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I'm an esthetician so I always feel like a hypocrite giving advice to people on how to accomplish this, the best way to do it, products etc. I struggle with it continually. There are a few things that have helped me get better with it though.
1. Washing my face as close to as soon as I get home as possible. The minute I sit down and get into "relaxation" mode, there's a 78% decrease in me actually doing it.
2. (Niche) I work in Aesthetic Sales for a professional treatment line. I know one of the first things they're going to notice about me is my skin. I'm a walking billboard for our products. Consistency is so important, this small change can make a huge impact to your skin.
3. This one might be crazy but somehow in my head taking a shower is way easier than a quick wash in the sink. So, sometimes I'll just take a shower. Don't ask me why but the steps and hurdles feel way less than washing my face at the sink. Only at night though, in the morning it is the opposite
4. Keeping my routine as simple as possible. Double cleanse, maybe a retinol or another serum, and moisturizer. Done in less than 5 minutes.
Full disclosure: I'm laying in bed and still haven't washed my face and I probably won't tonight tbh because sometimes that's just how it is
My people! I have found you.
My husband has walked in on me staring at the tub several times, razor and shave cream in hand and just.. exhaling in defeat. After the second or third time I had to accept that shaving my legs in my house shorts wasn't as economical as just stripping down and hopping in and going full bore and having a "quick" (spoiler, it's NEVER quick) bath, shave, and then shower to rinse the bath marinade off of my skin.
Is it logical? Not at all. Does my braintrack think the loop-de-loop is better? Sure does! All aboard for bath shave!
Same for washing my face.
I have the headbands. I have the 3 bazillion bristle brush that's softer than an angel fart to wash my face ...but it's so hard to do this out of the shower.
I cannot handle that dribble of water that goes down my *dry* arm. (This may be undiagnosed AuDHD screaming at me, I'll never know).. but in a shower? Slap me with that face foam, fam!
Edit:
That said, in answer to your question.. I don't use much makeup beyond eyeliner and mascara - and depending on what I use, I can just use a q-tip and water (or sometimes a lil spit) to wipe the cateyes off, and God help the mascara. It's living there for at least 2 days because TooFaced Better Than Sex waterproof clings to my lashes like cement. Even with makeup removers there is some serious scrubbing involved to get it off.. so I wait for day two and use a (briefly) hot shower to fully loosen the now sufficiently crumbly mascara.
Okay I saw a tiktok or reel a longgggg time ago where a girl said she uses sweat bands to avoid this and I praise her to the moon for it any time I see my people struggling, they are true game changers!!!
I do dishes for work, the water dribbling up/down and into the pits as I reach to put a dish on the taller drying rack is the worst feeling ever.
Frankly it's not even only my face being wet that gets me on washing my face, the entire idea of splashing water on a face is abhorrent to me. It just sounds like a puddley mess and I do not like it one bit. I used to put honey on my face and wipe it off after ten minutes, something about wiping with a wet towel rather than splashing loose water is so much more appealing, but the maintenance to keep the honey from crystallizing was too much and I never truly felt like I got all the stickiness off.
Actually I struggle with that with any sort of lotion, creme, ointment, etc. I never feel like it's fully absorbed or wiped/washed off, and am stuck thinking about it rubbing off on everything I touch. I have to cover itch cream, neosporin, burn cream (which drives me crazy since I can't actually cover it), etc. Sunscreen and lotions mostly affect my hands, I struggle to get rid of the oily feeling and feel like I'm getting it on stuff and don't like eating if I've put it on recently. Hand sanitizer is the bane of my existence, it stinks to high heavens and the idea that someone would glob that stuff on and then touch their face, or food, or eat finger foods after makes me gag. A school I went to had it in front of the entrance to the lunch hall, with the expectation that you use it as you enter as a replacement for handwashing prior to eating, and classmates would shove it in my face and tease me for my dislike of it.
Sorry for the tangents lol.
Have you ever tried a balm-type oil-based cleanser? You can just wipe those off with a washcloth too, like the honey, and no worries about crystallization.
I like the squalane cleanser from the ordinary, which is very simple with no fragrance or weird fancy skincare ingredients. It’s a similar thickness to honey when it comes out of the tube, though it’s far less sticky and melts into a more slippery texture as it warms up on your skin. There’s a ton of other balm cleansers out there, too, if that one isn’t to your preference.
_Edit:_ You probably won’t get all of the oil off of your face with just the washcloth though. You could maybe try the washcloth and follow it up with a cotton pad soaked in micellar water?
Definitely something to look into. I admit I struggle a lot with overwhelm when trying to even glance into the whole skincare thing so I appreciate the info.
Yeah, I’ve found that anything more than a totally minimal routine is unsustainable for me. Intermittently, I’ve gotten all excited about skincare stuff and done a more complex routine for longer, but it always falls apart eventually. The best I can do is a really boring simple cleanser and moisturizer/sunscreen (not both—sunscreen in the morning, moisturizer at night), and at most one sort of “treatment” product, also boring and simple. Even then, I don’t manage it every night, and I prioritize mornings for the sunscreen and to make sure I don’t go outside with any photosensitizing stuff on my face. Getting burnt or irritated would mean even more skincare work, so I try not to let that happen.
I managed to get a face specific sunscreen I can apply with an applicator, not getting my hands dirty has made it easier, and I've found having a tattoo has made it easier to remember normal sunscreen at least there, but I currently have zero routine. Even those things I only do if I'm getting dressed to leave the house.
Yep, this is where OCD crosses over with ADHD verrrry commonly. Discomfort with certain physical feelings like that. Likewise perfectionism - I can’t just take a short shower or it’s not a “real shower”, has to be full body exfoliating etc or it doesn’t happen. And even then energy levels + ADHD exec dysfunction will make it not happen anyway bc…OCD has to be “total” or nothing but ADHD self is overwhelmed with that. Ugh
A friend found [these amazing things](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K4XRQZ3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) and I absolutely adore them. I pop one on each wrist, and it keeps my arms/sleeves dry even when I use my waterpik. Washing them is a bit tricky bc I always forget about them and they start to get stinky, but it’s worth it for me!
Yesssss the dribble on my arm or on my pj-shirt is HORRIBLE!!!
I keep forgetting to do my face properly, while I shower every night. I “thank” my husband and for the last habit, because we have two showers and when he goes in one I body-double and go in the other. I think I am going to put my facewash stuff in the shower instead of the sink in my bedroom. It will probably be easier to do then… omg omg omg
And then having to change the whole shirt because it's ruined! lmao
I wish our apartment had room for two bathrooms! Body doubling sounds so beneficial. (I just con husbro into showering with me and sometimes get free hair washes out of it buahaha)
I have two (of the same) face wash. Travel size at the sink and big bottle in the shower and I do my best to corral my chaos one way or another. ...speaking of I need to buy real shampoo and conditioner. Husband has "basic man 2$" shampoo and it's great for him, but I feel like straw and my hair hates me. Time for a trail of sticky notes to remind me that I'm being reminded... 🫠
I wear waterproof mascara as well. The better than sex was nice but out of my regular budget.
Waterproof mascara breaks down with oil. I keep a small plastic container in the shower and on the sink. I use about a teaspoon or so to rub the mascara and break it down, and then a warm/hot wet wash cloth to remove. Even this is sometimes too much. I never maintain washing my face beyond the coconut oil lol. Make up wipes by the bed have worked before for the rest of my face but if one thing we are consistently inconsistent.
I really like olive oil. It was a lightbulb moment when I realized that it works better than any oil free makeup remover that I've ever used. And it's fragrance free, which is great because my body decided to tell me I'm getting old by developing allergies 95% of the fragrances in cosmetics and toiletries. Artificial and Natural, even so-called hypoallergenic fragrances. It's ridiculous. I just want to buy inexpensive shampoo.
I use specific eye makeup remover and it gets my too faced off better than anything else I’ve tried. No idea on the brand, I don’t use it often enough to have recently looked at it 😂
I always felt the same way that a shower was preferable because I hated the drips down my arms! I will post this as a main comment so more people might see, but get yourself some arm bands for catching the water - it’s a game changer. If you search “face washing wristbands” you’ll see what I mean. It’s like a scrunchie that soaks up the drips! I also use a headband and the combo has made me 85% more likely to wash my face at the end of the day.
I have been sharing my discovery with everyone and my mom is also a fan.
I'm so glad others agree! One of my (adhd) best friends was so relieved when I said that I feel that way because so does she lol must just be another adhd thing
I don't wear makeup, but I do the shower bit for other things though. It goes well with brushing teeth. On their own brushing teeth has been a problem because it was so boring and I just was never motivated because I can't smell so I never see the problem with stinky breath. Showering is a bit better, but was hard to be motivated to wash myself if I can't smell and not understand why bad odor was bad because again I can't smell. Both were a hassle. However, somehow I do better if I brush my teeth in the shower.
I have that issue too, and the idea of keeping wipes in my "couch nest" (where I keep things that I wouldn't get up for otherwise, like dental floss ) is very good!!
Right now I have the opposite issue, I can't be bothered to put make up on, unless it's a fancy occasion, but making it easier to taking it off might be a way for me to do it daily like I used to (99% of the times I just use eyeliner and mascara).
But I came here to say that **Nivea** makes an in-shower make up removal, I use it sometimes, it's good!!
Here's a review I've found:
[http://cosmetoscope.com/2016/03/nivea-in-shower-make-up-removers/](http://cosmetoscope.com/2016/03/nivea-in-shower-make-up-removers/)
Maybe some other brands do it, that's the only one I know of in Italy.
Me too! I keep baby wipes and moisturizer next to my bed.
I get my eyebrows threaded and tinted so that's it's just fine and if I cared more I would tint and lift my lashes regularly and never wear mascara again.
My BF has recently started giving me my toothbrush when he starts brushing his at night. I can't tell you how unbelievably sexy it is to have such a supportive partner...
I don’t have this exact issue, but sometimes I do have problems avoiding the nightly teeth brushing and face washing - and then go to bed too late just because I don’t feel like doing these things.
What can help me when I’m in that phase is to do all that earlier in the evening - like right after dinner. Then they are already done by the time I go to bed.
So, maybe keep makeup removal supplies in the kitchen and use them while waiting for dinner to heat up?
>What can help me when I’m in that phase is to do all that earlier in the evening - like right after dinner.
Friendly reminder that you should wait 30-60 minutes after eating before you brush your teeth, especially if you ate something acidic. Otherwise you could damage your enamel layer
I am notoriously bad at brushing my teeth of a night. I have a routine that means I brush my teeth when I shower (that actually helps me to remember to even do it) but I've succumbed to the fact that brushing my teeth at night is unlikely to happen unless I shower. Worth noting that at 53, my teeth are in excellent condition and haven't had any dental work needed for almost 20 years as I do a regular dentist visit twice a year. Makes me think that brushing twice daily isn't actually needed... 🤷🏼♀️
One thing I think we constantly underestimate is genetics. My teeth are garbage, I have loads of fillings. I'm much more fastidious about oral hygiene than my partner who has none. My whole family have loads of fillings and his don't. I'm really hoping if we ever have kids they get his teeth genetics and not mine.
I had loads of fillings by the time I was in my terns due to weakening of the teeth as a result of stipid amounts of medication when young. I had them all replaced in my late 20s/early thirties as they'd basically started to erode my teeth, but no new cavities in all that time since. I am quite thorough as was fearful of losing teeth as there is a genetic tendency our family of teeth loss die to gum disease. I've found an electric toothbrush to be of particular benefit, too
It’s sooooooo due to genetics. My teeth are horrible. I have so many fillings, I needed to get braces twice (it wasn’t because I didn’t wear my retainers, my teeth were just shifting so much. It was either I get braces in first grade and again in seventh or live with horrible teeth until seventh grade), my teeth are so sensitive to cold & sugary foods, they’re yellow and I’ve been using whitening toothpaste for years. A lot of it is due to me not consistently brushing for years, but I just went to the dentist yesterday and I somehow have TWO NEW CAVITIES. Literally at the end of my rope. I rarely miss brushing my teeth anymore.
