16 Best Makeup Removers, Approved by Makeup Artists
If you dread taking off your makeup or dealing with stubborn eyeliner and mascara, we spoke with beauty experts to find the best makeup removers.
So, why exactly should you be washing your face? Removing face makeup, sunscreen, skin-care products, microbes, and excess oils at the end of the day is essential to clear pore-clogging debris and to make sure the next steps in your skin-care routine are most effective. Plus, leaving makeup on overnight can wreak havoc on your skin by increasing the risk of breakouts and skin irritation, says Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. Basically, a quality face wash, cleansing oil, micellar water, or combination of those things can help wash away the day’s sweat, grease, and residue, help prevent clogged pores, and provide a blank canvas for your skin-care products.
To help you find the best options for your skin type, we tested highly rated makeup removers with recommendations from makeup artists, dermatologists, and estheticians. Our picks include viral moisturizing jelly balms, the oil cleanser that Victoria Beckham swears by, and various makeup-removing micellar waters.
The best makeup removers at a glance
- Best Overall: Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water, $19
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: iS Clinical Cleansing Complex, $48
- Best for Mature Skin: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, $18
- Best for Combination Skin: Skincare Junkie Gentle Jelly Facial Cleanser, $34
- Best for Oily Skin: Isdin Micellar Solution, 4 In 1 Makeup Remover, $39
- Best for Dry Skin: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, $32
- Best Wipes: Bioderma Sensibio H20 Wipes, $12
- Best Cleansing Oil: Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil, $40
Your makeup remover questions, answered
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- 1/18
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
Here’s a repeat favorite you’ll find in every makeup artist’s bag. The Bioderma Sensibio H20’s water-like formula easily cleanses to remove dirt and makeup. Since it’s water-based (made of highly purified pharmaceutical-grade water) this gentle product doesn’t dry out or strip your skin. It’s great for waterproof eye makeup, glitter particles, a heavy contour, full-coverage foundation, or any other makeup looks you fully want off your face. It’s ideal for all skin types, but given that it’s fragrance-free, it’s also a gold medal option for those with sensitive skin or complexions that don’t deal well with fragrances.
Celebrity makeup artist Joel Vasquez, whose clients include Nicky Hilton Rothschild, told Glamour that he loves to use Bioderma as the first step before makeup application. “When working with celebrity clients, I’ve always found it imperative to prep the skin by removing any previous residue (makeup, excess oil, etc.),” says Vasquez. He recommends using it around the eyes and then following up with a non-stripping facial cleanser.
When testing, I drenched a cotton pad and held it on my eyelid for a few seconds to fully take off eye makeup. It’s like an effortless magic eraser, with every trace of waterproof liner and mascara swept off the face.
Type: Micellar water
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- 2/18
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex
The iS Clinical Cleansing Complex cleanser has a delightful liquid-like gel wash consistency and works for all skin types, but is notably approved for acne-prone skin. Rachel Liverman, founder and CEO of Glowbar, is such a fan of the liquid-like formula. She actually recommends clients start their Glowbar experience with this cleanser. “The beauty of Cleansing Complex is that it’s a three-in-one product: a gel cleanser, a makeup remover, and a toner that doesn’t cause dryness. This makes it particularly great for acne-prone skin, as it provides a deep clean without stripping the skin. The white willow bark gently exfoliates and helps clear oil, keeping breakouts at bay, while the antioxidants and calming effects from chamomile and centella asiatica help heal any existing skin damage,” says Liverman.
Type: Cleansing gel
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- 3/18
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
You’ve probably seen #BeautyTok TikTok give this balm-filled jar its seal of approval, and it really lives up to the hype. It’s extremely luxurious to apply because of the satisfying melting sensation from balm, to oil, to milk (once you add water). Massage the rich balm formula on your face and neck, and it melts into a smooth oil. Once water is added, it then transforms into a hydrating milk that will melt off every makeup and waterproof eye makeup. It’s become such a cult classic, with star hydrating ingredients like elderberry oil, which is high in fatty acids for moisture retention, and starflower oil that helps with inflammation.
Type: Cleansing balm
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- 4/18
Skincare Junkie Gentle Jelly Facial Cleanser
Combination skin, which is known as having oily skin on some parts of your face (like your T-zone) and dry skin on the rest, can be challenging to work with when removing makeup. The Gentle Jelly Cleanser leaves skin feeling soft—not stripped—and it’s formulated with ceramides and skin-soothing niacinamide. This fragrance-free cleanser has been highly recommended by celebrity makeup artists as a great one-step facial cleanser.
