For healthy, fresh and radiant skin, regardless of age, make-up should be removed before bed. As we age, our skin naturally loses moisture and tends to dry out. However, it's worth noting that some makeup products can worsen dry skin, especially in women over 40.
Based on the expertise of dermatologists, makeup artists, and skin care professionals, we've compiled a list of the best gentle makeup removers for dry skin. Continue reading Dr. Yoram Hart, dermatologist and medical director of MDhair, and Margina Dennis, celebrity makeup artist and skin care expert.
1. Gentle cleanser and face wash
“The best way to remove makeup is to use a gentle cleanser,” says Hart. Those with dry and oily skin need different types, which she also explains. “The cleanser can be a moisturizer for women with dry skin and a more active cleanser with a bit of salicylic acid for those with acne-prone and oily skin,” says Hart. Before applying and removing makeup, the face should be washed and cleansed to start and end the day with clean skin.
She points out that relying solely on makeup remover to do all the work doesn't guarantee you'll get the results you want. “Most makeup removers [like makeup wipes and micellar water] only partially remove makeup,” adds Hart. Broken makeup, along with dead skin cells, dried sebum, and dirt that accumulate on the skin throughout the day, spreads across the skin and clogs the skin pores. By making time to wash your face in your evening routine, ensure: makeup and other unwanted pore-clogging elements are removed.
2. Cleansing balm
Cleansing balms are the best way to remove makeup from dry skin because they don't attack the surface, says Dennis. To protect your dry skin from damage, it's important to choose an oil-based makeup remover. Dennis says this not only cleanses skin well, but also keeps skin hydrated. “Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm and Sonia Roselli Japanese Cleansing Oil are two of my favorites,” she says.
While makeup remover wipes and micellar water can help remove makeup in a pinch, Hart says they're more effective than cleansers and conditioners. “Makeup remover doesn't cause more wrinkles, but it can damage the skin's natural protective layer, making it drier, rougher and duller,” she explains.
To avoid this, both experts recommend washing your face well twice a day with products or cleansers recommended by dermatologists, moisturizing before going to bed and after waking up, and always being careful not to sleep with makeup on.