The 10 Best Makeup Removers That Cleanse Without Irritation (2024)

Makeup removers come in many forms, ranging from micellar water to oils to balms. The best makeup removers gently cleanse the skin without causing irritation or stripping it of essential moisture. “The most important thing to consider is that it isn’t harsh on your complexion, and you’re not scrubbing too hard to get everything off,” says L.A.-based aesthetician Sora Connor. Our top pick is the Bioderma Sensibio H2O, which takes off all traces of mascara, foundation and more, and is safe for even the most sensitive skin.

When selecting the right product, consider the formula, your skin type and the makeup you’re removing. Caring for your skin and being gentle—especially around your eyelids—goes a long way toward maintaining a healthy, hydrated complexion. After consulting with Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung and several experts, we’ve rounded up the best makeup removers that are soothing and effective.

Best Makeup Remover Overall

A French Pharmacy Favorite That’s Affordable And Gentle

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water

A personal favorite of Sung and Connor, this gentle yet effective micellar water is designed for all skin types and can be used on the eyes and all over the face. (It’s also great for removing waterproof mineral sunscreens.) The no-rinse French pharmacy staple has a water-like texture and includes fatty acid ester micelles to maintain hydrated, glowing skin. Fans of the product say it doesn’t leave skin feeling sticky and does an excellent job of taking off makeup.

Best Drugstore Makeup Remover

A Soothing And Effective Budget-Friendly Option

MOST POPULAR

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

Similar to our top pick, the Garnier Cleansing Water is formulated with micelles, small molecules that remove makeup, oil and other impurities. It also includes glycerin, a common humectant that hydrates and softens the skin. To use, dispense a small amount on a cotton pad and wipe it over the skin—no rubbing required.

Best Luxury Makeup Remover

A Luxurious Pick With Powerful Ingredients

Sisley Paris Gentle Make-Up Remover

This luxurious, multitasking formula is a makeup remover, cleanser and toner all in one. Formulated with shikakai extracts, desert date and gypsophila to relieve inflammation, it removes even the most stubborn long-wear lipstick and soothes the complexion thanks to linden blossom water and alpha-bisabolol. The rinse-free product has a press-down dispenser, so you never have to pour out its contents (and potentially waste excess).

Best Eye Makeup Remover

An Option Designed For The Lids, Lashes And Lips

Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover

A top pick in our best eye makeup removers roundup, this cleansing water is extremely gentle, which is key for tackling those delicate areas. It’s oil-free and fragrance-free, so it’s less likely to cause any irritation. Shake this best-selling formula well, and then saturate a cotton pad before sweeping it over the face and eyes.

Best Makeup Remover Balm

A Cult-Favorite Balm That Leaves Skin Soft And Smooth

Eve Lom The Cleanser

The winning pick in our best cleansing balms story, this aromatic product removes all traces of makeup when emulsified and used with a muslin cloth. With one sold every 30 seconds, according to the brand, the balm is infused with clove oil, eucalyptus oil, hops oil, Egyptian chamomile oil and cocoa butter to brighten and purify the complexion. The combination of oils makes the skin feel immediately hydrated after a cleanse.

Best Makeup Remover Wipes

A Simple Solution For Removing Products In A Pinch

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water Cloths

Enriched with Koh Gen Do’s signature mineral-rich thermal water and botanical extracts, these cleansing wipes banish even the most budge-proof products. The Cleansing Spa Wipes are also soaked in herbs like rosemary, sage, white birch sap and lavender to nurture, calm and hydrate skin. Like many other offerings in the Japanese line, this cleanser is a favorite among makeup artists and is also suitable for sensitive complexions.

Best Makeup Remover For Sensitive Skin

A Silky Cleansing Fluid For Easily Irritated Skin

Make Pre-Cleanse Fluid

Lightweight and infused with ingredients like evening primrose, jojoba, rice bran and cacay oils, this cleansing oil melts off makeup without feeling greasy. Green algae works to hydrate, leaving the skin thoroughly moisturized once rinsed. The fragrance-free formula also includes vegan squalane made of fermented sugarcane to help further retain moisture.

