Stop Rubbing! How to Remove Makeup Without Damage

If you’re constantly losing lashes after washing your face, finding traces of foundation residue on your towels, or experiencing skin irritation, you might not know how to remove makeup properly. Cleansing is arguably the most important step in your skincare routine, but establishing the right routine, like mastering a gentle double cleansing method, can add an extra layer of confusion to a simple process. How can you protect your skin barrier while removing heavy foundation? How do you remove waterproof mascara or long-wear lip stains without tugging? Take this as your step-by-step guide to thoroughly removing all traces of your MOTD without compromising skin and lash health.

Do I Have to Follow Every Step of This Routine?

The short answer: no! Below is an in-depth guide to the best products and techniques for removing your makeup, but they’re not all meant to be used within the same routine. Our intention is to help you identify the right players that target your concerns according to your makeup routine and what you’re removing, so if a mascara remover sounds like something you’d need but a makeup remover doesn’t, you’ve got your answer right there. The foundation of a PM cleansing routine relies on a double cleanse pairing of an oil-based and water-based cleanser; everything else is for you to explore and try out.

Lose No Lashes: Mascara Remover

The mascara remover is not a type of makeup remover you’ll commonly find, but it’s one deemed essential by the worlds of K-beauty and J-beauty. This brush-on product directly targeting the lashes is able to break down mascara with an oil-based formula, letting you wash it away effortlessly. Because you don’t have to tug on or physically remove the mascara from your lashes, you bypass all the usual damage or accidentally pulled-out strands.

CLIO - Kill Lash Mascara Remover - 8.5g

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - CLIO

The CLIO Kill Lash Mascara Remover is part of its bestselling Kill Lash lineup, meaning it’s heavy-duty enough to dissolve away waterproof mascaras that won’t budge. As you coat your lashes, the Keratin and Soybean-infused formula nourishes your lashes to keep them fortified and strong after a full day’s wear.

An Effortless Upgrade: Lip Stain Remover

Lip tints and lip stains are lauded for their ability to last all day, but this can pose a problem when trying to get them off. The typical scene? Scrubbing at your lips to get the pigment off, only to end up with a damaged, irritated lip barrier and pigment still intact. The right solution comes from the lip tint producers themselves in the form of a specialized formula that provides a pain-free removal process.

LAKA - Washful Tint Remover - 10ml

Courtesy of Korean Makeup Brand - LAKA

Slather on the LAKA Washful Tint Remover, a powerful tint remover that breaks down pigment to remove the strongest of stains. Instead of rubbing your lips raw, this gentle cocktail gets you rolling the color right off, simultaneously providing a dose of moisture and sweeping away dead skin cells.

The Targeted Step: Makeup Remover

Zoom out of the lashes and consider your full eye look: eyeshadow, liner, mascara, falsies, the works. The eye area is particularly delicate and prone to wrinkling, so harsh rubbing to remove makeup is an absolute no-go. Instead, a cotton round soaked in a makeup remover will go a long way in terms of effectively cleansing away makeup while minimizing friction and damage. The same goes for your lips when you’re cleansing away a particularly stubborn liquid lipstick or lip stain; say no to skin damage and yes to the makeup melt.

heimish - All Clean Makeup Remover - 120ml

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - heimish

You may be familiar with heimish’s bestselling cleansing balm, but our current fixation is on its sister All Clean Makeup Remover. Made for use on the eyes and lips, this dual-phase formula blends water and oil components to loosen tough pigments from the skin and keep the complexion comfortably hydrated. This vegan-friendly remover is formulated to be gentle on these specific sensitive areas, making a clean break from long-wear layers of product.

Double Cleanse Partner: Oil-Based Cleanser

Whether you’re rocking full glam or a lighter beat, we will always recommend an oil-based cleanser, like a cleansing oil or balm, to remove your makeup. These are formulated for the full face and use oil-based ingredients to dissolve the oils within makeup, loosening their grip on your skin. Oil cleansers are typically emulsified during the process, and this action of adding water to the bound makeup and oil helps it wash away more easily and thoroughly. Not only does an oil cleanse remove makeup, it’s also great for breaking down sunscreen and skin impurities.