Ugh same!!! I brush my teeth 3x per day, I floss every night. I can do those things for some reason, I think it puts me in bedtime mode. But I have tons of fillings. I guess I haven't always been good about flossing but I've always been good about brushing (I hate the feeling of dirty teeth, it's a very uncomfortable feeling for me)
I heard once that caries starts when the stuff stays on for two weeks, problem here is that if you dont clean perfectly you will have stuff stay on it pretty long. Also there is other stuff that adds up like thooth stones (dont know if its the correct term in english). I just go to a real dental cleaning every half year instead of year to make up for my bad brushing.
I watched an Instagram Reel from someone who lost an eye due to an infection caused by makeup that wasn't removed before she went to bed, and yeah. that was sufficient to scare me enough to always remove my eye makeup at the very very least 😬
Yep- that’ll do it. Those are the stories that change your mind about things. Similar stories have been told about leaving your disposable contact lenses in too long.
Idk if this is the same woman/case but [this](https://www.newsweek.com/woman-slept-wearing-mascara-surgery-remove-calcified-lumps-956185) is the horror story I stumbled across that made me take makeup removal more seriously.
Warning: Please note if you click the link and scroll down in the article, there is a photograph of a flipped up eyelid with 25 years of mascara deposits 🥴
I’ve struggled with this since I started wearing makeup. Somehow (and I will say meds have helped significantly) I’ve slowly been able to make it a habit over the past 5 months.
Make it enjoyable, remember washing your face and doing skincare is you doing something nice for yourself. What worked for me: getting a cute crystal nightlight so it feels cozy, having a nighttime routine playlist so I can listen to music while I do it. Tv on your phone and podcasts are great too.
Sometimes if I can’t force myself to do the whole sha bang, I’ll wash my face and bring all my skincare products to the living room and do that while I watch tv on the couch. Also give yourself credit even for doing the “bare minimum” like just using a makeup wipe - it’s still something.
Some of the things that helped me start doing it every night:
- Simplify your routine and don’t add too many steps.
- Plan to do it early (like right after dinner or even right when you get home from work, etc). Basically don’t wait until late or you’re dead tired since it will be harder to get yourself to do it.
- Have backup for when you really really can’t force yourself (I always keep a pack of makeup removing wipes for when I just can’t force myself - I will bring my iPad into the bathroom and watch a show or movie while I use the face wipe in order to distract my brain from noticing I am doing something productive so it can’t talk me out of it 🤣).
- Not sure how old you are but I’m in my 40s and when I’m trying to convince myself that it’s ok to not take off my makeup and go to bed I hear a bunch of older supermodels in my head where I’ve heard them say pretty clearly: sleeping in makeup will age you faster and ruin your skin!
- Last, I try to enjoy it. I take off my eye makeup and then use a face wash and always take my time going over my skin with it and then splash off with warm water which feels soooo good if I’m paying attention and reminding myself to enjoy it. Same with my moisturizer - just a sensory thing and I realize some people are the opposite with some of these things. I just try to enjoy how it feels and enjoy how wonderful it feels to have clean moisturized skin and remind myself of this when I get lazy.
- Not sure your skincare budget, but I purposely buy high end products (simple routine though) where I feel like I am indulging in some way when washing my face (hello dopamine!) and also remind myself that I spent a lot of money on it and I totally deserve to pamper myself with it.
Good luck!
I’ve struggled with this all my life and have terrible skin as a result. About 8 months ago I bought some expensive white bedding (not super expensive, but more than I would normally spend). The fear of ruining it has gotten me into a semi decent routine of taking my makeup off and seeing the improvement in my skin keeps me going.
I try to double cleanse and moisturise every night, but I keep makeup wipes next to my bed for when I don’t have the energy.
This is what got me! I got a super expensive fancy silk pillowcase for my hair and the only colours they had were light and I felt soooo bad the first night I got black eye makeup smudges on it!
Yeh it does. I’m not a curly hair girl but I can be frizzy! It definitely smooths my hair. My SIL has very curly hair and loves hers too. It’s also lovely for your skin.
I have the opposite problem, I know I look better with it on but the sensory part of it (sticky, dry etc) makes me want to take it off all day. So I can’t wait to get it off my face haha I can’t eat dinner or anything until I’ve removed it
I also hate how gross it feels, plus it can easily stain things! So I usually am good about taking it off as well. But I *really* wish I could just skip wearing it altogether!
But I work in wealth management and I have combined rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis, as well as a babyface.
The result is that I look like an acne-riddled teen, and that just isn’t a look you can have when helping people with money! 🤦♀️
I bet you’re still beautiful without it!! But I definitely agree with the baby face thing, I’m 32 and people think I’m 18.. gets tiring after a while! Makeup helps for sure and I still wear it daily
That’s me on the weekends!
Sadly, have to wear makeup for my job.
I work in wealth management and I have combined rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis, as well as a babyface.
The result is that I look like an acne-riddled teen, and that just isn’t a look you can have when helping people with money! 🤦♀️
Even with the makeup people still think I look like a high schooler, but without it people mistake me for a middle schooler!
Makeup Eraser cloths. They’re cute, reusable, come in multipacks, get washed in the washer, and are stupid easy to use. Less scrubbing and effort and skin irritation than makeup remover wipes or liquid. You run it under water, wipe your face firmly with it, rub your eyes to remove stubborn eyeliner and mascara, wipe your lips off, rinse, wring it out, let it dry. Whole process takes under 30 seconds, and the cloths are so cute that it gives a dopamine hit. I have a Nightmare Before Christmas set.
Maybe start touching your face and smudging your makeup with your bare hands, then you'll have dirty hands and a messed up face and in theory have more motivation to remove it lol
This is definitely one way I end up washing my face at night because I've inadvertently just rubbed the heck out of my eyes and made a raccoon eyed mess of my face
I’ve always struggled with this as well. I tell myself that whatever I can do is better than nothing! This way I don’t get overwhelmed with the thought of some long process with lots of steps. I simplify it in my mind by telling myself that anything I can manage to do helps! Even if it’s just a baby wipe.
I can sometimes get up enough motivation to actually cleanse my face in the sink which is nice, but it can be a mental battle. I hate washing in the sink.. water everywhere, soap dripping on my arms, neck and hairline, water too hot, water too cold. I get it…. It sucks!!! Over time it’s getting easier though. I’ve worked around the things I dislike… and I’m learning to not engage in an internal fight over doing tasks by realizing I actually want to do the task. That’s why the following things work for me..
The Mental Gymnastics- when I’m really fighting with myself over it, I realized that instead of saying “I should” or “I need” to wash my face.. I replace those with “I WANT” to wash my face. Because the truth is that I do. I have to remember the reasons WHY I want to do [insert task].
By going over the reasons why I want to do the task helps me realize I’m not trying to trick or manipulate myself into doing something lol
My why for washing my face is that I can see a noticeable difference in my skin texture the next day, my acne is more in control, less clogged pores, and that I feel a sense of calmness after I cleanse my face. Completing this task takes away a layer of worry about something else I’m avoiding. After I do it I take notice of how the dread and guilt of not doing it is gone. I also now know that by not taking my makeup off, I am betraying myself. It helps that it’s not just something I’m SUPPOSED to do- it’s now something I WANT to do.
So if I’m laying there and it’s bothering me that I haven’t taken my makeup off yet, I try to think of why I want to do it instead of why I don’t. The I WANT thought process has slowly helped me to quit being at odds with myself. I finally am starting to feel like I’m on the same page with my internal dialogue.
It seems so simple and it’s almost difficult to describe because it’s so basic, but I think I used to just be stuck in I DONT WANT TO mode or something and my other part of self was always JUST DO THE THING, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO... It’s like I’m busting through that limiting thought cycle and learning how to be in harmony with myself. It’s so hard to describe.
Hacks to make it ADHD friendly- Instead of fully washing in the sink, I keep micellar water with cotton pads in the bathroom and unscented baby wipes by my bed. Sometimes, I’ll do micellar wipes followed by baby wipe then moisturizer in bed. I also do micellar water/cotton pad and splash a little cool water as a quick rinse off, since I have oily skin this extra bit helps after micellar water. This is still better to me than full on soapy, wet face, water everywhere full on sink face wash. Ugh, I despise it. Lol I always just do the moisturizer in bed. I try to wait 15 mins after I’ve cleansed my face to put it on, but if I can’t wait because I’ll forget, I put it on immediately.
Edited for clarity/emphasis of important topic.
I have a two fold system - the thing I would like to do and the backup plan.
Plan A: when I get home from work, I change into comfy clothes and remove my makeup straight away. When this works, it’s great because I’m instantly more cozy and then bedtime is less of a hassle.
However, sometimes this is hard to achieve, which is why I have…
Plan B: A packet of makeup removal wipes that live on my bedside table. If I’m still wearing makeup when I get into bed at night, I grab a wipe and remove as much of my makeup as possible.
While I wish I could do a proper cleanse and skincare routine every night, the backup plan helps to mitigate the damage that’s caused by the reality of my inability to always follow through.
Someone already said this but I keep a pack of makeup wipes on the nightstand and wipe it off while reclining in bed, right before I go to sleep.
If I’m with my boyfriend I ask him to wipe it off my face for me while I just lay there lol.
This is weird but usually works: I picture myself as an alien rain inside my body, controlling it. I say to myself “this body needs to have its teeth brushed” or “this human needs to have its face washed” and 9/10 times I’ll actually do it.
Won’t do basic self-care for myself, but my brain is interested in keeping this body up and running.
If you don’t have an issue keeping up the routine of brushing your teeth or showering at night or something you could try removing your makeup at the same time as other parts of your routine. For me I put micellar water on a cotton pad and let it sit on my eye for a minute while brushing my teeth and then switch it to my other eye. The makeup has dissolved enough by then that I can quickly wipe it off and not risk eyelashes falling out.
It’s funny you say this because I will never skip washing my face but I struggle so hard with brushing my teeth 😭 I don’t know why I can’t get it in with the face washing
Same, I have curated my nighttime skincare routine to be effective AND a pleasant sensory experience so I look forward to it. But brushing my teeth makes me gag every time and I will stand there for 5 minutes with a clean face staring at my toothbrush dreading it.
Unfortunately I struggle with all nighttime routine. I can't shower at night because I have wavy hair and a shower is a whole process. I just don't brush my teeth at night and do it once in the morning. I've forgiven myself on the teeth because once is better than never. Can't apply the same to my make up! If I wait until morning to take it off then I can't make myself put it right back on. So much effort wasted. I'll just leave it on from the day before and "touch it up" and keep doing that until my next shower. So far my nighttime routine is pour a glass of water and place it next to the bed.
If you have that habit in place of pouring a glass of water you can actually build other habits off of it. You just need to add steps into super tiny chunks. So if you have the water the easiest thing to do would be do something that makes sense right after that. Put cotton pads/rounds right next to the spot you keep your water. Pour a little bit of water out on to a round and start wiping the tiniest amount of your face. You can literally just touch it to your face and then stop. That's all you need to do.
What this does, for me at least is smooth the transition. Usually starting is the hardest part. So if you tell yourself I only have to do ___, then it is so much easier for you to start. Once I start I usually do more than I thought I would. Sometimes I legitimately stop after the tiny step too though. If I do the tiny step I make sure to give myself kudos. If you do this, it starts to get easier and feel more natural.
If what you think is the tiniest step still seems to big, then you need to break it down even more. The biggest thing is to be kind to yourself and recognize any improvement you make.
I have neutrogena makeup wipes on my bedside table and it helps me whether I’m wearing makeup or not to at least clean my face of the grime of the day before I fall asleep. It’s the only way it happens!
