13 Best Makeup Removers To Use in 2024

Over the years, the formulations of makeup removers haven’t always been ideal. More often than not, they included harsh ingredients, especially alcohol, which wasn’t the best for daily skincare.

Today, most skincare brands have recognized that A.) removing makeup after a long night is the last thing anyone wants to do, and B.) the process becomes even less appealing when the remover leaves the skin feeling stripped and dry. Additionally, the satisfaction of doing the right thing for our skin fades the next morning when a lingering mascara smudge is discovered.

Whether you opt for minimal daily makeup or regularly embrace a full-glam look, having a potent yet gentle makeup remover is crucial. Without it, your skin becomes a magnet for oil, dirt, dead skin, and various impurities.

This leads to clogged pores, potential acne flare-ups, rough and dry skin texture, and even irritation and redness. Essentially, you’re extending an open invitation for bacteria to settle on your face.

Nowadays, makeup removers come in various forms, such as oils, balms, and wipes, with formulations that not only effectively cleanse but also hydrate, exfoliate, and soothe irritation.

While the process might still be somewhat inconvenient (especially for those who love their sleep), it’s significantly more pleasant and, more importantly, healthier for the skin compared to the past. With these advancements, there’s truly no excuse to go to bed with a face full of makeup.

Makeup removal stands as a pivotal step in any skincare regimen, ensuring the skin maintains its health and luminosity. Amidst the plethora of choices available, pinpointing the perfect makeup remover tailored to your needs can be quite a task. Beyond the surface appeal, removing makeup assumes a critical role in nurturing skin vitality.

Throughout the day, makeup accumulates a blend of oils, dirt, and environmental pollutants on the skin’s surface, potentially causing clogged pores, breakouts, and discomfort. A thorough evening cleanse ensures the elimination of these impurities, enabling the skin to rejuvenate and respire during the night.

Furthermore, effective makeup removal is indispensable in averting premature aging; leaving makeup on overnight may contribute to collagen breakdown, leading to the emergence of fine lines and wrinkles over time.

Embracing a meticulous makeup removal routine not only safeguards the skin’s inherent radiance but also establishes a pristine canvas for your skincare arsenal to work its wonders.

Ahead, we’ve curated our top selections for the finest makeup removers in 2024 that cater to diverse preferences, ranging from micellar waters to oil-based formulations

 

This balm effortlessly transforms into a serum-like consistency, effectively removing all types of makeup. However, one aspect we find less favorable is its initial chunky feel. Despite this, Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, boasting over 183,000 likes, has won our approval. While initially chunky, it seamlessly melts into a manageable serum within seconds, requiring only a small amount to cleanse the entire face.

Take The Day Off™ Cleansing Balm

 

This Klorane makeup remover utilizes just a few elements, incorporating natural cornflower water for skin soothing. It is incredibly gentle on extremely sensitive eyes and areas prone to eczema flare-ups, never causing any stinging, burning, or irritation. We recognize its versatility as a facial cleanser in a pinch, and the generously sized bottle ensures it lasts for an extended period.

Klorane Cleanser, Makeup Remover, & Toner – For Sensitive Skin

While makeup wipes are convenient, they can sometimes feel harsh, even on non-reactive skin. However, these extra-soft wipes are generously saturated in a micellar-based emollient formula designed for ease of use without compromising on quality ingredients or nourishment. Despite their gentle nature, these wipes are highly effective.

Unlike typical facial wipes that end up in landfills, Neutrogena’s wipes opt for eco-friendly plant-based fibers, foregoing the usual blend of polyester, cotton, wood pulp, and rayon. These compostable and biodegradable fibers contribute to a more sustainable choice.

A tip for those who prefer full-coverage foundation: You might require two or three wipes to remove it completely. Nevertheless, given that these wipes decompose in just 60 days, feel free to use them generously!

Neutrogena Cleansing Fragrance-Free Makeup Remover

This particular Neutrogena makeup remover, specifically designed for eye makeup, is an all-time favorite. It’s super lightweight and gentle on the eye area. It’s also remarkably effective at removing all types of eye makeup, including inky liquid eyeliners, waterproof mascaras, or bold glam looks with plenty of eyeshadow.

The aloe and cucumber components feel refreshing and cool, preventing red, puffy eyes from excessive rubbing or mascara stains on your pillow.

For optimal usage, we suggest saturating a flat cotton round – never a cotton ball. Cotton balls are too dense, absorb too much product, and shrink into hard little nubs, which don’t feel great on sensitive eyes. A cotton round, however, maintains its shape, and, after soaking them completely, just place them over your eyes like little cucumbers, and they’ll do all the work for you

Gentle Oil-Free Liquid Eye Makeup Remover for Waterproof Mascara

The Amazon reviews on Mary Kay’s product are excellent, with users praising it for its effectiveness in addressing allergies and irritations, owing to its ophthalmologically tested formula ideal for contact lens wearers or those with sensitive eyes, along with its fragrance-free composition catering to scent-sensitive individuals.