BEAUTY OF JOSEON - Radiance Cleansing Balm - 100ml

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - BEAUTY OF JOSEON

The beauty of cleansing balm is that in its solid form, you can really concentrate it on areas where the makeup takes some time to break down. Melting from a buttery balm texture into a silky oil, the BEAUTY OF JOSEON Radiance Cleansing Balm is a dependable daily staple for clearing away the day’s buildup. It’s enriched with Rice Bran and Grain extracts, and powerful enough to cleanse away makeup, sunscreen and excess sebum in one go, leaving you with an impeccably soft and revitalized complexion. Fans of the formula love how it never stings the eyes or leaves behind a film, it simply rinses away without a trace.

Arencia - Pore Melt Mochi Cleansing Oil - 200ml

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Arencia

It’s a common misconception that oily and acne-prone skin types should stay away from oil-based cleansers in case they further clog pores, when in actuality they can help remove excess sebum for a more balanced complexion. The Arencia Pore Melt Mochi Cleansing Oil is built for breaking down makeup and impurities, ensuring clean pores and a calm skin barrier with Rice Amino Acids and Cica extract. As a good oil-based cleanser should, this one washes away fully at the end of your cleanse without leaving behind a film or residual greasiness.

Kao - Biore The Cleanse Oil Mist Makeup Remover - 120ml

Courtesy of Japanese Skincare Brand - Kao

If even the thought of using your hands to cleanse your skin conjures up visuals of instantly reddened skin and sends unpleasant shivers down your spine, the Kao Biore The Cleanse Oil Mist Makeup Remover is the J-beauty innovation to try. The concept is simple: spritz on the oil mist, wait a few moments for it to start breaking down your makeup, then shower as usual to rinse it all away. We’re all for this hands-free method of makeup removal but if you’re choosing to wash your face in the shower, opt for room temperature water to avoid drying out, or even scalding, your skin.

The Lightweight Base Erase: Micellar Water

Micellar water is the makeup removal option we’d recommend for light makeup, great for if you haven’t used any waterproof products. It uses micelles, made up of oil-loving tails and water-loving heads, to lift away makeup particles, leaving behind a cleansed blank canvas.

Bioderma - Make-up Removing Micelle Solution - 500ml

Courtesy of French Skincare Brand - Bioderma

The pink-capped transparent bottle of the Bioderma Make-up Removing Micelle Solution is recognizable worldwide, and rightfully so: the gentle, no-rinse cleanser is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and preserves the skin’s natural balance as it sweeps away makeup and pollutants.

The Finishing Cleanse: Water-Based Cleanser

After oil-based cleansers, finish the double cleansing routine with a water-based cleanser. While the former is able to clear away makeup, sunscreen and sebum, a water-based cleanser will take care of everything that’s left on the skin: sweat, dirt and debris. A 2-step cleansing routine may appear extra, but both types of cleansers play important roles in keeping your skin healthy and clarified.

Round Lab - 1025 Dokdo Cleanser - 150ml

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Round Lab

Treat your complexion to a reviving dose of moisture with the Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser. Ulleungdo Seawater offers essential minerals to maintain the skin’s moisture balance, with the help of Triple Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramide NP.

Which steps are you incorporating into your makeup removal routine? Make sure you’re following us on Instagram and Facebook, as well as keeping an eye on the VANA Blog, so you receive all the latest news, promos and information!

FAQ

1. What is micellar water?

Micellar water contains micelles that are composed of a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head. Groups of micelles act as a magnet to draw makeup and sebum particles away from the skin, allowing you to cleanse effortlessly without harsh rubbing.

2. Is double cleansing necessary?

If you wear any makeup or sunscreen on a daily basis, double cleansing is necessary. This is because the first oil-based cleanse helps to remove these makeup, sunscreen and sebum particles, while the water-based cleanse takes care of everyday buildup such as sweat and dirt. Both cleansing steps target different impurities, and they work together to keep your skin clear and clarified.