14 Best Makeup Removers for All Skin Types

Micellar waters are an excellent way to gently and effortlessly remove makeup, and this one — which used to be sold exclusively in French pharmacies — has become a cult favorite. It’s capable of correcting flubs backstage at Fashion Week, removing a full face of makeup sans sink, and making sensitive skin feel balanced. For makeup artist Marco Campos, it’s the one he gravitates toward the most often. “Since it’s oil free, once dry, it won’t disturb the rest of the makeup, causing it to travel or break down like some oil-base removers do. Pro tip: Use Bioderma Micellar water on a small Muji Q-tip to help clean up and perfect your wing liner.” This micellar water is also a longtime favorite of the Cut’s deputy style editor, Joanna Nikas. “I have used Bioderma’s micellar water for years and it is the only thing that truly cleans all of my makeup off, not leaving that residue on my eyes.”

Tatcha’s best-selling cleansing oil is moisturizing enough to use every day without drying out your skin but strong enough to remove all makeup. Even in the form of an oil, it works to melt away excess oil while nourishing your skin at the same time, even if it is hypersensitive. Rachel Bashein, the Cut’s managing editor, loves this cleanser: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Think no artificial fragrance or dyes, a mixture of skin calming ingredients like tiger balm, and a powerful texture that actually cleans off all traces of makeup. This cleansing balm is hydrating and soothing, making it a perfect remover for those who have sensitive skin like the Cut’s senior shopping editor Bianca Nieves. And unlike other balms, this one comes in a tube for easy use.

If you want the first step of your nighttime routine to be on the same luxurious level as the rest of your precious skin-care routine, consider investing in this stuff. Though it’s just as liquid-y and French-sounding as the aforementioned cleansing waters, this is a cleansing lotion. Once you sweep it across your face, you’ll get it — it leaves your skin feeling complete, like you cleansed, toned and did a whole serum situation. Other perks include a light, luxurious scent that makes you feel fancy and a very convenient press-down dispenser top so you never have to lift the bottle.

If you’re looking for another cleansing water with a pink cap at a single-digit price point, Garnier’s formula has found a similar place in the spotlight. Its gentle yet effective formula is so nice, you’ll think of this product rather than those lime-green shampoo-and-conditioner commercials with the Transplants song playing in the background whenever you read “Garnier” now, which is truly saying something.

If you’re no stranger to eye primers and extensively drawing on and decorating your eyes (who among us isn’t these days), this dual-phase remover will be your new best friend, just like it is for makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran. It’s basically like double-cleansing your sensitive eye area in one fell swoop. The oil phase cuts through all that waterproof mascara and liner with minimal effort, while the water phase gently wipes everything away, leaving the eye area feeling silky and smooth.

If you hate double cleansing, consider using a gentle oil cleanser to both remove your makeup and wash your face for the day. “It melts all my makeup off without leaving my skin oily or greasy, and it rinses off quickly and easily,” explains Cut shopping writer Chinea Rodriguez.

If you have extremely sensitive skin, fear not: This tried-and-true facial cleanser from CeraVe can work as makeup remover on top of being a classic cleanser. “After I turned 25, my skin became incredibly acne-prone, and this line is one of the only ones that doesn’t make me breakout,” explains Cut fashion news writer Danya Issawi. “This is my favorite cleanser, and I always double-cleanse when I’m wearing makeup.”

If you’re in the market for an oil cleanser to remove all your makeup without stripping your face and that is light enough to follow up with another cleanser, this is it. It’s also another favorite of Nieves — it’s her go-to when it comes to traveling. She always stocks up on the travel-size bottles to have them ready whenever a trip arises.