Related Posts
Beauty Newsletter
Fill your email for Subscribe our newsletter.
By Sophie Joaman • June 15, 2024 • 8 mins read
Products featured on Ntrl Look are chosen independently by our editorial team. When you purchase through our affiliate links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
The journey to flawless skin starts with a crucial step: clean skin. It is essential to ensure that all your makeup from the day is completely removed. Failing to do so can lead to various skin issues, such as flaky skin, blocked pores, blemishes, and spots.
Whether you wear makeup daily or only on special occasions, choosing the right makeup remover is vital. With many different options of makeup removers available, finding the right one for your individual skin type and concerns can sometimes feel like navigating a maze. From bold makeup that needs a waterproof makeup remover to a makeup remover for sensitive skin, the choices can be overwhelming.
But don’t worry, we’ve got all the advice you need and have selected five of the best makeup removers that will meticulously remove your makeup and keep your skin healthy. From dry and combination to sensitive and oily types, these products will gently wash away the day and leave your skin feeling radiant and refreshed. So, no more leftover makeup the morning after — especially if you want to avoid raccoon eyes makeup removal issues.
A makeup remover is exactly what it says: a product designed to effectively and gently remove makeup from the skin. Formulated with ingredients that break down and dissolve makeup residue, makeup removers often work better than simply washing your face with water.
As they are made specifically for the face, they are also much gentler on the skin, helping to avoid irritation and other problems. They usually come in forms such as liquids, oils, creams, and balms, so there truly is a makeup remover for every type of skin and skin concern — whether you prefer a gentle makeup remover, micellar water makeup remover, cleansing oil for makeup removal, or a balm that works as a cleansing balm for heavy makeup.
While makeup wipes can also be used to remove makeup, they should be used sparingly. Makeup remover wipes pros and cons are often debated — wipes can dry out the skin and irritate it, particularly if you have sensitivities.
They also leave makeup residue sitting on the skin, which, as we’ve already mentioned, can cause a whole heap of problems. Instead, using a makeup remover (in whichever form is best for you—balm, liquid, cream, etc.) is a much better and more efficient way to take off your makeup and look after your skin. Are they okay to use every day, though?
Absolutely, makeup removers can be used daily and actually have a lot of benefits, such as added hydration, increased skin elasticity, and of course, a deeper cleanse. Using a makeup remover is the first step in any skincare routine, but it is also one of the most important for maintaining your skin’s health and clarity.
Many products now remove makeup without clogging pores and leave the skin refreshed — especially if you want a makeup remover that doesn’t leave residue behind.
Which brings us to a very important point. By not removing your makeup properly, you run the risk of various skin problems arising further down the road. In the immediate future, leaving makeup residue on your skin can cause clogged pores, leading to breakouts. Additionally, those with sensitive skin may find that their skin becomes easily irritated.
Removing your makeup at the end of each day therefore, helps your skin to breathe and restore itself properly overnight. It also helps with things like learning how to remove long-wear foundation effectively and making sure your quick makeup removal routine works every time.
However, it’s not just the immediate problems you need to worry about. Not removing your makeup can contribute to premature aging of the skin by causing a breakdown of collagen and putting stress on the skin.
By removing all traces of makeup, you allow your skin to properly regenerate itself, keeping it looking and feeling radiant, bright, and most importantly, healthy.
Not sure which makeup remover to buy, then discover your new favourite from our curated list of 5 of the very best, right now.
The Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water has been a firm favourite for years, and for good reason! While gentle on the skin, this makeup remover is powerful. The formula contains micelles (tiny oil molecules suspended in soft water), which effortlessly lift away makeup from the skin’s surface, leaving it refreshed, hydrated, and most importantly, clean.
This micellar water makeup remover is a great choice for all skin types, even as makeup remover for sensitive skin, as the gentle formula is free from any harsh chemicals, fragrance, and parabens. It will give your face the cleansing it needs and is effective for daily use—ideal if you want something that removes waterproof mascara without rubbing. In our opinion, it’s an affordable staple that we recommend over and over again.
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm gives your skin a nourishing, spa-like treatment. The balm formula transforms into an oil upon contact with the skin to melt away makeup, impurities, and pollution — great if you’re curious about cleansing balm vs micellar water.
It also contains the anti-ageing ingredient Padina Pavonica, a rich fatty acid that helps the skin retain elasticity. If that wasn’t enough luxury from your cleansing balm, the gorgeous blend of oils such as elderberry, starflower, and chamomile takes care of your skin and gives you a treat whenever you remove your makeup.
You’ll feel like you’ve pampered your skin, and your skin, in turn, will thank you for taking care of it — especially if you’re looking for a face cleanser for removing makeup with a softer touch.
Take the day off from work, but not from your skincare routine. The Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm eliminates the hassle of removing your makeup and transforms it into a daily ritual.
Infused with Safflower seed oil, this product efficiently but gently strips away long-lasting makeup to avoid irritating your skin — a perfect eye makeup remover for waterproof mascara option too. Instead, it leaves behind a silky and glossy feel without any greasiness.
We believe this is an ideal cleansing balm to use as the first step of any skincare regimen. It’s quick, effective, and reliable. Plus, your skin will appear and feel incredible—what more could you ask for?
For a lavish experience, every time you remove your makeup, opt for the Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm. This innovative makeup remover is formulated with a blend of purple ginseng and wholesome plant-based esters, along with a luxurious mix of linoleic-rich oils, to provide your skin with all the love it needs and more.
Upon contact with the skin, this balm transforms into a luscious oil, instantly leaving you with a silky feeling. We especially adore how this makeup remover effectively soothes and calms the skin, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also a fantastic, gentle makeup remover and works well in best makeup remover for oily skin routines when double cleansing.
In our opinion, makeup removal should be efficient, but it should also be a luxurious experience, and this product certainly ticks all the boxes.”
CeraVe’s Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser is a nourishing cleanser designed to combine deep cleansing with up to 24 hours of hydration. Containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and squalene, this makeup remover is perfect if you have dry skin and need a cleanser that will help lock in that moisture. It’s also one of the cream makeup remover benefits worth mentioning — hydration and comfort in one step.
It is also a great option for those with sensitive skin, as the gentle foaming formula gets to work on your skin to clean without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier — especially important if you’re searching for something that will remove makeup without clogging pores.
If you are someone with oily skin, this makeup remover is non-comedogenic, so it won’t block your pores or cause any irritation on the skin’s surface. Just smooth, soft, and supple skin for you, all day long! Some people even combine it with reusable makeup remover pads for sustainability.
Makeup removers are a great way to ensure that your skin is completely clean and free from makeup and residue buildup. Whether it’s a gentle micellar water for sensitive skin or a hydrating cleansing balm for dry skin, our top 5 makeup removers offer versatile solutions for all skincare routines.
By prioritising proper makeup removal, you can also ensure your skin remains clean, refreshed, and primed for optimal skincare results. So if you haven’t yet added a makeup remover to your routine, make today the day.
