Remove Mascara

Mascara can be tough to remove, especially if it has been designed to cling to your lashes through water, sweat, and tears. Luckily, it only takes the right product (you may even find it in your kitchen cupboard) and a few minutes of your time to clean your lashes and avoid waking up with panda-bear eyes.

Steps

Using Natural Products

  1. Use a dab of coconut oil. Coconut oil quickly removes regular and waterproof mascara, plus it moisturizes and smooths your skin. Because it is a solid at room temperature, rub a pea-sized scoop between your (clean!) fingertips until it becomes soft and spreadable.[1]
    • You don't need a special coconut oil for your face--use the same coconut oil used as a cooking ingredient.[2]
    • Be aware that if you get any in your eye it can temporarily blur your vision.[1]
  2. Try jojoba oil if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. Jojoba is not actually an oil, which is great news if you have oily skin.[3] In addition to being non-comedogenic (meaning it won't clog your pores), it is a non-allergenic and won't irritate your eyes like some oils can.[3]
    • Jojoba can also moisturize the skin around your eyes and condition your lashes.[3]
  3. Mix olive oil and witch hazel for a natural dual-phase cleanser. Witch hazel can de-puff the skin around your eyes while assisting the olive oil in breaking down your mascara.[4]
    • Mix equal parts olive oil and witch hazel in a small container and shake well before use.[5]
    • Both witch hazel and olive oil can be used on their own to remove makeup, but together they can cleanse the skin around your eyes, moisturize, and remove troublesome makeup.[6]
  4. Try avocado oil. It is one of the most moisturizing oils[7] and, like other oils, easily dissolves and cuts through makeup. Look for dark avocado oil in a tinted container, which will preserve the quality of the product.[8]
    • Next time you make guacamole you can even try using avocado oil straight from the fruit! Cut the avocado in half and use a cotton swab to lift the oils from the inside (don't gouge it--you don't want any green stuff on your swab).[9]

Using Commercial Products

  1. Buy an eye-makeup remover formulated for your skin type. There are tons of options for makeup removers, so try narrowing down the choices by what works best for your skin. If you have oily skin or break out often, look for something oil-free. If you have very sensitive skin, you'll want a gentle, fragrance-free remover.[10]
    • If you have sensitive eyes, try to find out the pH of your makeup remover. A pH that is similar to your natural tears (between 6.9 and 7.5) will be less likely to irritate your eyes.[10]
    • Oil is a necessary ingredient when you're trying to remove waterproof mascara, because it dissolves the oils in the makeup (instead of being repelled, like water).
    • Dual-phase cleansers are good for everyday use, blending an oil cleanser with soothing water. Just make sure you shake the bottle first.[11]
    • Cleansing water works well on sensitive skin and regular, non-waterproof mascara.[11]
  2. Try baby shampoo if you run out of your usual cleanser. It's best to stick to an actual eye make up remover, since it's specifically made to be used around your eyes, but baby shampoo is an effective replacement if you run out.[12]
    • Use a chemical and fragrance-free baby shampoo if you can. Many "no tears" formulas actually have a numbing agent, which will only mask the irritating effects.[12]
  3. Use a makeup-removing wipe when you just can't make it to the sink. Try not to use these too often, as they can be rough on the thin skin around your eyes. If the wipes are not specifically for eyes, look for a brand that is alcohol-free.[11]
  4. Avoid petroleum jelly (also known as mineral oil), or use very sparingly. Petroleum jelly is a byproduct of gasoline, and unless you know the brand you're using has been thoroughly refined and purified (Vaseline is one such brand), it's not something you want near your eyes.[13]
    • Petroleum jelly does not actively hydrate your skin. If your skin is clean and moisturized it can seal the moisture in and keep it from evaporating, but it is not a replacement for moisturizer itself.[13]

Removing Your Mascara

  1. Wet a makeup pad with the makeup remover of your choice. Try not to oversaturate the pad, or the solution may drip on your face. Apply enough makeup remover so that the pad is just saturated.[10]
    • Don't use a cotton ball, as the fibers can detach and get in your eyes.[14]
    • If you're not sure how your skin will react to your makeup remover (whether it's coconut oil or from the drugstore), test some on your inner wrist. If you have a reaction it's better to have an inflamed wrist than an inflamed eye.
  2. Press the wet side of the pad to your closed eye and hold for 20 seconds. Don't scrub or tug on your skin, just press the pad against your lashes so the remover can begin to break down the makeup.[10]
  3. Wipe away the mascara by using gentle, downward swipes. Then turn the pad over to the makeup-free side and wipe your eye with an upward motion.[10]
    • You can wiggle the pad a little by your lash line to help break up more stubborn mascara.[15]
    • Use cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to clean up any remaining mascara, like little flecks or smears that end up under your lower lashes.[16]
  4. Wash your face with an appropriate cleanser. Removing your makeup is not the final step in your nightly skincare routine--it's the first. Getting all the makeup off your face allows the your cleanser to get into your pores, instead of mixing with makeup and clogging them.[17]
    • Find a cleanser that is right for your skin type and gently massage it into your face. Use warm water and a facial cloth or sponge to wipe off the dirt and grime.[17]
    • Washing your face also removes any remnants of your makeup remover which, if it remains on your skin, can cause dryness or even an allergic reaction.[17]
  5. Don't pull the mascara off using your fingernails. You'll pull your eyelashes out, too. It takes 1-2 months for your lashes to grow back,[18] and since you're probably using mascara to make your lashes look thicker or longer, it seems sort of pointless if you're just yanking them out.
  6. Don't leave mascara on overnight. If it happens once or twice, it shouldn't be a huge deal. But if you frequently fall asleep without removing your makeup, you risk clogging your hair follicles and developing a stye or eye infection.[19]
    • Where a clean, makeup-free lash would bend, a brittle lash, dried out by mascara, can get bent by your pillowcase and scratch your eye.[19]

Warnings

Even with the most natural solutions, try your best not to get any makeup remover in your eye.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2015/03/coconut-oil-makeup-remover.html
  2. ↑ http://www.youbeauty.com/face/diy-coconut-oil-makeup-remover/
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24442052
  4. ↑ http://www.beautybyearth.com/witch-hazel-uses/
  5. ↑ http://sweetpenniesfromheaven.com/diy-homemade-eye-makeup-remover/
  6. ↑ http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10010/how-to-wash-your-face-and-remove-makeup-with-oil.html
  7. ↑ http://www.the-dermatologist.com/content/loyola-aesthetician-discusses-skin-related-benefits-natural-oils
  8. ↑ http://www.dermatocare.com/article.aspx?id=117
  9. ↑ http://www.instructables.com/id/8-Incredible-Eye-Makeup-Remover-Hacks/
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 http://www.refinery29.com/how-to-remove-eye-makeup
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 https://www.birchbox.com/magazine/article/how-to-remove-eye-makeup
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 http://www.womenshealthmag.com/style/diy-beauty-trick-the-cheapest-makeup-remover
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/21/vaseline-petroleum-jelly_n_4136226.html
  14. ↑ http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/how-to/2013/how-to-remove-your-makeup
  15. ↑ http://stylecaster.com/beauty-high/how-to-take-off-your-makeup/
  16. ↑ http://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-remove-makeup
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/10/makeup-remover-skincare_n_4409832.html
  18. ↑ http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2014/08/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-latisse.html
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/18/sleep-in-makeup_n_2289084.html
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