We’ve all been there. Tired at the end of a busy day and not in the mood to wash your face. Or you wash your face but can’t get your smudge-proof and waterproof eye makeup to come off. Or you must rub like crazy until it does, irritating both your skin and your eyes. This may be what prompted you to Google “what is the best way to remove eye makeup?”. Instead of scrubbing harder, it’s time to invest in an eye makeup remover. There are plenty of worthy options to choose from. One of the best is a makeup wipe that you can find here. It just needs water added to it and it does a great job of clearing away all of the makeup.
Do I Really Need to Wash My Face at Night?
Yes, you do. It’s easy to forget, but your skin is your largest organ. It is covered all day long with makeup, meaning it can’t breathe. By the end of the day, you have a build-up of oil and grime which can clog your pores. If not removed, your makeup may find its way into your eyes while you sleep.
Washing your face allows your skin to breathe. Also, our skin and entire body repair and renew as we sleep. If you don’t remove your makeup before bed, the skin on your face can’t repair and renew. One night here or there typically isn’t problematic. However, regularly waiting until morning to wash your face can increase acne and accelerate aging.
After you cleanse, nourish, and restore moisture with both eye and facial serums and moisturizers.
Why Facial Cleanser Isn’t Your Best Option?
Even if you wear light eye makeup and your facial cleanser easily removes your eye makeup, a dedicated remover is the safer option. Your eyelid skin is extremely thin, making it more sensitive than the rest of your face. With eyeliner being so close to the lid and all-day mascaras taking time to dissolve, the likelihood of your facial cleanser getting in your eye is high. We’ve all experienced how this can sting and burn.
Eye makeup removers are formulated with fewer harsh chemicals, and they are designed to quickly and easily dissolve eye makeup. However, you will find some cleansing balms, gels, foams, and oils that gently cleanse the entire face. Most of these don’t cut it with all-day formulas.
What Is the Best Way to Remove Eye Makeup?
You have plenty of options to choose from, so try a few to find what works for you. Most of the suggested products below are applied to a flat cotton round—disposable or washable. Place the round over your closed eye for 5 to 10 seconds. Then, gently wipe away without pressing or pulling on your eye or skin. Use before you cleanse your full face.
An Organic and Unrefined Oil—$10 or less
Most eye makeup removers are oil-based, so you may already have what you need in your kitchen pantry! Oil is excellent at dissolving all-day formulas. It’s also natural, so less irritating if it gets in your eye—and it won’t strip your lash hair. Just be sure to use a pure, organic, and unrefined (aka. Unprocessed) oil. This includes coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, and sweet almond oil.
For ease, use a funnel to dispense a smaller portion of oil into a travel-sized beauty bottle. If you prefer a less oily option, mix equal parts of organic aloe vera gel with your oil of choice.
And you can’t beat the price of this eye makeup remover as a full bottle of oil can last a year or more. Just remember, oil expires so check the date and check for a rancid smell—which means it’s time to toss it.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye $8.49
If you prefer an oil-free option, this is a top pick. It’s formulated with aloe and cucumber to effectively remove waterproof makeup for sensitive eyes. Just be mindful that you need to shake this formula before you use it. The ingredients separate so you won’t get the blend required to effectively remove your makeup unless you shake the bottle.
Speaking of Neutrogena, they also have a range of rinse-free makeup removing wipes that are $10 or less. Cleansers are more effective, but wipes are convenient while traveling, when on the go, and when you are too tired to wash your face.
MAC Gently Off Eye and Lip Makeup Remover—around $20
The price of this product varies a bit depending on where you buy it from. We picked it because it works, but also because it also removes impossible to remove all-day lipstick. While you must try your best not to get any of these products in your eyes, this one is less likely to sting or burn if you do.
If you have curious kids in the house, you will appreciate that the cap on this product locks. So, what is the best way to remove eye makeup? Try one or more of the products below to decide which one you prefer!
