Welcome, Readers! Taking makeup off properly matters just as much as putting it on. When my skin is prone to breakouts, I don't want to scrub, rub, or keep going over the same areas until everything feels tight.

My routine is simple: loosen the makeup first, dissolve what’s left, then finish with a gentle cleanser.

1. Micellar Water — Start With the Surface

I always begin with micellar water, especially around the eyes, hairline, and edges of the face where makeup can easily hide. A cotton pad helps lift away mascara, liner, foundation, and the first layer of makeup before I start cleansing. Around the eyes, I press the pad against the lashes for a few seconds instead of rubbing back and forth. Getting the obvious makeup off first makes the next steps much easier.

2. BYOMA Melting Balm Cleanser — Break Everything Down

Once most of the makeup is gone, I move on to BYOMA Melting Balm Cleanser. This is where I really work through the face instead of treating makeup removal as a quick wipe. The balm helps break down leftover foundation, sunscreen, concealer, and other products sitting on the skin. I massage it gently across the face, paying extra attention to areas where makeup tends to build up. No aggressive scrubbing needed. Letting the balm do the work is much kinder to my skin.

3. BYOMA Jelly Cleanser — Finish With a Gentle Cleanse

Then comes BYOMA Jelly Cleanser, which gives me that fresh, clean feeling without making my skin feel completely stripped. I like finishing with a lightweight cleanser because there can still be traces of makeup and cleansing balm left behind. The goal isn't that squeaky-tight feeling; I want clean skin that still feels comfortable afterward.

The order makes sense: remove what's sitting on top, dissolve what remains, then gently cleanse the skin. With acne-prone skin, I’ve found that being thorough doesn't have to mean being rough. Sometimes fewer aggressive motions and a little more patience make the whole makeup-removal process feel much better.