Makeup removal is where most routines fall apart. That's why we’ve rounded up the 12 best makeup removers, with a high-performing option for every skin type, from oily and acne-prone to dry and sensitive
All products featured on Vogue Scandinavia are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Farewell foundation, cheerio contour and hej då highlighter. For all the time you spend perfecting your glam in the morning, the truth is you want it gone fast. But not all makeup removers are created equal, and what works for one face won’t necessarily work for another.
So if you’re unsure where to start when winding down your day, consider this your cheat sheet. We’ve rounded up the 12 best makeup removers guaranteed to banish even the most stubborn makeup. Whether you’re tackling waterproof mascara or simply want to keep sensitive skin calm, there’s a solution here with your name on it.
What is the best way to remove makeup?
To put it simply, with care. While the best type of remover depends entirely on your personal preference and skin type, one universal rule remains: makeup should always be removed with a gentle hand. Resist the urge to scrub or rub! Instead, use light, upward strokes and circular motions to encourage makeup to effortlessly lift away from your skin.
What are the different types of makeup removers
There is a wide range of makeup removers, each designed to serve a different purpose. Understanding what they do, who they suit and how to use them is key to getting makeup removal right.
Cleansing balm: These are thick, solid balms that melt into an oil upon contact with the skin. Suitable for all skin types, they’re particularly effective at removing heavy, long-wear or waterproof makeup, as well as sunscreen and skincare. The oil emulsifies with water to literally melt makeup away. Ideal as a first cleanse, they’re powerful yet gentle, though we recommend following with a second cleanser to remove any residue.
Cleansing water: A lightweight, watery formula best suited to removing light makeup, dirt and sweat. While appropriate for all skin types, it’s often formulated with sensitive skin in mind or for those who wear minimal makeup. Typically a no-rinse product, it’s exceptionally mild, meaning it’s not ideal for heavy or waterproof formulas.
Cleansing milk: Creamy and lotion-like, cleansing milks use light oils and emollients to dissolve makeup without stripping the skin. Thanks to their gentle, nourishing nature, they’re best for dry, sensitive or mature skin. Available as rinse-off or wipe-off formulas, they’re comforting, hydrating and skin-kind.
Cleansing oil: More potent than milk or water cleansers, cleansing oils break down oil-based debris such as sebum, sunscreen and waterproof makeup. Suitable for all skin types, they emulsify into a milky texture when water is added. Best used as a first cleanse, we recommend following with a second cleanser, particularly if you’re oily or acne-prone, to ensure no residue remains.
Micellar Water: While technically a type of cleansing water, micellar formulas are engineered differently. They contain micelles, tiny oil molecules suspended in water, which attract dirt, oil and makeup like magnets. Suitable for all skin types, they’re especially popular with sensitive skin. Although often marketed as no-rinse, we still recommend cleansing afterwards. More effective than standard cleansing waters but still mild, they’re not the best choice for long-wear or waterproof makeup.
What makeup remover should I use for waterproof makeup
Waterproof makeup is, let’s be honest, a pain to remove. Products like mascaras, eyeliners and long-wear lipsticks rely on silicones, waxes, oils and film-formers, all of which are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water. Soap and water simply won’t cut it.
Waterproof makeup removers contain oils or oil-like ingredients, such as esters and emollients, which bind to these water-repelling molecules, softening and dissolving them so they can be gently wiped away. This is why cleansing oils and balms are the gold standard for waterproof makeup. Oil attracts oil.
Dual-phase removers can also be effective. These formulas contain two layers, oil on top and water below, which combine when shaken to create a strong yet gentle remover. That said, they don’t make our top picks. They’re typically used with cotton rounds, which isn’t the most sustainable option, and can encourage rubbing around the eyes. Hard pass. The eyelid area is delicate, excessive rubbing weakens lashes and no one needs that drama before bed.
What is the best makeup remover for oily skin
What it does: A cult classic for a reason, this micellar water removes makeup and daily grime without tipping oily skin into overdrive. The formula cleans efficiently while keeping the skin’s natural balance intact.
Why we love it: Zinc gluconate and copper sulfate quietly do the heavy lifting, helping to keep excess shine in check. The finish is clean, matte and calm, not stripped or squeaky.
What is the best makeup remover for dry skin
What it does: Gentle and nourishing, this cream cleanser is packed with skin-supporting ingredients. Almond oil, squalane, oat extract and vitamin E work together to dissolve makeup and daily buildup without drying the skin, while supporting the skin barrier and microbiome. The result is clean, soft, comfortable skin.
