25 best makeup removers for every skin type

This bi-phase remover is designed to respect the delicate skin of the eyes and lips. A water phase infused with cornflower floral water and nymphéa extract soothes and hydrates, while the oil phase efficiently lifts even long-wear pigments. A quick shake blends the two phases into a silky liquid that removes makeup without tugging. Unlike many dual-phase formulas, it doesn’t leave a shiny residue behind, making it comfortable to use before reapplying fresh makeup.

Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil

Drawing on the brand’s Korean herbal tradition, this cleansing oil uses a proprietary complex to break down impurities without stripping the skin. It has a lightweight texture that spreads easily and emulsifies completely, rinsing away sunscreen, sebum and waterproof products. The hydro-cleansing formula ensures skin feels refreshed rather than coated. The fragrance is subtle and herbal, making the experience soothing as well as functional.

Make Up For Ever Eye Clean Removers

An unusual gel-texture formula that feels different from the typical oily or watery removers. The gel glides onto lids and lips, clinging to waterproof products without sliding into the eyes. Cornflower and cucumber extracts calm and hydrate the area, while the alcohol-free formula ensures no stinging. Contact lens wearers and lash extension users can use it safely. The texture means less waste, as the gel doesn’t drip off the cotton pad, making application cleaner and more targeted.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Developed after 45 iterations, this balm has become a bestseller in the UK. Its 3-in-1 format means it can be used as a cleanser, a mask, or even a spa-style treatment. The balm melts into an oil that breaks down waterproof makeup, then emulsifies into a hydrating milk. Padina pavonica, a marine algae, teams with starflower and elderberry oils to reinforce the skin barrier. A blend of nine essential oils adds an aromatic layer, turning cleansing into a sensorial reset.

Mixsoon Centella Cleansing Water

This Korean micellar water combines centella asiatica, heartleaf and aloe vera to calm irritated skin while removing everyday makeup. Unlike many cleansing waters, it’s formulated to hydrate as well as cleanse, helping to prevent the dryness that often follows makeup removal. The cruelty-free, fragrance-free formula makes it gentle enough for daily use. Its appeal lies in its dual action: it removes impurities while supporting barrier repair, making it suitable for stressed or redness-prone skin.

Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil

A mainstay for those who like oil cleansing but not the heavy afterfeel. The formula spreads easily, then emulsifies into a milk when water is added, ensuring no greasy residue. It lifts waterproof makeup while respecting the skin’s moisture balance, making it effective for daily use without tipping the skin into congestion. The sensation is light, almost water-like, which is unusual for an oil, and helps explain why it works well across skin types.

Forest Essentials Deep Moisture Cleansing Balm

This rich balm is formulated with avocado, kokum and argan butters, giving it a nourishing feel from the first scoop. It melts into oil on contact with skin and breaks down layers of makeup, dirt and sunscreen. Add water, and it shifts into an emulsion that rinses clean, leaving skin supple. The formula is designed to prevent congestion, keeping pores clear while delivering moisture. Forest Essentials advises pairing it with almond or coconut oil for eye makeup removal.

Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil

A light, fluid oil that still manages to cut through waterproof makeup quickly. It can be applied on dry or damp skin, making it convenient in the shower as well as at the sink. Shiseido’s Gentle Quick-Removing Technology helps the oil reach into pores, while grape seed oil smooths and brightens. The finish is dewy rather than greasy, which makes it comfortable for those who dislike the heavy film some cleansing oils leave behind.

CHANEL DÉMAQUILLANT YEUX INTENSE GENTLE BIPHASE EYE MAKEUP REMOVER

This dual-phase remover combines a purified oil layer with rosewater and cornflower water. The oil lifts stubborn pigments, while the water phase soothes the delicate skin around the eyes. The formula is composed of 92% naturally derived ingredients and avoids leaving behind a greasy residue. It works quickly without requiring excessive rubbing, which makes it gentler on lashes and lids.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

A cult Japanese formula built on olive oil, which binds to makeup, sunscreen and sebum. It’s enriched with vitamin E for antioxidant protection and rosemary leaf oil for a fresh, subtle scent. Despite its thick feel on application, it emulsifies with water and rinses away completely, leaving skin clean without slickness.

