Do I really need makeup remover or are face washes good enough?

[oceanhugger]

I have a history of acne and oily skin. I've been using Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser for years now and it has worked well except that I've never really worn makeup before. Now that I'm starting to wear makeup, do I really need to start using a makeup remover? If so, should it be in leiu of a facial cleanser or at the same time? If at the same time, before or after? Please help. 

[rougecherie]

Hi!

I find that if you're using a lot of eyeshadow, or any waterproof eye makeup, remover is a must! I love Lancome BiFacil, but everyone has their personal preference - the other secret is that there isn't a huge difference between drugstore brands (L'Oreal) and the Lancome liquid. I have sensitive skin, that is sometimes acne prone, and I find using a cleanser with salicylic acid removes all my makeup quite thoroughly. The salicylic acid helps to dissolve makeup, dirt, and build up, but it's not the gentlest on the eyes which is why I advise remover for that area. Aveeno has a great foaming cleanser for acne-prone skin that's afforable and does the job! If you're really paranoid, you can use makeup removing wipes and then wash your face, or wash your face twice, but I find the salicylic acid to be perfectly effective!

A

[prettyinpa]

I definitely use makeup remover on eye makeup because I use the waterproof/water resistant types and they do not come off completely, no matter what cleanser I use. For stubborn makeup, I like Urban Decay's Meltdown Makeup Remover which is creamy and takes off their long lasting eye makeup.

For face makeup, it depends on what I am using. If it is a water based makeup, it usually comes off with a good cleanser and my Clarisonic, but lip stains and cheek stains can be stubborn and call for makeup remover to get them all off. You just have to experiment with your cleanser and your makeup as since everybody uses a different combination, their results will vary from yours.

Hope this helps!

[keelybt]

@Oceanhugger It really depends how much makeup you are wearing.  I never feel like my cleanser does a good enough job on my eye makeup and the last thing I want to do is be scrubbing that area.  I fell in love with the Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil and use it right before my cleanser.  A small amount of that oil immediately removes all of my eye makeup without having to scrub it away. It is great for all skin types.

[tenngal]

Hi, ocean.  I personally remove the bulk of my makeup with a disposable makeup cleansing cloth before washing my face with my regular cleanser.  I think it helps to get the bulk of the makeup off so it doesn't get pushed down into my pores when I'm using my Clarisonic, plus I think it helps my cleanser to do its job better, too.  I really like the Biore brand facial cleansing cloths because they grab more makeup and remove it better than other brands I've tried.  In case you're interested in looking for them, they look like this:

Their "official" name is Biore Daily Deep Pore Cleansing Cloths.  You can purchase them almost anywhere such as Target, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, etc.

Hope this helps!
Have a great day!
tenngal 🙂

[cherrybombtastic]

I think the Japanese, if I'm not mistaken, use a technique where they double cleanse, like first they use a cleansing oil and then go use a cleanser afterwards because oil cleansers pick up dirt easier. I think a good way to know for sure if you need a makeup remover is to use a toner and run it down your jawline/neck because those little crevices/edges are where a lot of dirt is hidden. I have acne-prone skin and once in a while I'll use Olay's toner with a cotton ball and go over my jawline to see. I only say jawline/neck because Olay's toner contains alcohol and I have sensitive skin, so running it over areas infected with acne might irritate it and my jawline/neck is acne-free. I say use a toner to test because a cheap toner is a good test, whereas another cleanser (a good one that is) will cost more. I hope this helps and good luck!

[ran8]

Depends if your current facial cleanser is able to remove makeup effectively or not.  Check for residue after washing your face.  In some cases, using a damp towel or wash cloth will help (if you do not mind those being possibly stained by the makeup).  But if you are still experiencing leftover makeup, then it might help to add another product in.  Makeup remover wipes plus your current cleanser will probably remove almost everything too.  Go for the inexpensive ones as they tend to all be the same (neutrogena sells their own as well). 

As far as eye makeup goes, I always keep an eye makeup remover nearby.  It does an overall better job for removal without worrying about getting cleanser in the eye. 

Makeup remover prior to facial cleansing.