We’re pretty sure everyone would agree that applying makeup is much more fun than taking it off, but using the best eye makeup removers does make the task less tedious. While your go-to cleanser may slough off traces of dead skin and melt away full-coverage foundations, doing the same with waterproof mascaras and smudge-proof eyeliners poses a bigger challenge. Rather than rubbing, tugging or pulling on the delicate skin around your eyes, consider adding the right makeup remover to your end-of-day routine to make the process infinitely less painful, literally and figuratively.
Since finding the right formula to melt off sooty shadows and stuck-on pigment is no easy feat, we’ve rounded up the top products that do just that. Ahead, find the best eye makeup removers, from balms to oils to ready-to-use pads for all budgets and skin types. We can’t promise that taking off your makeup will suddenly become fun, but these picks will certainly make it much less of a chore.
Best Eye Makeup Remover Balm: Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
Best Eye Makeup Remover Oil: Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil
Best Eye Makeup Remover Pads: Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water Cloths
Best Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover: Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover
Best Budget Eye Makeup Remover: Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Best Luxury Eye Makeup Remover: Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser
Best Clean Eye Makeup Remover: Eadem Dew Dream Cleansing Balm
Best Eye Makeup Remover For Sensitive Eyes: The Original MakeUp Eraser
See AlsoBeste Oogmake-up Remover (Ook Voor Gevoelige Ogen) (Top 10 #1 Beste Koop, Radar & Kassa?) Consumentenbond Bronnen DoorzochtDit zijn de 9 beste oog make-up removers die je ogen niet irriteren.15 eye makeup removers that will take off your mascara like it's nothingSay Goodbye to Mascara Residue With Our Favorite Eye Makeup Removers
- Best Eye Makeup Remover Overall: Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water Makeup Remover
- Best Eye Makeup Remover Balm: Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
- Best Eye Makeup Remover Oil: Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil
- Best Eye Makeup Remover Pads: Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water Cloths
- Best Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover: Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover
- Best Budget Eye Makeup Remover: Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
- Best Luxury Eye Makeup Remover: Tata Harper Nourishing Makeup Removing Oil Cleanser
- Best Clean Eye Makeup Remover: Eadem Dew Dream Cleansing Balm
- Best Eye Makeup Remover For Sensitive Eyes: The Original MakeUp Eraser
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Best Eye Makeup Remover Balm
A Citrus-Scented Balm That Softens As It Cleanses
This cleansing balm is known for its light, buttery texture that feels luxurious on the skin and removes makeup in one go. While other versions require you to use them with a muslin cloth or follow up with face wash, this one works in one step without leaving your skin feeling greasy—or worse, with that tight, parched feeling. Infused with softening sea buckthorn oil and a light citrus scent, this cleansing balm yields instant results, leaving skin hydrated and velvety soft. We also appreciate that it’s vegan, cruelty-free and formulated without mineral oil, alcohol, silicone, parabens or artificial coloring.
Best Eye Makeup Remover Oil
A Lightweight Cleansing Oil
Oils attract oils, so smearing on a cleanser like this is an effective way to lift off pencil liners, waterproof makeup and dried-on mascara. Two pumps of this grapefruit seed-enhanced formula on dry skin will cut through all traces of makeup while eliminating excess oil and sebum, making it an effective all-around cleanser. A splash of water emulsifies the product, and a wipe of a damp towel leaves you with the cleanest canvas ever.
Best Eye Makeup Remover Pads
The Softest Cotton Makeup Wipes
For times when you’re on the go and don’t have ready access to a bathroom sink, wipes can be very handy—and these cotton cloth versions have been known to beat out a good old-fashioned suds session on many occasions. The extra-gentle wipes are ideal for their soft cloth texture and mild formula that doesn’t sting or irritate sensitive skin. Infused with six essential herbs, including rosemary leaf, sage leaf, lavender and ginger root, they refresh and cleanse but also work wonders on stubborn eye makeup.
Best Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
An Oil-Free Pick That Doesn’t Burn Or Sting
Waterproof makeup is notoriously difficult to take off—as it should be—but this water-based makeup remover gets the job done every time. It clears away water-resistant mascara in a swipe without burning, stinging or irritating the eyes or leaving a greasy residue behind. Keep in mind, this is an eye makeup remover through and through; it’s meant to be used on dry skin and won’t double as a full-on face wash.
Best Budget Eye Makeup Remover
A Non-Drying Drugstore Staple
This drugstore staple has been around forever, and remains a favorite among supermodels, beauty editors and makeup wearers everywhere. Simply put, it’s affordable and effective. It’s also super potent, so a little goes a long way. All you need is a cotton pad and a dab of the oil-free dual-phase liquid to lift away eye makeup in seconds without drying or irritating the skin. You might notice an immediate calming effect thanks to soothing aloe and cucumber—a major plus, considering we can all use any ounce of zen we can get.
