The 15 Best Makeup Removers for All Skin Types, According to Experts
Cleansing is—hands down–one of the most crucial steps of a solid skincare routine, and that starts with a good makeup remover. Without properly removing makeup, sunscreen, and buildup from the skin, your toners, serums, and moisturizers can’t reach their full potential. In that sense, layering on acids, serums, and moisturizers is simply a waste of product if you don’t apply them on a clean base, which means thoroughly removing all of your makeup first (sorry, we don’t make the rules!).
Every great cleanse begins with a thorough (but gentle) makeup remover if you’re wearing any. But not all makeup removers are made equal. You want to look for something that cuts through layers of makeup and grime without stripping the skin (like something that’ll take off your mascara without making your face feel like paper). And then, of course, there are individual skin-type concerns to consider (like if you’re dry, oily, sensitive, etc.).
To help separate the good from the great, we reached out to the experts and tested dozens of cleansers to find the best makeup removers. Read on for our top choices.
Our top 15 makeup removers, at a glance:
- Best overall: Bioderma Sensibio H2O, $19
- Best value: The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, $13
- Best drugstore: CeraVe Makeup Remover Cleansing Balm, $10
- Best splurge: Eve Lom Cleanser, $145
- Best wipes: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Wipes, $12
- Best one-step: Renee Rouleau Better Than Balm, $46
- Best for eye makeup: Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads, $10
- Best for acne-prone skin: Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm, $36
- Best for oily skin: Bioderma Sebium H2O Micellar Water, $21
- Best for dry skin: Eadem Dew Dew Hydrating Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm, $30
- Best for mature skin: Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, $44
- Best for combination skin: Tower28 SOS Gentle Hydrating Gel Cleanser + Makeup Remover, $20
- Best for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Cleansing Water Ultra, $20
- Best oil: Peach & Lily Ginger Melt Oil Cleanser, $35
- Best balm: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, $40
Size: 16.7 fl oz
Key ingredients: Micellar solution, cucumber fruit extract
- No-rinse formula
- Leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated
- Gentle yet effective
- Requires single-use cotton pads
Size: 5 oz
Key ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, oat kernel oil
- Affordable
- Tube format makes for no-mess experience
- Nourishes skin while removing impurities
- Leaves behind a slight residue
Size: 1.3 oz
Key ingredients: Ceramides, jojoba oil
- Non-comedogenic and allergy-tested formula
- Moisturizes skin without leaving behind a greasy finish
- Doesn’t emulsify as easily as other cleansing balms
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Size: 6.8 fl oz
Key ingredients: Clove oil, eucalyptus oil, hops oil, cocoa butter, Egyptian chamomile oil
- Comes with two full-size muslin cleansing cloths
- Ultra-luxurious texture
- Expensive
- Very involved suggested instructions
Size: 25 wipes
Key ingredients: Micellar solution, allantoin
- Biodegradable wipes
- Effectively removes makeup without irritating skin
- Single-use format isn’t great for the environment
Size: 5 fl oz
Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, glycerin, sucrose laurate
- Bi-phase formula acts as double cleanse
- Easily emulsifies and effectively removes makeup
- Limited retailers makes it harder to find
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Size: 120 pads
Key ingredients: Micellar solution, cucumber fruit extract, aloe bardadensis leaf extract
- Biodegradable pads
- Non-irritating formula
- Accessible price
- Single-use format isn’t great for the environment
Size: 3.4 oz
Key ingredients: Sunflower oil, ginger root oil, turmeric extract, moringa extract, papaya enzymes
- Removes makeup without clogging pores
- Doesn’t burn eyes or leave behind a film
- Tub format makes for messy application process
Size: 16.7 fl oz
Key ingredients: Micellar solution, zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, zinc gluconate
- Wicks away excess oil without drying skin
- Requires single-use cotton pads
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Size: 3.4 oz
Key ingredients: Tiger grass, allantoin, kalahari melon, moringa
- Tube format makes for no-mess experience
- Hydrates and soothes skin
- Some users complain about the strong scent
Size: 3.8 oz
Key ingredients: Safflower seed oil
- Thoroughly cleanses without stripping the skin
- May leave a film over the eyes
Size: 5 fl oz
Key ingredients: Zinc, copper, magnesium, aloe vera, oat
- Fragrance-free
- Cleanses without stripping skin
- May not remove waterproof makeup
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Size: 13.5 fl oz
Key ingredients: Micellar solution, thermal spring water, glycerin
- Gentle no-rinse formula
- Soothes sensitive skin
- Requires single-use cotton pads
Size: 5.07 fl oz
Key ingredients: Ginger, pineapple, sunflower seed oil, grapeseed oil
- Sensitive skin-friendly
- Thick oil luxuriously cleanses skin
- May leave a film behind over eyes
Size: 1.76 oz
Key ingredients: Starflower oil, elderberry oil, optimega oil
- Can also be used as a moisturizing mask
- Melts away impurities with its luxurious texture
- Pricey
Why is it important to remove makeup before cleansing?
As much as it may feel like a chore to remove your makeup, it’s an important step to keeping your skin healthy. “Residual makeup left on the skin before cleansing can clog pores, lead to acne breakouts, dry out the skin, and lead to irritation-induced rashes,” Dr. Song explains.”Makeup left on the skin also prevents absorption of other key skincare ingredients that may be essential to nourish and hydrate the skin. Using a makeup remover before cleansing helps ensure complete removal of makeup.” Removing makeup before cleansing allows the cleanser to penetrate more effectively, leading to a deeper clean and ensuring no residual buildup is left behind.
What factors are important to keep in mind when choosing a makeup remover?
There are several factors to keep in mind when choosing a makeup remover. Your skin type will largely determine the kind of makeup remover that is best for your skin. Sensitive skin might be more prone to irritation, while oily types may be more prone to breakouts. Drier skin types should look for oil-based cleansers that help soothe and hydrate the skin as you cleanse. In essence, different skin types respond to different ingredients better than others, so you should look for makeup removers that align with your skin type.
It’s also important to consider the type of makeup you use regularly. For example, long-wear and waterproof makeup will likely require a deeper, more thorough cleanse than someone who dabs on a little concealer. For all skin types and makeup, it’s best to avoid harsh ingredients like alcohols and fragrances that might damage or irritate the skin barrier.
Original post by Danielle Cohen from www.wellandgood.com
