The 7 Best Makeup Removers, According to Testing
Lip liner and waterproof mascara begone.
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I love wearing waterproof eyeliner and smudge-proof lipstick, but I also love to take it all off at the end of the day without scrubbing my face red. A great makeup remover melts cosmetics off in a few easy swipes, and that’s exactly how we test them here in the Good Housekeeping Beauty and Personal Care Lab. In our most recent test, I applied each makeup remover to a cotton pad and counted how many swipes it took to remove a line of eyeliner from my colleague’s arm.
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
- Best Value: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
- Best for Waterproof Mascara: Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
- Best for Oily Skin: Garnier Micellar Water with Salicylic Acid
The best makeup remover is also a matter of preference. You may prefer the luxurious routine of massaging in a balm like our top pick from Clinique. Or, you might want the tidier experience of a one-step micellar water like our affordable pick from Garnier. We’ve tallied up the pros and cons of each type of makeup remover below.
Pros
- Quickly removes all makeup, including on eyes
- Won't cause breakouts
- Not irritating
Cons
- Some find the cleansing process messy
This rich, buttery balm from Clinique won the Beauty Lab’s 2022 makeup remover test and is still a favorite. It thoroughly melts away makeup with no scrubbing or tugging, just a “light massage” as one tester put it. It received the highest score in Lab tests for number of swipes needed to completely remove makeup with an average of 3.3 swipes. One hundred percent of our testers found that the balm washed off easily and didn’t cause breakouts or irritation. Several testers said they would continue using it: “I absolutely loved how easily it took off my makeup. My eye makeup is usually challenging to remove but this made it very easy,” one said. Some testers did find the makeup-melting process to be messy, though.
Pros
- Large size
- Oil- and fragrance-free
- 2-in-1 formula also cleanses skin
- Non-drying
Cons
- Requires cotton pads
Great for all skin types, this wallet-friendly Garnier GH Beauty Award winner is a lightweight formula that thoroughly cleanses skin and clears away makeup in one step. Beauty Lab tests found that this micellar water doesn’t leave skin tacky or oily. You’ll want to keep cotton pads stocked to get the most out of this cleanser: add some micellar onto the pad and swipe it across your skin to get rid of grime with no rinsing needed.
Pros
- Removes waterproof makeup, including from eyes
- Not dehydrating or irritating
- Oil-free
Cons
- Requires cotton pads
- Needs to be shaken before use
This affordable Good Housekeeping Seal star liquid from Mary Kay effectively removes even waterproof makeup. The two parts of this bi-phase formula combine to easily dissolve away long-wearing mascara without tugging on the delicate skin around the eye. Just be sure to shake the bottle before use for the best results, and note that cotton pads are required.
Pros
- Thoroughy removes eye makeup
- Formulated for oily skin
- Leaves skin feeling smooth
Cons
- Requires cotton pads
If you steer clear of emollient makeup removers because your skin is oily, this micellar water is for you. It’s formulated to cleanse and mattify oily skin in addition to removing makeup. It was a top performer in our most recent test, removing non-waterproof eyeliner in an average of 4.7 swipes.
In addition to removing makeup easily, all of our testers said it left their skin feeling smooth and that it didn’t sting or irritate their skin or eyes. “It was silky smooth and made my skin look amazing. Normally I have to tissue off my mascara after washing my face; it wasn't necessary with this product,” one tester raved. As with other micellar waters, it’s best when used with a cotton or reusable pad.
Pros
- Dissolves makeup quickly
- Unique jelly texture
- Doesn't feel heavy
Cons
- Not ideal for dry skin
Think of this fun jelly cleanser as a hybrid between a refreshing gel cleanser and a rich cream cleanser, melting off makeup without feeling oily. This cleanser removed eyeliner superbly in our swipe test and all testers agreed that it dissolved makeup quickly. They also raved about the surprising jelly texture, saying “When I put it on my fingers, I thought it would be oily and heavy. It was just the opposite. It went on smoothly and was not heavy at all.” On the other hand, testers with dry skin wish it left their skin more moisturized.
Pros
- Melts off makeup effectively
- Unscented
- Made for double cleansing
Cons
- Not ideal for one-step cleansing
Double cleansing means using an oil or balm cleanser to dissolve makeup and following it with a foaming cleanser for an extra clean and fresh finish. This unscented balm is created for that first step, and our testers were so impressed with how well it worked that all of them said they would continue to use it. One raved, “I COULD NOT believe how easily ALL of my makeup came off—so much more effective than what I was doing before!” The brand does recommend using another cleanser afterwards, so if you prefer a one-step cleanse, it might not be for you.
Pros
- Dissolves makeup quickly
- Leaves skin moisturized
Cons
- Takes some time to rinse away
If you enjoy applying a facial oil as a moisturizer, you might want to consider an oil for cleansing, too. All of our testers strongly agreed that this Mario Badescu cleansing oil dissolved their makeup quickly, and all said that it left their skin moisturized. One tester said the cleansing oil “left my skin smooth” and another noted “my face did not feel dry or tight after washing.” If you prefer a lighter cleansing experience, keep in mind that some testers didn’t like the oily sensation of this cleanser and felt it took too long to rinse away.
How we test makeup removers
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.
In our two recent tests, we also sent the makeup removers to a total of 241 consumer testers around the country to evaluate real-world performance. I hid the labels with black tape to avoid brand bias. Our testers used their makeup removers for at least three days before completing a survey in which they rated the product’s ease of application and rinsing off, texture, scent, effectiveness in removing makeup, whether it caused irritation or breakouts, and the look and feel of skin after use.
What to look for when shopping for the best makeup remover
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.
What’s the best way to remove makeup?
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.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
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.
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