The Best Makeup Remover and Cleanser
There’s a makeup remover that cuts through sunscreen, shifts waterproof mascara, and won’t break your face out. It also needs to be gentle enough for your eyes, but strong enough for stubborn eye makeup.
Look for formulas with simple ingredient lists, like micellar water or cleansing oils. They’re budget-friendly, easy to use, and don’t require much massaging.
1. Neutrogena Oil-Free Makeup Remover
A dermatologist-developed makeup remover and cleanser that works quickly without leaving behind a greasy residue. The gentle dual phase formula activates when shaken to gently whisk away eye makeup even waterproof mascara without any tugging or pulling and leave skin feeling cool and refreshed. It contains aloe and cucumber extracts to help soothe the eyes and skin and is ophthalmologist tested. It is oil-free and non-greasy so it can be used around the sensitive eye area and is safe for contact lens wearers.
It’s a lightweight liquid and has a very thin consistency. It is odorless and colorless. It’s a great product for sensitive eyes and skin because it doesn’t contain any alcohol which can sting. A little goes a long way because you only need one to two drops to clean all your makeup.
Ingredients – Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Dipropylene Glycol, Poloxamer 182, Allantoin, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Potassium Phosphate, Benzalkonium Chloride.
2. Neutrogena Oil-Free Makeup Remover for Sensitive Skin
This makeup remover is especially gentle, working to safely remove even waterproof mascara without tugging or pulling on your sensitive skin. The dermatologist-developed, dual-phase formula activates when shaken and is infused with aloe and cucumber extracts to soothe your skin. The oil-free, non-greasy liquid also works quickly and won’t leave a sticky residue behind. The product is ophthalmologist tested and safe for contact lens wearers.
Another option to consider is the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes & Wipes, which come with soft, pre-moistened cloths that are able to cleanse your face and gently and easily remove makeup. Like the liquid makeup remover, this product is ophthalmologist tested and made specifically to be safe for contact lens wearers and those with sensitive eyes. The wipes are also formulated with a calming fragrance and contain aloe and cucumber extracts to soothe the eye area.
If you’re looking for something more convenient, the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water is a great choice. The micellar water is formulated to effectively remove dirt, excess oils, and makeup, including waterproof eye and lip products, in one step without the need for any rinsing. This product is oil-free, paraben free, sulfate free, and hypoallergenic.
When choosing a makeup remover for your sensitive skin, Grant recommends avoiding foaming cleansers as these tend to be more harsh and can strip the skin of essential moisture. Instead, she suggests opting for a milk or gel-based formulation that won’t cause a tingling sensation. The Drunk Elephant Slather Makeup Meltdown Cleanser and the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser are both good options that can work well as makeup removers for sensitive skin. You can then follow your cleansing routine with a soothing moisturizer that will keep your skin comfortable and healthy.
3. Lancome Bi-Facil Makeup Remover
Whether you’re a tinted moisturizer only type of girl or dedicated to daily full-face glam, this makeup remover will be your new best friend. A mix of oil and micellar water, this product is able to dissolve makeup and cleanse your complexion without leaving behind a greasy residue. Plus, no rinsing is required—you can easily incorporate this makeup remover into your routine before bed or on-the-go.
This award-winning bi-phase formula is designed with two key ingredients—the lipid phase lifts off eye makeup (including waterproof mascara) and the water phase uses unique emollients to refresh skin and leave it perfectly clean without any oily or greasy feel. Simply shake to activate the two phases, then saturate a cotton round with the liquid and hold over closed eyes to moisten and soften makeup (including dramatic smoky eye looks). Gently swipe to remove makeup. You can also dab Bi-Facil onto a cotton swab or makeup corrector brush to help fix eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara application mistakes when applying eye makeup.
The best thing about this makeup remover is its simplicity and ease of use. Just shake the bottle, saturate a cotton pad with the liquid, and smooth over your face to effortlessly whisk away makeup (including stubborn mascara) and impurities. You can then follow with a toner or cleansing cream to ensure your complexion is thoroughly clean and nourished. This makeup remover is formulated without parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, petrolatum, propylene glycol, and SLS. It is also ophthalmologist tested and suitable for contact lens wearers.
4. Lancome Bi-Phase Makeup Remover
Product Details
An iconic and award-winning makeup remover, this fresh-as-water formula activates when shaken to gently whisk away any trace of eye makeup, including waterproof mascara. The lipid phase lifts off all types of eye makeup, while the water phase contains special skin conditioners to leave your skin feeling perfectly cleansed and refreshed without any greasy residue. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers.
While micellar water has been all the rage recently (and for good reason), a good old oil-based makeup remover can still be a game changer when it comes to removing stubborn eye makeup and long-wear foundation and lipstick. The best part is, it’s not only quick and effective, but it doesn’t feel too harsh on your eyes or skin and won’t make them sting like some other removers can.
This makeup remover from Lancome is a must-have for anyone who regularly wears a full face of glam, especially heavy and waterproof mascara, eyeshadow or even long-wear foundation and lip products. The formula is both moisturizing and oil-free, which means it won’t irritate your eyes or skin, and while it does have a slight fragrance, it’s not overpowering or irritating.
To use, just shake the bottle and pour a small amount of the liquid onto a cotton pad and rub until all traces of makeup are removed. You can also massage it into the eye area if you’re wearing an extremely hard to remove mascara or eyeshadow. There’s no need to rinse, but you can follow up with a toner or cleanser if desired.
5. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water
After a long day of makeup application and removal, it’s important to remove every trace of product with an effective cleanser. Aside from the fact that it prevents clogged pores, it also helps your skin renew while you sleep, so it’s not something you want to skimp on.
The best makeup remover will vary depending on your skin type and how much you wear, but experts recommend choosing a gentle, nondrying formula that is suitable for all skin types (even sensitive or dry). To ensure your skincare regimen doesn’t irritate your face or eyes, it is essential to choose a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser like this micellar water from Garnier.
Garnier’s micellar water is formulated with micelles, which are small molecules that come together to capture and lift dirt, oil, and other pore-clogging debris off the skin without causing any irritation. The budget-friendly makeup remover is available in a wide range of sizes to suit your needs, but you’ll need to saturate a cotton pad or ball with the liquid formula to sweep it across your face zones, then hold a second soaked cotton pad over your eyelids for a few seconds before gently wiping away mascara and other heavy makeup.
Another option for those with sensitive skin is this gentle cleansing oil from Boscia, which is formulated with soothing botanicals that help ease inflammation and redness. The lightweight, water-based formula includes a blend of jojoba and willowherb to strengthen the skin barrier, which is especially helpful for those who suffer from rosacea. The makeup remover is a little slower than other options to dissolve waterproof products like eyeshadow and mascara, but it still gets the job done with minimal discomfort.