Type: Cleansing gel
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- 5/18
Isdin Micellar Water
Known as “The Beauty Fixer,” NYC-based esthetician Audrey Matney of 123 Beauty Lab loves the hypoallergenic and hydrating formula of Isdin’s 4-in-1 micellar solution, especially for those looking to remove makeup who have dryer skin types. “It super gently removes impurities while protecting the skin’s natural barrier function, and without stripping the skin, which often results in it overproducing oil,” says Matney.
Type: Micellar water
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- 6/18
Sulwhasoo Oil Cleanser
Don’t let Sulwhasoo’s gentle oil cleanser deceive you. Although it’s extremely lightweight, it’s runny consistency still works incredibly hard in removing layers of makeup. Some oil cleansers tend to have a heavier, oilier formula, but there was something unique about this silky texture. This is a new favorite of mine and available in travel size for any upcoming summer trips. After massaging two pumps and gently massaging this cleansing oil (made with mulberry leaf and mountain yam extracts) into my face, it removed layers of my makeup with ease, including my eyelash glue adhesive and lip stain. Note, if you’re sensitive to fragrance, there is a refreshing herbal scent to this product, which I personally loved, but I know might not be for everyone. This was my first time trying a Sulwhasoo product after hearing makeup artists rave about this much-loved Korean beauty brand, and now I fully understand the hype.
Type: Cleansing oil
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- 7/18
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
Japanese brand DHC’s Deep Cleansing Oil, a golden color oil cleanser, feels like you’re putting skin-care-approved olive oil all over your face. Celebrity grooming artist Sonia Lee loves the formula because it’s budget-friendly and soothing for the skin. It’s made in an ultrahydrating blend of antioxidant oils like olive oil, vitamin E, and rosemary oil. Massage the cleansing oil with dry hands onto your dry face and watch as it binds and effortlessly breaks down SPF, dirt, and makeup. And once activated with water, makeup easily melts away.
Type: Cleansing oil
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- 8/18
Make Up For Ever Divine Cream
I tested this cream cleanser out after a night of full-on glam—and with just a dime-size amount, my eye cream smudged off my lids, and my contour and blush loosened. After rinsing off, I used a Clean Towel Club damp towel to fully get the makeup off my face. It felt like a double cleanse in a bottle—my face looked bouncy and clean. This will be my go-to travel makeup remover moving forward, as I love that the results are two steps in one bottle, and that it’s ideal for dehydrated skin. If you have oily skin, this cleanser might feel too heavy for you.
Type: Cream hybrid
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- 9/18
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
The OG—Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm goes from solid balm to silky oil and easily dissolves longwear makeup. Miami-based makeup artist Kirby Suarez says “it’s gentle on the skin, and breaks down all makeup on face and eyes—even waterproof makeup.” It’s made with safflower seed oil, a natural emollient that helps moisturize your skin. Suarez recommends following up with your favorite face cleanser. Her personal pick is Cetaphil Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser because it removes makeup while maintaining the protective skin barrier, she says.
Type: Cleansing balm
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- 10/18
Senté Daily Soothing Cleanser & Senté Exfoliating Cleanser
123 Beauty Lab’s Matney says her favorite way to remove makeup is with two cleansers by Senté. The Soothing Cleanser has a gentle formulation ideal for sensitive skin yet still washes away makeup and impurities without irritating the skin. “Senté’s daily soothing cleanser and exfoliating cleanser combo will leave you glowy, dewy, and fresh-faced. The daily soothing cleanser helps maintain your skin’s moisture balance and supports barrier function and will fully take off your makeup. After using that, use the exfoliating cleanser, which diminishes the appearance of blemishes and fine lines, while exfoliating away dull skin and smoothing texture.”
Type: Creamy cleanser
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- 11/18
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water
There’s nothing like a multipurpose product that you can rely on when you’re in a pinch. NYC-based Makeup Artist Chaellynn Street feels that way about this budget-friendly micellar water by Garnier. “It’s comparable to any top brand but at a fraction of the price and easily accessible at many drugstores. It removes a heavy face of makeup with ease.” Street says that after using Garnier, she’ll apply a cleansing balm to get any leftover makeup.
Type: Micellar water
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- 12/18
Bioderma Sensibio H20 Wipes
Sometimes, time is of the essence and you need to get your makeup off thoroughly and quickly. Whether traveling or on-the-go, it’s convenient to have a makeup remover in towelette form—no sink needed. Makeup artist and esthetician Nina Soriano is an advocate for Bioderma’s Sensibio H20 gentle cleansing towelettes. “Each individual towelette has the same amount of micellar water, so they will effectively remove makeup from the eyes and face without damaging the barrier. It’s great for traveling and it’s also biodegradable!”
