Makeup Melt Away: Natural Ingredients vs Chemical

Makeup Melt Away: Natural Ingredients vs Chemical

By Laurie Mias

Makeup Melt Away: Natural Ingredients vs Chemical

During the day, you do everything possible to bulletproof your makeup against excess oil and the elements. A routine that may include a mattifying poreless foundation, oil-absorbing powder, non-smudge lipstick, waterproof eyeliner - lasting, no-budge makeup. But at the end of a long day, removing such makeup is a process, and most of us would favor jumping into bed. 


Removing impurities and the day's makeup is vital to healthy glowing skin. It prevents breakouts by dissolving dirt and impurities trapped inside your pores while allowing your skin to breathe while you sleep.


Finding the right makeup remover for your skin type may be challenging, requiring a harsh heavy-duty makeup remover to cleanse the full-coverage looks. More often than not, these makeup removers leave the skin feeling stripped, tight, and even irritated. 


Make-Up Removing Wipes - Friend or Foe? 

woman cleaning her face with facial wipes

Promoted as an effortless option for healthy skin, we are sorry to tell you; makeup remover wipes fall at the bottom of the list. Environmentally speaking, makeup wipes are among the biggest offender of household waste, contributing to 93% of sewer blockages in the UK only. It ends up in landfills for years, taking almost 100 years to decompose due to the non-biodegradable plastic in its ingredient. 


However, makeup wipes are quick and convenient and can tackle matte lipstick and waterproof mascara, and we understand the allure. Similar to other chemical-based makeup removers, makeup wipes are loaded with surfactants, solubilizers, and emulsifiers that lift oil, dirt, and makeup residue. These harsh and toxic chemicals disturb your skin's pH balance and acid mantle - your skin's protective layer that keeps dirt and pollutants out while locking in moisture and natural oils. A healthy acid mantle is essential for skin health. Makeup remover wipes completely strip the natural oils from your skin, causing irritation and redness, leading people to believe they have sensitive skin. 


Facial wipes are not designed for deep cleaning, removing all the impurities from your face. Instead, they break down the makeup particles, leaving behind smaller particles of residual makeup and oil that lead to clogged pores over time.


Not only do they not cleanse properly, but the process of wiping can leave your skin red, raw, and irritated. The rubbing motion required to lift the makeup can cause inflammation and micro-tears. Over time, the process causes premature wrinkles and skin pigmentation. 


But What About Another Makeup Remover? 


There's a strong chance you've never read your makeup remover's ingredients. Even if you have looked, most do not understand the scientific words. Many makeup removers contain active cleansing chemicals that may stay on the skin when not rinsed thoroughly. This residue exposes your skin to excessive concentrations of various chemicals, such as emulsifiers and surfactants, that contribute to dryness and irritation. While the substances effectively remove makeup, there is a good chance they will irritate your skin. 


Also, many products contain preservatives to extend their shelf life, including formaldehyde-releasing compounds. Studies from the National Cancer Institute of America, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) showed that formaldehyde may cause myeloid leukemia, and thus it is regarded as a carcinogen*. Formaldehyde can also cause allergies, rashes, and skin sensitization. 


Other than fragrance and preservatives, many makeup removers contain unwanted chemical components. SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and Diazolidinyl Urea have the potential to cause irritation, swelling, redness, and allergic reactions. Benzalkonium Chloride, a frequent component in makeup removers, is banned in Japan and China. Mineral oils create a dense barrier on the outer layer of your skin. This barrier does not allow your skin to breathe, leading to clogged pores. This combination is a sure recipe for breakouts!


Your Make-Up Remover Doesn't Have to Be Toxic!

Mono makeup meltaway remover

Removers are a part of your daily skincare routine, and it's just a matter of mixing things up a little. There are healthier alternatives to make up remover. Find a makeup remover that does its function without damaging your skin. Look for goods that include only natural chemicals! Choose odorless items or have a fragrance component created from natural sources. 


Mono's gentle Makeup Meltaway consists of clean and organic ingredients. Instead of harsh solvents like SLS, chlorine, or petroleum, Mono's Makeup Meltaway uses Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, a gentle cleansing agent naturally derived from Sunflower or Grapeseed. Combined with Citrus Tangerina peel oil and Limonele, the organic blend melts away makeup without leaving your skin dry and tight. The Litsea Cubeba essential oil further penetrates pores while cleansing stubborn impurities, makeup residues, and the Citric Acid gently exfoliates the outer layer of dead skin cells while keeping your pH level balanced. Combined with our hero ingredient, Inulin, they promote a healthy skin barrier function! 


Try our organic makeup remover that gives you clean pores, even skin tones, and smooth skin—not otherwise!



*Source: Formaldehyde. The American Cancer Society.