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Makeup removers

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

A makeup remover gently melts away makeup and sunscreen before cleansing, so your cleanser can do its job properly. It is used every evening, and in the weekly routine. These formulas most often rely on vitamin E, which decreases erythema, melanin, and sebum levels while improving moisture content and skin elasticity; jojoba oil; and sunflower seed oil, which provides a reduction in neonatal mortality rates among hospitalized preterm infants.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Pre-Cleanser

What to look for in a makeup remover

From reviews of 24 popular makeup removers.

What reviewers value

  • Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — DHC Deep Cleansing Oil”
    • “Melts foundation instantly — Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil”
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil”
  • Hydrating and softening Mostly Mentioned
    • “Leaves skin soft — CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm”
    • “Leaves skin baby soft — Pond's Cold Cream”
    • “skin feels soft — BYOMA Milky Oil Cleanser”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Often Mentioned
    • “doesn't burn my eyes — Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “doesn't burn my eyes — Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “doesn't dry my skin like other cleansers — Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm”
  • Melts makeup easily Often Mentioned
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Dissolved my sebaceous filaments immediately — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
    • “Texture is on the thinner side... surprisingly lightweight. — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil”
    • “feels like water — mixsoon Bean Cleansing Oil”
    • “feels like oil-infused water — beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil”
  • Rinses clean with no residue Sometimes Noted
    • “Turns milky immediately and washes off completely. — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil”
    • “Emulsifies immediately — Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil”
    • “No oily residue — DHC Deep Cleansing Oil”

Common complaints

  • Unpleasant or strong scent Often Mentioned
    • “smells like cooking oil — Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Has a strong herbal/citrus scent I didn't enjoy. — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil”
  • High price point Often Mentioned
    • “Tiny jar (1.3 oz) — CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
  • Causes skin breakouts Sometimes Noted
    • “Wrecked my skin barrier — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
    • “gave me cystic acne — Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil”
    • “caused tiny bumps — Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Leaves a sticky or oily residue Sometimes Noted
    • “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “Leaves oily film — Pond's Cold Cream”
    • “Leaves a greasy film — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Stings the eyes Sometimes Noted
    • “blurry vision — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Made my vision blurry/foggy for a while after rinsing. — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil”
    • “caused blurry vision — Farmacy Green Clean”
  • Temporary blurry vision Sometimes Noted
    • “Blurry vision after use — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Fogs up my eyes — Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil”
    • “clouds my vision — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”

Micellar water

Bioderma makeup removers

All Bioderma products

Makeup removers with vitamin E

All about vitamin E

Makeup removers with jojoba oil

All about jojoba oil

Makeup removers with sunflower seed oil

All about sunflower seed oil

Makeup removers with glycerin

All about glycerin

All makeup removers

See all 129 makeup removers

Research behind makeup remover ingredients

Behind these picks

Lovi picks every product by its fit score, calculated 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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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