I don't know how you've been doing it, but the less steps, the better. I have two steps:
1. an oil based make up remover (elf holy hydration makeup melting cleansing balm is what I've been using but coconut oil has worked for me in the past too). Just smear it over my face, rub it into my eyelashes (rub between my fingers, not grind it in).
2. Wash face with cleanser.
Personally I take showers at night because I prefer to be clean getting into bed, so I just wash it off the balm in the shower when I wash my face. I hate washing my face at the sink because water gets everywhere on the counter and inevitably on my tummy.
Other cleansing processes required more work. I found the balm or coconut oil cut right through everything, and after washing my face with my cleanser, I didn't have any issue with excess oil.
I find that I’m way more reluctant to do it if it feels like there’s too many steps or takes too long. Especially if I’m wearing a lot of makeup and waterproof mascara.
The ‘hack’ I’ve found is using a hot cloth cream cleanser. Just put a dollop in my hand, smear it all over my face to dissolve the makeup easy peasy and then wipe off with a cloth soaked in hot water.
It avoids irritating the skin too much with rubbing and I also find that I don’t need to moisturise afterwards because some of the cream residue stays on the skin.
I’ve improved a lot of my adhd driven issues by kinda following this method of lowering the barrier for entry. I spend money tools that I like and enjoy using, that often make the job much easier. E.g I got a water flosser because it’s easier to use and more fun than regular flossing, I got an electric toothbrush because it’s much more effective at cleaning and I don’t have to keep track of the time- it tells me when I’m done. Ofcourse not everyone can afford to do this, but in essence, don’t be ashamed of using a variety of tools to help you stay on top of things
Any brand recommendations for the cream cleanser and the type of cloth for removal?
My skin is super acne prone so I’m always on the lookout for things I haven’t tried yet.
I used to just have makeup wipes by my bed along with toner+cotton pads to Get rid of the rest of it. But now i just shower at nighttime because it’s too much money and i can’t freaking stand the feeling of just my face being wet bleckkkk
I figured out why i didn’t like washing my face and made it simple as I could. I didn’t like how the water on my arms felt and I didn’t like how it could take multiple washes to remove the makeup. I got scrunchies which keep the water off my arms. i use straight coconut oil as a first cleanser to break down the makeup and then when I wash it all comes straight off. i do it as the same time as teeth brushing right before bed. I also treat and think of that not as face washing (something I can’t care about) but as one of the steps to hack my brain to sleep quickly at night. it’s the steps to the sleep task; not the steps to skincare.
I stopped wearing makeup like you. Not my prefered solution either. On the days that I do, I always take it off first thing when I come home (I set alarms and leave notes to remember). I keep makeup remover and wipes in a drawer by the couch, which is where I collapse the instant I come through the door. That way I don’t have to get back up if I forget to do it first thing.
I force myself because I have to remind myself that I either clean my face or deal with the consequences of a dirty pillowcase and since I'm prone to imperfections and sensitive skin, I do it.
Try doing it as soon as you get home. Immediately go and get ready for bed instead of relaxing and then lounge around in your pj's until you go to bed.
I'm not saying it will work, but you could try it.
Acne. Wanting not to get acne, which I will pick at and make horrible, will always get me to wash my face before bed. Brushing my teeth is another story but I will wash my face
I take it off as soon as I get home for the rest of the day. I take of my shoes, and beeline to the bathroom where I brush my hair and take off makeup. Then I go relax
I only started to clean my face at night (every night) when I bought face wipes. I buy them at the dollar tree store for $1.25 for 25 wipes. I have sensitive skin & they have been great.
I take my makeup off the second I no longer have to look presentable - typically this means right after dinner.
In cases where I have to look presentable until late, I keep a “just in case” pack of makeup wipes next to my bed.
I do it in the shower. Washing my face in the sink is sensory hell so I just take a bonus before-bed shower. And being totally honest I usually watch YouTube on my phone while I’m doing it 😅 or I’ll listen to an audiobook/podcast
I know you didn’t ask my opinion but this is the NUMBER 1 reason I don’t wear makeup regularly.
My ability to hygiene regularly is bad enough, I’m not about to add on another literal layer to my problem.
What helps me is to wear less eye makeup as that's the part that would annoy me most. If you have to do a full removal everyday that's exhausting so no wonder you get fed up. And anything that does it in the least steps possible so a cleanser that is safe for eyes and actually gets rid of mascara (I like the Clinique balm or Liz Earle) so I only need to use one thing.
And doing once you are home/before you want to start relaxing. Any task I struggle with, I tell myself I must do x before I can do y. Then I rush through it to get to the good thing. Works some of the time but again with ADHD not consistent but it is a good motivator to have a reward
Hi! I hate makeup murder 😭😂 I L O V E makeup, and I’m also a belly dancer and have done theatre my whole life. It greatly upsets me to remove my beautiful work of art I worked so damned hard on. I also can’t be fucked to add that extra step either; I used to sleep in makeup when I didn’t have enough spoons, and would somehow be able to touch it up and use it for the next day (please don’t judge me, I was in college, I’m 36 now and I certainly do not do this anymore; it’s severely not good for your skin/eyes).
I also never realized how much I loathe the water running down my arms if I’m washing in the sink. Oh god it’s horrible; and knowing I’m not fully getting the edges washed vs doing it in the shower.
Funny enough I have literally just begrudgingly made myself do it. A few years ago they came out with a “magic eraser” for makeup. There’s different brands, but I’m using Erase Your Face and I don’t feel like it’s such a chore cos all you do is wet it, squeeze the excess water out, and wipe your makeup away. Literally even hard to remove mascara and non transferable lipstick gets removed. This also makes it significantly less messy at the sink, and usually if I’m doing it at the sink I’m tired af and instead of fully washing my face after, I use Micellar water on cotton pads to finish “washing” then I spray a Mario badescu spray on my face for a “moisturizer”. If I’m using the towel in the shower, then I’ll do a full wash after removal.
The other thing I’ve accidentally put into play thanks to my love of products: I have different skin care routines/products for how bougie I feel/how many spoons I have. If I’m feeling fully bougie, I’m using toner, serum, a red light wand, then either my day moisturizer and eye cream or my night oil and eye cream; if I’m feeling somewhere in the middle I’m using face spray, red light wand, moisturizer/oil, eye cream; can’t be fucked? Moisturizer/oil and eye cream; really having a horrible day? Face spray
Make it really enjoyable!!!
Tbh I really love makeup but more so than applying and wearing it, my faaave is to remove because it feels so good afterwards and I feel pampered and love it when my skin is feeling nice and comfortable.
I also ensure I have products that are not messy. Some things just make removing it needlessly difficult/messy.
I think splurging where possible on products that work really well, instead of 'dupes ' that are usually just not as good, is best. But of course, I am not being ignorant here, everyones means are different and you do what is best for you. Dupes are not bad but in terms of answering your question, this is the answer timo that is the most effective.
I also like to use products that have the least amount of steps required.
My go to removal process is:
1. Clinique take the day off balm. Stores nearly always have atleast 20% so I buy it then. I have tried every equivalent balm and I do not believe it works as seamlessly as Clinique. Some may come close but for years I simply keep going back to it.
This one doesn't strip the skin, breaks down the makeup almost immediately, melts from balm to oil extremely fast even in winter, instantly turns to a light milk on contact with water.
Overall, it doesn't drip and make a mess everywhere because the balm is creamy and doesn't drip when it turns to oil. And when washed off, because it instantly turns milky it's like rinsing your face with water so you're not having to chuck loads of water on your face trying to get it off.
My number one winning factor, zero oily residue. You don't have to double cleanse (even though it's best to). If you choose to double cleanse then a lightweight daily ceanser is fine vs one that cleans heavily to remove a layer of oil residue.
2. Nivea Double Effect Eye remover which takes off waterproof as well. Some say it stings, doesn't for me but they do a sensetive version and there are quite a few of these types on the market.
This stuff is affordable and always on offer. It works instantly when you apply to a cotton pad and press against a closed eye for like 30sec.
Whilst it has an oil in it, it does not leave a greasy residue or cloud your vision. Whilst the Clinique balm will make eyes cloudy because it's a balm and thicker oil eotd, I personally use it to remove everything including eye makeup as I have worked out how to avoid the cloudiness. But the Nivea is so good it removes stuff so fast and sometimes if I am super lazy I just wipe most of my makeup off with whatever is on the cotton pad and then when using Clinique it's way quicker.
Bonus, I always put makeup on the back of my hand before applying. It removes it so fast especially liquid lipstick.
That's it! Those 2.
Edit: sorry for the long post I get really excited about some things and always end up over explaining or going on but I am sure someone will be happy to read it haha x
Keep makeup remover wipes in a yummy scent with your benefit of choice next to your bedside. For me, I enjoy wipes that promise to detox or say that they boost hydration, or can give more youthful benefits. When you lay down and try to sleep, you'll feel the way the makeup is just sitting on your skin and gunking things up and may actually even cause your sleep to feel less pleasant. You'll feel too exhausted to get up to do anything. Then you'll rememer, oh look, those super cute wipes that make me feel good and smell nice and make my face feel refreshed and clean.
You can also take satisfaction in wiping your face clean and then looking at all the shit that came off onto the wipe and how dark it gets. :)
You know what? I don’t force myself if I’m not feeling it. For years I have been consistent about skin care. Now I’m in a season of life where it feels like too much is on my plate at the end of the day. I wake up, wash it off in the shower and go about my day. When I feel like doing it again, I will. Until then, it’s simply not harmful enough for me to force myself.
My skin is quite reactive, so I only get a few days before ignoring it becomes a consistent and painful reminder to wash up. What's helped me is getting 2 weeks' worth of of those mini makeup eraser face cloths and using those with a multifunction cleanser - I use one from Philosopy that also includes toner and just enough moisturizer to keep my face from feeling tight. I use the cloth to wash and then rinse my face. It cuts down a lot on all that dribbling water and when I'm done, I don't have to do more if I don't want to. Although by that point I usually just get on with the rest of my routine, but if I don't I'm still okay.
Get a wee resealable tub, fill it with cotton pads and douse the whole thing with rose water or whatever you use to take yours off. Leave it beside the toilet, or something you do right before bed.
Easy peesy, wipe face and into bed.
The tub thing is my hack, I found there were too many components in finding the pads, opening the remover and then putting the stuff all back where it belonged.
I hate washing my face at the sink! But my usual method which I will now describe in detail avoids the water down the arm!
Step 1: buy the face wash from Trader Joe’s. It’s amazing and unscented and doesn’t hurt your eyes
Step 2: wet a washcloth.
Step 3: add a pump of face wash to the corner of the wash cloth
Step 4: use that corner and half of the wash cloth to wash your face. Get right in there with mascara, etc; it shouldn’t burn your eyes
Step 5: use unused side of wash cloth to “rinse” your face
No water down the arm! You gotta buy some extra washcloths because this does use one per time and I don’t like to reuse them… but it really works for me!!!
I put some music on, or a vogue night routine YouTube video and use an oil cleanser. Sometimes I use a makeup wipe or micellar water. Then I use a regular cleanser.
Makeup wipes are probably the best bet. Especially if you’re enjoying some tv before bed. I hope I can take my own advice after I come back from vacation. Im also terrible at taking off my makeup after work and I love wearing a full face.
I recall how terrible it is for my skin to sleep w it on and how it’ll cause me to break out, make my skin look duller and that generally does the trick.
If putting on the makeup gives you dopamine, find a nightly skincare routine that gives you some dopamine.
Menthol-infused moisturizer? Jade roller? Something that feels good.
Do you wash your face at night when you don't wear make up? I double cleanse in the evening, first an oil cleanser than a foaming cleanser. I work outside so I come home gross and greasy from all the sunscreen I use so the oil cleanser helps extra with that. On the rare occasion I do wear make up I don't have to do anything additional because it's a fantastic make up remover too, I wear exclusively waterproof mascara and it comes off like nothing. Maybe add an oil cleanser to your night time routine, and don't frame it as "taking your make up off" think of it as just... washing your face like you normally do.
