The 7 Best Makeup Removers, According to Testing

The picks in this article are the best performers across our Lab and consumer testing from our two most recent tests, in which we tested a combined total of 40 makeup removers. In the Beauty Lab, we put makeup removers to an eyeliner swipe test. I drew lines of eyeliner on my colleague’s inner arm, applied the same amount of each makeup remover to a cotton pad, and then swiped each pad over a line until it was completely removed, counting the swipes as I went. I used the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Intense Black to test waterproof makeup removers and the Wet n’ Wild Proline felt tip eyeliner in black for non-waterproof makeup removers. Each remover was tested three times, and the number of swipes in each test was averaged.

Both makeup artists and dermatologists recommend considering your skin type when choosing the right makeup remover for you. "This will play a huge role on how your skin will react to the remover and give you the best results," explains Beck Wainner, a celebrity makeup artist in Nashville, Tennessee.

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:

• For oily or acne-prone skin: Try oil-free, non-greasy makeup removers like micellar waters.
• For mature skin: Choose oil-based, moisturizing formulas that will be gentler on skin.
• For dry skin: Seek out creamy, oil-based makeup removers or micellar waters, which work for all skin types, she says.
• For sensitive skin: Look for mild formulations that are fragrance-free.
• For combination skin: Use an oil-based makeup remover, then follow with a foaming facial cleaners, Dr. Weinstein Velez suggests.

Washing with your regular facial cleanser isn’t the most efficient or gentle way to remove makeup from your skin. "Face cleansers and makeup removers serve different purposes," Dr. Weinstein Velez explains.

Regular cleansers are great for washing away our skin’s natural oils, but makeup is tougher to remove, which is why makeup removers contain emollient ingredients to dissolve the oils and long-wearing polymers in makeup. Check out the methods below for each formula type.

• Micellar water: Wet a cotton pad with the micellar water and gently swipe across the face. When the first pad gets covered with makeup, switch to a clean pad. Repeat this process until the pads come away clean.
• Bi-phase eye makeup remover: Shake the bottle to mix the two phases, then apply to a cotton pad. Gently press the pad onto your eyelid for a few seconds to loosen the makeup, then lightly wipe away. Continue until the pad comes away clean.
• Balms and oils: Starting with a dry face, massage into skin to dissolve the makeup. Then, rinse away with water. Repeat as needed and follow up with a facial cleanser to remove any residue.

Chiara Butler conducted the most recent test of makeup removers in the Good Housekeeping Beauty and Personal Care Lab, where she regularly tests beauty products. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products including facial cleansers. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University.

April Franzino, who originally wrote this article, has over a decade of experience working in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, including the past seven years serving as Senior Beauty & Style Director. In her role, she oversees all beauty editorial content at Good Housekeeping, working closely with the GH Beauty Lab scientists to develop, execute and translate product testing into compelling, factually accurate editorial in categories like skincare and makeup, including makeup removers.