Wash Your Face: Tips and Tricks for Removing ALL of Your Makeup

It may be the number one rule of every skin care specialist, dermatologist and cosmetologist out there — yet it’s one that countless women are breaking time and time again.

The rule? Take your makeup off every night before going to sleep. It’s straightforward and so important for your skin’s health, yet it can be so hard to motivate yourself to head to the bathroom sink rather than your cozy covers. 

First things first: why is removing your makeup so important? There are a multitude of reasons, and Good Housekeeping outlines several, including that sleeping in your makeup can cause breakouts, can lead to more wrinkles, can put you at risk for infection, and can age your skin faster. 

But to truly cleanse your skin and remove all the makeup, you do have to put in a bit of effort — it’s not as simple as swiping a wipe across your face and calling it good. Here are a few tips and tricks for making sure ALL of your makeup is removed before you hit the sack.

1. Use a Washcloth
   A washcloth is a form of gentle exfoliation and can be more effective than your hands alone at cleaning your face. However, it’s essential that you use a fresh, clean washcloth each day; don’t reuse the same rag for a week straight! According to TheHealthy.com, the moisture in your used washcloth can cause bacteria to accumulate, which will do the opposite of cleanse your face.
2. Try Double Cleansing
   Depending on how heavy your makeup is, you may need to double cleanse to completely remove it. Double cleansing is just what it sounds like: cleaning your face twice with two different methods. Begin with an oil-based cleanser to break up the makeup products on your face and then after rinsing that initial cleanse, move to a washcloth and water-based cleanser for a sudsy (gentle) scrub.
3. Exfoliate — But Don’t Overdo It
   Use a gentle exfoliating scrub once or twice a week after fully cleansing your face. A scrub will remove dead skin cells and smooth your skin, giving your makeup an even surface to rest on. This helps keep product from building up in your pores or on any imperfections in your skin. This activated charcoal scrub is also moisturizing as it contains coconut oil and shea butter as two of the main ingredients. 
4. Try a HydraFacial
   If you’ve been bad about removing your makeup or just tend to wear heavy foundation on a regular basis, it could be beneficial to invest in a professional HydraFacial. A HydraFacial works by essentially vacuuming your pores clean while simultaneously pushing product into your skin that brightens, plumps and moisturizes. Sound like magic? Give it a shot!