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Sep 27, 2023

The Best Reusable Makeup Removers of 2023

By Angela Trakoshis All products featured on Allure are independently selected

By Angela Trakoshis

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you are still using makeup wipes, we suggest you stop right now. According to Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, makeup wipes can be irritating to the skin. "Many [makeup wipes] have low levels of alcohol or fragrance that can change the pH levels in your skin," she says. Not to mention, they likely won't remove every last bit of makeup, so you're likely to clog your pores without even noticing.

There are plenty of alternatives to removing makeup like cleansers, cleansing balms, or, the star of this story: reusable makeup removers. This option normally comes in the form of cotton rounds that have multi-use functionality or reusable towels — both of which are activated with water or micellar water.

The negative environmental effects shouldn't be overlooked either. Emily Nyrop, vice president of the Conservation Center for Natural Climate Solutions tells Allure that single-use makeup remover wipes tend to be made of non-biodegradable materials like polyester or polypropylene. Single-use cotton rounds can also be bad for the environment and climate because they may be made out of unsustainably-sourced cotton and other non-biodegradable materials, Nyrop notes. "When these one-time use wipes or rounds aren't disposed of properly, they can take a long time to decompose in landfills, thus contributing to environmental and water pollution," she says. Yikes.

While the convenience of a single-use makeup wipe or cotton round seems like the easy way out, many reusable makeup removers have become so easy to clean and use, you'll hardly feel the difference. Another benefit of switching to reusable products? Saving money in the long term, Nyrop points out. Below are the best reusable makeup removers on the market.

In this Milk Makeup Hydro Ungrip Reusable Pads bundle you get seven reusable makeup-removing pads made out of soft bamboo fiber. To wash, you can either hand-wash them or put them in the washable mesh bag and throw it into a gentle-cycle wash.

The Original MakeUp Eraser is a personal favorite of senior commerce writer Angela Trakoshis. "Once you add water to this towel, it becomes more effective than any makeup wipe I've ever used," she says. The towel is double-sided, so use the short fibers to erase makeup and the longer fiber side to exfoliate. Plus, it comes in many different colors and patterns so you have an array to choose from, in case this bright pink isn't your thing.

Swap your makeup wipes for the Face Halo Reusable Makeup Remover Pads and you'll never look back. Just add some warm water to the round and gently glide it across any makeup or debris to take it all off.

The Paula's Choice Reusable Makeup Remover Pads are made out of a blend of cotton and bamboo, making them great for sensitive skin. Store them in this mesh bag and toss them in the washing machine when they need washing.

How pretty are these baby-pink microfiber Garner Skin Active Micellar Cleansing Eco Pads? For only $10, snag a three-pack and add your favorite micellar water to them (may we suggest the Best of Beauty-winning Garnier Micellar Water?) to take off all your makeup in a flash.

Made with 80 percent bamboo and 20 percent polyester, Public Goods Reusable Cleansing Rounds are aesthetically pleasing if you're into a black-and-white theme. You get 14 rounds in this bundle which equates to two full weeks of makeup removal — that's impressive for only $13.

The cool thing about the Real Techniques Reusable Makeup Remover Pads is that each side has a different purpose. The white side has a softer texture that gently removes face makeup, while the peach side is a bit grittier to remove stubborn eye makeup without irritating the eyes.

Tweezerman isn't only known for their tweezers. These Reusable Makeup Remover Pads can be used for makeup removal with added water or micellar water or with toner to strip the skin from excess oil or debris.

The Makeup Mitty Ultra-Gentle Makeup Remover comes in a pack of three teardrop-shaped polyester tools that are extremely soft on the skin. The pointed tip is ideal for removing makeup in tiny areas, like stubborn waterproof mascara on the lash line or glitters in the corners of the eye.

Jenny Patinkin Pure Luxury Organic Reusable Rounds are the splurge of the group, but for good reason. This set comes with 14 multifunctional rounds: Use them to wash your face, apply toner, or remove makeup. Not to mention, they are made of 100 percent Lyocell derived from organic bamboo, so it's incredibly gentle on the skin.

Inside the Kitsch Eco-Friendly Ultimate Cleansing Kit, you not only get seven face rounds (made out of organic cotton and bamboo) but also get an exfoliator sponge to buff off any dead skin, a cotton face towel for cleansing, and a mesh zip wash bag to store and wash it all in.

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