Waking up with remnants of last night's smoky eye is one of my biggest beauty pet peeves. In my mind, I should be rewarded for washing my face before bed after a long day, not punished with raccoon eyes in the morning. While there is an array of fantastic face washes on the market, the best makeup removers are specially formulated to gently, effortlessly break down ingredients in cosmetics, including stubborn, waterproof formulas. Using a highly effective makeup remover is particularly important as we age. That's because any rough rubbing (with water or even mild face wash) can damage thinner and more delicate mature skin, causing an influx of fine lines and wrinkles, not to mention irritation.
The world of makeup removal is surprisingly vast and consists of items that may be unfamiliar to many consumers, including cleansing balms, micellar waters, oil-based face washes, makeup wipes and even cleansing "milks." Of these, certain formulas are generally better for over-40 skin like mine that now suffers from a lack of moisture. Since my skin is much drier than it was five years ago (thanks, perimenopause!), some of my harsher go-to makeup removers are no longer right for me. Instead, I've discovered more emollient formulas — those I once avoided because they caused breakouts — are now much more beneficial to soothing and hydrating my older skin.
It’s not just the annoyance of mascara-ridden eyelids (or dirty pillowcases!) that a good makeup remover can help prevent. Over my years as a beauty writer, dermatologists have told me time and again that keeping skin clean is imperative to overall skin health. Residual makeup can cause clogged pores, breakouts, dryness, irritation and even premature aging. That’s because makeup can trap dirt, debris, and environmental pollutants in the skin, which stresses it out and, in turn, accelerates aging. (We won’t even get into the terrifying possibility of eye infections.)
Read on for the best makeup removers of 2024.
Table of contents
The best makeup removers of 2024
How we tested makeup removers
Others makeup removers we tested that didn't make the cut
Makeup remover FAQs
The best makeup removers of 2024
How we tested makeup removers
To find the best makeup removers, I used my over-decade-long expertise as a beauty editor and my 30-something years of experience wearing makeup (I, ahem, technically wore lipstick in the first grade). After applying a full face of makeup — foundation, concealer, eye makeup, a highly pigmented lip tint) — I tested at least a dozen different makeup removers over three weeks, from micellar waters to cleansing balms and everything in between. I rated each based on efficacy (did it remove even my heaviest eye makeup with ease?), ingredients (is it clean?), formula quality, texture and feel (was it gentle on my eyes?). I also noted the value and whether it was worth a higher price or it was a quality budget buy.
Other makeup removers we tested that didn't make the cut
Now, I’m sure people (other beauty editors) might argue with me for putting Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water on this list — it’s extremely popular and has almost 40,000 five-star Amazon reviews! However, while it is effective at removing makeup, it burns my eyes (even the sensitive version), which is why Bioderma Sensibio is my No. 1 pick. And while makeup wipes like the Neutrogena Make-Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes are classic and good to have with you for emergencies, I don’t find them as effective at removing an entire face of makeup as the other types of products listed here, not to mention the incredible amount of waste they create.
Makeup remover FAQs
What is the best way to remove waterproof mascara?
Waterproof mascara and lipsticks are formulated to last hours (sometimes even more than 24 hours!). It’s impressive, especially if you’ve ever tried to remove these products with a regular face wash without success. Oil-based makeup removers or cleansing balms are the most effective for breaking down waterproof formulas. This is because they can draw out other oil-based debris, like makeup. Depending on the oil cleanser, you may have to follow up with a second cleanser, which you’ll learn about below.
Do I need to double-cleanse when removing makeup?
If I haven’t stressed this enough: It’s absolutely important to remove all your makeup before bed. If you’re still seeing remnants of makeup or find that your makeup remover feels too oily, a double-cleansing routine can be beneficial. First, use your makeup remover, then follow up with a mild face cleanser to dissolve any leftover residue and ensure your skin is completely clean.
What type of makeup remover is best for my skin type?
Not all makeup removers are the same. For dry skin, look for hydrating options like oil-based cleansers, balms or a cream cleanser with moisturizing ingredients. If your skin is oily, a gel-based makeup remover might be best. You can also search for labels that contain “non-comedogenic.” Sensitive skin types should look for formulas that are fragrance-free, alcohol-free and free of harsh ingredients.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
