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I wear makeup pretty much daily, and I’m no stranger to the temptation of crawling into bed after a long day without bothering to take it off. But I’m also militant about dragging myself to the bathroom for a double cleanse before hitting the sheets so that my skin can breathe and renew itself while I sleep; not doing so can lead to acne flare-ups, lines and dullness, and even premature aging. So it’s pretty paramount to invest in a good makeup remover.
Perhaps you need one that can cut through full-coverage foundation and long-lasting lipstick without irritating your skin or drying it out. Or maybe waterproof mascara and eyeliner are your primary targets, and a different formulation is in order. Even if you’re a makeup minimalist, you’ll still want something that’s both appropriate for your skin type and effective.
To find the best makeup removers, I spoke to dermatologists and makeup artists who offered suggestions based on skin type as well as makeup type. I’ve also tested plenty on my own to see how they fared against my daily makeup routine — I typically wear a full face, including foundation, eyeliner, mascara — not to mention all the dirt and grime I accumulate while traipsing around the city. I tested each remover at the end of a long day, so they had a pretty tough job ahead of them, and I’ve only included the ones that successfully rose to the challenge. The wipes, gels, creams, and balms below can help you worry less about clogged pores and irritated complexions, all while giving your face a clean slate for the rest of your skin-care routine.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O – 16.7 Oz. – Best Overall
Solvent type: Water-based | Makeup type: Light-to-medium makeup | Product type: Micellar water
If you only have room for one makeup remover in your bathroom cabinet, I would recommend buying a bottle of micellar water — a mixture of purified water plus a mild concentration of soap or detergent molecules. According to multiple dermatologists and makeup artists I spoke to, it’s suitable for all kinds of skin types — including normal, sensitive, acne-prone, and dry skin — because, as King explains, the micelles in micellar water “draw out impurities without drying out the skin” by clinging to dirt, oil, and makeup and dissolving them while leaving your skin hydrated. Micellar water can therefore be used as “a facial wash, makeup remover, and moisturizer all in one,” she adds, and it’s an excellent everyday option.
While each expert I interviewed had different favorites, this French pharmacy option with a cult following came up the most. Bioderma’s Sensibio micellar water is what what Dr. Lily Talakoub, founder of Derm to Door, uses on her own face: “It’s the only product that can take off my hard-to-remove mascara without losing any precious eyelash hairs.” Talakoub also likes that she isn’t left with that post-wash, dry-and-tight feeling. And dermatologist Dr. Y. Claire Chang at Union Square Laser Dermatology thinks it works well for sensitive skin because it’s alcohol-, fragrance-, and paraben-free on top of being lightweight and non-greasy. One caveat, however: When I used it, the solution felt gentle and hydrating on my dry, sensitive skin, but because it was so gentle, just the micellar water itself wasn’t enough to remove all my makeup. After one pass with a cotton round, I still had eyeliner flakes and traces of foundation left on my face. A second and third pass might’ve done the job, but it was more efficient to just follow up with a face wash to ensure my skin was totally cleansed. But it’s perfect as an initial step to tackle stubborn mascara and eyeliner streaks, and should be enough on its own for those who wear less makeup than me.
Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Melting Cleanser – Best For Dry Skin
Solvent type: Oil-based | Makeup type: Heavy makeup | Product type: Cream cleanser
Sarah Lucero, Stila Cosmetics global executive director of creative artistry, loves this Algenist cleanser for people with dry skin. Although it’s a cleanser and not specifically a makeup remover, Lucero notes that it “dissolves all traces of makeup,” including so-called long-lasting and waterproof formulas, while hydrating and improving your skin’s radiance. It’s her personal makeup remover of choice, and she always carries it with her when she’s traveling in dry climates and spending time in hotels: “The air vents dry me out, and this always helps my skin feel and look better,” she says. It’s soap-free, noncomedogenic, and hypoallergenic, and it has also been recommended to us before as the best cleansing oil for dry skin.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micellar Cleansing Water and Makeup Remover for Oily Skin – Best For Oily Skin
Solvent type: Water-based | Makeup type: Light makeup | Product type: Micellar water
This La Roche-Posay micellar water was specifically formulated with oily skin in mind. It’s oil-free, so while it removes excess oil on top of the skin, it won’t add any back in. Chang pointed out that it is also hydrating and lightweight, and gently removes makeup, dirt, and oil without stripping the skin or leaving it with a tight or dry feeling. It’s noncomedogenic, so those with mild acne can consider it too.
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex – Best for Combination Skin
Solvent type: Water-based | Makeup type: Light-to-medium makeup | Product type: Gel cleanser
Combination skin means you have certain areas of your face that are dry and others that are oily, so you’ll want a remover that can work for both. Talakoub likes this option that pulls double duty as a cleanser and makeup remover. “This cleanser takes everything off with one swoop, so you don’t have to wash your face twice,” she explains, pointing out that it doesn’t strip the skin the way some products that are specifically designed for oily skin might. And because it contains willow-bark extract, it can simultaneously clean up pores in oily or acne-prone areas.
Cetaphil Gentle Waterproof Makeup Remover – Best For Sensitive Skin
Solvent type: Water-based | Makeup type: Medium-to-heavy makeup | Product type: Liquid cleanser
Drugstore brand Cetaphil is always popular among dermatologists, and their makeup remover is no exception. Chang recommends it because not only is it hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin, but it is extra gentle and lightweight. The formula includes “soothing and anti-inflammatory botanicals,” according to Chang, like aloe, green tea, and ginseng, so it won’t cause irritation. Despite how gentle it is, it is still effective because it’s formulated with a very lightweight and nondrying detergent, so you won’t have to scrub to get your makeup off.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover – 5.5 oz – Best For Acne-Prone Skin
Solvent type: Water-based | Makeup type: Medium-to-heavy makeup | Product type: Liquid makeup remover
If your skin is specifically acne-prone, not just oily, this oil-free eye-makeup remover promises not to clog pores. “It’s non-greasy and won’t cause breakouts,” says Dr. Malini Fowler, dermatologist at Texas-based Westlake Dermatology. Much like La Roche-Posay’s formula, this makeup remover is oil-free, which makes it particularly effective for acne-prone skin that’s already struggling with excess oil. Chang adds that it’s gentle and lightweight but effectively removes makeup, including waterproof makeup, thanks to its low percentage of alcohol and surfactants. And although it’s technically formulated to remove eye makeup, plenty of online reviewers attest that you can use it for removing foundation and lipstick, too.