Today I have come up with a list of the best makeup removers that many beauty and makeup enthusiasts ignore or don't give much importance to! Well, let me tell you, it is a much-needed step after a long tiring day right before you start your regular skincare routine. Why? A regular face wash is not equipped enough to extract every single trace of makeup, and all the environmental residues, microparticles, etc. On the other hand, these makeup removers are loaded with a formula that mindfully extracts all the impurities without making your face dry or flaky afterward.

Let's admit everyone likes that smooth and refreshed feeling right after waking up and quite doesn't like the goofy mascara smudge from in the corner of the eyes from last night! And that's why you need a strong makeup-removing product that will slough away all your foundation, stubborn eye makeup, oily residue, and even dead cells without being harsh on your gentle skin. Now, there are various types of makeup removers available in the market like balms, wipes, oils, liquids, gels, etc.

Our contributor Ghanima Abdullah, an experienced cosmetologist and beauty consultant, says, “Sleeping in makeup can cause breakouts. The pores open at night to allow oxygen in as part of the regeneration process. If makeup is there, it sinks deeper in the skin, causing acne and premature aging.”

Based on my experience, some of the makeup removers also take the upper hand at moisturizing and toning your face as they clean the skin at the same time without leaving a greasy residue. Loaded with vitamins, minerals, and other active ingredients, the formulas are excellent for keeping the skin hydrated for a long time even if you skip moisturizers. While wipes are the best choice for on-the-go use, liquid makeup removers are excellent for daily use to remove the slightest trace of impurities. So, without further ado, let's get started with the product recommendations—

• 1
  Best to Soothe Skin Barrier

  Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water

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Micellar water has been my absolute favorite when it comes to making it work as a makeup remover! Why? Well, it doesn't require constant tugging, pulling, and harsh wiping while removing the residues from the face. The Bioderma Sensibio is one of such darlings that not only removes makeup, dirt, and pollution but also calms down your skin while raising the threshold of the skin barrier. Furthermore, apart from cleansing, it also soothes the skin deeply for an even nourished look, thanks to the micelles that are nothing but tiny oil molecules mixed in water that help in extracting all the makeup and impurities without causing skin inflammation or skin irritation.

Type: Liquid

Key ingredients: Aqua, capric glycerides, and fructooligosaccharides

Benefit: Doesn't irritate the skin 

Size: 100 ml, 250 ml and 500 ml

2

Best Lightweight Formula

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

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I understand how painful it is to remove those stubborn waterproof mascaras or liners at the end of the day! And that's why I have the best solution- the Neutrogena makeup remover, which is specially packed with a micellar-based emollient formula to bid adieu to the eye makeup residues before your bedtime without compromising on the nourishing factor. Packed with skin-soothing ingredients like aloe vera and cucumber extracts, it also soothes the gentle eye area for a hydrated appearance. The best part? It is non-greasy! Furthermore, they are made of plant-based eco-friendly fibers that are biodegradable.

Type: Liquid

Key ingredients: Aloe and cucumber extracts

Benefit: Soothes the skin

Size: 5.5 Fl oz

3

Best to Keep Skin Supple

Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser

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A facial cleanser that also moisturizes the face? Sounds like every lazy skincare enthusiast’s dream! Loaded with beta carotene, the cleansing balm gently extracts all the dirt, residues, gunk, and daily makeup for a fresher look. Apart from cleansing your face, it also hydrates the skin thoroughly for a supple and smoother look. Excited to know the best part? Well, the high-quality makeup remover is free of preservatives and artificial fragrances that can harm your skin. Grab it right now to explore more of its benefits!

Type: Balm

Key ingredients: Beta carotene, mineral oil, and petroleum

Benefit: Deeply moisturizes

Size: 12 oz

4

Best Non-comedogenic Formula

Cetaphil Gentle Waterproof Makeup Remover

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Cetaphil is one of the brands that first comes to my mind when I talk about skincare! The cleansing water from the brand is one good product that works like magic for sensitive skin beauties. It doesn't contain any pore-clogging ingredients that extract all the dirt and residues from your pores and keep ‘em squeaky clean as you sleep, for you to enjoy supple skin the next day! The liquid makeup remover is fragrance-free which further makes it an excellent product for people with sensitivity to smell.

