The Best Makeup Removers for Waterproof Makeup and More, From Face Wipes to Viral Micellar Water
Get unready with our favorite bestsellers, including Hollywood makeup artist-loved essentials and makeup remover products going wild on TikTok.
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Natalie Alcala
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April 7, 2023 10:10am
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There’s nothing more annoying than returning home after a long day, only to get unready and realize that your waterproof mascara or long-lasting lipstick is nearly impossible to remove. Cleaning your skin should be a painless process, which is why you need one very important player in your daily routine: a reliable makeup remover.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the best makeup removers that truly keep up their end of the bargain. From Hollywood-loved products and best-selling face wipes to viral cleansing balms and GRWM-approved micellar water, shop some of the best options for washing away daily grime, waterproof mascara, sunscreen and more.
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1. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
BEST MAKEUP REMOVER OVERALL
Clinique’s award-winning, bestselling cleansing balm has thousands of glowing reviews for its vegan, lightweight formula. Watch the formula transform from a balm to a silky oil, melting away the day without leaving a greasy residue.
Sephora
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover $38
2. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
BEST DRUGSTORE EYE MAKEUP REMOVER OVERALL
A favorite of Olivia Culpo and global brand ambassador Lana Condor, Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover is one of the best drugstore options for sensitive skin and for removing waterproof mascara. It boasts a dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested dual-phase formula that’s oil-free and works gently to remove dirt and makeup without tugging or stinging. (If you prefer wipes, the brand’s travel-friendly facial cleansing towelettes are also a convenient option.)
Amazon
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, 8 fl. oz | Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive Eyes, Dissolves Waterproof Mascara, Non-Greasy, Dermatologist & Ophthalmologist Tested $9.97 on Amazon.com
3. Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm
BEST DRUGSTORE CLEANSING BALM
Eliminate the need to throw wipes away daily by using cleansing balms, which are known to effortlessly melt away makeup. One of the best makeup removers for under $20, Versed’s cleansing balm is a beauty pro favorite and features eye-safe eucalyptus, clove leaf oil and a vitamin E-filled formula.
Amazon
Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm on Amazon.com
4. Fenty Skin Melt Awf Jelly Oil Makeup-Melting Cleanser
BEST MAKEUP REMOVER AND CLEANSER
One of the latest releases from superstar Rihanna’s Fenty Skin, the Melt Awf Jelly Oil Makeup-Melting Cleanser is one of our new favorite makeup removers for its multi-tasking and clean formula. This vegan cleanser effectively washes away waterproof makeup, sunscreen and dirt, leaving the skin feeling smooth, soft and hydrated.
MORE BUYING OPTIONS: Fenty Skin | Sephora
Fenty Skin
Fenty Skin Melt Awf Jelly Oil Makeup-Melting Cleanser $34
5. Honest Beauty Makeup Remover Facial Wipes
BEST PLANT-BASED FACE WIPES
Honest Beauty’s plant-based face wipes are hypoallergenic, Environmental Working Group-verified (EWG) and dermatologist approved. Made for sensitive skin, these wipes also feature a non-drying formula with a sugar-derived surfactant to remove dirt and oil, irritation-free.
Amazon
Honest Beauty Cleansing Makeup Remover Facial Wipes, Fragrance-Free, 30ct | Makeup Remover Wipes, 30 Ct. Hypoallergenic, Fragrance-Free, Plant-Based. Gently Removes Makeup, For Sensitive Skin. $7.99 on Amazon.com
6. Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
BEST FOR REMOVING SUNSCREEN
Farmacy’s makeup meltaway cleansing balm is an award-winning face cleanser that contains a handful of clean ingredients to get the job done. Sunflower and ginger root oils help melt away your most stubborn makeup, turmeric and moringa extract help remove dirt and sunscreen residue and papaya enzymes naturally exfoliate pores.
Farmacy
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm $36
7. The Original MakeUp Eraser Makeup Remover Cloth
BEST SUSTAINABLE OPTION
If you prefer a plastic-free, minimalist cleansing routine, the super-soft Original MakeUp Eraser is one of the best reusable makeup removers — just add water and wipe the day off your face. We love that it’s safe for sensitive skin, reusable, washable and can be used up to 1,000 times before it needs replacing.
Sephora
The Original MakeUp Eraser Makeup Remover Cloth $20
8. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleansing Makeup Remover Wipes
BEST CLEANSING WIPES FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
A great combo of the previous two faves are CeraVe’s makeup remover wipes, which are not only 100 percent plant-based, but they’re also biodegradable in home compost. A squeaky-clean option, these wipes are fragrance-free, oil-free, allergy-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, sensitive skin-tested and non-comedogenic.
Amazon
CeraVe Makeup Remover Wipes, Plant Based Face Wipes with Glycerin, 25ct | Fragrance-Free Makeup Remover Wipes with Glycerin and Ceramides Gently Cleanse Sensitive Skin without Clogging Pores $11.68 on Amazon.com
9. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water All-in-1 Waterproof
BEST MICELLAR WATER OVERALL
All of the top TikTok GRWM (aka “get ready with me”) gals — from Alix Earle to Monet McMichael — have been spotted getting unready using Garnier’s micellar water, which must be why the product is flying of the shelves and has garnered more than 30,000 star ratings. Micellar cleansing water lifts away even the harshest makeup — including the waterproof kind — without the need to rinse.
Amazon
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water For Waterproof Makeup, Facial Cleanser & Makeup Remover, 13.5 Fl Oz (400mL), 1 Count (Packaging May Vary) $8.82 on Amazon.com
10. Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
BEST MICELLAR WATER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
French girls love Bioderma’s Sensibio H2O micellar water, which can be used by soaking a cotton pad with the formula and gently removing makeup. Safe enough for sensitive skin, and can be used daily, from morning to night.
Amazon
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water, Makeup Remover Cleanser, Gentle for Skin, Fragrance-Free & Alcohol-Free, Gentle Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, 8.4 Fl Oz $14.99 on Amazon.com
11. Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
BEST LIQUID EYE REMOVER MAKEUP OVERALL
Lancôme’s cult-favorite Bi-Facil Double-Action eye makeup remover has a liquid formula that’s suitable for all skin types. Shake the product to activate the two-phase product, which uses a lipid phase to easily lift heavy waterproof mascara and other cosmetics and an emollient phase that clears away makeup residue.
MORE BUYING OPTIONS: Nordstrom | Sephora
Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover $50
12. Klorane Eye Makeup Remover
BEST EYE MAKEUP REMOVER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
This oil-free eye makeup remover from Klorane is safe for sensitive eyes, thanks to the ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-approved plant-based ingredients that gently remove mascara. It contains the French skin-care brand’s hero ingredient, organically-farmed cornflower water, which soothes sensitive skin.
Courtesy of Amazon
Klorane – Eye Makeup Remover With Organically Farmed Cornflower – For Sensitive Skin – Free of Oil, -Fragrance, & Sulfates – 6.7 fl. oz. on Amazon.com
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