Estée Lauder Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion for skin with dark spots
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Squalane
Rosa Damascena Flower Water Rose Flower Water
Butylene GlycolHigh
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for skin with dark spots; a few pre-cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dark spots: hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Highly suitable for your normal skin, this product effectively removes makeup with cyclopentasiloxane and isohexadecane, while Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract offer supportive hydration and soothing benefits for pigmentation concerns.
- The formula provides general skincare advantages, and ingredients like Rosa Damascena Flower Water contribute to its hydrating and calming properties for your skin.
- Its safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your normal skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover as part of your PM routine every evening to melt away makeup and impurities.
- Apply this makeup remover as the first step of your evening routine before using your regular cleanser.
- Gently massage the makeup remover onto your face using circular motions, then rinse thoroughly with water.
- For the best results , apply the makeup remover directly to dry skin to help break down makeup effortlessly.
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin feels comfortable.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 1.3k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this lotion for its ability to dissolve long-wear foundation and waterproof makeup without stripping the skin. Most users report a soft, non-greasy finish, though a subset of users with sensitive eyes experience stinging or blurring, and some find the citrus fragrance overpowering.
Highlights
Effective on makeup Often Mentioned
- “Melts away Double Wear foundation instantly”
- “Removes waterproof mascara without scrubbing”
- “Dissolves long-lasting lipstick easily”
- “Takes off stage makeup effortlessly”
Non-drying finish Often Mentioned
- “Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth”
- “Doesn't strip my skin like wipes do”
- “Moisturizing enough for dry skin”
- “Face feels hydrated after rinsing”
Gentle lotion texture Sometimes Noted
- “Creamy consistency is soothing”
- “Not oily or greasy like other removers”
- “Glides over skin without pulling”
- “Feels like a spa treatment”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “Smells fresh and clean”
- “Love the crisp citrus fragrance”
- “Scent is refreshing, not chemical”
- “Enjoyable spa-like smell”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “Stings my eyes badly”
- “Causes cloudy/foggy vision”
- “Burns if it gets near the lash line”
- “Too harsh for sensitive eyes”
Price point Rarely Noted
- “Too expensive for a makeup remover”
- “Pricey compared to drugstore alternatives”
- “Not worth the money for the amount”
- “Good but I wait for a sale”
Residue or film Rarely Noted
- “Leaves a greasy film behind”
- “Hard to rinse off completely”
- “Felt waxy after washing”
- “Requires a second cleanse to remove residue”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “Perfume smell is too overwhelming”
- “Smells like strong men's cologne”
- “Fragrance irritated my sensitive skin”
- “Scent lingers too long”
Sources: lovi.care, macys.com, boots.com, sephora.co.uk, lookfantastic.com, picky.co, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Estée Lauder Take It Away a great fit for skin with dark spots?
This makeup remover is a great fit because it gently sweeps away makeup while cucumber and aloe extracts help soothe and hydrate your skin to support dark spot concerns. Its formula is very safe and is unlikely to cause irritation.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024International Journal of Toxicology, 2011
Which ingredients make this makeup remover a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract make this makeup remover a good fit by offering soothing and hydrating benefits that help address dark spots and pigmentation concerns. These ingredients work gently to support your skin while you cleanse.
What does Cucumber Fruit Extract do for skin with dark spots?
Cucumber Fruit Extract helps brighten skin with dark spots by reducing skin melanin and supporting a more even tone. This ingredient also helps improve overall hydration and smoothness while being gentle on the skin.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Planta Medica, 2008
What does Aloe Vera Leaf Juice do for skin with dark spots?
Aloe vera leaf juice helps fade dark spots and even out skin tone by encouraging melanin aggregation and reducing pigmentation. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may gradually brighten areas affected by melasma.
Planta Medica, 2012Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2017
Where does this makeup remover go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This makeup remover goes as the first step in your evening routine and your weekly routine. It effectively removes makeup while aloe and cucumber extract help calm and hydrate your skin.
Can I use this makeup remover with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before applying your retinol treatment, as it effectively cleanses without harsh ingredients. Its gentle formula helps keep your skin calm and comfortable while you use active treatments.
How often should I use this makeup remover?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening as the first step of your daily routine for skin with dark spots. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.
Can this makeup remover clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This makeup remover is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your skin with dark spots, as it features a gentle formula without harsh ingredients. Its safe ingredients help cleanse effectively while keeping skin calm.
Is this makeup remover fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Cyclomethicone and specific chain length cyclic siloxanes (n = 4-7) are safe in present practices of use and concentration, showing minimal percutaneous absorption, no skin irritation or sensitization, and unlikely significant systemic exposure from cosmetics.
International Journal of Toxicology, 2011Copper Oxide nanoparticles synthesized using cucumber extract exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, UV protection, and reactive-oxygen species inhibition properties with low cellular toxicity and skin-rejuvenating effects when incorporated into skin cream.
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2021Topical treatment with Holothuria parva extract gel showed significant wound contraction compared to the negative control in full-thickness wounded rats.
The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 2024A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Treatment with a rose extract activated newly identified skin olfactory receptors and prevented epinephrine-induced skin stress responses in epidermal keratinocytes and human skin explants, while clinically decreasing the appearance of under-eye dark circles in stressed women.
Molecules, 2020Rose petal extract improves stratum corneum moisture levels in humans by upregulating HAS2 expression via the GLK-MAP2K-MAPK signaling pathway.
BioFactors, 2023Rosa gallica petal extract (RPE) exerts skin whitening by attenuating tyrosinase activity and melanin accumulation and exhibits anti-wrinkle activity by suppressing MMP-1 levels in human cells.
Journal of Medicinal Food, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water Rose Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Peg-4 Dilaurate, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Lauryl Methyl Gluceth-10 Hydroxypropyldimonium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Dipotassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Edta, Phenoxyethanol
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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