Cleansing is—hands down–one of the most crucial steps of a solid skincare routine, and that starts with a good makeup remover. Without properly removing makeup, sunscreen, and buildup from the skin, your toners, serums, and moisturizers can’t reach their full potential. In that sense, layering on acids, serums, and moisturizers is simply a waste of product if you don’t apply them on a clean base, which means thoroughly removing all of your makeup first (sorry, we don’t make the rules!).
Every great cleanse begins with a thorough (but gentle) makeup remover if you’re wearing any. But not all makeup removers are made equal. You want to look for something that cuts through layers of makeup and grime without stripping the skin (like something that’ll take off your mascara without making your face feel like paper). And then, of course, there are individual skin-type concerns to consider (like if you’re dry, oily, sensitive, etc.).
To help separate the good from the great, we reached out to the experts and tested dozens of cleansers to find the best makeup removers. Read on for our top choices.
Our top 15 makeup removers, at a glance:
- Best overall: Bioderma Sensibio H2O, $19
- Best value: The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, $13
- Best drugstore: CeraVe Makeup Remover Cleansing Balm, $10
- Best splurge: Eve Lom Cleanser, $145
- Best wipes: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Wipes, $12
- Best one-step: Renee Rouleau Better Than Balm, $46
- Best for eye makeup: Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads, $10
- Best for acne-prone skin: Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm, $36
- Best for oily skin: Bioderma Sebium H2O Micellar Water, $21
- Best for dry skin: Eadem Dew Dew Hydrating Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm, $30
- Best for mature skin: Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, $44
- Best for combination skin: Tower28 SOS Gentle Hydrating Gel Cleanser + Makeup Remover, $20
- Best for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Cleansing Water Ultra, $20
- Best oil: Peach & Lily Ginger Melt Oil Cleanser, $35
- Best balm: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, $40
Best overall: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water — $19.00
There’s a reason this micellar water has a huge fanbase of dermatologists, makeup artists, and beauty editors alike; it really is that good. The micellar solution whisks away makeup, sunscreen, excess oil, and grime with a simple swipe across the face. It’s rarely irritating or harsh on the skin, and best of all, there’s no rinse required.
Size: 16.7 fl oz
Key ingredients: Micellar solution, cucumber fruit extract
- No-rinse formula
- Leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated
- Gentle yet effective
- Requires single-use cotton pads
Best Value: The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm — $13.00
With a luxe texture usually seen in products three times the price, this balm effortlessly dissolves all traces of makeup and grime while soothing and comforting sensitive, tired skin. A blend of colloidal oatmeal and oat kernel oil works to hydrate and nourish skin as they cleanse, leaving skin soft and comfortable, never dry and tight.
Size: 5 oz
Key ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, oat kernel oil
- Affordable
- Tube format makes for no-mess experience
- Nourishes skin while removing impurities
- Leaves behind a slight residue
Best drugstore: CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm — $11.00
Dr. Song says the best makeup removers contain soothing and hydrating ingredients in lieu of harsh ones like alcohol and fragrances. This one from CeraVe fits the bill with its blend of three essential ceramides and jojoba oil. It leaves skin feeling clean, refreshed, and hydrated.
Size: 1.3 oz
Key ingredients: Ceramides, jojoba oil
- Non-comedogenic and allergy-tested formula
- Moisturizes skin without leaving behind a greasy finish
- Doesn’t emulsify as easily as other cleansing balms
Related Stories
Best splurge: Eve Lom Cleanser — $145.00
At nearly $150 a tub, this luxurious cleanser is the closest thing you’ll get to a spa-like experience at home. A blend of aromatic, hydrating oils melts off makeup and grime while hydrating the skin in a luxurious cleansing experience like no other.
Size: 6.8 fl oz
Key ingredients: Clove oil, eucalyptus oil, hops oil, cocoa butter, Egyptian chamomile oil
- Comes with two full-size muslin cleansing cloths
- Ultra-luxurious texture
- Expensive
- Very involved suggested instructions
Best wipes: Bioderma Sensibio H20 Makeup Removing Wipes — $12.00
While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend using makeup remover wipes regularly, sometimes you simply can’t beat that convenience and ease of use. That’s when we like to use these micellar wipes, infused with hydrating allantoin to avoid that dry, irritated feeling that comes with many makeup remover wipes.
Size: 25 wipes
Key ingredients: Micellar solution, allantoin
- Biodegradable wipes
- Effectively removes makeup without irritating skin
- Single-use format isn’t great for the environment
Best one-step: Renée Rouleau Better Than Balm — $43.00
This formula removes makeup and cleanses the skin beneath in one fell swoop, which is great if you want to skip double cleansing. After breaking down stubborn makeup and sunscreen with its silky oil formula, the dual-phase cleanser transforms into a milky gel to clean and hydrate the skin.
Size: 5 fl oz
Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, glycerin, sucrose laurate
- Bi-phase formula acts as double cleanse
- Easily emulsifies and effectively removes makeup
- Limited retailers makes it harder to find
Best for eye makeup: Almay Oil-Free Micellar Eye Makeup Remover Pads — $10.00
“I love these for on the go to remove my eye makeup,” Dr. Libby explains. “Then I follow with a gentle, hydrating cleanser to cleanse away the rest of the day’s buildup and impurities.” These micellar pads effectively and easily remove waterproof eye makeup—no scrubbing or tugging necessary. Best of all, they’re formulated to be suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, guaranteeing an ultra-gentle cleanse.
