How to remove eye makeup: our best tips

How to remove eye makeup without damaging your eyes or lashes?  

Learn how to remove eye makeup gently and avoid damaging or irritation on your lashes and eyes. 

Step-by-step guide

Particularly exposed to external aggressions, the skin around the eyes is 4 to 5 times thinner than the rest of the face and has no sebaceous glands. Without sebum, the skin’s barrier function is diminished and much more permeable to all the aggressions of daily life. 

In addition to this, we blink around 10 000 times a day and touch or rub our eyes very frequently during the day. That’s why removing makeup without damaging your eyes' skin is a real necessity. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you remove eye makeup and ensure you are not damaging your skin. Indeed, makeup gets more and more difficult to remove because of its long-lasting properties, like waterproofness. Great to keep your makeup in place much longer, it sometimes makes makeup remover a hard task to complete. 

It may be tempting to jump right into bed, but leaving your makeup on while you sleep can contribute to breakouts and dry out your skin. That’s why makeup removal is an important part which needs to be done every day for healthy skin. 

See below all the steps you need to follow to have a clean, makeup-free face at the end of the day without damaging the skin around your eyes or your lashes. 

Wash your hands beforehand 

Before touching your eyes and removing your makeup, make sure your hands are washed. This is the best way to prevent any dirt or bacteria from getting into your eyes and causing irritation.

Choose and apply the right makeup remover

Choose a good quality makeup remover which gently cleans and soothes your skin. Avoid any harsh skincare products with alcohol and irritant ingredients. All eyes makeup removers are made differently and cannot adapt to all skin types. 

Be sure that the products you are using address your specific skin type. Whether your skin is sensitive, dry or oily, you will not use the same ingredients. 

If you feel a burning sensation when using your makeup remover, it means that your skin reacts negatively, and the product is not adapted to you. 

Select a product specifically designed for eye makeup removal and do not hesitate to ask your dermatologist to help you choose the right product for you, whether you have sensitive eyes or are prone to dry eye symptoms. 

Makeup removal needs time to sit on your skin before breaking down your eye's makeup. Tingling never means that the product is working, it is a sign that active ingredients are causing irritation which can lead to breakouts. 

To test how your skin will react to a special ingredient, apply the product inside your forearm and wait 24 hours to see how it responds. 

Micellar water is a good makeup remover and is gentle for sensitive and acne-prone skin. It works like a magnet to lift away makeup without stripping the skin’s natural moisture. 

Cleansing oil is very effective to dissolve all makeup, even waterproof. However, it is very oily and requires cleansing after makeup removal. 

BIODERMA Sensibio Micellar cleansing oil is ecobiological and helps remove persistent makeup especially waterproof eyes and lips makeup. This milky texture glides on your skin and provides a sensorial cleansing experience. 

BIODERMA Sensibio H2O Micellar water is another option that cleans the skin to remove dirt, debris, pollution and makeup while respecting sensitive skin. This product is particularly designed to prevent clogged pores and acne in case of oily skin symptoms. 

Other types of cleanser exist like:

• Two-phase makeup remover which is mix between water and oil

• Cleansing milk which is particularly adapted to dry and sensitive skin but needs a rinse to get off the oily sensation

• Solid cleanser like soap or soap-free bar which can be used in the shower but requires a rinse and can dry out the skin 

Prefer reusable cotton pad 

Reusable cotton pads are soft and gentle on the face. Also, they are much better for the environment as they can be washed. It is a great swap to be more eco-friendly and save money over time. Indeed, they are super affordable and a long-lasting solution to remove your makeup. 

Available in different colors, the black ones make them perfect for removing mascara or eyeliner. 

Each reusable pad is larger than a typical cotton pad and does a pretty good job of getting makeup off your eyes. 

The only thing to be careful about is when pouring your makeup remover product. Depending on the pad and its absorption, you will have to pour a small amount of product and let it settle for a few seconds or if they soak up quickly, apply a small amount, use it, then reapply, and repeat until your makeup is removed. This will help you not to use too much product at once.

Always use a reusable cotton pad once and make sure to wash it before using it again. Indeed, residue stays on the pad and if you reuse it before it has been washed, you may cause inflammation on your skin.