Here at Milk HQ, we’ve spent years thinking about how to remove your makeup in the gentlest, most efficient way possible. Once you’ve got your look locked on, it needs to come off at the end of the day just as seamlessly as it went on. The secret to creating our best makeup removers? Flipping our perspective on longwear primer.
You’re already familiar with the blue agave extract in our Hydro Grip Primer that keeps your makeup gripped on for hours. While studying that ingredient, our Product Development team figured out how to reverse-engineer it so that your makeup can go from gripped to gone in seconds. The result: our new Hydro Ungrip Makeup Remover + Cleansing Water and Hydro Ungrip Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm.
To introduce you to our best cleansing water and best cleansing balm, we brought in the experts to share all their best tips. Read on for seven ways to get every last trace of makeup off, from a full face of foundation to waterproof mascara.
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1. Never roughly rub your skin to remove makeup.
We specifically designed our new Hydro Ungrip family to work without the need to aggressively rub your skin. Whether you’re using makeup wipes, micellar water, cleansing oils, or cleansing balm, remember to be patient and give your products time to sink in rather than try to get your makeup off all at once. This is especially essential when you’re removing any form of eye makeup.
“The skin around your eyes is among the most sensitive on the body,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. “Even low grade trauma can lead to inflammation, which over time contributes to premature aging and pigmentation. Take extra care not to rub the skin around the eyes too hard.”
2. Use micellar technology for light makeup removal.
Every makeup remover has a targeted purpose, and micellar formulas works best when you need to correct mistakes or remove lighter makeup. “Micellar water cleansers are water-based solutions that contain oil microdroplets known as micelles,” says Dr. Zeichner. “These micelles act like traps to attach to remove makeup from the skin.”
Micellar technology is a popular choice for sensitive skin since it leaves your face fresh and clean with no additional rinsing required. While it’s compatible with all types of makeup, it works best on water-based, lighter formulas.
We wrote a full guide to our Hydro Ungrip Makeup Remover + Cleansing Water, but here’s how it improves on classic micellar water removers: It takes the best of micellar technology and pairs it with blue agave extract to lift away makeup and impurities like a super magnet. The gentle cleansing action will leave your skin feeling soft—not stripped—and bouncy.
3. Fix makeup mistakes with cleansing water and a Q-tip.
Another reason why we love the micellar technology in our cleansing water? It lends itself well to quick fixes, like when your second cat eye turns out slightly wonky and you need to erase it.
“I love taking a little pointed Q-tip, soaking it with Hydro Ungrip Makeup Remover + Cleansing Water, and fixing my eyeliner,” says our Director of Artistry, Sara Wren. “It's not oily; it almost feels like water, so it's really great for correcting any mistakes or cleaning up makeup without disturbing it.” Whether you’re switching up your look from day to night or trying to get a perfectly sharp line on your cat eye, keep this tip in mind to avoid starting from scratch.
4. Use a cleansing balm to remove heavy or waterproof makeup.
If you’re worried about how to get waterproof mascara off or how to remove waterproof makeup in general, it’s time to grab a cleansing balm.
“Cleansing balms are heavier, oil-based makeup removers,” says Dr. Zeichner. “They’re a good choice for people who need to remove heavier makeup, like liquid foundation. Since oil dissolves oil, these balms do an excellent job at attaching to and removing makeup from the skin.”
We’re also giving you a full product guide to Hydro Ungrip Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm, but here’s the short version: The solid-to-silk texture melts into skin and was made to melt away tough makeup and SPF. (It’s also infused with makeup-melting sunflower + soybean oils for deliciously soft skin.)
5. Pair your cleansing balm with warm washcloths for an upgraded deep cleanse.
“Our cleansing balm is for when I really need to deep cleanse everything at the end of the day,” says Sara. To turn your daily cleanse into a spa-worthy ritual, try her personal favorite hack. “An esthetician taught me this,” she says. “I apply Hydro Ungrip Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm with dry hands to a dry face and massage it in. Then I take a cloth soaked in warm water, put it on my face, let it sit, and then slowly take everything off.”
Make sure to use fabric that’s gentle on your skin, like a muslin cloth or washcloth specifically designed for your face. The warm water helps emulsify the balm and dissolve your makeup while giving you a deeper cleanse. “I’ll rinse off the cloth and go back to get any makeup out from around my nose or on my eyes,” she says. “I even exfoliate my lips with it.”
Later this year, we’ll be launching the perfect reusable product to use with both our Hydro Ungrip makeup removers, so stay tuned. Hint: It works perfectly with Sara’s hot cloth tip, especially when it comes to removing your eye makeup.
6. Double cleanse for a totally fresh face.
While our Hydro Ungrip makeup removers don’t require you to wash your face a second time, you can go back in with a gentle cleanser if you want to start with a totally fresh base.
“I do love a double cleanse,” says Sara. She likes to start with our Hydro Ungrip Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm to remove makeup like lipstick, mascara, bronzer, and blush. After she rinses it off, she uses a second round of her favorite gentle cleanser for a calming skin reset.
7. Moisturize after makeup removal to protect your skin barrier.
The most important step of removing your makeup is making sure your clean skin stays protected. “Apply a moisturizer right after removing your makeup to protect your skin barrier,” says Dr. Zeichner. This step ensures that your skin remains in its healthiest state. Grab a tub of our fragrance-free Vegan Milk Moisturizer, and end your makeup removal on a nourished note.
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Meet the Experts:
Sara Wren is the Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. In her role, she does all the makeup artistry and direction for our Milk Makeup global campaigns, educates the staff and field team on application methods, stars in the brand’s social media videos, and travels to different markets spreading Milk Makeup’s good vibes. When she’s not on set, Sara loves experimenting with DIY hair colors, eating tacos, watching basketball, and scouring for vintage cosmetics to add to her impressive collection.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and the Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He is one of the country's key opinion leaders in treating acne and rosacea, and is an expert in cosmeceuticals, skin care, and cosmetic dermatology. As an educator, Dr. Zeichner teaches dermatology residents and regularly lectures to international audiences. His work has been published in the top peer reviewed dermatology journals, and he can be found quoted across national media.
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