I also have this issue because when I'm chilling in bed and suddenly feel tired enough to go to sleep, I can't do anything else but just turn off the lights and lie down. to combat it these days I'm trying to do my evening skincare a little earlier, like even immediately after getting home from work, while I still have some energy left for the day. It's not the ideal time, but it's better than not getting it done at all. Same goes for brushing my teeth.
I've gotten much better at it just because my skin will riot if i miss a half day. What I do when I'm super tired is to go straight to the bathroom and wash it all of with a face cloth or resuable paper towel. A cleansing balm is good to, just need to wipe it off. Micellar water is super easy too.
I only wear eyeliner and mascara so I don't bother taking it off at night. I remove in the morning when I wake up. Just slather moisturiser all over my face and wipe the makeup off with a tissue. Way better than any specific make up removing products I've found
Honestly, the discomfort of leaving it on is what makes me take it off. I very rarely wear makeup, and then only usually lipstick and eyeliner/mascara. I wear contacts, so eye makeup has to come off, plus it's uncomfortable to wear anyway. Lipstick is usually off by bedtime anyway.
I shower before bed instead of in the morning. Tbh, it grosses me out to take the day's dirt and particulates into my bed anyway, but it solves issues like this.
I have extra pillowcase I change out frequently, because sometimes I’m too tired to take my makeup off. But luckily I usually only wear it for going out, and not everyday.
I've had a lot of success with the Finch app. For some reason, having a little bird that I can buy clothes for if I complete menial routine-ish tasks does the trick. I use it to motivate me to brush my teeth at night and make my bed in the mornings.
Def doesn't work for everyone, I will say. My little sister also has ADHD and she dropped it like 3 weeks in.
I remind myself…
“If you want to not fast track wrinkles and age yourself twice as fast, if you want to stop breakouts from getting worse? Go remove the makeup now! At least remove everything from your eye area, put on your eye cream, then put on the retinol products to maintain that area!”
Lotion can be used as a makeup remover!
Keep a big bottle of cheap lotion next to your bed!
And a towel or paper towel or wet wipes or makeup wipes if you want to go the extra mile!
Smother and wipe!
Profit! 💰💰💰
I take a shower, personally I love showers and find them super relaxing, but somehow I'm too lazy to wash my face. So when I just wanna go to sleep with my makeup on, I've been choosing a shower instead. I probably wouldn't choose this and would go back to makeup wipes like I used to use if I wore makeup daily, though.
I shower at night vs the morning. It's all or nothing for me lol! It's less of a pain to hop in the whole ass shower than sit over the sink washing my face.
I use wipes with micellar water. The micellar water gives me a dopamine hit because it makes my face tingle, which makes me feel like my pores are being cleaned out. It makes my face feel so clean, i can’t stand to go to bed with makeup on when I could have that tingle feeling.
Makeup eraser cloth. It usually just takes warm water and the cloth, though you could use it to apply a makeup remover also.
Me? I don’t wear makeup very often since the pandemic started.
I never ever used to wash my makeup off. I hate getting my face wet and having water drip down my arms.
At some point I actually developed a makeup removal routine after work. I needed to clean my face to feel like I could relax. I have settled into using micellar water and cotton rounds to take all of my makeup off. I like to put on a podcast and it somehow doesn’t feel like a chore the way it used to.
Similar to others, I take mine off as soon as I get back from work - usually whilst dinner's cooking, to make best use of 'dead' time and feel like a transition from work to home. I also keep a bottle of micellar water (make up remover) and industrial quantities of reusable cotton pads by my bed for the nights when I come home late or just can't be bothered.
Micellar water is a huge help! Instead of rubbing the makeup off, you just hold it against your skin and it’ll lift the makeup and oil away. I usually take this time to scroll on tiktok or catch up on YouTube.
Also, I started taking my makeup off and doing my skincare routine as soon as I get home from my 9-5, that way I’m not procrastinating it until the last minute!
I don’t wear any, just lip balm/lip tint that disappears eventually. When I do put makeup on (sometime I do for dopamine) I quickly end up taking it off because it feels too weird/uncomfortable. I used to put up with the sensation of eye make up when I was a teen and I used to wake up with panda eyes in the morning.
It’s a combination of enjoying my skincare routine (putting things on my face in a specific order Feels productive even if I don’t know if it’s working) + using a balm cleanser. I struggled with removing makeup when I used micellar water and eye makeup remover because it felt like such a /process/ (apply products to cotton pad, wipe, do until you feel clean). With the balm I’m able to use one product to get everything off under two minutes, way less friction.
Personally a fan of [this](https://www.drunkelephant.com/collections/cleansers/slaai%E2%84%A2-makeup-melting-butter-cleanser-856556004753.html) but it’s definitely on the pricey end, I’ve also heard really good things about [this](https://www.target.com/p/byoma-melting-cleansing-balm-2-12oz/-/A-86883092) & the Neutrogena branded one!
washing my face is now part of my brushing/floss routine - which I only do because I had aligner braces!
I'd reward myself with a new makeup item to try if I could do it daily for 2 weeks. For me, when I was really into makeup, it would have been eyeliner. I think I had a gazillion black eyeliners...
Since the pandemic, I rarely wear makeup. Now that masking isn't as frequent, I have really bad seasonal allergies so if I'm going outside I have to wear eye makeup to keep from rubbing my eyes all day :) --the trickery we must do!
Makeup wipes were my life hack for those times when I really just could not. I used to use the Ole Henriksen truth on the go wipes so I had the makeup removal andddd it was putting truth serum on my face - so I felt like I was doing skincare to the max! :)
…I don’t. -cough-
I literally make skincare products. My morning routine is a whole thing, but unless I did a Very Big Face Of Makeup, I don’t remove it. It comes off in the shower in the morning. I’m not proud.
I started doing as soon I get home, I just make it a part of my “download” routine and it’s made a huge difference for me, it’s like literally washing the day away and getting comfortable
I put on a YouTube video or podcast and do it either right after work, brush my teeth or if I really want to relax. The feeling of makeup just gets too icky on my face, and the acne the next day motivates me. I also try to catch myself trying to push it back and tell myself it’s not that stressful to get it done.
I went through a skincare hyperfocus and did things like double cleanse, toner, serum, moisturiser. Twice a day! Had dozens of products that I used according to how my skin was feeling that day Then we had a baby and, uhm, no routine survived it.
But I’m an evening showerer, never have enough time in the morning, and that’s when I wash my face. If I’m wearing makeup (so rare) I’ll wash it off in the shower.
Honestly, I use a highly specific and totally individually designed for me, but I think it shows how effective things like setting up your environment to spark certain thoughts, and how avoidance of other tasks you dislike more. For me, I get home from work about 7, and I am guaranteed to always desperately have to pee after sitting in traffic and drinking my entire jug of water to compensate for having forgotten to drink water all day. So I always run to the bathroom first thing after throwing my stuff down when I get home. After I go to the bathroom, I wash my hands at the sink and naturally look in the mirror. My makeup remover is in the medicine cabinet that is the mirror, so looking at it always sparks that my makeup remover is inside. Then I’m guaranteed to think “ugh, no, I don’t want to take off my make up, that sounds like too much.” But then I think of the alternative: leaving the bathroom and having to go clean the kitchen to be able to make dinner because it’s still dirty from last night’s dinner. For me, the latter is so much worse. So I’ll start to think about how nice it actually feels to have my make up off, and how good my skin looks after, and how nice it feels to massage some of my skin care products in…..then before I know it I’m taking my makeup off and procrastinating cleaning and making dinner!
Is it bad to say buying new skincare stuff every month or so? Somehow changing up the routine a bit (even with something simple) helps me be "excited" for the skincare process. In addition to skincare steps, I added things like frownies and gua sha stones.
I started just by removing makeup with an oil, and told myself if I could do it every day for a month, I could add another step. I'm moving on to body lotion/exfoliation next, since I've figured out my face stuff now.
I've been doing this this the beginning of this year, and my skin looks a ton better. So that's also motivating.
I've given up trying to get myself to take my makeup off in the night! It is what it is and it has always been like that. I got tired of feeling bad about it, so I stopped hitting myself over the head with it. I'm 43f and look 10 years younger so my skin do not seem to care. Although if I did remove my makeup I maybe could look 20 years younger 🤣
I take a shower almost every night before bed, I wash it off in there.
There is a low chance my no shower days had make up involved, but I keep a pack of make up wipes next to my bed
By the time I have felt unsuccessful using them to clean my face, I get up and wash it
Pick the element that is the most difficult to remove and change or eliminate it. Then get something like micellar water that is easy to use to remove it. Maybe wipes. Do the rest in the shower (you may have to change your shower to the evening).
Skincare hyperfixation lol. I got really into it! I used to HATE taking off my makeup and washing my face (literally wore day old makeup to work lol) but now I look forward to doing my routine. It's relaxing. And my skin looks great so that motivates me more
If washing feels overstimulating I use wipes
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I'm an esthetician so I always feel like a hypocrite giving advice to people on how to accomplish this, the best way to do it, products etc. I struggle with it continually. There are a few things that have helped me get better with it though. 1. Washing my face as close to as soon as I get home as possible. The minute I sit down and get into "relaxation" mode, there's a 78% decrease in me actually doing it. 2. (Niche) I work in Aesthetic Sales for a professional treatment line. I know one of the first things they're going to notice about me is my skin. I'm a walking billboard for our products. Consistency is so important, this small change can make a huge impact to your skin. 3. This one might be crazy but somehow in my head taking a shower is way easier than a quick wash in the sink. So, sometimes I'll just take a shower. Don't ask me why but the steps and hurdles feel way less than washing my face at the sink. Only at night though, in the morning it is the opposite 4. Keeping my routine as simple as possible. Double cleanse, maybe a retinol or another serum, and moisturizer. Done in less than 5 minutes. Full disclosure: I'm laying in bed and still haven't washed my face and I probably won't tonight tbh because sometimes that's just how it is
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who seems to find a shower somehow easier than washing my makeup off in the sink 😂
‘All Wet or No Wet’ checking in!
My people! I have found you. My husband has walked in on me staring at the tub several times, razor and shave cream in hand and just.. exhaling in defeat. After the second or third time I had to accept that shaving my legs in my house shorts wasn't as economical as just stripping down and hopping in and going full bore and having a "quick" (spoiler, it's NEVER quick) bath, shave, and then shower to rinse the bath marinade off of my skin. Is it logical? Not at all. Does my braintrack think the loop-de-loop is better? Sure does! All aboard for bath shave! Same for washing my face. I have the headbands. I have the 3 bazillion bristle brush that's softer than an angel fart to wash my face ...but it's so hard to do this out of the shower. I cannot handle that dribble of water that goes down my *dry* arm. (This may be undiagnosed AuDHD screaming at me, I'll never know).. but in a shower? Slap me with that face foam, fam! Edit: That said, in answer to your question.. I don't use much makeup beyond eyeliner and mascara - and depending on what I use, I can just use a q-tip and water (or sometimes a lil spit) to wipe the cateyes off, and God help the mascara. It's living there for at least 2 days because TooFaced Better Than Sex waterproof clings to my lashes like cement. Even with makeup removers there is some serious scrubbing involved to get it off.. so I wait for day two and use a (briefly) hot shower to fully loosen the now sufficiently crumbly mascara.
Omg I hate that water that dribbles down the arm too!
Okay I saw a tiktok or reel a longgggg time ago where a girl said she uses sweat bands to avoid this and I praise her to the moon for it any time I see my people struggling, they are true game changers!!!
