Ever tried washing off your make-up with a regular facial cleanser? Well, stop. Stop that right now. You’re wasting your cleanser – and hot water.
Before cleansing your face you should always try to remove as much make-up as possible. This will allow your facial wash or cleanser to do its job more effectively by actually penetrating your skin and not overworking itself working to remove that waterproof eyeliner first.
Some might think it’s not unnecessary to remove your eye make-up, but it is such an important step. Here’s our tried and tested eye make-up removers, wipes and pre-cleansers.
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Removers
This should always be your first step when it comes to cleansing and removing your make-up. There are lots of different liquid removers available that will suit everyone’s needs from waterproof or long-wear make-up, or if you have sensitive eyes.
We love: BWC Fragrance Free Creamy Eye Make-Up Remover Extra Gentle, R150, Eucerin Dermato Clean Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover, R79.99, Sensai Silky Purifying Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover For Eye And Lip, R365, Revlon Pure Skin, Yardley Clear Away Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover, R59.95, Environ Original Eye Make-Up Remover, R125 and Decléor Aroma Cleanse, R265.
Wipes
If you aren’t a fan of applying the remover to a cotton pad and prefer to have an all-in-one, then try facial cleansing wipes or pads. They are convenient, especially when you’re travelling and don’t feel like carrying cotton pads and a bottle of remover.
We love: Yardley Oatmeal Facial Cleansing Wipes, R49.95, Almay Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover Pads and Andrea EyeQ’s Make-up Remover Pads Ultra Quick, R42.
Pre-Cleansers
This is just a little extra help when it comes to cleansing your face. By using a pre-cleanser it helps to dissolve not only make-up, but excess sebum and sunscreen as well. It works wonders dissolving waterproof make-up and residual dirt allowing your prescribed skincare routine to better penetrate your skin.
We love: Dermalogica Precleanse, R415 and Environ Sebuprep, R125.
Next time you apply make-up, remember what goes on must come off.




34 comments
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Humphreys
I would have never thought that it matters. Thanks again for insightful beauty advice.
Zu
The lancome toner is good because its cleanse as it tones. Its like 2 in 1
Mpbutterfly
I will try the wipes or the Eucerin product. The others just seem too expensive.
CarolynMcM
I love my Dermalogica Precleanse!
reddy
Love using Johnsons and Johnsons make-up remover wipes, its so convenient, and it does not irritate my eyes.
Sagree Moodley
Great article, brilliant advise…I have tried the facial wipes and eye make up remover and it makes washing up so much easier and less time consuming.
Anita
I like the Almay wipes
Maddy
i also love wipes when u don’t have much energy otherwise swear by OCM ( oil cleasing method)
anisha
If I dont remove my eye makeup I am left with swollen eyes the next morning! Skin needs to breathe at night so let it do just that!
DIVA
I really need a waterproof eye make -up remover I always battle when removing the mascara. Thanks for giving me so may options.
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