Putting makeup on can be fun, but removing it at the end of the day can feel like a chore. It’s tempting to cut corners, but you might be doing your skin more harm. Here are the eight biggest makeup removal mistakes and easy ways to fix them. Your skin will thank you!

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Using eye makeup remover all over the face
Eye makeup removers tend to be pretty heavy duty, rich with oils and other emollients to melt away even the boldest smoky eyes. This means that they can be too heavy for the rest of your face, leading to clogged pores.
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Try a micellar water instead
If a multipurpose makeup remover is a must for you, opt for one gentle enough to be used on the face, but effective enough to remove eye makeup as well. A micellar water offers the best of both worlds.
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Using your regular cleanser to remove makeup
At the end of a long day of work, it can be tempting to go straight in with cleanser on a full face of makeup. But this will likely leave makeup behind, since most cleansers are designed to either remove makeup or cleanse skin, but not both.

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Try double cleansing instead
Double cleansing is a great way to make sure you remove all your makeup and get your skin clean. Like the name implies, a double cleanse means cleansing twice: once with a makeup remover like a cleansing balm or oil; and a second time with a cleanser designed to clean skin of dirt, oil and impurities.

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Coconut oil as makeup remover
Coconut oil is a super popular ingredient in DIY skincare concoctions, so you might be surprised to hear that it’s actually not great for your skin. Because it’s so rich in fatty acids, coconut oil is highly comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
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Try a cleansing balm instead
For all of coconut oil’s makeup-melting abilities without the pore-clogging side effects, try a gentle cleansing balm as the first step in your double cleansing routine.

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Scrubbing makeup away
Whether you use makeup wipes, a wash cloth or cotton pads, you might be prone to scrubbing vigorously to get your face clean. This can lead to micro-tears in the skin, creating irritation and inflammation.

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Let your product do the work
If you find that you need to scrub to get your makeup off, you may not be using enough of your makeup remover of choice. Add more cleansing balm, cleansing oil or micellar water and let the product do the work for you.
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Skipping the jaw, neck and hairline
Most makeup lovers know how important it is to blend foundation well, including up into the hairline and down past the jawline. But when the time comes to remove that makeup, it can be tempting to skip those thoroughly-blended areas.

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Cleanse thoroughly
Take your time while removing your makeup and be sure to cleanse your hairline and all the way down onto your neck.

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Using makeup wipes
They’re one of the most popular makeup removal methods, so you might be surprised to learn that makeup wipes are not actually great for your skin. They tend to be dry, which can lead to tugging and irritation of the skin. On top of that, they don’t always contain the best ingredients.

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Try a makeup remover instead
Despite their convenience, try swapping out your wipes for a cleansing balm, oil or makeup remover with ingredients that nourish and condition your skin, while gently removing the day’s makeup.

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Sleeping in your makeup
Do you ever go to bed with makeup on? We’ve all done it at some point, but if it’s a regular occurrence, it can clog pores and trap acne-causing bacteria, resulting in more breakouts.

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Wipes are better than nothing
Although makeup wipes are not the best for your skin, they are better than not removing makeup at all. Keep a packet beside your bed in case of emergencies, when you’re too tired after a long day (or night) to do your full routine.
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Skipping the rest of your routine
It can be tempting to remove your makeup and call it a night. It happens now and then, but if this is a regular occurrence, you risk depriving your skin of the moisture and hydration it needs.

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Make makeup removal and moisturizing your absolute minimum
Makeup removal is a good place to start, but at the very least, throw on a moisturizer before calling it a night. Your skin’s moisture barrier will thank you.
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