How To Remove Waterproof Sunscreen from Body and Face?
Dermatologists and probably everyone on the internet recommend wearing sunscreen every day. There is constant talk over the internet about how important sunscreen is to protect your skin from UV damage and sunburns.
Now we even have waterproof sunscreen for times when you will be active outdoors for longer durations in the heat. It lasts longer, has a firmer grip on the skin and does not need reapplication very frequently when you are out on the pool or beach. And this all is great until it’s time to remove it.
Removing it can be tricky, but not with the suitable methods and proper technique. So, here is the list of all the best ways you can remove waterproof sunscreen in a breeze.
How To Remove Waterproof Sunscreen?
Waterproof sunscreen is oil soluble. Owing to this, water fails to remove it effectively. If you ever splash water on a thick layer of water-resistant sunscreen, you will see that it is quick to repel water from your skin.
Even light exfoliating or scrubbing along with washing is not sufficient to remove it. And, of course, aggressive scrubbing will do more harm than good.
Thus, when it comes to removing waterproof sunscreen, oil-based products are deemed suitable. The oil will dissolve the sunscreen and loosen its grip on your skin.
But using oil-based products is not the only solution. Surfactants can also get the job done very smoothly. They are compounds that lead to the formation of micelles. Micelles are chemical structures that lift oil, dirt and grease from surfaces.
Soaps, shampoos, detergents, or basically any product designed to remove dirt and oil can do so because they have this compound.
The range of oil-based or surfactant products that can be used for this purpose is broad. To pick an ideal, you have to weigh in certain factors, such as the type of sunscreen, its thickness, whether you are removing it from your face or body, your skin type, and more.
Below are the most popular products used to remove sunscreen, along with all the additional details you need to know, such as the step-by-step process, when it is ideal to use them, and more. So, read on.
How To Remove Waterproof Sunscreen from Face Using Face Cleansers?
Face cleansers are a part of our daily life and play a vital role in skincare rituals. As the name clearly conveys, this product is designed to cleanse the skin, mainly targeting dirt, oil, and grease that stick to our skin as we move about our day.
That being said, it is not hard to imagine why they can also remove water-resistant sunscreen from your face easily.
This method is ideal for removing waterproof sunscreen from your face, neck, and ears.
Also, if you have oily skin, you will significantly benefit from this method as it does not include applying any oily product. However, it is too gentle to cleanse your entire body.
Required Items
- Face cleanser
- Lukewarm water
- Soft towel
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Apply face cleanser
Pick any face cleanser of your choice. Take an ample amount of cleanser and apply it to your face.
Some cleansers are designed to be applied on a wet face while others on a dry face. Hence, it is always best to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to ensure that you are following the correct technique.
2. Massage
Gently massage using your fingers to ensure that the cleanser spreads evenly throughout the face. Massaging in circular motions will help break down the sunscreen and allow a deeper cleanse.
If sunscreen is present around the ears and neck, make sure to apply the cleanser in these areas too.
3. Wash
After continuing to massage for a couple of minutes or as instructed by the manufacturer, it’s time to rinse. Use lukewarm water to wash.
Lightly scrub while washing to thoroughly remove sunscreen, cleanser, and dirt that may have been clinging to your skin due to the oily nature of the sunscreen. Use a soft towel to dry it.
Precautions
Tightly shut your eyes while applying cleanser and washing to prevent the residue from entering your eyes as it may lead to eye irritation.
Time
It would take around five to six minutes to remove water-resistant sunscreen using a face cleanser.
Cost
The only thing you will need to spend on this method is the face cleanser (that too if you don’t already have one). A face cleanser from a trusted brand will cost 0.8 to 1 USD per ounce.
How To Remove Waterproof Sunscreen from Face Using Double Cleanse?
Sometimes when you put thick layers of waterproof sunscreen on your face, cleansers alone might not be able to remove it entirely. Also, washing with cleansers several times will lift your skin’s natural moisture, making it feel and appear dry.
Due to the heavy amount of sunscreen, the surfactants fail to break down all the oils. To combat this, you can use a face balm to do the extra work required. Once the sunscreen is loose, a face cleanser will remove it in a breeze.
This method of using two products is referred to as a double cleanse. It is excellent when you want to remove stubborn sunscreen from your face without using any harsh products.
Required Items
- Face balm
- Face cleanser
- Wipes
- Lukewarm water
- Soft towel
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Apply face balm
Take a liberal amount of face balm and apply it to your face. It is a soft solid made of oils. When you rub it on the skin, it melts from the warmth of your body.
Gently spread it all over your face. You may also apply it on the neck and around the ears if needed.
2. Massage
Massage all over your face in a circular motion for one to three minutes. Do not apply much pressure or scrub aggressively; instead, glide your fingers gently. This will be enough to dissolve the sunscreen in the face balm.
3. Wipe off the face balm
Since we begin applying face balm in a large amount, rinsing may take very long to remove it. Therefore, to make it more convenient, wipe off as much face balm as possible using lint-free tissue, baby wipes or face wipes.
4. Wash with a face cleanser
Now, a face cleanser can remove the remaining face balm and sunscreen that was left behind after wiping. Use the cleanser according to the instructions on the packaging and wash with lukewarm water.
Dry with a soft towel, and you’ll have clean and refreshed skin.
Precautions
Keep your eyes shut tightly during washing with a cleanser, as it contains compounds that can cause eye irritation.
Time
This method will not take more than six to eight minutes.
Cost
You will need to have a face balm and a face cleanser for this method. A decent face balm will cost 5 USD per ounce. However, if you want to go for even higher quality, the cost can be 10 USD per ounce or even more.
At the same time, face cleansers have a price range of 0.8 to 1 USD per ounce. If you don’t have face wipes, they can be easily bought for 0.24 USD per count.
