“I wear makeup most days and I struggle getting it all off. Why is my regular cleanser not working?”
One of the best things about today’s foundation is that it stays! One of the worst things about today’s foundation is that it stays!
Between primers, stay-all-day makeup, concealers, and setting sprays, your cleanser might very well be losing the battle. And for those who experience acne breakouts, that left-behind foundation or primer can be particularly problematic.
Breaking down the foundation’s adherence bonds is an important step. Micellar water is an excellent first step and can be thought of as a pre-pre-cleanse. We like Avene Micellar Lotion because it’s gentle enough for all skin types, even the most sensitive. But any micellar water can get the job started. If you’re shopping at the big box or drug store, look for the ones with little or no fragrance. La Roche-Posay Toleriane is a consistently good option.
If you’re not a fan of micellar water, there are various cleansing oils available, each with varying levels of efficiency. How persistent your foundation is will dictate how well the oils will work. It really can be trial and error.
Of course, we are a little spoiled here, and our team reaches for Cible Skin Paris. The cleansing oil and the gentle mousse cleanser make a sensorial double cleanse that one patient says makes her “feel expensive” because the natural scents and textures are indeed pampering. (She also shared that she gifted the set to her bridesmaids, and they were all wowed and wanted more!)
Step 1 – Use a generously soaked cotton pad – or two. Swipe across your skin until the final pad stays white.
Step 2 – Move on to a lathering or lotion cleanser to remove the surfactants from the micellar water. If your skin tends to be dry or dehydrated, an oil cleanser is a great replenisher.
*Sometimes a triple cleanse is most efficient – first using micellar water, then an oil cleanser, and finally a gentle foaming cleanser.
If your skin is not particularly sensitive and you like an exfoliating cleanser that gently scrubs away dead skin, Skin Medica’s AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser is highly recommended.
Depending on the products you use, removing eye makeup can be the most challenging part of the cleansing routine. You may find that the product line you use for mascara and/or eyeliner offers an eye makeup remover that removes it best. Again, it can be trial and error, but don’t skip this step or do a halfway job. Leftover mascara dries out, flakes into your eyes, and irritates; shiny shadow may contain nickel (a major allergen), and that tightliner that looks pretty can impact lash growth and lash health.
Recommended:
Cible Skin Paris Gentle La Mousse
Cible Skin Paris Purifying Cleanser (Normal or Oily Skin)
Avene Micellar
LaRoche Posay Toleraine (big box, drug store or brand site)
