Makeup and product removal are some of the most common triggers for skin rashes and irritation. Read more...
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What are the most common makeup removal mistakes?
Makeup and product removal are some of the most common triggers for skin rashes and irritation. Choosing the right products and methods can reduce the tendency towards aggravating your skin.
Makeup wipes. There are times when makeup wipes may be necessary, but not as a matter of routine. I routinely see persistent redness, irritation, dry skin around the eyes and base of the neck, and itching from makeup wipes. The patch testing I have performed in these cases tends to reveal preservative allergies. I favor patients using either Vaseline or Ponds Cold Cream on a tissue or cotton ball to gently remove makeup.
Manual exfoliation. If makeup does not wash easily with soap and water, then chances are the oil or wax bases of the products that remain may require a different method for removal. There are some that have a tendency to think they need to “scrub” the remaining makeup residue off of their skin. Inevitably if you resort to manual exfoliation to remove makeup, you will likely take some normal skin with it. Instead, remember back to high school chemistry- hydrophilic and hydrophobic. Hydrophilic or water-based products will wash easily with soap and water. Hydrophobic or oil-based products will need a product that is similar to help remove it. This is where a petroleum jelly-based product or moisturizer will work better with less irritation to remove these products.
Alcohol-based toners/astringents. I get that it feels good to use these products at times and that there is a satisfaction of sorts from seeing dirt come off the skin and lingering on a cotton ball. However, alcohol-based astringents will likely begin to irritate the skin or run the risk of altering the pH of the skin and leading to further irritation.
Forgetting to moisturize. After removing makeup, some superficial skin cells will be lost in the process. Always keep in mind that the skin is an organ, it is a barrier to the environment. It needs to be cared for and sustained in order for it to function properly. Rehydrating the skin after makeup removal will help restore and protect the skin.
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