How To Remove Waterproof Sunscreen from Body Using Natural Oils?
The key to removing waterproof sunscreen is dissolving it using another oil-based product. Natural oils deemed safe for skin can also do this job flawlessly.
Since natural oils are suitable for applying anywhere on the body, this is a method you can use to remove waterproof sunscreen from both your body and face.
People with dry skin can largely benefit from this method. It is because, unlike harsh cleansers and frequent washing, natural oils help lock the skin’s natural moisture. Also, they are readily available and pretty inexpensive.
Required Items
- Coconut oil, jojoba oil or olive oil
- Mild cleanser
- Lukewarm water
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Apply natural oil
Apply a generous amount of natural oil of your choice to all the areas from where you need to remove waterproof sunscreen. Since natural oils can easily dissolve the sunscreen, you might even use it to remove thick layers of sunscreen.
2. Massage
Now gently massage your skin. This will make the sunscreen mix and dissolve in the oil quickly. Continue to massage for two to three minutes. Note that you need not scrub harshly.
3. Rinse
It’s time to get into the shower and rinse the oil. Lukewarm water may not be able to remove all the oil, especially if you have applied a lot of it. Thus, we recommend using any mild cleanser of your choice.
Apply cleansers on your body, lightly scrub and rinse with lukewarm water. After all the oil has been removed, dry with a soft towel, and that’s all you need to get sunscreen-free skin.
Time
Removing water-resistant sunscreen from your legs, arms etc., can take up to ten to fifteen minutes.
Cost
The total budget for this method can vary greatly depending on the oil you choose to use. Coconut oil (0.94 USD / Fl Oz) lies more on the spectrum of inexpensive natural oils. On the other hand, oils such as jojoba oil ($2.50 / Fl Oz) and olive oil ($3.19 / Fl Oz) cost more than others.
Also, you will need a mild body cleanser that costs 0.5 USD per ounce or more.
How To Remove Waterproof Sunscreen from Body Using Body Cleansers?
The whole motive behind creating body cleansers is to remove dirt, oil and grease from the skin. Thus, almost any cleanser will be sufficient to remove waterproof sunscreen from anywhere on your body.
A big plus is that there is a wide variety of body cleansers for different skin types. Hence, whether you have dry skin, oily skin, or sensitive skin, there will be a body cleanser that suits your skin.
Required Items
- Body cleanser
- Lukewarm water
- Soft bathing sponge
- Soft towel
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Pour body cleanser on a bathing sponge
The process is simple. You have to use the cleanser the same way you would on any other day. Except for this time, you might have to add more cleanser than usual for a thorough cleaning.
Pour a decent amount of cleanser on a wet bathing sponge. Gently rub the sponge between your hands to create lather. Lather facilitates cleaning and also makes the process more satisfying.
The amount of cleanser you should pour on your bathing sponge should depend on how heavy the sunscreen is that you want to wash off. You can also cleanse several times, using small quantities of the cleanser at a time instead of using an enormous amount once.
2. Scrub with a sponge
Now that there is enough lather in the sponge, start lightly scrubbing it over your skin. Scrubbing for a few minutes over the areas where you applied the water-resistant sunscreen will do the job.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water
Light scrubbing will loosen the sunscreen, which you can then rinse off with lukewarm water. It may take multiple washes to remove the cleanser entirely. After washing, gently pat with a soft towel to dry, and you’re done.
Time
You can expect this process to take ten minutes, give or take a few minutes.
Cost
The price range for body cleansers can vary greatly. It depends on many parameters such as brand, ingredients, quality, and more. We recommend the CETAPHIL body cleanser (also ideal for sensitive skin). It costs approximately 0.6 USD per Fl Oz.
If you don’t have a bathing sponge or need to replace your old one, you can easily buy them online for 1 to 2 USD per count.
How To Remove Waterproof Sunscreen from Body Using Micellar Water?
You may have heard about micellar water when it comes to makeup removers. Micellar water is basically some surfactants and moisturizers like glycerin with pure water. It is mainly used to remove makeup or clean your skin occasionally.
The amount of surfactants is significantly fewer than what you will find in any cleanser. Thus, it does not need to be washed off like soap.
If you have oily skin, it is a good option for you. However, it is only suitable for your face but not the rest of your body.
Note that you will need to have oil-infused micellar water if you want to remove waterproof sunscreen.
Required Items
- Oil-infused micellar water
- Cotton pads
- Lukewarm water
Procedure [Step by Step]
1. Apply micellar water
The method is pretty straightforward. Take a couple of cotton pads and dampen them with micellar water. Now, use these pads to apply micellar water over your face.
2. Gently wipe and massage
Lightly wipe the pads all over your face in circular motions. As one pad gets sullied, use a new one. Continue the process till all the sunscreen has been removed.
3. Rinse
When all the sunscreen appears to be gone from your face, rinse with lukewarm water. This will ensure that even the last bit of sunscreen is removed.
Precautions
Micellar water is a very mild product. However, some people’s skin may be allergic to any of its components. Hence, if you have never used this product before, you must do a patch test to ensure its suitability for you.
Time
You can easily remove waterproof sunscreen from your face with micellar water within five minutes.
Cost
Oil-infused micellar water costs 0.3 USD per ounce or more. Also, you can get cotton rounds for 0.02 per count if you purchase a pack of 100 or more.
Water-resistant sunscreen is an inevitable part of our skin regime. Like it or not, you should never avoid using it. Hopefully, this guide will make at least one part of using the sunscreen easier: removing it.
All the methods we have mentioned are tried, tested and recommended by many. Now, it’s all a matter of picking the ideal technique as per your needs, and you are good to go.
