By the end of the day, your bed starts to look like a mini paradise waiting for you at the end of the hall. But before you can cozy in, there are still a few things you need to do. Lock the doors, switch off the lights and””oh yeah“”get that stiffened mascara, smudged eyeliner and smeared foundation off your face.
Removing makeup feels like such a chore. I’ll be the first to admit, there’s been a night (or two, or 20) that I’ve crashed on the couch, leaving remnants of that day’s “look” lingering on my skin. Believe me, what I saw in the mirror the next morning was not pretty.
When you don’t take the time to properly cleanse, you pay for it with clogged pores, breakouts and even wrinkles. If you wear chemical-based cosmetics, the need to clean is even greater. You don’t want harsh substances staying in place, or worse””sinking in further””overnight.
To keep your skin healthy, radiant and blemish free, follow these easy steps to remove makeup:
1. Uncover your eyes.
It may be the last thing you apply in the morning, but eye makeup is the first thing you should take off at night. Saturate a cotton ball with a gentle, specialized product such as Alba Botanica Even Advanced Eye Makeup Remover. It sweeps away every trace of eyeliner and mascara””even the waterproof kind””without irritating your delicate lids or leaving greasy residue. Use a new cotton ball for each eye to avoid spreading any germs.
2. Do away with dirt.
Next, pull your hair into a ponytail away from your face so you don’t miss the areas closest to your hairline. Splash on some warm water, then lather up a small amount of cleanser in your hands. I like Avalon Organics CoQ10 Facial Cleansing Milk because it’s soap free (i.e. non-drying) and works in the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 for added wrinkle defense. Remember, don’t ever press hard or pull/stretch your skin back while washing! Use a gentle circular motion, then rinse clean and pat dry with a towel.
3. Tone up.
This step is optional, but many women like to use toner because of the tingly “deep clean” feeling it leaves. Toner can also help balance the skin’s natural pH levels, evening out visible imbalances in your complexion. Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Balancing Toner is my personal favorite because it’s free of sulfates, parabens and other nasty chemicals, and the natural citrusy scent is so refreshing!
4. Turn back the clock.
If you’ve got the time for a proper evening skincare routine, now is when you’d apply your anti-aging serum or nighttime moisturizer. Instead of two separate products, try a multi-purpose solution such as Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum. It works to both tone down fine lines and flood the skin with potent moisturizing compounds.
There — that’s it. You’re done. A fresh, clean, protected face–and really, all it took was five minutes. Now go get that beauty sleep!