How to Remove Your Makeup Before Bed | 10 Pro Tips

If you wear makeup, you may have noticed that simply washing your face doesn’t always result in completely clean skin. If you haven’t noticed this, test your cleansing skills one night: Wash your face as you typically would and pat dry. Then wipe your skin with a cotton pad that has been moistened with a few drops of toner or a skin essence. You may still see the remnants of your foundation, eye shadow, and even mascara on the pad. That isn’t a sign that you need to toss your facial cleanser for a harsher option, rather it may mean you need to start thinking of cleansing as a separate step from makeup removal. At night, you should night you should first focus on removing your makeup, then follow up by washing your face with a rinse-off facial cleanser. Of course, double cleansing isn’t the only pro tip for removing makeup—read on to find out 10 pro tips for properly removing your makeup before catching those Zzz’s.

MAKEUP REMOVAL TIP #1: KEEP MAKEUP REMOVER WIPES BY YOUR BED

A few simple swipes of a makeup remover wipe can clean skin of foundation, concealer, and eye shadow. Plus, you get the satisfaction of seeing what has come off of your face on the wipe. Look for options that are alcohol-free, like the L’Oréal Paris Ideal Clean™ All Skin Types Makeup Removing Towelettes, so that your skin doesn’t feel dry post-use. Start by wiping your face free of makeup and follow up by cleansing your complexion and patting dry. Makeup wipes are ideal if you sometimes struggle to complete your skin care routine at night. Keep a pack on your nightstand, that way you can quickly get clean even if you refuse to get out of bed.

MAKEUP REMOVAL TIP #2: SPEED CLEAN WITH MICELLAR WATER

Perhaps you’ve seen micellar water being touted by your favorite beauty bloggers or you’ve spotted it walking down the makeup aisle at your local drugstore. Either way, it’s time to get in on the micellar water trend. This makeup removing method not only cleanses skin, but can hydrate it, too. You can follow up with a regular facial cleanser—but you don’t necessarily have to as micellar water tends to lift makeup and debris like a magnet. All you have to do is saturate a cotton pad with micellar water and wipe the pad across your face. The formulas require no water for wetting the skin or rinsing. Try the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin, L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin, or L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types.

MAKEUP REMOVAL TIP #3: CONSIDER A CLEANSING OIL

Cleansing oils are a great option if you wear heavy eye makeup or have dry skin, since cleansing oil can help remove stubborn eyeliner and mascara without any rubbing or tugging. Apply a few drops to a cotton pad and dab it across your skin. Cleansing oil can be nourishing and less-harsh on dry skin—especially the delicate skin around your eyes. Cleansing oils are popular picks for double cleansing, and that’s exactly what you’ll want to do if you choose to use one. After cleansing with your oil, be sure to follow up with another facial cleanser after, so that your skin doesn’t become extra oily-looking as you sleep.

MAKEUP REMOVAL TIP #4: USE TONER AFTER CLEANSING

Toner can be used an extra cleansing step after using your rinse-off facial cleanser. It only takes a minute and it may help sweep away the remains of stubborn makeup. Simply saturate a cotton pad with a few drops and gently wipe it across your skin. Try options that are non-drying, like the L’Oréal Paris HydraFresh Toner, which is formulated with Pro-Vitamin B5 to help protect against moisture loss.

MAKEUP REMOVAL TIP #5: WASH AWAY POLLUTION AND MAKEUP

By the end of the day, your skin can be coated with more than just dirt and oil. Pollution also comes into contact with your skin—especially if you live in a big city. And of course, you don’t want to catch shut eye with skin still covered in pollutants. Thankfully, you can tackle that little issue while removing your makeup. Look for a facial cleanser that does both, removing everyday impurities like oil and pollutants, in addition to makeup. Try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser.

MAKEUP REMOVAL TIP #6: DON’T MISS YOUR HAIRLINE

If you did a good job applying your foundation, it should go all the way to your hairline. So, don’t forget to remove your makeup from that area, too! You may get your roots a little wet, depending on your remover of choice, but it’s well worth it to be completely clean.

MAKEUP REMOVAL TIP #7: PAY YOUR EYE AREA EXTRA ATTENTION

Eye makeup can be notoriously difficult to remove, which is why there are so many makeup removers meant specifically for removing those pesky (in terms of removal only) liquid eyeliners and long-lasting mascaras. If your regular old removal doesn’t cut it, try one that’s all about the eyes, like the L’Oréal Paris Eye Makeup Remover. Gently sweep a cotton pad soaked with the remover over your closed lids and ta-da, instant removal.

MAKEUP REMOVAL TIP #8: REMEMBER TO REMOVE LIP COLOR

Your lip color may have mostly worn off by bedtime but that doesn’t mean you should skip using makeup remover on your lips. Of course, not every remove is safe to use on your lips. Reach for a micellar water to wipe off any lingering lipstick. Then, while you’re at it, use the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Face Scrub to exfoliate your pout.

MAKEUP REMOVAL TIP #9: CLEAN UP WITH A COTTON SWAB

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try there seems to be a little bit of makeup left in hard to reach areas. A tiny bit of foundation around your nose or a smudge of eyeliner against your lash line. The trick to getting rid of even those most challenging makeup remnants is to use a cotton swab to get specific with your removal. Dip a swab in makeup remover and remove exactly what you want to see disappear.

MAKEUP REMOVAL TIP #10: FOLLOW UP WITH MOISTURIZER

Whichever makeup and cleansing solutions you choose to use, it’s important to apply moisturizer afterwards. Don’t bother to dry off before completing this step, since it’s actually best to apply moisturizer directly to skin while it’s damp, as this can help lock in more hydration. To really pump up the hydration and give your skin the TLC it deserves, reach for a water-based moisturizer. Try the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Dry Skin, L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin, or L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Extra Dry Skin, all of which are formulated with aloe vera water and hyaluronic acid.

Next up, learn how to improve the appearance of your skin while you snooze by checking out our article, How to Make the Most of Your Beauty Sleep.