Stop going to bed with your makeup on - these are the 9 best removers our beauty team swears by
These formulas make removing your makeup at the end of a long day feel genuinely effortless
The best makeup removers need to make the process effortless, because, when it's the end of a long day and even your best mascara has somehow migrated south, the last thing you want to do is spend ten minutes wrestling with a makeup wipe that's doing absolutely nothing to your waterproof foundation.
But getting your makeup off properly is one of those non-negotiable steps in any skincare routine - and yet it's also one of the easiest to do half-heartedly, which is exactly why so many of us end up with blocked pores, dull skin or irritation that we can't quite explain. The good news is that the right makeup remover makes the whole process genuinely effortless. Whether you're reaching for a micellar water after a slow day or need a serious oil or balm to break down a full face of long-wear base and stubborn eye makeup, there's a formula out there that will do the job without stripping your skin in the process.
We've tested dozens of formulas across the team to find the very best makeup removers worth your money, covering everything from cult budget buys to luxurious splurges, and options for every skin type.
The 9 best makeup removers, as chosen by our beauty experts
RRP: £22 | Key ingredients: Sweet almond oil, castor oil, grape seed oil and sunflower oil | Skin type: Sensitive, normal, combination
Tested by: Lydia House
Not only does this product make our complexion feel soft and look glowy, but it's excellent at removing dirt and debris. Applied directly to dry skin, it breaks down eye makeup within seconds, before transforming into a milky cleanser that leaves little-to-no residue on your face. Meaning you can use it to eradicate your base and then go back in with another coating to deeply cleanse your skin. It's also fabulous for those who have sensitive eyes as the formula doesn't cause irritation, which some oils can do. To be honest, we were hard-pressed to find anything we don't like about this product, but at a push, we'd say it suits those who tend to wear a little less makeup.
RRP: £9.99 for 700ml | Key ingredients: Glycerin, micellar water | Skin type: Sensitive and dry
Tested by: Lydia House and Sennen Prickett
We love the best micellar waters for removing makeup. This one, a hybrid of a milky cleanser and micellar water, is brilliantly suited to dry or sensitive skin. It won't work as a second cleanse, but it is excellent at shifting makeup whilst being kind to your complexion. The added benefit of the milky formula means your face feels less scrubbed at, and the grime just slides right off. It makes the removal process so effortless, and when paired with Garnier Micellar Reusable Makeup Remover Eco Pads the experience feels like a breeze. It does leave a light film on the face, but this can be removed easily when you cleanse the skin with your second step.
RRP: £28 | Key ingredients: Oat-derived surfactants, PHA (gluconolactone), plant-derived humectants, jojoba esters | Skin type: All, including sensitive
Tested by: Aleesha Badkar
On evenings when I'm only wearing a light base and can't face a full double cleanse, this is the product I reach for. Merit's bi-phase formula shakes up into a gentle foaming cleanser that removes every last trace of makeup and my best facial sunscreen in a single step, making it genuinely feel like the skincare routine equivalent of having your cake and eating it. It's quick, pleasant to use and rinses off completely cleanly with no film left behind. The oat-derived surfactants do a brilliant job of cleansing without stripping - my skin feels soft and comfortable afterwards rather than tight - and the PHA provides a gentle, barely-there exfoliation that leaves the complexion looking noticeably brighter over time. The one caveat: for heavy or waterproof eye makeup, I'd still reach for a dedicated remover first.
RRP: £45 | Key ingredients: Baobab, kigelia africana, mongongo oil, probiotics, peptides | Skin type: All
Tested by: Lydia House
Suited to those who have dry complexions and don't wear a lot of makeup, this delicate remover can eradicate most makeup or grime while caring for your skin at the same time. This is possibly not for people who wear a lot of budge-proof makeup as we struggled a little with how to remove waterproof mascara. But for daily use, it's perfect. It's gentle on your complexion, and the luxurious experience it creates means you'll never skip the process. The brand itself is famous for creating caring probiotic skincare. This particular complex works to protect the skin, leaving your complexion feeling soft, supple and looked after. It is excellent for aging skins as it doesn't strip away oils and instead works to support the skin barrier.