Best Luxury Eye Makeup Remover
A Well-Worth-It Splurge
There’s nothing worse than making a big purchase and realizing it wasn’t worth your hard-earned money. This luxe formula touts a multivitamin farm-to-face blend of biotin, vitamins E and A and squalene—and not an ounce of buyer’s remorse. To banish stubborn eye makeup, massage the oil onto the eye area; you’ll notice that a little goes a long way, and removal requires minimal effort and pressure, too. We also love that it doesn’t need to be used with a cotton pad, making it a more sustainable option.
Best Clean Eye Makeup Remover
A Super Gentle Jelly-To-Milk Formula
This bouncy jelly-to-oil-to-milk formula washes away lingering makeup, dirt and oil in one fell swoop without feeling sticky or leaving any residue behind. After massaging it over your face for 60 seconds, you just rinse it away for a refreshed complexion and a subtle lingering scent of energizing lemon. It combines ingredients like tiger grass, allantoin, Kalahari melon and moringa to nourish skin while abolishing even the most stubborn waterproof products. Yet you can still somehow keep your eyes open while spreading around the balm without fear of burning or irritation—it’sthatgentle.
Best Eye Makeup Remover For Sensitive Eyes
A Uniquely Water-Activated Option
You may have thought you’d seen it all, but one of our favorite eye makeup removers doesn’t come in a jar, a tube or even a bottle—it comes out of your bathroom faucet. With the help of plain old water, this patented makeup-removing cloth made of antibacterial polyester removes even the most stuck-on makeup, one wipe at a time. This $20 cloth, which feels as soft as a teddy bear, will last you up to 1,000 washes (aka about two to three years) before needing to be replaced. It also works like a charm at removing full-coverage foundation and stubborn clay masks—all without iffy ingredients.
What To Consider In An Eye Makeup Remover
Before you invest in any product, it’s important to evaluate your personal needs and preferences. Board-certified dermatologist Lauren Penzi, of MDCS Dermatology in New York says, “First, the amount and type of makeup you wear are important to keep in mind. For example, those who wear heavy waterproof makeup are probably going to need to reach for a different remover than someone who wears one simple coat of mascara.” She also recommends keeping any allergies or sensitivities in mind, including contact allergies you may have.
Formula
Eye makeup removers come in several formulations, including oils, lotions, creams, ointments, balms and wipes. While we love having options, it can be difficult to choose just one. For those who wear a lot of makeup regularly, Penzi suggests an oil or balm. “If you’re wearing heavy makeup, you’ll want to reach for a primarily oil-based product for the best efficacy,” she says, adding that “balms are a great choice as they are super effective in removing the makeup without having to rub harshly.” She also praises balms because they leave the skin hydrated and nourished. If you wear less makeup, Penzi recommends lighter formulations like cleansing waters, liquids and lotions.
Ingredients
“Most traditional eye makeup removers are either water-based or oil-based,” says Penzi. Lotions contain a higher percentage of water than oil, whereas creams are roughly equal parts water and oil. Ointments have a much higher oil content, and balms are usually plant-oil and wax-based ointments, which makes them thicker than the rest, as they don’t contain water. These are all great options for melting waterproof makeup, stubborn eye pencils and heavy eyeshadow.
“Micellar waters are somewhat of a newer formulation,” says Penzi. “They contain micelles that are composed of hydrophobic (water-repelling) and hydrophilic (water-attracting) components that enable them to encapsulate dirt and makeup.” She recommends water-based eye makeup removers for those who wear lighter makeup.
Skin Type
For those with dry skin, Penzi recommends using a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic product, preferably one that’s thicker or oil-based like a balm, ointment or cream to hydrate the skin. If you have sensitive skin, she says “Avoid products with fragrance, botanicals, preservatives and potential irritants like propylene glycol or sodium lauryl sulfate.” You can use a gentle cloth or cotton round to apply the makeup remover, taking care to avoid any harsh rubbing that could irritate the eye area.
For normal skin types, Penzi recommends choosing your formula based on the amount of makeup you wear. “For light makeup, micellar water, oil or light lotion should suffice,” she says. “For heavier makeup, reach for a balm or more creamy formula to break through the makeup particles faster.”
What Is The Best Way To Remove Eye Makeup?
Although it’s not mandatory, Penzi says you can start the removal process by soaking a washcloth with warm water and gently pressing it along the lids and lashes. “This initial step will help to break up the product so that it is easier to remove fully with minimal rubbing,” she says. Next, use your designated eye makeup remover per the directions on the packaging. The last step is to wash the rest of your face with your go-to daily cleanser.
What Is The Difference Between Eye Makeup Remover And Face Wash?
Face washes are designed to remove excess oil, dirt and residue from your face. “Eye makeup removers have more powerful, concentrated formulas designed to remove heavier, waterproof products more effectively,” says Penzi.
What Is The Best Eye Makeup Remover For Your Skin Type?
For those with sensitive skin, Penzi says, “Micellar waters are the best option, as they contain essentially no harsh or irritating ingredients.” If you have dry skin, she recommends reaching for balms, ointments and thicker creams to restore moisture and hydrate the skin while removing makeup. If you have combination or normal skin, she says, “any formula will work depending upon how much makeup you wear, but in general light lotions or liquids can be a nice option.”