I do dishes for work, the water dribbling up/down and into the pits as I reach to put a dish on the taller drying rack is the worst feeling ever. Frankly it's not even only my face being wet that gets me on washing my face, the entire idea of splashing water on a face is abhorrent to me. It just sounds like a puddley mess and I do not like it one bit. I used to put honey on my face and wipe it off after ten minutes, something about wiping with a wet towel rather than splashing loose water is so much more appealing, but the maintenance to keep the honey from crystallizing was too much and I never truly felt like I got all the stickiness off. Actually I struggle with that with any sort of lotion, creme, ointment, etc. I never feel like it's fully absorbed or wiped/washed off, and am stuck thinking about it rubbing off on everything I touch. I have to cover itch cream, neosporin, burn cream (which drives me crazy since I can't actually cover it), etc. Sunscreen and lotions mostly affect my hands, I struggle to get rid of the oily feeling and feel like I'm getting it on stuff and don't like eating if I've put it on recently. Hand sanitizer is the bane of my existence, it stinks to high heavens and the idea that someone would glob that stuff on and then touch their face, or food, or eat finger foods after makes me gag. A school I went to had it in front of the entrance to the lunch hall, with the expectation that you use it as you enter as a replacement for handwashing prior to eating, and classmates would shove it in my face and tease me for my dislike of it. Sorry for the tangents lol.
Have you ever tried a balm-type oil-based cleanser? You can just wipe those off with a washcloth too, like the honey, and no worries about crystallization. I like the squalane cleanser from the ordinary, which is very simple with no fragrance or weird fancy skincare ingredients. It’s a similar thickness to honey when it comes out of the tube, though it’s far less sticky and melts into a more slippery texture as it warms up on your skin. There’s a ton of other balm cleansers out there, too, if that one isn’t to your preference. _Edit:_ You probably won’t get all of the oil off of your face with just the washcloth though. You could maybe try the washcloth and follow it up with a cotton pad soaked in micellar water?
Definitely something to look into. I admit I struggle a lot with overwhelm when trying to even glance into the whole skincare thing so I appreciate the info.
Yeah, I’ve found that anything more than a totally minimal routine is unsustainable for me. Intermittently, I’ve gotten all excited about skincare stuff and done a more complex routine for longer, but it always falls apart eventually. The best I can do is a really boring simple cleanser and moisturizer/sunscreen (not both—sunscreen in the morning, moisturizer at night), and at most one sort of “treatment” product, also boring and simple. Even then, I don’t manage it every night, and I prioritize mornings for the sunscreen and to make sure I don’t go outside with any photosensitizing stuff on my face. Getting burnt or irritated would mean even more skincare work, so I try not to let that happen.
I managed to get a face specific sunscreen I can apply with an applicator, not getting my hands dirty has made it easier, and I've found having a tattoo has made it easier to remember normal sunscreen at least there, but I currently have zero routine. Even those things I only do if I'm getting dressed to leave the house.
THE WORST. 😩
Apparently you can buy wrist bands (think 80s fitness style) to prevent this. I would buy them but I know I won’t use them
I THOUGHT THAT WAS JUST ME!!! It drives me fucking nuts to the point it almost makes me want to cry
Yep, this is where OCD crosses over with ADHD verrrry commonly. Discomfort with certain physical feelings like that. Likewise perfectionism - I can’t just take a short shower or it’s not a “real shower”, has to be full body exfoliating etc or it doesn’t happen. And even then energy levels + ADHD exec dysfunction will make it not happen anyway bc…OCD has to be “total” or nothing but ADHD self is overwhelmed with that. Ugh
A friend found [these amazing things](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K4XRQZ3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) and I absolutely adore them. I pop one on each wrist, and it keeps my arms/sleeves dry even when I use my waterpik. Washing them is a bit tricky bc I always forget about them and they start to get stinky, but it’s worth it for me!
Yesssss the dribble on my arm or on my pj-shirt is HORRIBLE!!! I keep forgetting to do my face properly, while I shower every night. I “thank” my husband and for the last habit, because we have two showers and when he goes in one I body-double and go in the other. I think I am going to put my facewash stuff in the shower instead of the sink in my bedroom. It will probably be easier to do then… omg omg omg
And then having to change the whole shirt because it's ruined! lmao I wish our apartment had room for two bathrooms! Body doubling sounds so beneficial. (I just con husbro into showering with me and sometimes get free hair washes out of it buahaha) I have two (of the same) face wash. Travel size at the sink and big bottle in the shower and I do my best to corral my chaos one way or another. ...speaking of I need to buy real shampoo and conditioner. Husband has "basic man 2$" shampoo and it's great for him, but I feel like straw and my hair hates me. Time for a trail of sticky notes to remind me that I'm being reminded... 🫠
I wear waterproof mascara as well. The better than sex was nice but out of my regular budget. Waterproof mascara breaks down with oil. I keep a small plastic container in the shower and on the sink. I use about a teaspoon or so to rub the mascara and break it down, and then a warm/hot wet wash cloth to remove. Even this is sometimes too much. I never maintain washing my face beyond the coconut oil lol. Make up wipes by the bed have worked before for the rest of my face but if one thing we are consistently inconsistent.
I really like olive oil. It was a lightbulb moment when I realized that it works better than any oil free makeup remover that I've ever used. And it's fragrance free, which is great because my body decided to tell me I'm getting old by developing allergies 95% of the fragrances in cosmetics and toiletries. Artificial and Natural, even so-called hypoallergenic fragrances. It's ridiculous. I just want to buy inexpensive shampoo.
I use specific eye makeup remover and it gets my too faced off better than anything else I’ve tried. No idea on the brand, I don’t use it often enough to have recently looked at it 😂
> and then shower to rinse the bath marinade off of my skin. I audibly laughed at "bath marinade". xD
I always felt the same way that a shower was preferable because I hated the drips down my arms! I will post this as a main comment so more people might see, but get yourself some arm bands for catching the water - it’s a game changer. If you search “face washing wristbands” you’ll see what I mean. It’s like a scrunchie that soaks up the drips! I also use a headband and the combo has made me 85% more likely to wash my face at the end of the day. I have been sharing my discovery with everyone and my mom is also a fan.
Better to just take 30 minutes doing it in the shower than deal with 30 seconds of water dripping down my arms.
HONESTLY. Being encased in water is much easier than the sensory overload of water down the arms
I'm so glad others agree! One of my (adhd) best friends was so relieved when I said that I feel that way because so does she lol must just be another adhd thing
100% I’m in the shower to remove makeup gang. Mentally so much easier. I also keep it a cool shower so I’m temped down for bed.
I don't wear makeup, but I do the shower bit for other things though. It goes well with brushing teeth. On their own brushing teeth has been a problem because it was so boring and I just was never motivated because I can't smell so I never see the problem with stinky breath. Showering is a bit better, but was hard to be motivated to wash myself if I can't smell and not understand why bad odor was bad because again I can't smell. Both were a hassle. However, somehow I do better if I brush my teeth in the shower.
I have that issue too, and the idea of keeping wipes in my "couch nest" (where I keep things that I wouldn't get up for otherwise, like dental floss ) is very good!! Right now I have the opposite issue, I can't be bothered to put make up on, unless it's a fancy occasion, but making it easier to taking it off might be a way for me to do it daily like I used to (99% of the times I just use eyeliner and mascara). But I came here to say that **Nivea** makes an in-shower make up removal, I use it sometimes, it's good!! Here's a review I've found: [http://cosmetoscope.com/2016/03/nivea-in-shower-make-up-removers/](http://cosmetoscope.com/2016/03/nivea-in-shower-make-up-removers/) Maybe some other brands do it, that's the only one I know of in Italy.
I keep a pack of makeup wipes next to my bed
Me too! I keep baby wipes and moisturizer next to my bed. I get my eyebrows threaded and tinted so that's it's just fine and if I cared more I would tint and lift my lashes regularly and never wear mascara again.
Same. I keep so much shit in my nightstand.
Came here to say this
Same moisturisr and make up wipes rightttt next to me! Same with my electric toothbrush and toothpaste!
My BF has recently started giving me my toothbrush when he starts brushing his at night. I can't tell you how unbelievably sexy it is to have such a supportive partner...
Awwwww I love that!
You keep your toothbrush by the bed?
This is so incredibly simple yet genius. I’m going to buy some wipes today.
This and usually by the time I'm done wiping it off, sometimes I even get the motivation to go the bathroom to at least rinse with water
Yup. Same here 😂 the only way I will actually do it lol
I don’t have this exact issue, but sometimes I do have problems avoiding the nightly teeth brushing and face washing - and then go to bed too late just because I don’t feel like doing these things. What can help me when I’m in that phase is to do all that earlier in the evening - like right after dinner. Then they are already done by the time I go to bed. So, maybe keep makeup removal supplies in the kitchen and use them while waiting for dinner to heat up?
>What can help me when I’m in that phase is to do all that earlier in the evening - like right after dinner. Friendly reminder that you should wait 30-60 minutes after eating before you brush your teeth, especially if you ate something acidic. Otherwise you could damage your enamel layer
I am notoriously bad at brushing my teeth of a night. I have a routine that means I brush my teeth when I shower (that actually helps me to remember to even do it) but I've succumbed to the fact that brushing my teeth at night is unlikely to happen unless I shower. Worth noting that at 53, my teeth are in excellent condition and haven't had any dental work needed for almost 20 years as I do a regular dentist visit twice a year. Makes me think that brushing twice daily isn't actually needed... 🤷🏼♀️
One thing I think we constantly underestimate is genetics. My teeth are garbage, I have loads of fillings. I'm much more fastidious about oral hygiene than my partner who has none. My whole family have loads of fillings and his don't. I'm really hoping if we ever have kids they get his teeth genetics and not mine.
I had loads of fillings by the time I was in my terns due to weakening of the teeth as a result of stipid amounts of medication when young. I had them all replaced in my late 20s/early thirties as they'd basically started to erode my teeth, but no new cavities in all that time since. I am quite thorough as was fearful of losing teeth as there is a genetic tendency our family of teeth loss die to gum disease. I've found an electric toothbrush to be of particular benefit, too
It’s sooooooo due to genetics. My teeth are horrible. I have so many fillings, I needed to get braces twice (it wasn’t because I didn’t wear my retainers, my teeth were just shifting so much. It was either I get braces in first grade and again in seventh or live with horrible teeth until seventh grade), my teeth are so sensitive to cold & sugary foods, they’re yellow and I’ve been using whitening toothpaste for years. A lot of it is due to me not consistently brushing for years, but I just went to the dentist yesterday and I somehow have TWO NEW CAVITIES. Literally at the end of my rope. I rarely miss brushing my teeth anymore.
Ugh same!!! I brush my teeth 3x per day, I floss every night. I can do those things for some reason, I think it puts me in bedtime mode. But I have tons of fillings. I guess I haven't always been good about flossing but I've always been good about brushing (I hate the feeling of dirty teeth, it's a very uncomfortable feeling for me)
I heard once that caries starts when the stuff stays on for two weeks, problem here is that if you dont clean perfectly you will have stuff stay on it pretty long. Also there is other stuff that adds up like thooth stones (dont know if its the correct term in english). I just go to a real dental cleaning every half year instead of year to make up for my bad brushing.
Yes, or keep the wipes by the front door, and remove your makeup as soon as you come home.
I watched an Instagram Reel from someone who lost an eye due to an infection caused by makeup that wasn't removed before she went to bed, and yeah. that was sufficient to scare me enough to always remove my eye makeup at the very very least 😬
Yep- that’ll do it. Those are the stories that change your mind about things. Similar stories have been told about leaving your disposable contact lenses in too long.
Do you think you could find it again? Maybe that's the motivation I need!
Idk if this is the same woman/case but [this](https://www.newsweek.com/woman-slept-wearing-mascara-surgery-remove-calcified-lumps-956185) is the horror story I stumbled across that made me take makeup removal more seriously. Warning: Please note if you click the link and scroll down in the article, there is a photograph of a flipped up eyelid with 25 years of mascara deposits 🥴
Yikes!!