RRP: £40 | Key ingredients: Japanese Indigo Extract, Hadasei-3 | Skin type: All, especially those with sensitive skin
Tested by: Sennen Prickett and Naomi Jamieson
Naomi: "As someone with dry and easily-irritated skin, anything with a rich, balm or buttery-cream consistency immediately gets my attention. The packaging is gorgeous and comes equipped with a luxe gold coin to decant a dollop of balm onto your hands. As for the formula, the texture is so soft and nourishing against the skin, and I love the way it melts. It breaks down all of my cream base products effectively and even my most long-wearing mascaras. Meanwhile, its leaves my face feeling so soft, calmed and hydrated. It doesn't strip my skin like some makeup removers do and is formulated without fragrances, parabens, phthalates and more, which is ideal for my more sensitive complexion."
RRP: £4 | Key ingredients: N/A | Skin type: All, especially those with sensitive skin
Tested by: Naomi Jamieson
Naomi: "I love a micellar water for removing my makeup, in fact, I tend to trust them more than balms or oils as I like being able to physically see the residue of my foundation and mascaras on my cotton pad decrease with every fresh one I use. Alas, I do also have quite dry and sensitive skin, and have found that some formulas have left my face feeling stripped. Vichy's offering however is one of the main exceptions and triples as both a cleanser, makeup remover and toner in one. It melts mascara and all of my cream base products away easily, without stinging my eyes or making my skin feel tight. The hypoallergenic formula, with it's blend Vichy Volcanic water and glycerin, also feels so gentle and leaves my complexion looking so fresh and glowy."
RRP: £17 | Key ingredients: Thermal spring water, glycerin, ambophenol | Skin type: Sensitive
Tested by: Lydia House
If the thought of taking your makeup off fills you with fear because your skin is likely to end up irritated, then you're using the wrong cleanser. For those wanting to clean the skin without initiating a flare-up, this cooling gel formula has been created to reduce redness, calm burning sensations and relieve sensitivity. Containing a naturally derived ambophenal, an ingredient that helps neutralise long-term redness, it also contains soothing thermal spring water and glycerin to eradicate dirt while treating the skin simultaneously - with no water is required. If you're wearing a lot of makeup, you might want to combine it with a specific eye makeup remover as it takes a while to shift heavy grease and grime.
RRP: £4.50 | Key ingredients: Vitamin B5, micellar cleansing water | Skin type: All, especially sensitive
Tested by: Lydia House
It comes as no surprise that this affordable buy was already used and loved by many of our testers—it's an oldie but a serious goodie. It's the perfect product to store in your beauty cabinet for when you need to remove a lot of makeup in a hurry. It is superior at breaking down stubborn mascara and even dissolves waterproof version, which is a mean feat for most removers. It's incredibly kind to your face, and it doesn't sting eyes, create irritation, or dry out the skin. The formula contains complexion-caring Vitamin B5 and uses micellar water to grip on to dirt and grime. And once applied to a cotton pad and directed over the eye, you will find there's zero need for rubbing. A quick swish and your eye makeup is gone.
RRP: £24 | Key ingredients: Rose damascena | Skin type: All, especially those with sensitive eyes
Tested by: Lydia House
The biggest tip we can give to anyone using this product is to take your time. Patience will reward you. Quickly swiping this on and off won't give you the full benefits of its removing capabilities. That said, it's only a matter of seconds that you have to wait before you scrub (we found 10-15 was the optimum amount) and then all you need to do is slide your cotton pad away and all eye makeup is removed. It doesn't sting your eyes and is suited to anyone who needs skincare for oily skin as there's no film or grease left behind. Plus, it's also ophthalmologically tested, so it will work for contact lens wearers too.
How we tested the best makeup removers
In order to scout out the very best makeup removers, our beauty team has thoroughly tested each and every product first-hand over a week to review the efficacy of each formula and their added skincare benefits. Aside from considering their price tags, we also noted which buys are best suited to certain skin types. Not to mention, a fair few of the products are personal favourites of the team, which we have been using for years now.
How to choose the best makeup remover
Before you buy and use your makeup-removing product, it's also worth considering your lifestyle. As skin expert and influencer Caroline Hirons says, "Do what you need to do to remove what you've done to your face". Meaning, if you wear a lot of makeup or live in a smoggy city you'll need to remove the dirt first and go in after with a second or double cleanse. If you're more likely to be at home all day with your best mascara still in the drawer then absolutely take it easy with one swipe—no lengthy removal required.
How to use makeup remover for the best results
If you were fond of a wipe before realizing that single-use wipes are a) not good for our skin, b) don't remove makeup very well, and c) are awful for the environment, you might be wondering how to wash your face now. Most people who liked the ease of having a pack of towelettes at their bedside have edged towards one of two camps.
- The first have upgraded to soft muslin cloths or mitts and paired them with the best cleansers in balm, oil, or milky formulas.
