The Best Way to Remove Face Paint

If you’ve ever struggled to remove face paint – especially those pesky stubborn blues and greens – you’re not alone! I’ve been there when doing make-up for a school play – painting 20 little green frogs in the first act, only to transform those same kids into delicate princesses for the next.  And let’s just say … removing every trace of green before the tiaras went on was no easy task!

The truth is, some colours stain more than others – different brands use different pigments or in different ratios. The more you paint and wash in one session, the worse it can get.  That’s because frequent washing strips away the skin’s natural oils, making the paint cling even more stubbornly.

But don’t worry – I’ve got you covered with my tried-and-tested method for effective face paint removal.

Prepping the Skin

On the job, you really can’t do much prep.  But feel free to use water on a tissue or sponge to remove the lunch, ice-cream and other lurgies stuck around the mouth and nose.   But do NOT clean the whole face or you will remove the barrier of the natural oils on the child’s skin.

If you know you’ll be painting yourself or a model multiple times in a day (or if you’re prone to staining), apply a light moisturiser beforehand. Let it fully absorb before you start painting – this creates a slight barrier and makes removal easier later.

On a sunny day,  apply sunscreen first and allow to soak in and dry.

How to Remove Face Paint Properly

Now, let’s talk removal.

There are plenty of theories out there, but after years of face painting, I can confidently say:

DO NOT use baby wipes!
I know they seem like an easy option, but they just smear the paint around, push it further into the pores, and can leave the skin feeling sore from excessive rubbing from over-keen parents and wriggling annoyed small children … (and I think they should be banned anyway – nasty, wasteful, sewer-blocking things!)

My Recommended Step-by-Step Method:

Start with water – fill a sink with warm (not hot) water. Using your hands, splash and gently rub the skin to loosen the paint. This alone will remove about 90% of it.

Use a proper soap – a good old-fashioned bar of soap works much better than liquid versions.  Lather it up well in your hands and massage it into the face, using circular motions to break down all the paint and form an emulsion – especially in tricky areas like the corners of the nose and around the hairline.

Flannel power! – take a soapy, wet flannel (washcloth) and wipe away the paint.  At this point, you’ll spot any lingering bits that need extra attention.

Rinse thoroughly – splash with warm water to remove all traces of soap and paint residue.

Repeat if needed – some areas may still have faint traces of paint, especially blues and greens.  If that’s the case, repeat steps 2–4.

Still not coming off? – try Micellar water or other make-up remover on a cotton pad to lift the remaining stains.

Last resort: oil-based remover – if there’s still stubborn staining, use an oil-based cleanser, baby oil, or even plain coconut oil.  Let it sit for a minute, then gently wipe away with cotton wool.

Overnight trick – if you’re not repainting immediately, just go to bed!  Often, the last little stains will naturally fade by morning after the skin’s natural oils replenish overnight.

Final Thoughts

Everyone’s skin is different – some people stain more easily than others.  But with the right removal technique, you can avoid excessive scrubbing and irritation.

So next time you’re battling that stubborn green or blue, follow these steps, and you’ll have fresh, clean skin in no time!

Happy painting (and removing)!