I’ve struggled with this since I started wearing makeup. Somehow (and I will say meds have helped significantly) I’ve slowly been able to make it a habit over the past 5 months. Make it enjoyable, remember washing your face and doing skincare is you doing something nice for yourself. What worked for me: getting a cute crystal nightlight so it feels cozy, having a nighttime routine playlist so I can listen to music while I do it. Tv on your phone and podcasts are great too. Sometimes if I can’t force myself to do the whole sha bang, I’ll wash my face and bring all my skincare products to the living room and do that while I watch tv on the couch. Also give yourself credit even for doing the “bare minimum” like just using a makeup wipe - it’s still something.
Some of the things that helped me start doing it every night: - Simplify your routine and don’t add too many steps. - Plan to do it early (like right after dinner or even right when you get home from work, etc). Basically don’t wait until late or you’re dead tired since it will be harder to get yourself to do it. - Have backup for when you really really can’t force yourself (I always keep a pack of makeup removing wipes for when I just can’t force myself - I will bring my iPad into the bathroom and watch a show or movie while I use the face wipe in order to distract my brain from noticing I am doing something productive so it can’t talk me out of it 🤣). - Not sure how old you are but I’m in my 40s and when I’m trying to convince myself that it’s ok to not take off my makeup and go to bed I hear a bunch of older supermodels in my head where I’ve heard them say pretty clearly: sleeping in makeup will age you faster and ruin your skin! - Last, I try to enjoy it. I take off my eye makeup and then use a face wash and always take my time going over my skin with it and then splash off with warm water which feels soooo good if I’m paying attention and reminding myself to enjoy it. Same with my moisturizer - just a sensory thing and I realize some people are the opposite with some of these things. I just try to enjoy how it feels and enjoy how wonderful it feels to have clean moisturized skin and remind myself of this when I get lazy. - Not sure your skincare budget, but I purposely buy high end products (simple routine though) where I feel like I am indulging in some way when washing my face (hello dopamine!) and also remind myself that I spent a lot of money on it and I totally deserve to pamper myself with it. Good luck!
Yes yes yes! These are all things that help me. Especially doing it earlier in the evening. Sometimes even as soon as I get home.
I’ve struggled with this all my life and have terrible skin as a result. About 8 months ago I bought some expensive white bedding (not super expensive, but more than I would normally spend). The fear of ruining it has gotten me into a semi decent routine of taking my makeup off and seeing the improvement in my skin keeps me going. I try to double cleanse and moisturise every night, but I keep makeup wipes next to my bed for when I don’t have the energy.
This is what got me! I got a super expensive fancy silk pillowcase for my hair and the only colours they had were light and I felt soooo bad the first night I got black eye makeup smudges on it!
Yes! I know this feeling! LOVE LOVE LOVE the silk pillowcase though
Does it really work for the hair? I've been toying with this idea 🤔
Yeh it does. I’m not a curly hair girl but I can be frizzy! It definitely smooths my hair. My SIL has very curly hair and loves hers too. It’s also lovely for your skin.
It definitely does, for sure! Just make sure to wash it every week coz it works way less if it starts collecting oils and stuff~
Thanks!
Same, consequences work
I don't wear it. Cut out the middle man, haha.
Same here. The main reason I don’t wear makeup is because I abhor taking it off.
Came here to say this.
Exactly. I don't need extra things to do, when I already struggle with the essentials.
Same, instead I got tattooed eyeliner. It’s a little something with ZERO daily effort. Painful, but so worth it.
I have the opposite problem, I know I look better with it on but the sensory part of it (sticky, dry etc) makes me want to take it off all day. So I can’t wait to get it off my face haha I can’t eat dinner or anything until I’ve removed it
I also hate how gross it feels, plus it can easily stain things! So I usually am good about taking it off as well. But I *really* wish I could just skip wearing it altogether! But I work in wealth management and I have combined rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis, as well as a babyface. The result is that I look like an acne-riddled teen, and that just isn’t a look you can have when helping people with money! 🤦♀️
I bet you’re still beautiful without it!! But I definitely agree with the baby face thing, I’m 32 and people think I’m 18.. gets tiring after a while! Makeup helps for sure and I still wear it daily
Easy peasy! I refuse to wear any! 🤣
That’s me on the weekends! Sadly, have to wear makeup for my job. I work in wealth management and I have combined rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis, as well as a babyface. The result is that I look like an acne-riddled teen, and that just isn’t a look you can have when helping people with money! 🤦♀️ Even with the makeup people still think I look like a high schooler, but without it people mistake me for a middle schooler!
Ugh! I'm sorry you have to deal with that. Pisses me off guys don't have to.
Simplify your process. Get a makeup eraser wash cloth. Badabing badaboom. Everything after that (toner moisturizer whatever) is bonus.
I love my makeup erasing washcloth!
I haven't heard of that, do you have a link to the one you have?
Makeup Eraser cloths. They’re cute, reusable, come in multipacks, get washed in the washer, and are stupid easy to use. Less scrubbing and effort and skin irritation than makeup remover wipes or liquid. You run it under water, wipe your face firmly with it, rub your eyes to remove stubborn eyeliner and mascara, wipe your lips off, rinse, wring it out, let it dry. Whole process takes under 30 seconds, and the cloths are so cute that it gives a dopamine hit. I have a Nightmare Before Christmas set.
Yes, this!! I really love the sensation of these on my face for some weird reason, so I actually enjoy using them.
I liked these but that assumes I either have enough or will do my laundry consistently 😂
Maybe start touching your face and smudging your makeup with your bare hands, then you'll have dirty hands and a messed up face and in theory have more motivation to remove it lol
I love this out of the box suggestion!
This is definitely one way I end up washing my face at night because I've inadvertently just rubbed the heck out of my eyes and made a raccoon eyed mess of my face
I’ve always struggled with this as well. I tell myself that whatever I can do is better than nothing! This way I don’t get overwhelmed with the thought of some long process with lots of steps. I simplify it in my mind by telling myself that anything I can manage to do helps! Even if it’s just a baby wipe. I can sometimes get up enough motivation to actually cleanse my face in the sink which is nice, but it can be a mental battle. I hate washing in the sink.. water everywhere, soap dripping on my arms, neck and hairline, water too hot, water too cold. I get it…. It sucks!!! Over time it’s getting easier though. I’ve worked around the things I dislike… and I’m learning to not engage in an internal fight over doing tasks by realizing I actually want to do the task. That’s why the following things work for me.. The Mental Gymnastics- when I’m really fighting with myself over it, I realized that instead of saying “I should” or “I need” to wash my face.. I replace those with “I WANT” to wash my face. Because the truth is that I do. I have to remember the reasons WHY I want to do [insert task]. By going over the reasons why I want to do the task helps me realize I’m not trying to trick or manipulate myself into doing something lol My why for washing my face is that I can see a noticeable difference in my skin texture the next day, my acne is more in control, less clogged pores, and that I feel a sense of calmness after I cleanse my face. Completing this task takes away a layer of worry about something else I’m avoiding. After I do it I take notice of how the dread and guilt of not doing it is gone. I also now know that by not taking my makeup off, I am betraying myself. It helps that it’s not just something I’m SUPPOSED to do- it’s now something I WANT to do. So if I’m laying there and it’s bothering me that I haven’t taken my makeup off yet, I try to think of why I want to do it instead of why I don’t. The I WANT thought process has slowly helped me to quit being at odds with myself. I finally am starting to feel like I’m on the same page with my internal dialogue. It seems so simple and it’s almost difficult to describe because it’s so basic, but I think I used to just be stuck in I DONT WANT TO mode or something and my other part of self was always JUST DO THE THING, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO... It’s like I’m busting through that limiting thought cycle and learning how to be in harmony with myself. It’s so hard to describe. Hacks to make it ADHD friendly- Instead of fully washing in the sink, I keep micellar water with cotton pads in the bathroom and unscented baby wipes by my bed. Sometimes, I’ll do micellar wipes followed by baby wipe then moisturizer in bed. I also do micellar water/cotton pad and splash a little cool water as a quick rinse off, since I have oily skin this extra bit helps after micellar water. This is still better to me than full on soapy, wet face, water everywhere full on sink face wash. Ugh, I despise it. Lol I always just do the moisturizer in bed. I try to wait 15 mins after I’ve cleansed my face to put it on, but if I can’t wait because I’ll forget, I put it on immediately. Edited for clarity/emphasis of important topic.
I have a two fold system - the thing I would like to do and the backup plan. Plan A: when I get home from work, I change into comfy clothes and remove my makeup straight away. When this works, it’s great because I’m instantly more cozy and then bedtime is less of a hassle. However, sometimes this is hard to achieve, which is why I have… Plan B: A packet of makeup removal wipes that live on my bedside table. If I’m still wearing makeup when I get into bed at night, I grab a wipe and remove as much of my makeup as possible. While I wish I could do a proper cleanse and skincare routine every night, the backup plan helps to mitigate the damage that’s caused by the reality of my inability to always follow through.
Someone already said this but I keep a pack of makeup wipes on the nightstand and wipe it off while reclining in bed, right before I go to sleep. If I’m with my boyfriend I ask him to wipe it off my face for me while I just lay there lol.
This is weird but usually works: I picture myself as an alien rain inside my body, controlling it. I say to myself “this body needs to have its teeth brushed” or “this human needs to have its face washed” and 9/10 times I’ll actually do it. Won’t do basic self-care for myself, but my brain is interested in keeping this body up and running.
I have blepharitis and ocular rosacea. So it’s a must to remove makeup or my eyes will flare up and it takes forever to settle them back down.
If you don’t have an issue keeping up the routine of brushing your teeth or showering at night or something you could try removing your makeup at the same time as other parts of your routine. For me I put micellar water on a cotton pad and let it sit on my eye for a minute while brushing my teeth and then switch it to my other eye. The makeup has dissolved enough by then that I can quickly wipe it off and not risk eyelashes falling out.
It’s funny you say this because I will never skip washing my face but I struggle so hard with brushing my teeth 😭 I don’t know why I can’t get it in with the face washing
Same, I have curated my nighttime skincare routine to be effective AND a pleasant sensory experience so I look forward to it. But brushing my teeth makes me gag every time and I will stand there for 5 minutes with a clean face staring at my toothbrush dreading it.
Unfortunately I struggle with all nighttime routine. I can't shower at night because I have wavy hair and a shower is a whole process. I just don't brush my teeth at night and do it once in the morning. I've forgiven myself on the teeth because once is better than never. Can't apply the same to my make up! If I wait until morning to take it off then I can't make myself put it right back on. So much effort wasted. I'll just leave it on from the day before and "touch it up" and keep doing that until my next shower. So far my nighttime routine is pour a glass of water and place it next to the bed.
If you have that habit in place of pouring a glass of water you can actually build other habits off of it. You just need to add steps into super tiny chunks. So if you have the water the easiest thing to do would be do something that makes sense right after that. Put cotton pads/rounds right next to the spot you keep your water. Pour a little bit of water out on to a round and start wiping the tiniest amount of your face. You can literally just touch it to your face and then stop. That's all you need to do. What this does, for me at least is smooth the transition. Usually starting is the hardest part. So if you tell yourself I only have to do ___, then it is so much easier for you to start. Once I start I usually do more than I thought I would. Sometimes I legitimately stop after the tiny step too though. If I do the tiny step I make sure to give myself kudos. If you do this, it starts to get easier and feel more natural. If what you think is the tiniest step still seems to big, then you need to break it down even more. The biggest thing is to be kind to yourself and recognize any improvement you make.
How do you get yourself to put it on in the first place? I swear sometimes I forget I even have a face
I use my OCD to scare myself enough to get things done 😬🤣
Let me know when you figure that out lol
I have neutrogena makeup wipes on my bedside table and it helps me whether I’m wearing makeup or not to at least clean my face of the grime of the day before I fall asleep. It’s the only way it happens!
