Limit damage in later life by learning exactly how to remove your make-up and which products do the job best
As we all know, eyes are a very sensitive business. Women spend hours learning how to enhance them, splurging on the latest beauty fixes and carefully applying layers of make up to show them off at their best. Over the years they have even developed their own trends and fashions that change seasonally as rapidly as we see catwalk styles come and go.
Since the eyes are the focal point of the face, over the years Botox, eyelifts and anti-ageing facials have drastically increased in popularity, promising to banish under eye bags, wrinkles and dark circles for ever. These imperfections can not only make the individual self-conscious, but can also interfere with vision. So have you ever stopped and thought about what fundamentally causes this damage?
To discover this, it is essential to go back to where it all began – looking at how the damage got there and what can be changed to combat any further signs of it.
Whilst we are all aware of the modern day hazards that attribute to bad skin: smoking, not enough sleep, not enough water, unhealthy diet to name but a few. The main culprit, it would appear, would be the applying, and predominantly the removal of, the very make up we initially started using to cover up these imperfections.
The skin surrounding our eyes is 7x thinner than anywhere else on our bodies. This means that it is the most prone to damage and ageing, and must be treated with the utmost care. One of the key bits of advice from any beautician or make-up artist is to apply eye cream daily, even before wrinkles start to appear. For most women, this is around the time they start experimenting with make-up, but remember, it’s never too soon!
The second, and most important advice is to choose your eye make-up remover with care and learn how to remove it. Every woman is searching for the perfect mascara that will stay in place all day, but once this has been found, removing it can result in a tug-of-war with your eyes that leaves you with permanent skin damage to your delicate eye area. Damage that can become very costly to repair.
Gently, kindly and lovingly is the only way to approach your eyes at the end of the day. In the same way that we painstakingly get our face ready for the day, the same thought and care should be applied to our night-time ritual. Take the time to discover what type of skin you have and choose your products carefully, what works for others may not be right for you. Once you have found a routine and mastered it, make it a routine. You wouldn’t skip brushing your teeth so treat your skin the same way.
Lastly, take the time to nurture your skin, treat it well and it will return the favour. After all, who doesn’t want smooth, bright wrinkle-free skin at the end of the day?
We’ve sought out the best eye make-up removers on the market for all budgets and these products have got our seal of approval:
Budget: Eye make-up remover – hydrating, AED 25, Neutrogena
This beauty product won’t damage your complexion or your pocket. Mild enough for daily use, this silky lotion dissolves stubborn eye make-up and contains a refreshing blend of cucumber and aloe vera to restore tired eyes.
Mid-range: Camomile Waterproof eye makeup remover, AED 55, The Body Shop
This gentle formula gently melts away even the toughest mascaras and eyeliners with no damage to the delicate eye area and no need to scrub leaving sensitive peepers unharmed. Plus, the camomile extract ensures a soothing, calming effect on your skin.
Top end: Effacil Gentle eye makeup remover, AED 100, Lancôme
As with the others, this is a great product for both contact lens wearers and those with sensitive skin. A light, non-oily formula that sweeps away make-up without pulling on the skin around your lids.
“How to” remove eye make-up without causing long-term damage to your skin:
- Using a clean cotton pad, apply your preferred make up remover. Closing your eyes, gently sweep the pad across your lid from inside corner outwards.
- Repeat as necessary until all product has been removed, ensuring you use a clean cotton pad every time to decrease the risk of transferring infections or bacteria from eye to eye.
- Gently splash your eyes with warm water and then cleanse and tone using your usual brand to remove all face make up.
- Pat your face dry with a clean towel. Rubbing increases risk of damage and also lines and wrinkles in later life, so just gently dab at your skin until dry.
- Using your chosen eye cream, apply a small amount to your index finger and pat it around your eyes, gently massaging it into the skin until absorbed. This has the added benefit of stimulating the blood flow and allowing the product to penetrate your skin more deeply.