Best Makeup Remover For Dry Skin

A Moisturizing Balm That Melts Away Sunscreen, Oil And More

Eadem Dew Dream Hydrating Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm

Blended with tiger grass, kalahari melon and allantoin, this cleansing balm transforms from a jelly consistency to a milky formula to calm and soothe skin. Made for all skin types, it also includes licorice root and borage to help relieve inflammation and lessen pigmentation. It works so thoroughly to remove all traces of makeup and grime that you don’t need to follow it up with another cleanser.

Best Makeup Remover For Oily Skin

A Water-Based Remover For Ultra Sensitive Skin

La Roche-Posay Micellar Cleansing Water

This humectant-based micellar water gently removes makeup and dirt and can be used on the face, eyes and lips. The oil-free product also features the brand’s signature thermal spring water, which is rich in the antioxidant selenium and sourced from the eponymous French town. Another benefit? The formula functions as a toner for oily complexions to purify and restore skin.

Best Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

A Sustainable Substitute For Cotton Pads

Face Halo Reusable Makeup Remover Microfiber Pads

These reusable pads are made with plush microfiber and can replace up to 500 single-use makeup wipes. The fabric strands are 100 times finer than human hairs, and woven together, they can trap and remove dirt, oil and stubborn products. Each Face Halo can be machine-washed up to 200 times and only requires water to cleanse the face, making it a sustainable- and budget-friendly solution.

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

At Forbes Vetted, we’ve published many expertly researched skincare stores. These include topics like the best face sunscreens and the retinol creams.

  • Author Jayme Cyk is a regular beauty contributor with over a decade of experience writing for publications like WWD, Vogue.com and more.
  • All picks were approved by deputy editor Jane Sung, who leads the beauty and grooming category and has 15-plus years of experience covering makeup, skincare, haircare and more.
  • Cyk tapped celebrity makeup artist Katey Denno, aesthetician Sora Connor, and dermatologist Dr. Karen Kagha MD FAAD, who bestowed their makeup remover knowledge based on their own personal trial and error and client experiences. We also sought out customer reviews for standout product features and characteristics.

How We Chose The Best Makeup Removers

To select the best makeup removers, we carefully evaluated options from top brands, including Bioderma, Sisley, Eve Lom and more. We also consulted experts on product recommendations and insights on what to look for.

  • We prioritized formulas with nourishing ingredients that hydrate, soften and melt away makeup without leaving any greasy residue.
  • Our final list includes options for different skin types ranging from dry to oily and sensitive complexions.
  • Additionally, our experts Sung, Denno, Connor and Kagha made recommendations based on their experiences, while customer reviews were examined for standout product traits.
  • As everyone’s budget looks slightly different, we included affordable and luxury options.

What To Consider In A Makeup Remover

Not all makeup removers work for all skin types or even the amount of products applied, so it’s essential to understand each ingredient and how they work. Here’s what else to consider.

Formula

There are many textures and formulas for makeup removers, including cleansing oils, balms and micellar waters. A cleansing oil is, as the name suggests, is made up of oils. “Look for a carrier oil,” says Denno. This can be coconut oil, sunflower seed oil or jojoba oil, as those are the majority of the base oils.”

A balm can also be chock full of oils, but it starts as a solid and melts into the skin with the help of butters such as cocoa butter. “If you’re using a balm, it is important to clean that off your face,” says Connor. “It doesn’t usually come off in one go, so you need to go in with a gel cleanser after.”

Meanwhile, micellar water is water-based, usually oil-free, and includes micelles, tiny clusters of molecules that bind to oil, removing makeup and debris. Connor likes using micellar water around the eyes because these formulas are incredibly gentle.

Skin Type

Makeup removers are not one-size-fits-all, so it’s important to understand your skin type. For example, for dry complexions, a balm-based product like the Eadem Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm simultaneously nourishes skin while removing foundation, lipstick and more. For ultra sensitive skin, Connor recommends looking for “gentle” descriptions on the packaging. “And for oily, acne-prone skin, I would avoid heavy oils,” said Kagha.

Makeup Type

Whether you prefer a full-coverage foundation or concealer and mascara, makeup removers vary in how much they can take off. For example, if your foundation is on the heavier side, seek out a cleansing balm like Eve Lom’s The Cleanser, which works to eliminate all traces of makeup. But when you want a light wash to take off impurities, the Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Wipes are perfect for quick and easy removal, especially when on the go.

The 10 Best Makeup Removers That Cleanse Without Irritation (2024)

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