Alexandra Ramirez
We spent over 45 hours researching and testing 12 different kinds of makeup removers over an 8 day period and found that performance, irritant-free ingredients, and cost were the most important factors consumers looked at when shopping for makeup removers. Neutrogena Makeup Remover scored high marks in all categories when compared to other makeup removers and is our overall top pick for the best makeup remover. Neutrogena makeup remover has been around for decades. It will not clog your pores the way some cream removers can do and it is very affordable as well.
1. Neutrogena
Best Overall Makeup Remover
5/5 Product Rating
Many of you probably remember Neutrogena from when you were young and your mother and grandmother used it each night.
Despite the fact that Neutrogena makeup remover has been around for decades, the quality and popularity is still high. There’s a reason it is still gaining new fans every year and that is because it works exceptionally well.
Neutrogena will easily remove all kinds of makeup from foundation to waterproof eye makeup and doubles as a terrific moisturizer for those with dry skin.
Other popular benefits of this makeup remover are the soft, extra clean feeling it provides after using it. Your skin will be glowing.
You will not have to worry about your pores getting clogged like other makeup removers can do and it is extremely affordable as well. It may have been what your grandmother and mother used but it is still just as great now as it was then.
– Linda Krantz
2. SoftyMo
Best Overall Makeup Remover – Runner Up
4.9/5 Product Rating
Asian skincare products have been growing in popularity over the last several years due to their nourishing properties and gentle ingredients that are easy on skin while having amazing results.
Kose SoftyMo cleaning oil is a great example of one of these great products. It is an oil-based cleanser that makes a terrific makeup remover.
With ingredients like mineral oil and Jojoba seed oil you will enjoy a deep cleansing that will get rid of all traces of your makeup so your skin is super clean.
SoftyMo speedy cleansing oil is very popular with people who are looking for a combination facial cleanser and makeup remover.
Since this great makeup remover handles oily and dry skin equally well, people with combination skin can use it with great results as well.
– Linda Krantz
3. Cetaphil
4.7/5 Product Rating
Cetaphil is a well-known name in skin care lotions but they also have other skin care products such as this quality waterproof makeup remover that is gentle to use and if perfect for people with normal skin and very little skin problems.
The soothing, non-irritating ingredients are perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Cetaphil Gentle Waterproof Makeup Remover has been tested by ophthalmologists and dermatologists that deem it an effective, gentle way to easily remove even the most stubborn waterproof eye makeup off.
You skin will be left feeling super clean and smooth too. .Even if you have skin that is acne-prone you can use this great product by Cetaphil without worry of aggravating your acne or making it worse.
– Linda Krantz
Makeup Remover Buying Guide
Makeup gets mixed with the oils, dirt, and sweat that occur on a daily basis just going about your business each day. Each night before bed you can do your skin a hug favor by removing all this makeup and dirt and other impurities. By going to be without cleansing your face you are leaving yourself open to breakouts, dull skin, and even looking older.
Each night when you go to bed, your body heals, repairs, and restores different bodily functions and processes. Your skin is one of the healing processes that occur as the body uses this rest time to rejuvenate cells and produce other things that your skin needs to look youthful, glowing, and healthy.
Finding the right makeup remover can sound easier than it actually is. Once you start looking around you will realize if you don’t already that there are dozens of different makeup removers on the market. All of these different choices can be really overwhelming, especially if you have not been using makeup remover regularly. Don’t worry; it’s never too late to start taking care of your skin.
This buying guide will help you learn about the different types of makeup removers as well as show you how to find the best product for your makeup removing needs.
Skin Type, the first step
Before you get started on your hunt for the perfect makeup remover for your needs, it is very important for you to know what your skin type and particular skin challenges are. Is your skin oily? Is it super dry? Is it sensitive? Certain products are designed especially for certain skin problems so be aware of your own skin issues if you have them, so you will be able to determine whether a specific product is good for you or not. Once you have figured out what your skin type is, you can set about learning what you need to know about your skin as well as the best way, and best makeup remover for that skin type. Each skin product will list the skin types they are best suited to.
Types of Makeup Remover
There are several types of makeup removers on the market. The kind you get will depend; based on a combination of choosing the one that works for your skin type and choosing one that has a solid reputation.
