The best makeup cleansers!
Taking your makeup off can be such a chore! Sometimes I get super lazy and just use those makeup remover wipes, but I never feel like my makeup is completely off. With all those super long lasting makeup products on the market now I find you really need a good cleansing routine to ensure you get allll your makeup off each night. For me personally, I love a two-step cleanse. I start with a makeup remover to get all the makeup off, and then I use a cleanser to actually cleanse my skin. Keep reading if you want to know the best makeup cleansers:
Step 1: First I use either of these…
MAC Cleanse Off Oil
The MAC Cleanse off oil is an oil based cleanser which removes every last trace of makeup. In my opinion this is the best makeup remover. I love it because its gentle to use and doesn’t irritate my skin and I can use it all over my face – eyes included. Oil based cleansers dissolve makeup and dirt without stripping your skin. I get one to two pumps in my hands (dry hands) and massage it all over my face. Then I add water (or jump in the shower) and cleanse it off. When you add water it turns milky and washes all the product off. Oil breaks down everything – even waterproof mascara and liquid lipsticks.
Napoleon Perdis Balm Voyage Moisture Complex Cleanser
I never thought to try Napoleon Perdis skincare before until a friend highly recommended this cleanser. Its similar to the MAC Oil, but in a balm form so those who don’t like the idea of using a liquid oil you might like this consistency. It comes in a tub and you scoop out a bit of the balm and warm it up between your fingertips before massaging it into the skin. Again I find its best to massage these into the skin first with NO WATER, it will start to break down all the product, then when your face is looking scary with makeup smeared all over it, add water and rinse it all off.
Step 2: Next up I use a foaming cleanser…
I use a foaming cleanser for me that is suitable for an combination/oily skin type. The best makeup foaming cleaner is Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam. My makeup friend in Singapore got me onto it and I brought it when I was over there last year. Its great for my oily skin and gives me a thorough cleanse, plus it doesn’t sting my eyes like some other foaming cleansers I have used in the past. Plus it lasts for ever. I use a foaming cleanser for myself because of my skin type. If you have a dryer skin type maybe try a cream cleanser. There are so many on the market so you want to go and try one that you love.
So there is my two step cleans – 1 start with an oil base to melt all the makeup off, then 2 use either a foaming or cream based cleanser. If I haven’t worn makeup that day there is no need to do a double cleanse, I will just go straight to step 2.
Then there are always those nights when you just can’t be bothered….
My Lazy Go-To: MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover or Micellar Water
This is my go to when I am feeling lazy (or I’ve come home after a night out and just want to eat my kebab and go to sleep). I just use a cotton pad and start with the eyes, then finish of removing the rest of my face with it. It doesn’t require it to be cleansed off with water hence why its my lazy go-to product. I don’t feel like its as effective as doing a double cleanse, but I do feel like its more thorough than those generic makeup wipes you get. And will do until I wake up in the morning and do my ‘proper’ two step cleanse.
Seeing as we are talking about cleansers I may as well add in my favorite facial exfoliators as they are kind of like a thorough cleanse
My Favorite Facial Exfoliators
I exfoliate my face about once a week. I love the Clean Slate Facial Exfoliant. It comes in a little bottle as a dry blend and you can mix a bit with your cleanser so you can control the level of exfoliation. Its gentle and full of deliciously natural ingredients and great for all skin types. I also sometimes use the Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% when my pores are needing a more thorough cleanse.
So there you have it – my list of best makeup cleansers and skincare products. Please note I am not a skincare expert but I am purely sharing my favorite products that I have come across of the many years of working on retail cosmetic counters and what works best for me. If you have specific skincare concerns I would recommend seeking more thorough advice from a dermatologist. I am also not endorsed by any of these brands. If there is a certain topic you would love me to write about let me know! Email me: francesca.artistry@gmail.com
