Buzz
Removing makeup at the end of the day can be a hassle. Single-use makeup wipes and cotton pads are both costly and wasteful, but many still consider them a necessary part of the routine. If you think your cleanser alone won’t remove makeup, think again. Any facial cleanser can do the trick, as long as it’s applied to a dry face.
You might instinctively splash water on your face before cleansing, but this actually makes it harder for your cleanser to do its job, especially if you're wearing makeup or sunscreen. These products don’t dissolve in water, so that first splash just sits on your skin, creating a barrier between the cleanser and what it needs to remove. Applying your cleanser to dry skin eliminates this barrier, allowing the ingredients to break down your waterproof makeup and sunscreen with ease—then simply rinse it away.
This method works with any type of cleanser, whether it’s a liquid, gel, foam, cream, or even bar soap. Just apply a generous amount of cleanser to your dry skin and gently massage it in for about 30 seconds. For bar soap, first create a lather under water, then apply the foam to your face. If you're using a mild cleanser, you can even apply it to your eyes to remove mascara and eyeliner without the risk of it running into your eyes until you add water.
By now, your makeup should be mostly dissolved. For added assurance, wet your fingers under the tap and use the extra water to help emulsify the cleanser a bit more. Then, rinse your face thoroughly and gently pat it dry. If there’s any leftover mascara, use a damp Q-tip or washcloth to clean it up.
This method is gentler, more affordable, and more effective than any makeup remover I’ve tried. It reliably removes everything from light makeup to a full face, without causing the dreaded rosacea flare-up that makeup wipes and micellar waters often trigger. If you've had bad experiences with makeup removers—or if you're just looking for an easy way to wash off heavy, greasy sunscreen—stop spending on products that might not even work. Your regular cleanser is likely all you need.
