Three NYC dermatologists put together for VOICE a list of the 8 most common eye makeup removal mistakes that end up bringing patients to their offices. Julie Karen, Francesca Fusco and Debra Lufman (and we, of course) ask you: listen!
Let’s talk about the most common mistakes that you make in the process of makeup removal. Take note!
Mistake #1: You remove makeup with a cotton pad
“I understand that this is a long-term habit, but I never tire of repeating it to my patients: small wrinkles around the eyes, flabbiness of the skin of the eyelids – it’s from there, because of these rubbing discs. How to do it right: you need to moisten the disk in a two-phase agent and apply it to your closed eye for 5-7 seconds. Then, with light touches, remove foundation or powder from the entire face. And then wash up. Dissolved mascara and shadows are easily removed, and the skin of the eyelids remains safe, ”says Dr. Karen.
Mistake #2: You don’t have a separate eyelid cleanser
“Even if it is purchased, many girls are simply too lazy to use a separate make-up remover for the eyelids, and another for the rest of the skin of the face,” Dr. Fusco complains, “and meanwhile, the skin of the eyelids is many times thinner and more sensitive, it needs special care! Shadows dry it out, even the highest quality ones and facial cleansers may contain ingredients that further dehydrate the skin of the eyelids. Therefore, I ask the girls: if you are too lazy to use two products, it is better to cleanse the entire skin of the face with eyelids than vice versa!
Mistake #3: You remove mascara by moving the disk from left to right and back.
“Rubbing your lashes back and forth is how most girls remove mascara,” says Dr. Lufman, “and this is why lashes break and fall out. The correct method is only from the roots to the tips!”
Mistake #4: You don’t wash your face after removing your makeup
“Eye makeup removers, even the most delicate and high-quality ones, leave a small oily film on the skin. It needs to be rinsed off, recommends Dr. Lufman, “because it prevents the eye cream from absorbing and doing its job. This film cannot be washed off with plain water, therefore, after removing makeup, it is necessary to wash with a special facial cleanser.
Mistake #5: You use the same cotton pad
“Often, out of economy or laziness, girls take 2 cotton pads – one for each eye – and re-swipe the already soiled side over the skin,” says Dr. Fusco, “because of this, the skin only suffers, and the cleansing process becomes half as effective. It’s much easier to fold a soaked disc in four and use the clean part each time!”
Mistake #6: You don’t remove your makeup all the way.
“The downside of the first point: for fear of damaging the skin, the girls pass the disk over the eyelids 1-2 times, after which they consider that this is enough,” explains Dr. Karen. “Actually, not always: I advise you to consider the make-up removal process complete when there is not the slightest trace of mascara or shadows on the disc.”
Mistake #7: You don’t clean your brows
“Most brow products are wax-based,” explains Dr. Fusco, “and if not completely removed, the roots of the hairs will suffocate, and the eyebrows themselves will thin out and fall out. When cleaning your eyes, don’t forget about your eyebrows!”
Mistake # 8: You apply peeling or scrub on the lower eyelid
“Often girls think that in this way they renew the skin and prevent the appearance of wrinkles, but the opposite is true,” says Dr. Karen. – The skin of the eyelids is so delicate that any mechanical or chemical effect spoils it very much. I beg you, remember the simple formula: the skin of the eyelids can be a) moisturized and b) cleansed. And nothing more!”
