The best makeup Remover for Mathe Skin in 2025, Tested and Reviewed – ryan
Waking up with Remnants of Last Night’s Smoky Eye or Crusty Concealer is Among My Biggest Beauty Pet Pees. In my mind, i should be rewarded For Washing My Face before Bed After A Long Day, swimming with raccocon eyes in the morning. While there Remains an array of fantastic face washes on the market, the best makeup removers are specially formulated to gently, effhorityly break down ingredients in cosmetics, including stubborn, waterproof formulas. USING A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE MAKEUP REMOVER IS Particularly important as we age. That’s a gacause any rough rubbing (with Water or tan Mild Face Wash) Can Damage Thinner and More Delicate Mature Skin, Caususg an Influx of Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Not to Mention Irration.
The World of Makeup Removal is Surprisegly Vast and Consists of Items that May Be Unfamiliar to Mary Consumers, Including Cleansing Balms, Micellar Waters, Oil-Based Face Washes, Makeup Wipes and Event Cleansing “Milks.” Of these, Certain formula are Generally better for over-40 skin like mine is suffers from a lack of moisture. SINCE MY SKIN IS MUCH DRIER THAN IT FIVE FIVE YEARS AGO (Thanks, Perimenopause!), Some of my Harsher Go-To Makeup Remover Are No Longer Right for me. Instead, i’ve discovered more emollient formula – those i Once avoided gcauses they caused breakouts – are now much more benefital to soothing and hydrating my Older.
It is not just just 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 with time and again that keeping skin clean is imperative to overhall skin health. Residual Makeup Can Cause Clogged Porses, Breakouts, Dryness, Irration and Event Premature Aging. That’s Because Makeup Can Trap Dirt, Debr, and Environmental Pollutants in the Skin, Which Stressses It Out and, in Turn, Accelerates Aging. (We won’t get into the terrifying postsitibility of eye infctions.) Read on for the best makeup removers of 2025.
Table of Contents
Update, August 15, 2025: We checked all prices and availability. Our Number One Pick for the best makeup Remover Remains Unchanged.
The best makeup removers of 2025
Key Ingredients: Fatty acid ester micelles, Pharmaceutical-Grade Water | Benefits: Cleanses Skin of Makeup and Impurities, and Mitigates Redness, Discomfort and Dreams | Size: 16.9 oz | Formula Type: Micellar Water | Skin Type: Sensitive and normal
It should come as little surprise that the french invented Micellar Water, A Product I Consider to Be Among the Skin Care on the Market Today. For the UNIINITIATED, MICELLAR WATER IS A CLEANSING SOLUTIONS Composed of Micelle, which are tiny cleansing oil molecules that work Like magnets, Attracting and Removing Dirt, Oil, Makeup and any other Gunk Inttling Into Your Porses. Unlike a regular face cleanser, you don’t need water to use it. You soak a cotton pad with the Micellar Water, Gently Wipe It Over Your Face and The Micelles Activate. Its Almost Like Magic.
There are some goody good Micellar waters out there, but of those i’ve tested, nothing beats the French: Bioderma Sensibio H2O. It removes makeup and drive swiftly and is the Only Micellar Water That DOESN’T IRRITATE MY EYES OR MAKE Burn (Which, as a Heavy-Duty Liquid Eyeliner Affojoado, is an Absolute Deal Breaker). I’ve use this product for almost a decade and noting comes close.
I’m not alone in my sensibio h2o obsession. Celebrities Like Tracee Ellis Ross, Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow and Drew barrymore have all proclaimed their love for the Micellar Water, with Barrymore Once Calling it “by Far the best makeup Remover”
Prost
- Gentle Around Eyes
- Fragrance-free and alcohol-free
- Formulated for sensitive skin
- Swiftly Removes Makeup With Little Pressure
Cons
- Need to use Cotton pads with Product
- Not Strong Enough to Remove Some Liquid Lipstick
$ 21 at Amazon
Key Ingredients: Clove, eucalyptus and egyptian chamomile oils; Cocoa Butter | Benefits: Tones and exfoliates Skin, Removes Waterpoof Makeup, Hydrates Skin for Up to 12 Hours AFTER | Size: 1.6 oz | Formula Type: Balma
Now that my skin is drier, the harsh foam cleanssers i once use to be me and remove my makeup are off-limits. These days, I Need an Oil-Based Solution, like this rich Balm, like this from eve lom, which is straight heaven on your skin. It is made up with the plant and botanical oils, sucker, eucalyptus, Egyptian Chamomile and Cocoa Butter. It is also described as a 5-in-1 Product that, Aside from Cleansing and Removing Makeup, Hydrates, Exfoliates and Tones The Skin. To use, you scoop a small amount (not much is Needed, which is great) and rub it into your dry skin. Thatn, you take the muslin cloth included in the box, soak it with hot water, ring it out, press on Face and Gently Wipe Your Makeup.
