Skincare: Beat Halloween breakouts

Save your skin and add some post-party freshness

Lights out, party's over. We've had a great time prancing about in our costumes, clicking photographs and dancing the night away, but now it's time to make our way home and take off all that fake blood and face paint without messing up our bathroom sink. Just as you've put in an effort to dress up, coming clean is just as important.

The first thing to note is to avoid scrubbing your face with plain ol' soap and water. Doing a combo like that will not only dry out your skin, but the tugging contributes to early sagging, fine lines, wrinkles, and worst of all, aggravate it and cause other issues such as bumps due to in-grown follicles, trapped dirt and sebum, and all the other nasties.

Pay attention to the products you're investing in and skincare techniques. Oil and cream-based solutions are best options to remove all that gunk off your face. Do it step-by-step, so you can gently wash away layers of paints, body glue and cosmetics stressing out your skin.

If you have latex on, gently peel away the pieces before starting your cleansing routine. Pull it away at an angle and bit by bit to avoid hurting your skin and body hair.

Once done, you may be tempted to scrub sideways for an effective clean (who doesn't want to crash in bed already?) but trust us, you're just subjecting it to harsh treatment with no benefits. Instead, use gentle, circular motions to release the pigments then wash away with lukewarm water. It may take a bit of time, but the results are rewarding.

Here are some items you can use, in case you need a quick fix:

Skin wipes: These are formulated with rich ingredients that not only wipe away your evening antics, but also hydrates your skin. Fold one in half and gently place it on your skin for a couple of seconds before moving it around in circles. You'll have smudges, but we're mainly doing this to loosen the pigment.

Vaseline: This one-trick-wonder is a jar full of charm and a best friend for those who've been in high school theatre plays. Simply scoop up a small quantity then spread it across your face. Use a towel dipped in lukewarm water to wipe off the make-up. Instant results guaranteed!

Baby oil: Not just for babies, adults too can dip a cotton ball and use it to remove stubborn cosmetics, including eyeliner and lash glue. You will, however, need to follow it up with a proper face cleanser, exfoliator and toner. Don't forget to moisturise to reintroduce hydration.

Make-up remover: Water, gel, cream or oil-based, these is probably the most satisfying option of them all. They even come in the form of balms, which are super easy to scoop, apply and remove. Make-up removers give a good deep cleanse since the application is often followed up by water.  

Tip

To make make-up and face paint removal easier by the end of the night, opt to moisturise and prime your skin at least an hour before initial application. Keeping skin hydrated in advance will avoid dry faces from soaking up extra pigment from the paint, and make it easier to remove.

And always do a patch test before applying any cosmetics to avoid skin irritation.