Removing makeup
Removing makeup – the basis for healthy skin
Removing makeup is part of your daily skincare routine. Not only dirt and environmental particles, but also makeup from your face, eyes, and lips should be thoroughly removed in the evening. This is the only way your skin can regenerate overnight and look fresh and radiant in the morning.
Since different skin types and areas have different requirements and makeup can be water- or oil-soluble, long-lasting, or even waterproof, choosing the right cleansing product is crucial.
Why daily makeup removal is so important
- Removes dirt, sebum, and makeup residue
- Prepares the skin for subsequent care
- Prevents clogged pores and skin irritation
- Supports the skin’s natural regeneration process
Inadequate or inappropriate makeup removal can lead to irritation, blemishes, or premature skin aging.
Removing makeup from the face – according to skin type
Normal skin
Even normal skin should not be overstrained when removing makeup. It is relatively robust, but reacts sensitively to aggressive cleansing products.
Recommended products:
- Cleansing milk / cleansing emulsion: mild, well tolerated by the skin
- Cleansing foam: pleasant when used wet
- Cleansing gel: reliably clarifies
- Facial soap: prefer mild, moisturizing varieties
- Cleansing wipes: for quick care in between
💡 Tip: Micellar water alone is often not enough for heavy or long-lasting makeup – additional cleansing with facial toner may be necessary.
Avoid: alcohol-based products that can dry out the skin.
Oily skin
Oily skin needs thorough cleansing to remove excess sebum and oil-based residues.
Suitable methods:
- Cleansing gel with mild surfactants
- Syndets / cleansing foam
- Products with mild exfoliating fruit acids
Double cleansing is particularly effective here:
- First remove makeup with an oil-dissolving balm that removes long-lasting or waterproof makeup
- Second cleanse with a gel cleanser
- Optional toner to replenish lipids and regulate pH
Dry skin
Dry skin should be cleansed with particularly mild, lipid-replenishing products so as not to disturb the natural moisture balance.
Recommended products:
- Cleansing cream: gentle and nourishing
- Cleansing oil: ideal for dissolving oil-based makeup
- Very mild soaps: only if followed by a soothing toner
🌿 Care oils such as jojoba oil, almond oil, or olive oil also strengthen the skin barrier.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin needs particularly mild, non-irritating products with few ingredients.
- Dry, sensitive skin: Cleansing milk or oil specifically for sensitive skin
- Oily, sensitive skin: mild cleansing gel, balm, or foam
Thermal water or a moisturizing facial toner with soothing ingredients (e.g., bisabolol) is ideal for aftercare.
Remove makeup from the eye area – especially gently
The skin around the eyes is thin and sensitive. Special care is required here:
- Remove eye makeup before you remove the rest of your face makeup
- Use specially designated eye makeup removers (lotion, cream, oil, or pads)
- Dab the remover onto a cotton pad, place it briefly on your closed eyelid, and gently wipe from the inside to the outside
- Then rinse with lukewarm water
Tips:
- Cotton swabs help to precisely remove kajal or eyeliner
- An oil-based product is most effective for waterproof mascara
- Wearers of soft contact lenses should remove them before removing makeup
Removing lip makeup – gently and thoroughly
The skin on the lips is particularly thin and has no sebaceous glands, making it sensitive.
Here’s how to do it right:
- Soak a cotton pad with skin care oil or eye makeup remover
- Gently wipe from the corners of the mouth to the center of the lips
- Do not rub – this protects the sensitive skin
- Small flakes of skin can be removed with your fingertips
- Then apply lip balm or lip care
Occasionally, a gentle lip scrub can help to smooth the lips.
Active ingredients in makeup removers – surfactants explained
Surfactants are cleansing molecules that dissolve dirt and makeup by emulsifying oily particles and making them washable.
Main types:
- Anionic surfactants: strong cleansing, but potentially irritating
- Cationic surfactants: positively charged, often used in hair care, less mild
- Amphoteric surfactants: milder, help to soften aggressive surfactants
- Nonionic surfactants: neutral, particularly mild (e.g., coco glucoside, decyl glucoside)
Mild surfactants are often derived from plant-based raw materials and are skin-friendly.
Ingredients you should avoid when removing makeup
High cleaning power does not always mean “better.” Some ingredients can disrupt the skin barrier and skin health:
- Acrylates: film formers, some of which are classified as microplastics
- PEGs: emulsifiers that can increase skin permeability
- Sulfates / SLS: strong cleansing power, can dry out the skin
- Polyquaternium: suspected microplastics
- Paraffins / mineral oils: can dry out the skin over time
- Silicones: difficult to break down, can seal the skin
- Formaldehyde & release agents: allergenic, irritating
→ Clean Beauty Orientation recommends avoiding these groups of substances.
Summary – Systematic makeup removal
Makeup removal is more than “just cleansing.” It is an important step to:
- maintain a healthy skin barrier
- prevent skin impurities
- protect sensitive skin
- support anti-aging effects
With the right product for your skin type and makeup type, you can cleanse your skin gently, efficiently, and in a skin-friendly way.
Cosmacon is happy to advise you on the selection and formulation of skin-friendly, effective cleansing products – with a few select ingredients and a clear skincare philosophy.
When products are needed quickly:
✨ Our partner Tojo Cosmetics offers innovative, active ingredient-rich private label products – quickly available, high quality and perfect for brands that want to impress with passion and quality.