Wipes – Many companies offer makeup remover wipes that are super convenient, effective, and easy to use. Wipes are really great for people who travel a lot since the makeup remover towelettes already have the makeup remover on the wipes so it reduces the amount of things you have to carry with you. The thing some people don’t like about the wipes is that they can contain ingredients that can be very drying to the skin so if you’re skin is sensitive; you may not be able to use them. Wipes are convenient for everyday use and do great jobs on removing eye makeup of all kinds before you use your facial cleanser. They offer alcohol-free makeup remover wipes which will be a lot less drying to the skin.
Water-Based – water-based makeup removers are very popular with the French due to the refreshing properties it offers and the mild cleaning ability it offers. This type of makeup remover has begun to be popular in the US as well. Water based makeup remover does not have to be rinsed off and is very mild to the skin. You will need cotton balls to apply water-based makeup remover. It is gaining in popularity with travelers and non-travelers alike and can cleanse, remover makeup, AND hydrate all at the same time. If you use a water-based makeup remover you can safely follow that step with a regular facial cleanser.
Cream-Based – If you have really dry skin you would have good results with a cream-based makeup remover. These rich cream makeup removers are great moisturizers. Creams are applied all over the face and then rinses off or wipes off with tissue. It is easy to use and very effective and does not strip the oils from your skin, causing it to dry out and crack or flake. You should use a regular facial cleanser after using a cream-based makeup remover.
Soap-based – Makeup removers that are soap-based have a tendency to end up in the facial cleanser section because they are used in the same way. The product foams up and has to be washed off with water. Soap based makeup removers work very fast to remove makeup from the skin. One potential drawback to these convenient soap-based makeup removers is the fact that they can easily over-dry the skin and usually don’t do a very good job removing lipstick and eye makeup completely.
Oil-based – Many experienced beauty “gurus” feel that oil-based makeup removers are the best overall kind. Not only do they dissolve makeup easily the offer a lot of nourishing properties as well. They work well with every skin type and will not be as harsh to your skin as other types can be. If you use a lot of heavy eye makeup of have super dry skin an oil-based makeup remover is a great option. Don’t be afraid to use an oil-based makeup remover if you have oily skin. If you use a regular facial cleanser after using an oil-based makeup remover you will not have to worry about clogged pores.
A Word about Ingredients
Some makeup removers, especially the kind in wipe form may contain chemicals that can be harmful to the skin. You should get into the habit of knowing what ingredients are in your products especially if you have sensitive skin. While some of these ingredients are great for removing makeup, their effects on the skin and the potential dangers are not worth the risk when there are so many risk-free options out there. Get to know the common ingredients used in makeup removers and how they affect the body. The more you educate yourself on these things the safer and better off your skin will be.
Alcohol vs. alcohol-free
All skin care products do not contain alcohol but for the ones that do contain it, especially if alcohol is the main ingredient, they have been studied and proven to be damaging to the skin. If you have super oily skin, you can probably handle the alcohol that is in a product and may need to as an extra oil removing step but those with dry skin or normal skin should avoid alcohol containing makeup removers.
Conclusion
There are things you have to do each day if you want to have beautiful skin. One of those daily steps is removing the makeup you put on each day. Leaving makeup on your skin while you sleep can lead to a dull complexion that is prone to breakouts, that contains a lot of blackheads from clogged pores and that just doesn’t look very good overall.
The three top-rated makeup removers we have reviewed above are all great examples of high quality makeup removers that do a great job removing makeup without endangering the skin or causing further problems such as over drying.
Any one of these three great products would be a good choice for someone wanting a great makeup remover. We have a cream based product as well as oil based one and one that works great for those with normal skin. If you’re looking for something specific that is not one of our top three, you can take the information you have learned from the buying guide and apply it to your makeup remover search.
There is such a large variety of potential makeup removers that you can find exactly what you want without much trouble at all. If you travel a lot, have dry skin, have oily skin, or whatever your particular skin challenge is, there is a makeup remover available that will be perfect for your specific needs.
Before you purchase a makeup remover for your skin, make sure you have taken the time to know what skin type you have and whether it is sensitive or not. The wrong makeup remover can dry out your skin, cause blemishes, and even cause redness, cracking, and tightness in the skin that does not feel good at all. The knowledge you have gained with this buying guide will ensure that you don’t choose a product that will be bad for your skin or cause problems where there weren’t any.
If you notice that you have an allergic reaction to any type of makeup remover that you choose discontinue using it right away. Allergic reactions can present themselves in the form of extreme redness all over your face where you have applied the makeup remover or itching of the skin where you have applied it.
With all of the choices available there is nothing that says you have to suffer through with a makeup remover that does not work for your skin type and makeup removing needs.
