16 Best Makeup Removers, According to Makeup Artists 2024

If you dread taking off your makeup or dealing with stubborn eyeliner and mascara, we spoke with beauty experts to find the best makeup removers.

So, why exactly should you be washing your face? Removing face makeup, sunscreen, skin care products, microbes, and excess oils at the end of the day is essential to clear pore-clogging debris and to make sure the next steps in your skin care routine are most effective. Plus, leaving makeup on overnight can wreak havoc on your skin by increasing the risk of breakouts and skin irritation, says Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. Basically, a quality face wash, cleansing oil, miscellar water, or combination of those things can help wash away the day’s sweat, grease, and residue, help prevent clogged pores, and provide a blank canvas for your skin care products.

To help you find the best options for your skin type, we tested highly-rated makeup removers with recommendations from makeup artists, dermatologists, and estheticians. Our picks include viral moisturizing jelly balms, the oil cleanser that Victoria Beckham swears by, and various makeup removing micellar waters.

The best makeup removers at a glanceBest Overall: Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water, $19Best for Acne-Prone: iS Clinical Cleansing Complex, $48Best for Mature Skin: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, $18Best for Combination Skin: Skincare Junkie Gentle Jelly Facial Cleanser, $34Best for Oily Skin: Isdin Micellar Solution, 4 In 1 Makeup Remover, $39Best for Dry Skin: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, $32Best Wipes: Bioderma Sensibio H20 Wipes, $12Best Cleansing Oil: Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil, $40Your makeup remover questions, answeredWhat type of makeup remover is best for you?How to double cleanse correctlyAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.