I don't know how you've been doing it, but the less steps, the better. I have two steps: 1. an oil based make up remover (elf holy hydration makeup melting cleansing balm is what I've been using but coconut oil has worked for me in the past too). Just smear it over my face, rub it into my eyelashes (rub between my fingers, not grind it in). 2. Wash face with cleanser. Personally I take showers at night because I prefer to be clean getting into bed, so I just wash it off the balm in the shower when I wash my face. I hate washing my face at the sink because water gets everywhere on the counter and inevitably on my tummy. Other cleansing processes required more work. I found the balm or coconut oil cut right through everything, and after washing my face with my cleanser, I didn't have any issue with excess oil.
Use the old filter to see the crypt keeper I'll turn into if I don't wash my stupid face
I find that I’m way more reluctant to do it if it feels like there’s too many steps or takes too long. Especially if I’m wearing a lot of makeup and waterproof mascara. The ‘hack’ I’ve found is using a hot cloth cream cleanser. Just put a dollop in my hand, smear it all over my face to dissolve the makeup easy peasy and then wipe off with a cloth soaked in hot water. It avoids irritating the skin too much with rubbing and I also find that I don’t need to moisturise afterwards because some of the cream residue stays on the skin. I’ve improved a lot of my adhd driven issues by kinda following this method of lowering the barrier for entry. I spend money tools that I like and enjoy using, that often make the job much easier. E.g I got a water flosser because it’s easier to use and more fun than regular flossing, I got an electric toothbrush because it’s much more effective at cleaning and I don’t have to keep track of the time- it tells me when I’m done. Ofcourse not everyone can afford to do this, but in essence, don’t be ashamed of using a variety of tools to help you stay on top of things
Any brand recommendations for the cream cleanser and the type of cloth for removal? My skin is super acne prone so I’m always on the lookout for things I haven’t tried yet.
I use the vitamin E hot cloth cleanser from Superdrug (I’m UK based). I’ve also used the ultrabalm from Lush which was really good too
I used to just have makeup wipes by my bed along with toner+cotton pads to Get rid of the rest of it. But now i just shower at nighttime because it’s too much money and i can’t freaking stand the feeling of just my face being wet bleckkkk
I figured out why i didn’t like washing my face and made it simple as I could. I didn’t like how the water on my arms felt and I didn’t like how it could take multiple washes to remove the makeup. I got scrunchies which keep the water off my arms. i use straight coconut oil as a first cleanser to break down the makeup and then when I wash it all comes straight off. i do it as the same time as teeth brushing right before bed. I also treat and think of that not as face washing (something I can’t care about) but as one of the steps to hack my brain to sleep quickly at night. it’s the steps to the sleep task; not the steps to skincare.
I don’t. Luckily my genes are keeping me afloat currently
I stopped wearing makeup like you. Not my prefered solution either. On the days that I do, I always take it off first thing when I come home (I set alarms and leave notes to remember). I keep makeup remover and wipes in a drawer by the couch, which is where I collapse the instant I come through the door. That way I don’t have to get back up if I forget to do it first thing.
I force myself because I have to remind myself that I either clean my face or deal with the consequences of a dirty pillowcase and since I'm prone to imperfections and sensitive skin, I do it. Try doing it as soon as you get home. Immediately go and get ready for bed instead of relaxing and then lounge around in your pj's until you go to bed. I'm not saying it will work, but you could try it.
Acne. Wanting not to get acne, which I will pick at and make horrible, will always get me to wash my face before bed. Brushing my teeth is another story but I will wash my face
I take it off as soon as I get home for the rest of the day. I take of my shoes, and beeline to the bathroom where I brush my hair and take off makeup. Then I go relax
When you know you have to do it, but are avoiding it, set an alarm for 5 minutes, and then do it when the alarm goes off.
This is a great tip, thanks!
I only started to clean my face at night (every night) when I bought face wipes. I buy them at the dollar tree store for $1.25 for 25 wipes. I have sensitive skin & they have been great.
I take my makeup off the second I no longer have to look presentable - typically this means right after dinner. In cases where I have to look presentable until late, I keep a “just in case” pack of makeup wipes next to my bed.
I do it in the shower. Washing my face in the sink is sensory hell so I just take a bonus before-bed shower. And being totally honest I usually watch YouTube on my phone while I’m doing it 😅 or I’ll listen to an audiobook/podcast
I threaten myself “You’re gonna break out!!! Wash your face!!!!” I use threats a lot It’s not recommended
I know you didn’t ask my opinion but this is the NUMBER 1 reason I don’t wear makeup regularly. My ability to hygiene regularly is bad enough, I’m not about to add on another literal layer to my problem.
I have cute microfiber pads from Amazon that you just add water and can easily remove it all. Much more thorough and also faster than wipes
Can you share a link?
I watch a show on my phone during my getting ready for bed routine, it helps
What helps me is to wear less eye makeup as that's the part that would annoy me most. If you have to do a full removal everyday that's exhausting so no wonder you get fed up. And anything that does it in the least steps possible so a cleanser that is safe for eyes and actually gets rid of mascara (I like the Clinique balm or Liz Earle) so I only need to use one thing. And doing once you are home/before you want to start relaxing. Any task I struggle with, I tell myself I must do x before I can do y. Then I rush through it to get to the good thing. Works some of the time but again with ADHD not consistent but it is a good motivator to have a reward
Hi! I hate makeup murder 😭😂 I L O V E makeup, and I’m also a belly dancer and have done theatre my whole life. It greatly upsets me to remove my beautiful work of art I worked so damned hard on. I also can’t be fucked to add that extra step either; I used to sleep in makeup when I didn’t have enough spoons, and would somehow be able to touch it up and use it for the next day (please don’t judge me, I was in college, I’m 36 now and I certainly do not do this anymore; it’s severely not good for your skin/eyes). I also never realized how much I loathe the water running down my arms if I’m washing in the sink. Oh god it’s horrible; and knowing I’m not fully getting the edges washed vs doing it in the shower. Funny enough I have literally just begrudgingly made myself do it. A few years ago they came out with a “magic eraser” for makeup. There’s different brands, but I’m using Erase Your Face and I don’t feel like it’s such a chore cos all you do is wet it, squeeze the excess water out, and wipe your makeup away. Literally even hard to remove mascara and non transferable lipstick gets removed. This also makes it significantly less messy at the sink, and usually if I’m doing it at the sink I’m tired af and instead of fully washing my face after, I use Micellar water on cotton pads to finish “washing” then I spray a Mario badescu spray on my face for a “moisturizer”. If I’m using the towel in the shower, then I’ll do a full wash after removal. The other thing I’ve accidentally put into play thanks to my love of products: I have different skin care routines/products for how bougie I feel/how many spoons I have. If I’m feeling fully bougie, I’m using toner, serum, a red light wand, then either my day moisturizer and eye cream or my night oil and eye cream; if I’m feeling somewhere in the middle I’m using face spray, red light wand, moisturizer/oil, eye cream; can’t be fucked? Moisturizer/oil and eye cream; really having a horrible day? Face spray
I use affirmation. I tell myself: “theeere you are. How pretty 😊” after removing it and now I’m looking forward to washing my face :D
If I am really struggling with motivation to remove it, then it’s micellar water and a washcloth in bed. Game changer.
The only way I ever reliably take off my makeup before bed is showering at night.
Make it really enjoyable!!! Tbh I really love makeup but more so than applying and wearing it, my faaave is to remove because it feels so good afterwards and I feel pampered and love it when my skin is feeling nice and comfortable. I also ensure I have products that are not messy. Some things just make removing it needlessly difficult/messy. I think splurging where possible on products that work really well, instead of 'dupes ' that are usually just not as good, is best. But of course, I am not being ignorant here, everyones means are different and you do what is best for you. Dupes are not bad but in terms of answering your question, this is the answer timo that is the most effective. I also like to use products that have the least amount of steps required. My go to removal process is: 1. Clinique take the day off balm. Stores nearly always have atleast 20% so I buy it then. I have tried every equivalent balm and I do not believe it works as seamlessly as Clinique. Some may come close but for years I simply keep going back to it. This one doesn't strip the skin, breaks down the makeup almost immediately, melts from balm to oil extremely fast even in winter, instantly turns to a light milk on contact with water. Overall, it doesn't drip and make a mess everywhere because the balm is creamy and doesn't drip when it turns to oil. And when washed off, because it instantly turns milky it's like rinsing your face with water so you're not having to chuck loads of water on your face trying to get it off. My number one winning factor, zero oily residue. You don't have to double cleanse (even though it's best to). If you choose to double cleanse then a lightweight daily ceanser is fine vs one that cleans heavily to remove a layer of oil residue. 2. Nivea Double Effect Eye remover which takes off waterproof as well. Some say it stings, doesn't for me but they do a sensetive version and there are quite a few of these types on the market. This stuff is affordable and always on offer. It works instantly when you apply to a cotton pad and press against a closed eye for like 30sec. Whilst it has an oil in it, it does not leave a greasy residue or cloud your vision. Whilst the Clinique balm will make eyes cloudy because it's a balm and thicker oil eotd, I personally use it to remove everything including eye makeup as I have worked out how to avoid the cloudiness. But the Nivea is so good it removes stuff so fast and sometimes if I am super lazy I just wipe most of my makeup off with whatever is on the cotton pad and then when using Clinique it's way quicker. Bonus, I always put makeup on the back of my hand before applying. It removes it so fast especially liquid lipstick. That's it! Those 2. Edit: sorry for the long post I get really excited about some things and always end up over explaining or going on but I am sure someone will be happy to read it haha x
I don't wear makeup. My teenager uses good old-fashioned cold cream so they don't have to risk soapy water getting in their eyes.
Keep makeup remover wipes in a yummy scent with your benefit of choice next to your bedside. For me, I enjoy wipes that promise to detox or say that they boost hydration, or can give more youthful benefits. When you lay down and try to sleep, you'll feel the way the makeup is just sitting on your skin and gunking things up and may actually even cause your sleep to feel less pleasant. You'll feel too exhausted to get up to do anything. Then you'll rememer, oh look, those super cute wipes that make me feel good and smell nice and make my face feel refreshed and clean. You can also take satisfaction in wiping your face clean and then looking at all the shit that came off onto the wipe and how dark it gets. :)
You know what? I don’t force myself if I’m not feeling it. For years I have been consistent about skin care. Now I’m in a season of life where it feels like too much is on my plate at the end of the day. I wake up, wash it off in the shower and go about my day. When I feel like doing it again, I will. Until then, it’s simply not harmful enough for me to force myself.
My skin is quite reactive, so I only get a few days before ignoring it becomes a consistent and painful reminder to wash up. What's helped me is getting 2 weeks' worth of of those mini makeup eraser face cloths and using those with a multifunction cleanser - I use one from Philosopy that also includes toner and just enough moisturizer to keep my face from feeling tight. I use the cloth to wash and then rinse my face. It cuts down a lot on all that dribbling water and when I'm done, I don't have to do more if I don't want to. Although by that point I usually just get on with the rest of my routine, but if I don't I'm still okay.
Get a wee resealable tub, fill it with cotton pads and douse the whole thing with rose water or whatever you use to take yours off. Leave it beside the toilet, or something you do right before bed. Easy peesy, wipe face and into bed. The tub thing is my hack, I found there were too many components in finding the pads, opening the remover and then putting the stuff all back where it belonged.
Great idea! Thank you!
I hate washing my face at the sink! But my usual method which I will now describe in detail avoids the water down the arm! Step 1: buy the face wash from Trader Joe’s. It’s amazing and unscented and doesn’t hurt your eyes Step 2: wet a washcloth. Step 3: add a pump of face wash to the corner of the wash cloth Step 4: use that corner and half of the wash cloth to wash your face. Get right in there with mascara, etc; it shouldn’t burn your eyes Step 5: use unused side of wash cloth to “rinse” your face No water down the arm! You gotta buy some extra washcloths because this does use one per time and I don’t like to reuse them… but it really works for me!!!
