Best makeup remover
1. BEST OVERALL MAKEUP REMOVER
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
PROS
- Quickly removes all makeup, including on eyes
- 2-in-1 makeup remover and cleanser
- Won’t cause breakouts
- Not irritating
CONS
Rich in safflower seed oil and free of top common skin allergens (including fragrance), Clinique’s buttery formula, which won the GH Beauty Lab’s test, thoroughly melts away makeup without inflaming skin. It received the highest score in Lab tests for ability to remove eyeliner in one swipeand number of swipes needed to completely remove makeup. Among testers, 100% found that the balm washed off easily and didn’t cause breakouts or irritation. Several testers said they would continue using it: “My skin felt so soft, fresh and clean,” one said.
2. BEST VALUE MAKEUP REMOVER
Neutrogena Oil-Free Liquid Eye Makeup Remover
PROS
- Thoroughly removes even waterproof eye makeup
- No rubbing or tugging
- Affordable price
CONS
This GH Beauty Award winner and drugstore bargain from Neutrogena aced GH Beauty Lab evaluations, leaving virtually zero trace of product behind — no matter how long-lasting products claimed to be. “A long-time staple in my medicine cabinet, it has yet to disappoint when it comes to no rubbing or tugging during makeup removal, especially waterproof mascara,” says GH Beauty Lab senior chemist Sabina Wizemann.
3. BEST OIL-FREE MAKEUP REMOVER
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water
PROS
- Large size
- Oil- and fragrance-free
- 2-in-1 formula also cleanses skin
- Non-drying
CONS
Great for all skin types, this wallet-friendly Garnier GH Beauty Award winner is a fast-acting formula that thoroughly cleanses skin and clears makeup, without drying your complexion, the GH Beauty Lab found. Simply add some micellar onto a cotton pad, and swipe it across your skin to get rid of grime with no rinsing needed.
4. BEST WATERPROOF MAKEUP REMOVER
Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
PROS
- Removes waterproof makeup, including eyes
- Not dehydrating or irritating
CONS
This affordable Good Housekeeping Seal star liquid from Mary Kay effectively and easily dissolves even waterproof makeup without tugging, drying or irritating skin. With over 1,100 reviews, users swear, “the first swipe took 90% of the extremely thick mascara and eyeliner off, along with all of my eyeshadow.”
5. BEST MAKEUP REMOVER FOR DRY SKIN
Olay Hungarian Water Essence Calming Makeup Remover Wipes
PROS
- Easy to use
- Leaves skin feeling moisturized
- Dissolves even waterproof makeup
CONS
These Olay GH Seal Star and Beauty Award-winning makeup removal towelettes wowed testers who said that the wipes easily removed makeup with no stinging or tugging, crucial for dehydrated skin. The cushiony, fragrance-free towelettes are infused with aloe to sweep away makeup fast without irritating. They effectively remove even waterproof eye makeup while leaving skin hydrated, GH Beauty Lab data evaluation confirmed. Amazon reviewers are totally loyal to them: One raves, “Five stars. A true and complete daily facial in every cloth!”
6. BEST MAKEUP REMOVER FOR OILY SKIN
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Brightening with Vitamin C
PROS
- Makes skin feel purified
- No oily or sticky residue
- Great value
CONS
If your complexion is acne-prone or oily, this oil-free Garnier makeup removing water is for you. GH Beauty Lab evaluation found it didn’t leave skin oily or tacky, and it scored best for not stinging or irritating eyes. Several testers remarked on how “fresh and clean” the formula left skin. “It removed all traces of makeup,” another noted.
7. BEST MAKEUP REMOVER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Nuria Calm Cleansing Milk
PROS
- 2-in-1 makeup remover and cleanser
- Thoroughly dissovles makeup quickly
- Won’t irritate skin
CONS
- May need to apply more product to remove full face of makeup
Milky and mild, Nuria’s makeup removing cleanser, made with sunflower seed oil and vitamin E, effectively removed color while keeping skin calm in GH Beauty Lab testing. The formula, which contains none of the major common allergens, earned perfect marks for not stinging skin as well as for dispensing with ease. In the Lab, it performed near the top at removing makeup speedily and thoroughly, though a larger amount may be needed for a full face. “It was very gentle on my semi-sensitive skin,” a tester reported.
8. BEST MAKEUP REMOVER FOR MATURE SKIN
Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser
PROS
- Rich, nourishing texture
- Leaves skin soft
CONS
- Expensive
Makeup removers with rich textures, like this buttery Drunk Elephant balm, are ideal for mature skin, which requires more nourishment. “This is a product that lives up to its name, melting all makeup and dirt away,” says GH’s former assistant beauty editor. “I love to wear a bold red lip or an inky winged eyeliner, and this takes either off with ease — even if it is a long-wearing formula. Plus, the nourishing oil blend leaves my skin feeling super smooth.”
9. BEST MAKEUP REMOVER WIPES
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
PROS
- Easy to use
- Effectively removes all types of makeup
- Bargain price
CONS
GH Beauty Lab Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D. is a fan off these Neutrogena drugstore makeup remover wipes, a longtime Beauty Lab go-to. “We have used these wipes in the Lab for over 10 years for panelists to take their makeup off before our studies, and they work like a charm to remove anything from eye makeup to lipstick,” she reports.
10. BEST NO-RESIDUE MAKEUP REMOVER
Vichy Pureté Thermale One Step Micellar Water & Makeup Remover
PROS
- Leaves skin feeling clean
- Dispenses and spreads easily
- No rinsing needed
CONS
- May need multiple applications to remove mascara
For a refreshed, superclean feel, splash on this softly scented, glycerin-infused Vichy micellar water, a top performer in the GH Beauty Lab’s test that doesn’t require rinsing. The liquid was best among testers for making skin feel clean, and 100% agreed that it dispensed easily and spread evenly. Note that pressure may be needed for thorough cleansing, and multiple applications may be necessary to dissolve mascara. Multiple users remarked on how easily makeup came off. And this product “didn’t leave residue,” one tester reported.