Type: Wipes
- 13/18
Lancome Paris Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover
Lancome’s Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover is iconic in its sky blue bottle and one of the best products I tested. The beloved gentle eye makeup remover holds up to the challenge of removing any stubborn makeup like glitter eyeliners and waterproof mascara. Simply shake it to mix the oily phase that uses lipid concentrate and emollient water phase, saturate a cotton pad, and hold on the eyes to gently remove makeup. Make sure to be delicate when removing makeup from the eye region of the face; no scrubbing, as the skin is thinner around this area. When testing, it was a little oily on the eyes because it’s an oil-based remover, so we recommend rinsing with water after.
Type: Liquid remover
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- 14/18
Dr. Barbara Sturm Makeup Remover
This Dr. Barbara Sturms Makeup Remover not only looks good but gently took off every trace of makeup from my face (including full-coverage foundation and mascara). It’s chock-full of nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and an oil phase, which contains almond, apricot, and sunflower seed oil, and a water phase enriched with micelles, which remove makeup residue and dirt. To use it, shake the makeup remover to mix the two phases, saturate on a cotton pad, and sweep off. After testing, it’s worth noting this remover’s formula is up to the task of taking off more intense eye makeup, too; gently press for a few seconds, and then wipe off as makeup is lifted.
Type: Liquid remover
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- 15/18
Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm
A luxury balm that’s worth the hype. Omorovicza’s Thermal Cleansing Balm feels like a spa treatment in a jar and is an ideal first step in a double cleanse. Made with black Hungarian Moor mud known for its detoxifying and balancing minerals, with a faint trace of orange blossom, work this balm in circular movements all over your face to encourage micro-circulation to decongest and revive. I used a warm water facial cloth to lift the balm off my skin—and it was glowing, soft, and smooth. To note: Reviews mentioned that those with dry skin also love this formula.
Type: Mud cleansing balm
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- 16/18
Victoria Beckham Daily Cleansing Protocol
This was one of my favorite new discoveries when testing out makeup removers. The Victoria Beckham Daily Protocol includes two separate cleansers—first the cushiony and moisturizing Daily Oil Cleanser made with olive fruit oil, which is loaded with essential fatty acids and antioxidants that melts makeup off your face (swiftly removing all of my makeup without another step of micellar water). The Daily Oil Cleanser also has fermented green tea seed oil, which supercharges skin’s moisture. The second step is the Victoria Beckham Daily Lactic Acid Gel Cleanser that sweeps away dead skin cells to reveal fresher and brighter skin. The combination of these two products feels like a self-care treat for your face—I was wowed at how bright and clear it was. I would particularly recommend this after an evening out with full makeup to ensure you start the next day with a clean, moisturized face sans dead skin cells.
Type: Cleansing oil and glycolic gel
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- 17/18
What type of makeup remover is best for you?
Cleansing Balms: Cleansing balms and jellies are ideal for dry or normal skin types. Cleansing balms are typically solid, oil-based cleansers in tubes or tubs that break down makeup and oil-based impurities when massaged into skin. They’re emulsified when you add water, transforming into a milky cleanser that nourishes skin while removing makeup and impurities.
Micellar Waters: Micellar waters are great for all skin types and a beloved favorite by makeup artists and dermatologists. Micellar waters are water-based cleansing liquids that are best to apply to skin via a cotton pad. They help gently break down makeup, and are powerful enough to break down eye makeup, especially if held on the area for a few seconds.
Gel Cleansers: Gel cleansers are generally lightweight and made with a water-based formulation. They’re great for all skin types, but particularly oily and acne-prone skin. If you’re wearing heavier makeup, a first step like micellar water or a cleansing balm might be necessary before using a gel cleanser.
Cream Cleansers: Cream cleansers are a great option for sensitive and dry skin types. They have a milky texture made with oils that don’t strip the skin or give off that tight feeling. Generally, cream cleansers don’t foam up and provide a gentle cleanse. If you have dry skin, it’s ideal to use it as a second step for double cleansing.
Cleansing Oil: Cleansing oils work for all skin types but are favored for those with dry, mature, or normal skin as they lock in hydration post-wash and can balance the skin barrier. Cleansing oils are exemplary as a first step in a double cleansing routine, and their oil-based formulas help lift debris and remove makeup.
- 18/18
How to double cleanse correctly
The majority of expert makeup artists and estheticians we spoke to say it’s all about double cleansing for glowing skin. A double cleanse means cleansing your face twice in a single setting, first with an oil or balm cleanser, and second with a gel or cream cleanser to ensure a thoroughly fresh face. But, be careful. Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, does not recommend a balm or oil double cleanse for acne-prone or oily skin types: “For those who prefer a two-step cleansing routine but fall into these skin categories, I recommend using a micellar water as step one, followed by a gel cleanser.”