfect cleanse…
- Avoid putting your face directly under hot running water as this is dehydrating and is one of the main causes of redness (due to rapid vaso-constriction and dilation, causing capillaries to burst). Instead, using a gentle organic cotton cloth to carefully wipe away cleansing product.
- It isn’t always necessary to cleanse both AM and PM. As long as you always cleanse your face thoroughly in the evening before bed and change your pillow case frequently, your face should be clean when you wake up. It can be a nice ritual to simply tone and moisturise in the morning to refresh the skin and gently re-balance.
Eye Make-Up Removers
Although some of the above also double up as eye make-up removers, we recommend a dedicated cleanser for the delicate eye area. Our pick? The MV Organic Skincare Pure Jojoba: This is our star product for removing eye make –up. It’s great for delicate eyes as Jojoba Oil is the closest in structure to sebum and one of the safest oils to use around the ocular area. As an added bonus we love that it conditions and strengthens lashes!
These are some tips on how to use it correctly…
- For a quick and easy make-up removal job, get an organic cotton disc and dampen it slightly. Then, place the jojoba oil on it and hold the disc against the eye for a long slow count of 5, before gently wiping away. You only need a drop to cleanse both eyes – a little goes a long way!
- Ensure you use it over the entire surface of the eye, including eye lids, as jojoba is perfect for this delicate, fragile eye area
And what to avoid when using it…
- Avoid applying directly to the eye area and rubbing with fingertips for removing make-up. However, do use fingers if using the Pure Jojoba as an eye treatment/moisturiser.
- Don’t rub the pad vigorously on the eye, as the eye area is very delicate. Wait for the product to ‘melt’ the make-up and mascara away.
- Don’t use tissue or dry cotton balls as they are too scratchy and harsh on the eye area
Other eye make-up removers we recommend trying are the Vapour Clarity Cleansing Oil and Makeup Remover and the Simply Gentle Organic Cotton Cleansing Pads. See descriptions above for more details.
For more tips on cleansing see articles below by skin experts.
- Sharon McGlinchey’s Guide to Sensitive Skin
- Guide to Cleansing
- DIY Manuka Honey Mask & Cleansing Techniques
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