- The second has teamed cotton pads with makeup removers or micellar waters.
Both choices work to aid the breakdown of dirt, SPF and makeup on our faces, although they aren't bulletproof alone. "These products won't clean the skin completely, you'll need a second cleanse for that", says skin expert Michaella Bolder, "Your second cleanse is where you take off the last bits of makeup and dirt, which stops your pores from becoming clogged and spots forming. This step also helps with overall skin health and appearance. However, it's important to apply some common sense when it comes to cleansing, as you can overdo it and strip the skin barrier, removing important oils."
Should I double cleanse?
If you wear SPF, foundation, or any kind of long-wear or waterproof makeup - which, most of us do - then yes, double cleansing is worth doing. The idea is simple: your first cleanse (usually an oil, balm or micellar water) dissolves and lifts away makeup, SPF and the day's build-up of pollution and sebum. Your second cleanse - a gel, foam or cream cleanser - then cleans the skin itself. Skipping the first step and going straight in with a regular cleanser means your cleanser is spending most of its time shifting makeup rather than actually cleaning your skin, which is why so many people find they still have traces of mascara on their pillow in the morning.
Do I need a separate eye makeup remover?
Not always, but it depends on what you're wearing. A good cleansing oil or balm will usually break down eye makeup just as effectively as a dedicated remover, and is often gentler in the process, since you're pressing and dissolving rather than scrubbing. Where a dedicated eye makeup remover really earns its place is when you're wearing waterproof mascara or a long-wear liner, as these are specifically formulated to dissolve the polymers that make waterproof formulas so stubborn. If your eye area tends to be sensitive or you wear contact lenses, look for a bi-phase formula - the two layers, when shaken together, are particularly effective at breaking down waterproof products without irritation.
Does micellar water count as a full cleanse?
For a light makeup day or no makeup at all, micellar water can absolutely work as a standalone cleanse. But if you've been wearing a full base, SPF, or any waterproof products, micellar water alone won't be enough - it's excellent at lifting surface-level makeup, but it's not designed to deep-clean the pores. Use it as your first cleanse and follow up with your regular cleanser for the best results.
What are the different types of makeup remover?
Micellar water
Micellar water is a blend of water-based surfactants that work to draw out and remove surface-level grime and is always used as a first step, not a second cleanse. They are fast, easy, and generally suitable for those who have sensitive eyes and skin. Apply to a pad and then gently swipe upwards rather than down, as wiping down can cause you to rub the makeup around your face rather than off.
Makeup remover
Handy for those with sensitive eyes, these are for people who wear a lot of makeup and need to remove it before their second cleanse. If you’ve ever used a specific makeup remover and found your eyes became sore, sensitivity could be the fault of the formula, but you may have also rushed the process and rubbed away too soon or harshly. The longer you leave a soaked pad on your lids and lashes, the softer the removal will be. Try taking your time and see if that helps. It's also worth noting that most makeup removers don't have the same components that secondary cleansers have, so it's essential to use another wash for your skin afterward.
Cleansing oil and balm
Those who choose this option find it soothes both their mind and their skin, and yes, you do have to have a substantial supply of cloths in your locker, but it's worth it for the luxurious feeling you get. "As lovely as they are, some balms are a little clingy and tend to stick around on your skin, so you need to make sure you remove them properly", says Clinical Aesthetician Pamela Marshall of Mortar and Milk. "Some lighter cleansing oils transform into a milky formula that leaves less residue. However, if your balm is quite thick and heavy, you might want to use a lighter creamy cleanse afterwards."
Cleansing creams
If the idea of cleaning your skin with a cream feels odd, think about your good old trusty bottle of CIF and how it's gentler on your household surfaces but still does the job. The same rule applies here. Cleansing creams look after your complexion as they clean it. "We have a belief system that we need tons of different cleansers, but a gentle milky cleanser is brilliant at removing makeup and debris and will suit pretty much every skin type," says Pamela. "They simplify your life and streamline your costings, as you can use them for both a first and second step".
What's the best format for dry or mature skin?
If your skin skews dry, tight or is more mature, oils and balms are your best friends when it comes to makeup removal. Unlike micellar waters or gel formulas - which can leave skin feeling stripped if overused - oils and balms actively nourish the skin barrier as they work, leaving your complexion feeling soft and comfortable rather than squeaky-clean. Look for formulas that transform into a milky consistency when they meet water, as these rinse away cleanly without leaving a heavy residue.