Type: Liquid

Key ingredients: Aloe vera, green tea, and ginseng

Benefit: Doesn't clog pores

Size: 6 oz

5

Best to Brighten Face

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Remover

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I have been in love with the green clean makeup remover from Farmacy because of its ability to melt away all the stubborn makeup and dirt from the face so effectively that you might not need another cleanser after that! The balm cleanser also thoroughly hydrates the skin without leaving any residue for an overall benefit. Let me also tell you that it is equipped with sunflower, ginger root oil, and moringa extracts to melt away full coverage foundations, waterproof mascaras, long-lasting bronzers, and even sunscreens from your face effectively while turmeric present in the product takes the upper hand at neutralizing uneven skin texture. Furthermore, the Leaping Bunny-certified product is formulated without any harsh ingredients, preservatives, or synthetic fragrances.

Type: Balm

Key ingredients: Turmeric extracts, papaya enzymes, sunflower and ginger root oils, and moringa seed oil

Benefit: Keeps skin silky smooth

Size: 100 ml

6

Best Alcohol-free Formula

La Roche-Posay Micellar Cleansing Water

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If you are tired of finding just the right cleansing product for your sensitive skin, let me introduce you to La Roche Posay’s micellar water that I once came across a friend going gaga over! Later I got to know why! Well, the multipurpose cleansing water not only extracts all the impurities from the face but also works as a toner and moisturizer for an awesome glow at the end of the day. The oil-free formula is also ideal for oily or acne-prone skin while the fragrance-free and paraben-free claims make it the best choice for sensitive skin people. 

Type: Liquid

Key ingredients: Purified water, glycerine, and mild surfactants

Benefit: Hydrates the skin

Size: 13.53 Fl oz

7

Best for Oily Skin

LA Fresh Makeup Remover Wipes

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Out of all makeup-removing options, makeup remover has been my absolute favorite! Why? It is hassle-free and travel-friendly! For example, you can just throw these LA fresh makeup removing wipes in the corner of your bag and access one sheet whenever required on the go! Loaded with vitamin E, the gentle makeup remover dissolves heavy makeup in a jiffy! Besides, the package comes with 200 wipes which are enough to go a long way. Furthermore, the alcohol-free formula is an excellent option for sensitive skin.

Type: Wipes

Key ingredients: Vitamin E

Benefit: Intensely moisturizes the skin

Size: 200 ct makeup wipes

8

Best for Sensitive Skin

Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

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When I browsed through the rave reviews the product by Mary Kay had got, I simply loved how users cited that it helped them with their allergies and irritations. It comes with an ophthalmologically tested formula that suits people who wear contact lenses or have sensitive eyes. Furthermore, the fragrance-free formula is an excellent choice for people who have a sensitivity to smell! Addedly, it quickly removes your makeup without leaving a residue or oily traces. Isn't it cool?

Type: Liquid

Key ingredients: Water, dimethicone, Isohexadecane, and trisiloxane

Benefit: Moisturizes the skin

Size: 3.75 Fl oz

9

Best for Blemish-prone Skin

iS CLINICAL Cleansing Complex

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iS comes with a cleansing complex that works not only as a makeup remover but also as a pore cleanser, and helps with acne and blemishes. I love how it is loaded with natural ingredients like chamomile flower, white willow bark, sugarcane, and centella asiatica that exfoliate your skin while diminishing the signs of aging. The calming properties of the product further make it an excellent source to soothe the skin for a renewed complexion at the end of the day.

Type: Liquid

Key ingredients: Chamomile flower, sugarcane, white willow bark, and Centella asiatica

Benefit: Softens the skin

Size: 8.8 oz

10

Best Allergy-tested Formula

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover

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I believe, Clinique’s Take the Day Off makeup remover stands true to its name and literally provides you with an instant freshness when you use it at the end of the day! The brand further boasts 50+ years of rigorous research on allergy before coming up with such a product. It mindfully removes makeup and other impurities from your eyelashes, lips, and the whole face without irritating the skin. And oh, it comes with no added color for extra safety!

Type: Liquid

Key ingredients: Aqua, isohexadecane, dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, and trisiloxane

Benefit: Works for eyes and face

Size: 4.2 oz

Quick Tip:

You can take some of your liquid cleanser and apply it over the crease with a Q-tip for a precise cut-crease eyeshadow.