Size: 120 pads
Key ingredients: Micellar solution, cucumber fruit extract, aloe bardadensis leaf extract
- Biodegradable pads
- Non-irritating formula
- Accessible price
- Single-use format isn’t great for the environment
Best for acne-prone skin: Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm — $36.00
You can rest assured that this cleansing balm will remove long-wear and waterproof makeup without compromising the skin or clogging pores. It’s packed with soothing and brightening ingredients like turmeric extract and papaya enzymes to calm inflamed skin while melting away stubborn makeup.
Size: 3.4 oz
Key ingredients: Sunflower oil, ginger root oil, turmeric extract, moringa extract, papaya enzymes
- Removes makeup without clogging pores
- Doesn’t burn eyes or leave behind a film
- Tub format makes for messy application process
Best for oily skin: Bioderma Sébium H2O Micellar Water — $21.00
Oil-free makeup remover formulas are ideal for oilier skin types, and this micellar water is no exception. It’s a favorite among experts like Dr. Garshick, who says it effectively cleanses and removes makeup while simultaneously reducing sebum production thanks to the inclusion of zinc gluconate and copper sulphate.
Size: 16.7 fl oz
Key ingredients: Micellar solution, zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, zinc gluconate
- Wicks away excess oil without drying skin
- Requires single-use cotton pads
Best for dry skin: Eadem Dew Dream Cleansing Balm — $30.00
When it comes to dry skin, Dr. Libby suggests looking for makeup removers that hydrate the skin and support barrier repair via gentle, oil-based formulas. This pick from Eadem does just that thanks to soothing tiger grass and allantoin. The result is a gentle cleanse that moisturizes the skin while effectively removing makeup.
Size: 3.4 oz
Key ingredients: Tiger grass, allantoin, kalahari melon, moringa
- Tube format makes for no-mess experience
- Hydrates and soothes skin
- Some users complain about the strong scent
Best for mature skin: Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm — $44.00
Dr. Garshick suggests this Clinique pick, which transforms from a balm to an oil, helping to remove makeup without drying out the skin. It’s ultra-gentle yet effective and silky smooth, all while removing stubborn makeup and sunscreen and leaving skin with a fresh glow.
Size: 3.8 oz
Key ingredients: Safflower seed oil
- Thoroughly cleanses without stripping the skin
- May leave a film over the eyes
Best for combination skin: Tower28 SOS Gentle Hydrating Gel Cleanser + Makeup Remover — $20.00
Dr. Song loves this gel-based cleanser which removes makeup without over drying the skin. The formula works to remove makeup while supporting the skin barrier and avoiding irritation, thanks to aloe vera, oat, minerals and electrolytes. Best of all, you can simply use the cleanser twice as your first and second cleanse.
Size: 5 fl oz
Key ingredients: Zinc, copper, magnesium, aloe vera, oat
- Fragrance-free
- Cleanses without stripping skin
- May not remove waterproof makeup
Best for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Cleansing Water Ultra — $20.00
When it comes to removing makeup on sensitive skin, simple is the name of the game. All three experts agree that fragrance-free, soothing, and hydrating formulas are key to avoiding irritation and discomfort. That’s why this micellar water, complete with thermal spring water and glycerin, is the perfect choice for a no-fuss cleanse.
Size: 13.5 fl oz
Key ingredients: Micellar solution, thermal spring water, glycerin
- Gentle no-rinse formula
- Soothes sensitive skin
- Requires single-use cotton pads
Best oil: Peach & Lily Ginger Melt Oil Cleanser — $35.00
While some oil cleansers leave skin feeling heavy and greasy, this one effortlessly dissolves makeup and sunscreen without leaving any pesky residue on the skin. The thick oil provides a luxurious deep clean without ever settling in the pores. Plus, the formula is fragrance-free and Leaping Bunny certified.
Size: 5.07 fl oz
Key ingredients: Ginger, pineapple, sunflower seed oil, grapeseed oil
- Sensitive skin-friendly
- Thick oil luxuriously cleanses skin
- May leave a film behind over eyes
Best balm: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm — $40.00
A classic for a reason, this rich balm melts into a luxurious oil as its massaged into the skin, effortlessly removing long-wear makeup and daily buildup. The plush formula is so gentle and soft that it can even be used as a hydrating face mask when you’re feeling extra dry.
Size: 1.76 oz
Key ingredients: Starflower oil, elderberry oil, optimega oil
- Can also be used as a moisturizing mask
- Melts away impurities with its luxurious texture
Why is it important to remove makeup before cleansing?
As much as it may feel like a chore to remove your makeup, it’s an important step to keeping your skin healthy. “Residual makeup left on the skin before cleansing can clog pores, lead to acne breakouts, dry out the skin, and lead to irritation-induced rashes,” Dr. Song explains.”Makeup left on the skin also prevents absorption of other key skincare ingredients that may be essential to nourish and hydrate the skin. Using a makeup remover before cleansing helps ensure complete removal of makeup.” Removing makeup before cleansing allows the cleanser to penetrate more effectively, leading to a deeper clean and ensuring no residual buildup is left behind.
What factors are important to keep in mind when choosing a makeup remover?
There are several factors to keep in mind when choosing a makeup remover. Your skin type will largely determine the kind of makeup remover that is best for your skin. Sensitive skin might be more prone to irritation, while oily types may be more prone to breakouts. Drier skin types should look for oil-based cleansers that help soothe and hydrate the skin as you cleanse. In essence, different skin types respond to different ingredients better than others, so you should look for makeup removers that align with your skin type.
It’s also important to consider the type of makeup you use regularly. For example, long-wear and waterproof makeup will likely require a deeper, more thorough cleanse than someone who dabs on a little concealer. For all skin types and makeup, it’s best to avoid harsh ingredients like alcohols and fragrances that might damage or irritate the skin barrier.
Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.