How to remove waterproof mascara: gently, with oil and without rubbing

Short answer: an eye makeup remover based on oil dissolves mascara, eyeliner and SPF, so you don't have to rub. Massage a little over your closed eyes, give waterproof mascara a few seconds and wipe it away gently with a damp cloth. Then cleanse your face with a mild cleanser.

The skin around your eyes is the thinnest skin on your face. Still, it is often the place we treat least gently. At the end of the day we pull and rub with a cotton pad until the last bit of mascara is gone. In this blog I explain why an oil-based eye makeup remover is kinder to that skin, how to remove waterproof mascara step by step and what is in our own remover.

Why does oil remove eye makeup without rubbing?

Mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow contain waxes, oils and pigments. That is what keeps them in place all day. Water does not mix with those fats, so a watery remover or plain soap mostly pushes the makeup around. And then you start rubbing.

Oil works differently: oil dissolves oil and wax. When you massage an oil over your lashes, the mascara loosens by itself and you only need to wipe it away. The remover does the work, not your cotton pad.

That matters, because the skin around your eyes is thin and has fewer oil glands than the rest of your face. It dries out more quickly and does not like being pulled. Your lashes also have an easier time when you don't tug at them every evening.

How do you remove waterproof mascara?

Waterproof mascara is made to resist water and tears. So it needs a little more patience than ordinary mascara, not more force. This is how I do it:

1. Start with dry hands and a dry face. Oil works best on dry skin and dry lashes.
2. Take a little remover on your fingertips or on a cotton pad.
3. Close your eyes and massage the remover gently over your eyelids and along your lashes, from the roots to the tips.
4. Wait a few seconds. Hold a cotton pad with a little remover on your closed eye, so the oil can dissolve the waterproof mascara.
5. Wipe gently downwards with a damp, warm cloth or a fresh cotton pad. Pat and wipe, don't scrub.
6. Repeat once if you still see traces. A second, light round is better than one hard one.

Makeup wipes are handy when you travel, but at home I would leave them in the drawer. With a wipe you almost always end up rubbing, especially with waterproof mascara. A little oil and a soft, damp cloth are gentler on your eyes and lashes.

For eyeliner close to the lash line, a cotton bud with a drop of remover works well. Then cleanse the rest of your face, as I explain further on.

Can you use oil around your eyes?

Yes, as long as the oil is made for it. Our Organic Make Up Remover is safe for the eye area. It feels soft and gentle around the eyes and does not leave the skin dry or tight. With waterproof makeup, hold it on the area for a few seconds before you wipe it away.

A few tips:

• Keep your eyes closed while you massage and use a small amount.
• The remover is also suitable for sensitive skin. Trying a product for the first time? Test it on a small patch of skin first.
• Do your eyes stay red, itchy or swollen? Stop using the product and ask your doctor for advice.

Who is an oil-based eye makeup remover for?

For anyone who wears eye makeup or SPF, whatever your skin type. Our remover is suitable for normal, dry, combination, oily and sensitive skin. It is especially pleasant if:

• you wear waterproof or long-lasting mascara;
• the skin around your eyes often feels dry or tight after removing makeup;
• you notice that you rub hard to get everything off;
• you want to remove your SPF properly in the evening, because the remover dissolves SPF too.

Worried that oil does not suit oily skin? In my blog about cleansing oil for your face I explain why it does.

Eye makeup remover and double cleansing

An eye makeup remover is the first step of your evening cleanse. It dissolves makeup and SPF, but you don't want to leave the oil and the loosened makeup on your face. That is why you follow with a mild cleanser. Our Organic Purifying Cleanser removes the last traces of dirt, oil and face makeup. Please note: the cleanser is not meant for eye makeup. That is the job of the remover.

Cleansing in two steps like this is called double cleansing. On our page about double cleansing you can read why it helps and how to do it. In the morning, when you are not wearing makeup yet, the cleanser on its own is enough.

What is in our Organic Make Up Remover?

Our Make Up Remover is a soft cleansing oil made entirely of plant oils and plant extracts, without water. The ingredient list counts 17 ingredients. These are the main ones:

• Sweet almond oil, the first ingredient. It gently dissolves makeup and leaves the delicate eye area soft.
• Jojoba oil, which softens the skin without feeling heavy.
• Extracts of lavender, chamomile and marshmallow root, for skin that feels sensitive.
• Orange blossom and rosemary, which give the skin a fresh, clean feel.
• Seaweed extracts such as bladderwrack and wakame.

The full ingredient list is on the product page. The remover comes in 15 ml and 50 ml.

Your evening cleanse in four steps

1. Massage a little Make Up Remover over your closed eyes first, then over the parts of your face where you wear makeup or SPF.
2. Rinse with lukewarm water or wipe it away with a damp cloth.
3. Wash your face with the Purifying Cleanser on damp skin, rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
4. Continue with your toner and night care.

Want to know which step comes when? Read in what order to use your skincare products. Not sure what your skin needs? Take our skincare test.

In short

• Oil dissolves mascara, eyeliner and SPF, so you don't need to rub.
• Give waterproof mascara a few seconds before you wipe it away.
• Always work with closed eyes and a light touch.
• Follow with a mild cleanser for the rest of your face.

Read also

• Cleansing oil for your face: how to use it
• How to remove party makeup gently, without rubbing
• Eye cream: when and how to use it

Love,
Barbara Baars
Skin Specialist