11

Algenist GENIUS Ultimate Anti-Aging Melting Cleanser

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Enriched with exotic ingredients like avocado and microalgae extracts, the cream makeup remover melts away all your makeup residues, environmental stressors, and other impurities to bestow you with the skin of your dreams right after using it! The sustainably produced product minimizes the appearance of fine lines after each use, thanks to the active ingredients present in the item. I also love how it gives a radiant glow by nourishing the skin deeply for a softer look.

Type: Milky liquid

Key ingredients: Avocado and microalgae oil

Benefit: Best for aging

Size: 1.5 Fl oz

12

TULA Skin Care Makeup Melt Makeup Removing Balm

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The very first thing I loved about the product is the attractive classy and travel-friendly packaging, apart from the skin-friendly formula it offers! Furthermore, it beautifully dissolves stubborn makeup while softening the skin. Other than that, packed with macadamia seed oil and olive oil, it deeply conditions the skin for a radiant appearance after using it. It is also carefully tested and given a formula that is safe to use around the eyes. Like it? Grab it right now!

Type: Balm

Key ingredients: Macadamia seed oil and olive oil

Benefit: Nourishes the skin

Size: 0.32 oz

13

Shiseido Instant Eye & Lip Makeup Remover

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Shiseido Instant Eye and Lip Makeup remover could be a staple in your beauty shelf like mine if you also like to invest in good products when it comes to skincare! The formula is well-equipped to dissolve even waterproof and long-wearing makeup in a jiffy without being harsh on the skin. Plus, it retains moisture in the skin, especially around the lips and eyes, where we actually lack moisture. The non-greasy texture further deserves special applause that leaves a radiance right after using the product.

Type: Liquid

Key ingredients: Xylitol

Benefit: Retains hydration 

Size: 125 ml

Now that you have checked out the products, take a look at how you can pick the best one from ‘em—

Here are the parameters to keep in mind before buying a makeup remover - 

a) Product Type- Makeup removers are available in various forms — balms, micellar water, wipes, milky cleansers, etc. You need to pick the product according to your skin type and convenience. While makeup-removing wipes are the most hassle-free and convenient to use while on the go, micellar water is equipped to remove the most stubborn makeup effectively when you use it. On the other hand, a cleansing balm is best for people with dry skin that leaves a hydrated feeling after use.

b) Consistency And Formula- No matter what the product type is, your makeup remover mustn't leave a greasy residue in order to ensure clog-free pores for skin free of acne and blemishes. An oil-free and non-comedogenic formula is always recommended in order to avoid the aforementioned problems. In that case, micellar water is an excellent option.

c) Ingredients- Make sure you go through the ingredient list very well before proceeding with the product. If you have sensitive skin, dermatologically-tested or allergy-tested ingredients will help the most in order to get the best results. Similarly, soothing ingredients like green tea, aloe vera, and witch hazel work like magic when you remove the makeup right after a tiring day.

Now that you know how to choose the best makeup remover, it’s time to take a look at how you can effectively remove your makeup with it—

Here's how you can remove stubborn makeup effectively - 

Step 1: First things first, if you are wearing false eyelashes or contact lenses, you need to remove them.

Step 2: If you are opting for a cleansing balm, take some in your hand, apply it thoroughly on your face, and let it melt away before removing it with a wipe.

If you opt for micellar water, take it on a sponge, and apply the sponge on your eyes first to melt away the waterproof mascara or eyeliner, if any.

Our contributor Ghanima Abdullah, who is a cosmetologist and beauty consultant, suggests, “Use micellar water with a cotton pad, starting at the chin and moving up and out to remove all makeup. Once everything is gone, run a clean cotton pad over your face to make sure you got everything.”

Lastly, if you want to use a makeup-removing wipe, simply take it from the package, and rub it all over your face to remove every bit of makeup and dirt. Use 2 or 3 makeup wipes, if needed.

Step 3: Now, it's the second part of the double cleansing procedure. You can take your regular face wash or cleanser and apply it all over your face before washing it off with lukewarm water.

Step 4: In this step, you can take some toner on a cotton pad and apply it all over the face to ensure nothing is left on your skin and you go to sleep with a clean canvas.

Step 5: Lastly, you can apply some moisturizer to your face to keep it hydrated all night long.

Contributor: Ghanima Abdullah, Cosmetologist, The Right Hairstyles