Why we love it: This product is exceptionally moisturising. Quite often, products that remove make up can also strip your skin, causing it to feel direr than the Sahara desert. Mantle's cleansing milk, however, wipes away the day without compromise or the desperate urge to slather on serums for relief.
What is the best makeup remover for combination skin
What it does: Micellar water is the perfect product for combination skin. Lightweight and soothing, the active ingredients work to attract dirt like tiny makeup magnets, leaving your skin feeling clean with a single swipe.
Why we love it: This specific micellar water does a whole lot more than remove makeup. The addition of spirulina and cucumber extract gives it a calming edge, making it especially useful for skin that’s oily in places and dry in others.
What is the best makeup remover for sensitive skin
What it does: Designed with sensitivity in mind, this cleansing milk removes makeup while cushioning the skin with white lily and woodmallow extract. Gentle and soothing, it relieves irritation without causing any adverse reactions. Perfect for those whose skin errs on the more sensitive side.
Why we love it: It’s as much about comfort as cleansing. The fluid, silky texture makes it ideal for skin that reacts easily or prefers a slower, more indulgent routine. It is all about the little luxuries in life, after all!
What is the best makeup remover for acne-prone skin
What it does: A gel cleanser that understands breakout-prone skin. It removes makeup and buildup using micellar technology while keeping the barrier intact.
Why we love it: Centella, niacinamide and ceramides work behind the scenes, calming redness and supporting repair. Clean skin, without the post-cleanse backlash.
What is the best makeup remover cleanser
What it does: Caudelie's gentle, soap-free offering is both a potent cleanser and the perfect makeup remover. It effectively cleanses, protects, and gently hydrates the skin, leaving it feeling comfortable, clean, and completely free of cosmetics.
Why we love it: With 97 per cent natural-origin ingredients, it’s a reassuring option for those who want straightforward cleansing with fewer frills.
What is the best makeup remover for waterproof makeup
What it does: This two-phase formula breaks down waterproof eye makeup fast, allowing mascara and liner to lift away with minimal pressure.
Why we love it: Removing waterproof mascara can often damage delicate lashes due to harsh scrubbing. But this innovative lotion offers dual benefit: its unique formula gently dissolves even the most stubborn makeup while stimulating eyelash growth and providing protection. Say hello to longer, healthier lashes ladies!
What is the best makeup remover oil
What it does: This mild and gentle cleansing oil is formidable against makeup. With a base of soybean oil, it works proactively to dissolve all traces of makeup and dirt accumulated on the skin. Plus, its rich blend of ingredients ensures that skin is left beautifully conditioned once rinsed off.
Why we love it: The ginseng adds a subtle ritualistic quality, making this feel considered rather than purely functional.
What is the best makeup remover balm
What it does: This sorbet-textured balm is a makeup-removing powerhouse. It melts on contact, breaking down makeup, sunscreen and buildup in one step before emulsifying cleanly.
Why we love it: More than just a non-comedogenic product that won't clog your pores, the soft texture encourages massage, turning makeup removal into a moment of decompression rather than a chore.
What is the best eye makeup remover
What it does: Built to deal with stubborn eye makeup quickly, this remover tackles mascara and liner without irritating the delicate eye area. Featuring the brand's proprietary Eyebright formula alongside soothing chamomile, it effortlessly evict makeup in seconds. Beyond its cleansing power, it also conditions and hydrates the delicate skin under the eyes.
Why we love it: Efficient, dependable and unfussy. Just shake and swipe. Moreover, the potent formula is engineered to tackle even the most stubborn cosmetics, making it your secret weapon against those hard-to-budge red lipsticks as well.
What is the best drugstore makeup remover
What it does: It effortlessly dissolves every trace of makeup in seconds, while simultaneously drenching the skin in hydration for a visibly plumped, nourished finish. Just a quick scoop, a gentle swipe, and watch your day melt away in mere moments
**Why we love it:**It punches well above its price point, offering comfort and performance usually reserved for more expensive formulas.
What are the best makeup remover wipes?
What it does: Removes makeup while cushioning the skin with organic oat oil, fatty acids and ceramides.
Why we love it: Not an everyday solution, but a smart one when in a bind. Biodegradable, gentle and editor-approved. Senior Beauty editor Josefin Forsberg keeps a pack at her desk for a reason.