Moreover, it swiftly removes makeup without leaving any residue or oily traces, offering an oil-free solution suitable for sensitive skin. Its easy application, clinical testing, and some user-noted packaging improvement suggestions complete the comprehensive picture.

Mary Kay Oil-Free Makeup Remover

E.L.F.’s budget-friendly makeup remover balm emerged as a standout in GH Beauty Lab testing due to its exceptional makeup removal abilities and smooth texture. It tied for the top score in the lab’s evaluation by effectively dissolving makeup while leaving the skin looking smooth, and it earned the highest marks for its “pleasant” scent.

Impressively, 100% of testers agreed that it was smoothly and evenly spread across the face. Users praised its ease in removing makeup, leaving their faces feeling clean, bright, and smooth. However, a few testers mentioned that it led to breakouts.

e.l.f. Makeup Cleansing Balm

Curél, a fragrance-free product and a winner in GH Beauty Lab testing, offers a gentle formula that embraces the face with a silky oil texture, effectively breaking down makeup without causing stickiness or irritation. It excelled in the lab’s evaluation for not leaving the skin tacky, and all testers agreed that it didn’t aggravate their complexion.

Some users, however, noted that a substantial amount of the product might be needed for complete makeup removal. Testimonials highlighted the smooth application, easy makeup removal, quick wash-off, and the hydrated and soft feel of the skin afterward.

Curel Remover for Dry, & Sensitive Skin

This makeup remover has become one of our absolute favorites—it truly lives up to its name. With a simple application to your skin, bold winged liner and matte-finish foundation effortlessly dissolve. The carefully crafted oil blend is a blessing for those with dry skin, leaving it remarkably smooth and hydrated long after rinsing.

In a review, one user expresses their love for the product, stating, “I love this product. I’ve been using it for a couple of years now, and with my extremely dry skin, I always massage it into my face, applying it more generously where my makeup is thickest. Massaging helps break down the makeup and moisturize my skin. Afterward, I simply wipe it off with my microfiber makeup remover towel.”

Slaai^™ Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser

Nuria’s makeup-removing cleanser, formulated with sunflower seed oil and vitamin E, showcased its efficacy in GH Beauty Lab’s evaluation by effectively eliminating makeup while maintaining the skin’s calmness. This formula, free from major common allergens, received high marks for its non-irritating properties and effortless dispensing.

In lab tests, it excelled in swiftly and thoroughly removing makeup; however, users may find a larger amount necessary for complete removal when applying it to the entire face. One tester mentioned its gentle nature, making it particularly suitable for semi-sensitive skin.

Calm Cleansing Milk

If you’re a micellar water user, chances are high that this is your go-to pick, time and again. And why not? It’s affordable, widely available, and an outstanding product. Micellar water is an excellent makeup remover because it’s incredibly gentle and highly effective. The micelles in its formula act as surfactants, aiding in the breakdown of oils, dirt, makeup, and dead skin cells.

What elevates this product to beloved status – with one bottle sold every three seconds – isn’t solely its pocket-friendly price. It’s been rigorously tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists, proving safe for all skin types, ranging from highly reactive to acne-prone, even for delicate areas like the eyes. Moreover, it’s devoid of harsh additives such as fragrance, alcohol, silicones, and sulfates. Post-cleanse, the skin feels notably soft and refreshed.

While this micellar water adeptly dissolves a substantial amount of makeup, it might not be your ideal pick for a full-glam day. Its lightweight formula may not be robust enough to tackle thick, inky cat-eye makeup or waterproof mascara.

Garnier SkinActive Makeup Remover

These Olay GH Seal Star and Beauty Award-winning makeup remover towelettes garnered high praise from testers, commended for their gentle and effective makeup removal without causing stinging or tugging sensations, which is especially beneficial for dehydrated skin. The soft, fragrance-free towelettes, infused with aloe, swiftly eliminate makeup without irritating.

GH Beauty Lab’s data evaluation confirms their effectiveness in removing even waterproof eye makeup while ensuring skin remains hydrated. Their popularity among Amazon reviewers is evident, with one enthusing, “Five stars. A true and complete daily facial in every cloth!”

Olay Makeup Wipes for Sensitive Skin

The Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Brightening with Vitamin C is a vegan and cruelty-free makeup remover enriched with vitamin C. With a composition of nine ingredients, it’s part of 64 user-created routines.

This formula excludes harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones, and sulfates. Noteworthy for its potential to brighten the skin, it’s both fungal acne (Malassezia)-safe and reef-safe.

Micellar Cleansing Water With Vitamin C

Try the softly scented Vichy micellar water infused with glycerin for a refreshed and thoroughly clean sensation. Recognized as a top performer in the GH Beauty Lab’s testing, this micellar water doesn’t require rinsing. Testers found it to be the best at making the skin feel clean, with 100% agreeing on its easy dispensing and even spreading.

Please note that thorough cleansing may require some pressure, and for dissolving mascara, multiple applications might be necessary. Users also highlighted its effectiveness in easily removing makeup, with one tester specifically mentioning that it “didn’t leave a residue.”

Mineral Micellar Water

 

Photo Credit: Pexels / AOG / Pixels