Why Halloween Makeup Is Tougher on Your Skin
Unlike everyday foundations or tinted moisturisers, Halloween makeup is designed to stay put under heat, lights, and long nights. It often contains heavier waxes, pigments, adhesives, and waterproofing agents that cling to the skin far more stubbornly than regular cosmetics.
This extra staying power can lead to dryness, clogged pores, and sensitivity — especially if removed too quickly or harshly. Your skin barrier, a thin, protective layer of oils and lipids, can become compromised if scrubbed or exposed to harsh ingredients. The key to healthy post-Halloween skin lies in slow, gentle removal and replenishing hydration to support your natural barrier.
What You’ll Need
- Oil cleanser or natural cleansing balm (sunflower, jojoba, or sweet almond based)
- Gentle cream or gel cleanser (sulphate-free)
- Soft muslin or microfibre cloth
- Hydrating toner or essence (aloe, rose water, or glycerin)
- Barrier-repairing serum (niacinamide, panthenol)
- Moisturiser with calming botanicals (oat, calendula, chamomile)
Step-by-Step: How to Remove Halloween Makeup Safely
1. Start with an Oil-Based Cleanser
Massage a small amount of oil cleanser onto dry skin to dissolve waxes and pigments. This is especially important for heavy makeup or face paints. Take your time and use gentle circular motions. Add a little water to emulsify, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Try: Napiers Scottish Oat Cleansing Balm
This soothing balm-to-oil cleanser melts away makeup, SPF and impurities while hydrating the skin. Made with Scottish oat extract to calm and support the skin barrier, and enriched with peach kernel, wheat germ and jojoba oils, it nourishes and protects without leaving residue. Free from sulphates, parabens and artificial fragrance, it’s gentle enough for daily use and ideal for sensitive skin after a night of Halloween celebrations.
Learn more about the role of cleansing balms in everyday skincare in our blog here.
2. Remove Eye Makeup
Use an eye-safe remover on a cotton pad, holding it gently against the skin for 20–30 seconds before wiping away. Avoid rubbing – this helps prevent irritation around the delicate eye area.
3. Double Cleanse for a Fresh Finish
Follow with a gentle cream or gel cleanser to lift away any residual pigment or oil. Rinse with lukewarm water (never hot, which can strip or potentially burn the skin).
Try: Napiers Rowan Brightening Gel Cleanser
Infused with Scottish rowan berry extract, naturally rich in Vitamin C, it helps to refresh dull skin and defend against daily environmental stress. A blend of heather, sea buckthorn and witch hazel soothes, balances and supports the skin barrier, leaving your complexion feeling clean, radiant and comfortable.4. Hydrate and Tone
After cleansing, apply a hydrating toner to rebalance and refresh the skin. This step helps restore comfort after makeup removal and prepares the skin for your serum or moisturiser. Lightly mist over the face for a cooling, soothing finish.
Try: Napiers French Lavender Flower Water
This gentle lavender hydrosol spray hydrates, tones and refreshes the skin while offering the calming aroma of organic French lavender. Naturally distilled, it’s ideal for cooling the skin after cleansing and supporting relaxation before bed. It doubles as a soothing facial mist, pillow spray or body refresher, making it a versatile addition to your skincare routine.
5. Restore with a Nourishing Serum
After toning, apply a lightweight serum to hydrate, brighten and support your skin overnight. Look for ingredients such as Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, which help restore radiance and replenish moisture after a night of heavy makeup.
This fast-absorbing serum combines stabilised Vitamin C with hyaluronic acid to help even out skin tone and enhance hydration. The formula is enriched with Gotu Kola and liquorice root to calm the complexion, while antioxidants help defend against environmental stress. It’s suitable for all skin types and leaves skin feeling smooth, bright and comfortably balanced.
To explore the benefits of Vitamin C in skincare, read our blog here.
6. Moisturise Generously
Finish your routine with a calming, hydrating moisturiser to seal in moisture and keep your skin soft and supple. Look for nourishing botanical extracts to comfort the skin and support recovery after heavier cleansing.
Try: Napiers Rowan Moisture Formula
This deeply hydrating cream blends Scottish rowan berries, rich in Vitamin C, with macadamia oil, shea butter and seaweed extracts to nourish, brighten and protect the complexion. The formula also includes lion’s mane mushroom and speedwell to support firmness and skin renewal over time. It's gentle and suitable for all skin types, helping your skin feel replenished, balanced and comforted after removing your Halloween makeup.
Skincare Advice for Different Skin Types
For Acne-Prone Skin
Choose lightweight products and avoid heavier creams with rich oils, such as coconut oil, which can clog pores. Keep your routine gentle, and use a mild enzyme exfoliant once a week to help maintain clear, balanced skin. Keep the removal process gentle, and use a mild enzyme exfoliant once a week if needed.
If you’re prone to blemishes and looking for more targeted treatment to support clearer-looking skin, consider switching to a clarifying serum such as the Napiers Anti-Blemish Serum after cleansing.
This lightweight formula combines niacinamide, zinc PCA, and willow bark to help refine pores and balance oil, while green tea, chamomile, and aloe soothe redness and calm irritation. It layers easily under moisturiser or makeup, making it ideal for daily use on blemish-prone or combination skin.
For Sensitive Skin
Stick with fragrance-free formulas and ingredients known to soothe, such as chamomile and oat extract. Avoid essential oils and use cool, damp cloth compresses to ease off stubborn makeup layers instead of scrubbing.
For Dry Skin
Opt for rich, emollient textures and ingredients that lock in hydration, like shea butter and macadamia oil. Avoid foaming cleansers as they can strip away your skin’s natural oils. After makeup removal, layer moisture in stages: apply a hydrating toner, then a Vitamin-rich serum, and finally a nourishing moisturiser to seal everything in. Opting for a thicker moisture can be especially helpful during the colder months. Explore more in our guide to using thicker creams in winter.
What to Avoid When Removing Halloween Makeup
- Makeup wipes – they can tug at skin and leave residue.
- Very hot water – this strips the face of natural oils and may burn the skin.
- Rubbing at glitter – instead, use a light oil and gently lift it away to avoid micro-abrasions.
- Strong alcohols or acetone – harsh solvents that can inflame skin and disrupt your skin barrier.
FAQs
What should I put on my face before Halloween makeup?
Always start with a clean, moisturised face. Apply a thin layer of hydrating primer or barrier cream to protect the skin from pigments and adhesives. This helps prevent staining and makes removal easier later.
How do I remove heavy or waterproof makeup?
Start with an oil-based cleanser to gently break down long-wear or waterproof formulas without tugging at the skin. Massage the cleanser onto dry skin, focusing on areas with heavier makeup. Add a little warm water to emulsify, then remove with a soft, damp cloth. For stubborn areas, repeat the process rather than scrubbing.
Can I use natural oils to remove Halloween makeup?
Yes, natural oils like jojoba or sunflower are excellent for breaking down pigments. Avoid mineral oil or heavily fragranced options that can irritate sensitive skin.
How can I care for sensitive skin after Halloween?
Focus on hydration, barrier support, and calming botanicals. Use soothing moisturisers, avoid exfoliating for a few days, and stick to fragrance-free skincare products.
