It's been a long evening of festive fun, and all you want to do when you get home is fall into bed, right? But when you have a full face of makeup, it's a good idea to take a few moments to clean your skin before hitting the sack. Your complexion will thank you, and so will the pillowcase! Even the purest makeup formulas can block pores and cause breakouts, rashes and all kinds of skin ailments. And if you don't remove eye makeup, then eye infections and irritation can result. But you don't have to create a complicated regimen with expensive removal products. The most basic ingredients, such as petroleum jelly or baby shampoo, make great eye makeup removers. Light, oil-based eye makeup removers are particularly helpful if you wear waterproof eye makeup, which can be stubborn to remove. Another use for those eye makeup removers is taking off that sticks-with-you-through-everything lipstick.
Long-wearing lipsticks are great - until it's time to take them off! If you don't have any of these products on hand, then look to your pantry. It may sound strange, but many cosmetologists recommend olive oil for makeup removal. Simply wet the face, rub in a liberal amount of oil, and rinse. This method is especially effective for women with dry skin, who may strip their skin of much-needed oils with harsh facial cleansers and toners. Consider your skin's oiliness when choosing a makeup remover. Oily complexions tend to grab and hold on to makeup residue, so a foaming cleanser - and following up with toner, if necessary - is a good formula to use. Dry skin benefits from a creamier formula, and moisturizer should always follow a cleaning to soothe any irritation. At the very least, give your face a swipe with a wet washcloth. Your skin will thank you in the morning!