by Aline Agopian

Whether you get home from a late night out or wake up with makeup on, you need to make sure all of your makeup is off your face and out of your pores. It is imperative that you wash your face before you go to sleep every single night. Some nights, especially now around Ramadan, and long days might keep you from having the energy to clean your face properly.

With a few great products, getting to bed makeup-free will be so easy that you really have no excuses. No matter what type of makeup you are wearing, your skin needs to breath and form new cells every night, therefore makeup will be getting in the way of this process. Any chance you get, especially now during Ramadan, it's nice to give your skin a break from wearing make up all the time. If you can't live without makeup and you have a lifestyle or job that requires you to put makeup daily, just make sure you are cleaning your face properly.

I am guilty of not taking off my makeup regularly so I decided to put a box of makeup wipes next to my bed so that I no longer have any reason to say I was just too tired to wash my face. Yes, this is not the best way to take off your makeup but it's better than not wiping it off at all.

Not removing face makeup causes your pores to get clogged and large pores are an issue that really can't be reversed. Remember this every time you are in bed, all you have to do is roll over to your night stand, grab the wipes and get as much off as possible. Remember that the skin on your face is very gentle. Don't rub your skin harshly because that will just irritate it. One of the best wipes on the market is MAC's Bulk Wipes which is a set of 100 sheets. 

Sometimes you wash your entire face and feel like there's still some makeup residue left. It's good to use a gentle cleanser but sometimes it feels like they just don't do the job entirely. Dior has a new cleanser that not only washes off all your makeup but also brightens your complexion. Diorsnow White Reveal Melt-Away Makeup Remover has a creamy texture, which feels nice for more sensitive skin-type, as it won't dry you out. 

Another form of cleansing that's suitable for all skin types is using cleansing water. Lancôme Eau Fraîche Douceur is used to remove all makeup with a cotton pad and no water. This reminds me of how my grandmother would use "Ponds" cold cream to remove all her makeup. If you are like me and feel the need to wash your face to feel squeaky clean, there are more options out there.

Make sure to wear a headband or put your hair in a ponytail so you don't wet your hair. I also love to wash my face in the shower since the steam feels like a mini facial. I’ve always loved the Philosophy Purity Cleanser but they just released a new version of this called Purity Made Simple Facial Cleansing Gel & Eye Makeup Remover. If you are into a nice lather and bubbles to feel like you are really cleaning then this is perfect for you. It's still gentle enough to use every day. 

Another new way to clean your face is with cleansing oil. SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil is great for those who really take the time to give their skin the love it needs. Start off with dry hands and face and massage the cleanser into your skin to gently break down the makeup. Follow up with some lukewarm water and you are ready to moisturize.

Lastly, I have one more option for you. I'm still on the search for my favorite cleanser. I have tried every method but I haven't found that one product that gets me excited to wash my face. I have noticed that many doctors are showing up in the skincare world and one that I recently tried out is Dr. Perricone MD. Maybe what I am searching for is a cleanser that not only washes your face but also gives you age-defying results. Perhaps we all want it all and with his paraben and soap-free formula, Perricone MD Neuropeptide Facial Cleanser seems to do that. Leaves your face clean but also provides anti-aging anti-oxidants that make your skin feel soft. 

No matter which type of cleanser you are using, even if it's a bar of soap in the shower and you don't have anything else nearby, keep your skin clean and do not go to bed with your makeup on!  Sometimes we have to listen to our own advice.