The eye area is a key focus of any beauty routine. Serums, creams and specific treatments form part of a ritual which, however, begins with a more basic step: removing make-up properly. In an area where the skin is particularly delicate, the way you do this matters just as much as the product you choose.
“The skin around the eyes is extremely delicate. It is important to treat it with gentle movements and suitable products,” explains Cristina Galmiche, a facialist with over 38 years’ experience and medical-aesthetic centres in Madrid, Alcalá de Henares and Málaga.
According to the specialist, one of the most common mistakes is trying to remove make-up quickly using repetitive movements. Friction on the eyelids and the surrounding area can damage the skin barrier and the eyelashes, especially when it becomes a daily habit.
“Every day we see patients in our clinic whose skin has become sensitised due to poor skincare. Excessive friction breaks down the skin barrier, weakens the eyelashes and contributes to the appearance of redness, wrinkles or minor lesions,” says Galmiche.
A gesture of precision
The technique she suggests begins by soaking a cotton pad in make-up remover and placing it over the closed eye for a few seconds. Instead of rubbing, she recommends allowing the formula to work and then gently sliding the cotton pad downwards.
The idea is simple: let the product dissolve the make-up, thereby reducing the pressure exerted on the skin. To remove any traces of eyeliner or mascara that may remain along the lash line, Galmiche advises using a cotton bud soaked in make-up remover and applying it with targeted movements.
She also recommends avoiding dry wipes and dry cotton pads, which can increase friction on the skin, and using a separate pad for each eye.
The formula behind the cleaning process
Choosing the right product is the other part of this ritual. Galmiche opts for two-phase make-up removers – formulas that combine an oil-based phase, which dissolves pigments and long-lasting make-up, with a water-based phase.
Her product for eyes and lips contains hyaluronic acid, designed to provide hydration whilst cleansing. “It’s not just about removing make-up, but about doing so whilst deeply nourishing the area,” she explains.
The application method follows the same philosophy: shake the product to blend the two phases, soak a cotton pad, leave it to work for a few seconds on closed eyes, and remove it with a gentle downward stroke. The formula is designed to remove even long-lasting and waterproof make-up and can be used on the lips.
Cristina Galmiche’s Two-Phase Eye and Lip Make-up Remover has a fluid, non-greasy texture and is paraben-free.
Rather than simply adding a new product to your make-up bag, Galmiche’s recommendation focuses on how to use it. Eye care does not necessarily begin with the treatment applied after cleansing: it begins every evening, when you remove your make-up, and lies in the gentleness of a gesture repeated daily.