It can take a couple of repeat steps of rining the cloth, soaking it with warm and removing the makeup, but it fully cleans away my Most StubBorn Mascara and Eyeshadows. Another Big Bonus is that this doesn’t leave my skin feeling grease or get into my eyes like other balms.
Prost
- Hydrates skin for up to 12 hours
- Comes with 100% Muslin Cloth
- Non pore-clogging
- Formulated Without Parabens, Phthalates, DEA, MEA, Sulphates, Synthetic Fragrance or Colorants
- Clinically Proven to Reduse Whiteheads and Blackheads AFTER 14 DAYS
Cons
- Pricey But a Little Goes a Long Way
- Has a light, Natural Fragrance, but is too for Some Reviewers
$ 60 AT MACY’S
Key Ingredients: Safflower Oil, Moringa Extract, Linoleic Acid and Vitamin E | Benefits: Gently Dissolves Heavy Makeup, Sunscreen and Impurities, Nourishes Skin Barrier and Is Alcohol and Paraben-Free | Size: 4.7 oz | Formula Type: Oil Cleanser
As I mentioned with the balm, I really appreciate oil cleanssers. Howver, Its Not Just the Hydrating Aspect; They Work Hard (Yet Gentle) at Removing Heavy Makeup. This Oil Cleanser has Become a Moinstay in My Makeup-Removal Routine. I’m able to cleanse off the heavy eyeliner and waterproof LIPSTICK WITH IT, No Problem. The formula is has a ton going for it-it is made of antioxidant ingredents like Moringa Extract and Vitamin E, as well as fatty acids like safflower oil and omega-6. Which Means: All that Makeup is Coming off my skin, but it is not stripping it of moisture.
Like Cleansing Balms, Oils like this one applied right onto dry skin. Once you add a drop or two of the warm water, the formula emulsifies into a smooth, milky texture. I always feed like “TREating” my skin when i’m useg this makeup remover. Also, IT Lasts Forever! Yes, it’s a bit pricey at almost $ 40, but you’ll be used to literal months.
Prost
- Removes Waterproof Makeup and Sunscreen
- No Artificial Fragrance or Syntehetic Colors
- Certified vegan
- Luxurious texture
Cons
- A Little Pricey (But Lasts A Long Time)
- Made with essential oils which some people are sensitive to
$ 38 at Amazon
A glympse at my makeup remover testing, including products from naturium, e lom, caudalie, garnier, medik8, eadem, bioderma and renée rouleau (Marie Lodi)
How we tested Makeup Removers
To find the best makeup removers, I used to 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) – Tested at Least Do Dosen Different Makeup Over Three Weeks, From Micellar Waters to Cleansing Balms and Everynding in Between. I RATED EACH BASED ON EFFICACY (DID It Remove 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.
Other makeup removers we testted didn’t make the cut
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Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water: Now, I’m Sure People (Other Beauty Editors) Might Argue with Not Putting Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water on this List-ITREMELY PLANT and HAS ALMOST 40,000 FIVE-STAR AMAZON Reviews! Howver, while it is effective at removing makeup, it burns my eyes, which is why Bioderma sensibio is my no. 1 Pick.
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Neutrogena make-up remover cleansing smowelettes: these makeup wipes like are Classic (and good to have with you for emergencies), but I don’t find me as effective at removing an entrust macaup as the other types of products listed, swim to the incredible. Amount of waste they Create.
Makeup Remover Pss
What is the best way to remove waterproof mascara?
Waterproof mascara and lipsticks are formulated to last hours (SOMESTEMES MORE THAN 24 HOURS!). It is impressive, especialy if you’ve ever tried to remove these products with a regular face Wash Success. Oil-based makeup Removers or Cleansing Balms Are the Most Effective for Breaking Down Waterproof Formula. This is Because they can draw out Other Oil-Based Debr, Like Makeup. Depending on the Oil Cleanser, you may have to follow up with a Second Cleanser, which you’ll Learn About Below.
Will I Need To Double-Cleanse Wen Removing Makeup?
If I haven’t stresssed this enough: it’s absolutely imported to remove all your makeup before. If you’re still seeing remnants of makeup or find that your makeup remover their oily, a double-cleansing routine can be-benefital. 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 sun. 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 containe “non-comedogenic.” Sensitive Skin Types Should Look for Formulas Are Fragrance-Free, Alcohol-Free and Free of Harsh Ingredients.
We Received Complimitarian Samples of Some Products and Purchased Others ourselves, but we revolutionwed all Products using The Same Objective Criteria.