Clarins Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

A lotion-texture remover rather than an oil or water. It uses Alpine yellow gentian and cornflower extracts to soothe the fragile skin around the eyes while panthenol helps to strengthen and protect lashes. The formula is ophthalmologist-tested, making it suitable for sensitive eyes. It removes daily makeup effectively, though waterproof may require a second pass. The sensation is cooling and calming, more like applying skincare than stripping product away.

d’you Good Grease Twist Easy Cleansing Balm

This balm is packaged in a twist-up jar, solving the “double dipping” issue of traditional pots. On contact, it melts into an oil rich in fermented oils and mango seed butter, which reach deep into pores to lift makeup and SPF. The formula is designed to protect the barrier while offering antibacterial benefits from radish root ferment. It rinses away without film, leaving skin clean and comfortable. The texture is buttery yet lightweight, making it easy to spread evenly.

MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil

A cleansing oil that was co-developed with makeup artists, designed to remove everything from stage makeup to urban pollution. The cushiony texture glides on easily, then rinses off without leaving skin tight. Ingredients include Japanese peony extract and a mix of jojoba, tsubaki and sunflower oils, which keep skin supple. Vitamin E rounds out the blend for antioxidant support. It’s a thorough cleanse without the pore-clogging heaviness often associated with oil formulas.

L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Cleansing Oil

This lightweight oil relies on Corsican immortelle extract alongside castor oil to dissolve waterproof makeup and excess sebum. With daily use, it helps refine the appearance of pores and maintain suppleness. The texture spreads fluidly and rinses away without residue, leaving skin fresh rather than oily. Its scent is subtle, leaning towards herbal rather than perfumed. The effect is a soft cleanse that feels more skincare than solvent.

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil

This Korean oil combines 50% soybean oil with a touch of ginseng seed oil for added antioxidants and a herbal scent. It spreads smoothly across the face, loosening sunscreen and debris while unclogging pores. The texture emulsifies completely with water, rinsing away cleanly. Because of its lightweight nature, it suits both morning refreshes and end-of-day deep cleanses. The ginseng base links the product back to traditional herbal remedies while keeping the experience contemporary.

Guerlain Abeille Royale Cleansing Oil

Part of Guerlain’s Abeille Royale anti-ageing line, this oil has a fine texture that makes cleansing feel indulgent. It lifts pollutants and pigments, turning into a milk on contact with water. The honeyed fragrance ties it into the wider range and makes cleansing a sensory experience. Despite the luxurious feel, it rinses off easily, leaving skin fresh and supple with no trace of film. It’s both functional and designed to slot into a broader ritual.

Dermalogica Precleanse Oil-Based Makeup Remover

This cleansing oil is positioned as the first step in Dermalogica’s double cleanse routine. It dissolves sebum, SPF, and stubborn long-wear products, creating a clean base for a second cleanser to follow. Ingredients like apricot kernel oil and sunflower oil help condition skin, while botanical extracts such as lavender and rosemary add a fresh, spa-like scent. Though it’s an oil, the water-soluble formula rinses away without residue, which makes it user-friendly for oily skin types too.

iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil

Built on only eight ingredients, 94% of which are plant oils, this cleanser strips back unnecessary additions. Calendula extract calms sensitivity, while jojoba, macadamia and sunflower oils deliver hydration. The texture penetrates into pores, loosening makeup and debris without irritation. Because it avoids fragrance and colourants it works well for reactive skin. Despite its simplicity, the formula manages to both cleanse thoroughly and leave skin soft, making it a minimalist yet effective choice.

Givenchy Skin Ressource Bi-Phase Makeup Remover Eyes & Lips

An oil-and-water dual-phase remover that targets waterproof formulas. Unlike some bi-phase products, it doesn’t leave a greasy residue, thanks to the balance of its aqueous phase. With one swipe, it lifts heavy pigments from the delicate eye and lip areas, while the soothing element keeps skin feeling comfortable.

At the end of the day, there’s no single formula that works for everyone, and that’s the point. The best makeup removers are the ones you’ll actually reach for, whether that means a balm that melts away layers of SPF, a lightweight oil that emulsifies clean or a micellar water you can swipe on in seconds.

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