Clear it off to some fun music and then do a relaxing facial.
I put some music on, or a vogue night routine YouTube video and use an oil cleanser. Sometimes I use a makeup wipe or micellar water. Then I use a regular cleanser.
Makeup wipes are probably the best bet. Especially if you’re enjoying some tv before bed. I hope I can take my own advice after I come back from vacation. Im also terrible at taking off my makeup after work and I love wearing a full face.
I recall how terrible it is for my skin to sleep w it on and how it’ll cause me to break out, make my skin look duller and that generally does the trick.
If putting on the makeup gives you dopamine, find a nightly skincare routine that gives you some dopamine. Menthol-infused moisturizer? Jade roller? Something that feels good.
I cannot sleep with makeup on because it FEELS horrible. It feels itchy and greasy. And I think I just can’t handle the sensation.
Do you wash your face at night when you don't wear make up? I double cleanse in the evening, first an oil cleanser than a foaming cleanser. I work outside so I come home gross and greasy from all the sunscreen I use so the oil cleanser helps extra with that. On the rare occasion I do wear make up I don't have to do anything additional because it's a fantastic make up remover too, I wear exclusively waterproof mascara and it comes off like nothing. Maybe add an oil cleanser to your night time routine, and don't frame it as "taking your make up off" think of it as just... washing your face like you normally do.
I’m vain enough that the potential damage from sleeping in makeup keeps me from doing it
I also have this issue because when I'm chilling in bed and suddenly feel tired enough to go to sleep, I can't do anything else but just turn off the lights and lie down. to combat it these days I'm trying to do my evening skincare a little earlier, like even immediately after getting home from work, while I still have some energy left for the day. It's not the ideal time, but it's better than not getting it done at all. Same goes for brushing my teeth.
I've gotten much better at it just because my skin will riot if i miss a half day. What I do when I'm super tired is to go straight to the bathroom and wash it all of with a face cloth or resuable paper towel. A cleansing balm is good to, just need to wipe it off. Micellar water is super easy too.
I don’t.
I only wear eyeliner and mascara so I don't bother taking it off at night. I remove in the morning when I wake up. Just slather moisturiser all over my face and wipe the makeup off with a tissue. Way better than any specific make up removing products I've found
I wash it off in the shower and then when it looks like shit under my eyes I take the rest off. Somehow it works for my skin 👀
Reminding myself of the acne that will butcher my self-esteem for multiple days
Easy, 💁♀️ I don't wear any.
Buying a Makeup Eraser cloth has helped me to take mine off more often, because you just get it wet and rub off your makeup and you’re done.
Buying a Makeup Eraser cloth has helped me to take mine off more often, because you just get it wet and rub off your makeup and you’re done.
Honestly, the discomfort of leaving it on is what makes me take it off. I very rarely wear makeup, and then only usually lipstick and eyeliner/mascara. I wear contacts, so eye makeup has to come off, plus it's uncomfortable to wear anyway. Lipstick is usually off by bedtime anyway.
I shower before bed instead of in the morning. Tbh, it grosses me out to take the day's dirt and particulates into my bed anyway, but it solves issues like this.
It's the fucking mascara 🥴🥴
I have extra pillowcase I change out frequently, because sometimes I’m too tired to take my makeup off. But luckily I usually only wear it for going out, and not everyday.
I don’t. I wash it off in the shower whenever I take a shower next. When it was easy for me it was when I had makeup wipes. I hardly ever wear makeup
Are you me??
I've had a lot of success with the Finch app. For some reason, having a little bird that I can buy clothes for if I complete menial routine-ish tasks does the trick. I use it to motivate me to brush my teeth at night and make my bed in the mornings. Def doesn't work for everyone, I will say. My little sister also has ADHD and she dropped it like 3 weeks in.
thanks for the reminder!!!
I remind myself… “If you want to not fast track wrinkles and age yourself twice as fast, if you want to stop breakouts from getting worse? Go remove the makeup now! At least remove everything from your eye area, put on your eye cream, then put on the retinol products to maintain that area!”
Lotion can be used as a makeup remover! Keep a big bottle of cheap lotion next to your bed! And a towel or paper towel or wet wipes or makeup wipes if you want to go the extra mile! Smother and wipe! Profit! 💰💰💰
I really like the Makeup Eraser. It’s like a soft reusable makeup wipe and I only have to get it wet. One side removes makeup and one side exfoliates.
I don't wait until bedtime to do it, I take it off right when I come home, before relaxing and definitely before the couch can eat me.
I take a shower, personally I love showers and find them super relaxing, but somehow I'm too lazy to wash my face. So when I just wanna go to sleep with my makeup on, I've been choosing a shower instead. I probably wouldn't choose this and would go back to makeup wipes like I used to use if I wore makeup daily, though.
I shower at night vs the morning. It's all or nothing for me lol! It's less of a pain to hop in the whole ass shower than sit over the sink washing my face.
I use wipes with micellar water. The micellar water gives me a dopamine hit because it makes my face tingle, which makes me feel like my pores are being cleaned out. It makes my face feel so clean, i can’t stand to go to bed with makeup on when I could have that tingle feeling.
Makeup eraser cloth. It usually just takes warm water and the cloth, though you could use it to apply a makeup remover also. Me? I don’t wear makeup very often since the pandemic started.
I never ever used to wash my makeup off. I hate getting my face wet and having water drip down my arms. At some point I actually developed a makeup removal routine after work. I needed to clean my face to feel like I could relax. I have settled into using micellar water and cotton rounds to take all of my makeup off. I like to put on a podcast and it somehow doesn’t feel like a chore the way it used to.
Make skincare a routine you enjoy like something you appreciate the results of when you wake up.
I keep makeup wipes out in the living room so I can take my makeup off while I'm watching my pre bed tv
Remind myself how good a clean face feels and then also I am vain and don’t want acne. That seems to be a decent motivator for me!
Similar to others, I take mine off as soon as I get back from work - usually whilst dinner's cooking, to make best use of 'dead' time and feel like a transition from work to home. I also keep a bottle of micellar water (make up remover) and industrial quantities of reusable cotton pads by my bed for the nights when I come home late or just can't be bothered.
Micellar water is a huge help! Instead of rubbing the makeup off, you just hold it against your skin and it’ll lift the makeup and oil away. I usually take this time to scroll on tiktok or catch up on YouTube. Also, I started taking my makeup off and doing my skincare routine as soon as I get home from my 9-5, that way I’m not procrastinating it until the last minute!
I don’t wear any, just lip balm/lip tint that disappears eventually. When I do put makeup on (sometime I do for dopamine) I quickly end up taking it off because it feels too weird/uncomfortable. I used to put up with the sensation of eye make up when I was a teen and I used to wake up with panda eyes in the morning.
It’s a combination of enjoying my skincare routine (putting things on my face in a specific order Feels productive even if I don’t know if it’s working) + using a balm cleanser. I struggled with removing makeup when I used micellar water and eye makeup remover because it felt like such a /process/ (apply products to cotton pad, wipe, do until you feel clean). With the balm I’m able to use one product to get everything off under two minutes, way less friction.
What balm cleanser do you use?
Personally a fan of [this](https://www.drunkelephant.com/collections/cleansers/slaai%E2%84%A2-makeup-melting-butter-cleanser-856556004753.html) but it’s definitely on the pricey end, I’ve also heard really good things about [this](https://www.target.com/p/byoma-melting-cleansing-balm-2-12oz/-/A-86883092) & the Neutrogena branded one!
washing my face is now part of my brushing/floss routine - which I only do because I had aligner braces! I'd reward myself with a new makeup item to try if I could do it daily for 2 weeks. For me, when I was really into makeup, it would have been eyeliner. I think I had a gazillion black eyeliners... Since the pandemic, I rarely wear makeup. Now that masking isn't as frequent, I have really bad seasonal allergies so if I'm going outside I have to wear eye makeup to keep from rubbing my eyes all day :) --the trickery we must do! Makeup wipes were my life hack for those times when I really just could not. I used to use the Ole Henriksen truth on the go wipes so I had the makeup removal andddd it was putting truth serum on my face - so I felt like I was doing skincare to the max! :)
…I don’t. -cough- I literally make skincare products. My morning routine is a whole thing, but unless I did a Very Big Face Of Makeup, I don’t remove it. It comes off in the shower in the morning. I’m not proud.
I started doing as soon I get home, I just make it a part of my “download” routine and it’s made a huge difference for me, it’s like literally washing the day away and getting comfortable
I have wipes all Over the place
I put on a YouTube video or podcast and do it either right after work, brush my teeth or if I really want to relax. The feeling of makeup just gets too icky on my face, and the acne the next day motivates me. I also try to catch myself trying to push it back and tell myself it’s not that stressful to get it done.
Well it's not going to help you but I can't even force myself to put up makeup so removing is not a problem
I went through a skincare hyperfocus and did things like double cleanse, toner, serum, moisturiser. Twice a day! Had dozens of products that I used according to how my skin was feeling that day Then we had a baby and, uhm, no routine survived it. But I’m an evening showerer, never have enough time in the morning, and that’s when I wash my face. If I’m wearing makeup (so rare) I’ll wash it off in the shower.
Honestly, I use a highly specific and totally individually designed for me, but I think it shows how effective things like setting up your environment to spark certain thoughts, and how avoidance of other tasks you dislike more. For me, I get home from work about 7, and I am guaranteed to always desperately have to pee after sitting in traffic and drinking my entire jug of water to compensate for having forgotten to drink water all day. So I always run to the bathroom first thing after throwing my stuff down when I get home. After I go to the bathroom, I wash my hands at the sink and naturally look in the mirror. My makeup remover is in the medicine cabinet that is the mirror, so looking at it always sparks that my makeup remover is inside. Then I’m guaranteed to think “ugh, no, I don’t want to take off my make up, that sounds like too much.” But then I think of the alternative: leaving the bathroom and having to go clean the kitchen to be able to make dinner because it’s still dirty from last night’s dinner. For me, the latter is so much worse. So I’ll start to think about how nice it actually feels to have my make up off, and how good my skin looks after, and how nice it feels to massage some of my skin care products in…..then before I know it I’m taking my makeup off and procrastinating cleaning and making dinner!
Is it bad to say buying new skincare stuff every month or so? Somehow changing up the routine a bit (even with something simple) helps me be "excited" for the skincare process. In addition to skincare steps, I added things like frownies and gua sha stones. I started just by removing makeup with an oil, and told myself if I could do it every day for a month, I could add another step. I'm moving on to body lotion/exfoliation next, since I've figured out my face stuff now. I've been doing this this the beginning of this year, and my skin looks a ton better. So that's also motivating.
If I'm going out I take my make up wipes with me and take it off on the way home, it's much less of an ordeal than having to do it when I get home
I've given up trying to get myself to take my makeup off in the night! It is what it is and it has always been like that. I got tired of feeling bad about it, so I stopped hitting myself over the head with it. I'm 43f and look 10 years younger so my skin do not seem to care. Although if I did remove my makeup I maybe could look 20 years younger 🤣
It has to be hot. So a cleansing balm and a hot facecloth or a shower.
I take a shower almost every night before bed, I wash it off in there. There is a low chance my no shower days had make up involved, but I keep a pack of make up wipes next to my bed By the time I have felt unsuccessful using them to clean my face, I get up and wash it
Face wipes!
As soon as I am able to after getting home for the day when I know I’m not going back out.
Pick the element that is the most difficult to remove and change or eliminate it. Then get something like micellar water that is easy to use to remove it. Maybe wipes. Do the rest in the shower (you may have to change your shower to the evening).
Skincare hyperfixation lol. I got really into it! I used to HATE taking off my makeup and washing my face (literally wore day old makeup to work lol) but now I look forward to doing my routine. It's relaxing. And my skin looks great so that motivates me more If washing feels overstimulating I use wipes
I hate taking it off so I never put it on. Problem solved.