Whether you’re looking for a great option at an affordable price, or you’re traveling and forgot to bring makeup remover (we’ve been there many times), this is a solid option for you. We love that you can snag it at pretty much any drugstore for an affordable price, but the performance makes it stand out. I have very sensitive skin and eyes and this has not irritated me at all. I do keep my eyes closed and wipe again with a clean wet section of my cloth before opening them.

Makeup Removers of 2023 - Good Housekeeping 14 Best Makeup Removers of 2023 - Good Housekeeping

For dry skin: Seek out creamy, oil-based makeup removers or micellar waters, which work for all skin types, she says. Our tester found that it effectively removed all of her makeup, but it’s worth noting that some online reviewers say it could do a better job at breaking down stubborn mascara. Melting off your face of makeup with a creamy cleansing balm is ultra-satisfying—and these types of formulas are also really effective. This one starts as a soft solid and emulsifies into a creamy oil before turning into a milky consistency when mixed with water. It works to gently break down makeup without you needing to tug at the skin. It’s also formulated with hyaluronic acid and ceramides for an added boost of hydration.

This luxe formula is excellent for people with dry skin because it contains nourishing squalane. While it’s not the most convenient or mess-free formula, we love that it doesn’t need to be used in conjunction with a cotton pad, making it a sustainable option. Our tester explained that the pads are just saturated enough to get the job done without being too wet and dripping into her eyes. With just one pad, she was able to completely remove her makeup. She also appreciated that it left her skin feeling normal—not dry and not coated in oil. We also love that the small container comes with 85 pads, and the formula is fragrance-free and dermatologist-tested. Use one large pad to gently wipe away makeup from closed eyelids before washing face with normal facial cleanser. I squeeze some of this out onto the cloth, rub it around a bit, and then wipe my eyes. It takes off my eye shadow, liner, and NOT waterproof mascara just fine with little effort. My water resistant eye liner is a little tougher but can still come off. I've been playing around with different quantities but so far it doesn't seem to take much. I don't use water proof mascara so can't say how that works. Despite the creamy texture, our tester appreciated that it didn’t leave behind an oily residue. She said it effectively removed all of her makeup and was gentle on her delicate eye area. Considering that it delivers on its claims at an affordable price, we can’t recommend this option enough.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Liquid Eye Makeup Remover, Residue-Free Neutrogena Oil-Free Liquid Eye Makeup Remover, Residue-Free

It’s safe to say that one of the worst parts of wearing makeup is having to remove it at the end of the day. It’s a tedious task that we’re often tempted to skip—even though we’ve been told time and time again that properly removing makeup before bed is essential. Need more motivation to never sleep in your makeup? According to Georgia-based Optometrist Dr. Janelle Davison, “Removing eye makeup is essential to maintaining the normal bacteria flora around the lid and lash margin.” She explains that failing to do so can cause an imbalance of bacteria along the eyelid margin, which has been linked to blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, and dry eye disease. In addition to wishing that it was more accessible by being available at other retailers besides Glossier (we’re waiting patiently to see it on shelves at Sephora come 2023), it’s also worth mentioning that it only comes in one 100ml size which is pretty small when compared to similar products. This eye makeup remover literally removes everything!!! I love it so much, have been using it for years now.” Understandably, not everyone will be able or willing to splurge on a luxury eye makeup remover, but if you can, this one is a great option—especially if you have oily skin. People with oily skin often find makeup removers to be overly greasy and although this one does have oil, it’s an incredibly lightweight, water-like consistency. We also love that it’s infused with ​​cornflower extract and rose extract, two ingredients known for their soothing qualities. Rich in safflower seed oil and free of top common skin allergens (including fragrance), Clinique’s buttery formula, which won the GH Beauty Lab’s test, thoroughly melts away makeup without inflaming skin. It received the highest score in Lab tests for ability to remove eyeliner in one swipe and number of swipes needed to completely remove makeup. Among testers, 100% found that the balm washed off easily and didn’t cause breakouts or irritation. Several testers said they would continue using it: “My skin felt so soft, fresh and clean,” one said.

ounces of Neutrogena Hydrating Eye Makeup-Removing Lotion to condition skin and remove stubborn makeup, including waterproof mascara, from eyes and face Colby Smith is a New York-based celebrity makeup artist whose work has been featured in major beauty campaigns, as well as graced the faces of celebrities on the red carpet. We love a good liquid makeup remover—especially for removing eye makeup—but they can be messy. With this one, the micellar water and lightweight oil formula are housed in a squeezable bottle with a pointed nozzle at the top, which makes dispensing just the right amount of product easy. Dual-phase lightweight liquid helps remove even stubborn waterproof makeup, like mascara & eyeliner

The 11 Best Eye Makeup Removers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Cleansing oils can be highly effective when trying to remove heavy makeup. The idea behind this is that oil dissolves oil—meaning that oil-based makeup removers will work to dissolve oil-based makeup. So, if you’re wearing heavy foundation or a face of cream makeup, reaching for a cleansing oil like this one is a great option. Dr. Janelle Davison is a Georgia-based Optometrist with more than 15 years of experience providing eye care to her patients. She’s also a twenty/twenty beauty Visionary Panel member where she helps to ensure that all products created are effective and eye-safe. One thing to note is that some people find it’s not the most effective for removing waterproof sunscreen and mascara formulas, so keep this in mind if you tend to use waterproof products. If you can’t stand the feeling of heavy skin care products, you’ll love this fluid makeup remover. The lightweight formula works to dissolve stubborn makeup—even waterproof mascara—in just a few seconds. Despite its ability to break down waterproof makeup, it’s not overly stripping or harsh on the skin or eyelashes.

Ingredients

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, C11-13 IsoparafIn, Glycerin, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Ceteareth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Coco-Glucoside, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Fragrance, Glyceryl Oleate, Our tester shared that she was able to remove her entire eye makeup look using just two drops of the formula, and she noted that all that was left on her skin was a refreshing feeling—no residue. It's important to know that cleansing your skin and removing your makeup are not the same thing. Makeup remover won't give your skin a thorough cleanse, just like a typical face wash won't rid your face of makeup, GH Beauty Lab testing has found. "Face cleansers and makeup removers serve different purposes," Dr. Weinstein explains. You don't have permission to access "http://www.superdrug.com/skin/neutrogena/b/413014" on this server.

Neutrogena Hydrating Eye Makeup Remover Lotion, Gentle Daily Neutrogena Hydrating Eye Makeup Remover Lotion, Gentle Daily

Here are general guidelines for each skin type from Mara Weinstein Velez, M.D., Director of Cosmetic and Laser Dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center: Eye makeup remover is formulated with soothing aloe & cucumber extracts for a cool & refreshing feelAside from noticing how little product she needed to remove her makeup thoroughly, our tester shared that the formula felt comfortable on her skin and she didn’t see any residue. However, it’s worth noting that while the formula is oil-free, some people find that the consistency resembles that of lightweight oil. After applying the product onto his hands and gently massaging it around his eye area, our tester found that it easily dissolved his eyeshadow and mascara. He also noted that a little bit goes a very long way, which is a plus considering its hefty price tag.