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Jun 14, 2023

The Best Makeup Removers for Waterproof Makeup and More, From Face Wipes to Viral Micellar Water

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There's nothing more annoying than returning home after a long day, only to get unready and realize that your waterproof mascara or long-lasting lipstick is nearly impossible to remove. Cleaning your skin should be a painless process, which is why you need one very important player in your daily routine: a reliable makeup remover.

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Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the best makeup removers that truly keep up their end of the bargain. From Hollywood-loved products and best-selling face wipes to viral cleansing balms and GRWM-approved micellar water, shop some of the best options for washing away daily grime, waterproof mascara, sunscreen and more.

BEST MAKEUP REMOVER OVERALL

Clinique's award-winning, bestselling cleansing balm has thousands of glowing reviews for its vegan, lightweight formula. Watch the formula transform from a balm to a silky oil, melting away the day without leaving a greasy residue.

Price: $38

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A favorite of Olivia Culpo and global brand ambassador Lana Condor, Neutrogena's Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover is one of the best drugstore options for sensitive skin and for removing waterproof mascara. It boasts a dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested dual-phase formula that's oil-free and works gently to remove dirt and makeup without tugging or stinging. (If you prefer wipes, the brand's travel-friendly facial cleansing towelettes are also a convenient option.)

Price: $9.14

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Eliminate the need to throw wipes away daily by using cleansing balms, which are known to effortlessly melt away makeup. One of the best makeup removers for under $20, Versed's cleansing balm is a beauty pro favorite and features eye-safe eucalyptus, clove leaf oil and a vitamin E-filled formula.

Price: $18.97

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One of the latest releases from superstar Rihanna's Fenty Skin, the Melt Awf Jelly Oil Makeup-Melting Cleanser is one of our new favorite makeup removers for its multi-tasking and clean formula. This vegan cleanser effectively washes away waterproof makeup, sunscreen and dirt, leaving the skin feeling smooth, soft and hydrated.

MORE BUYING OPTIONS: Fenty Skin | Sephora

Price: $34

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BEST PLANT-BASED FACE WIPES

Honest Beauty's plant-based face wipes are hypoallergenic, Environmental Working Group-verified (EWG) and dermatologist approved. Made for sensitive skin, these wipes also feature a non-drying formula with a sugar-derived surfactant to remove dirt and oil, irritation-free.

Price: $7.99 $6.99

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BEST FOR REMOVING SUNSCREEN

Farmacy's makeup meltaway cleansing balm is an award-winning face cleanser that contains a handful of clean ingredients to get the job done. Sunflower and ginger root oils help melt away your most stubborn makeup, turmeric and moringa extract help remove dirt and sunscreen residue and papaya enzymes naturally exfoliate pores.

Price: $36

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If you prefer a plastic-free, minimalist cleansing routine, the super-soft Original MakeUp Eraser is one of the best reusable makeup removers — just add water and wipe the day off your face. We love that it's safe for sensitive skin, reusable, washable and can be used up to 1,000 times before it needs replacing.

Price: $20

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BEST CLEANSING WIPES FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

A great combo of the previous two faves are CeraVe's makeup remover wipes, which are not only 100 percent plant-based, but they’re also biodegradable in home compost. A squeaky-clean option, these wipes are fragrance-free, oil-free, allergy-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, sensitive skin-tested and non-comedogenic.

Price: $10.49 $9.97

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All of the top TikTok GRWM (aka "get ready with me") gals — from Alix Earle to Monet McMichael — have been spotted getting unready using Garnier's micellar water, which must be why the product is flying of the shelves and has garnered more than 30,000 star ratings. Micellar cleansing water lifts away even the harshest makeup — including the waterproof kind — without the need to rinse.

Price: $10.49 $7.97

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BEST MICELLAR WATER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

French girls love Bioderma's Sensibio H2O micellar water, which can be used by soaking a cotton pad with the formula and gently removing makeup. Safe enough for sensitive skin, and can be used daily, from morning to night.

Price: $15.89

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Lancôme's cult-favorite Bi-Facil Double-Action eye makeup remover has a liquid formula that's suitable for all skin types. Shake the product to activate the two-phase product, which uses a lipid phase to easily lift heavy waterproof mascara and other cosmetics and an emollient phase that clears away makeup residue.

MORE BUYING OPTIONS: Nordstrom | Sephora

Price: $50

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This oil-free eye makeup remover from Klorane is safe for sensitive eyes, thanks to the ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-approved plant-based ingredients that gently remove mascara. It contains the French skin-care brand's hero ingredient, organically-farmed cornflower water, which soothes sensitive skin.

Price: $19.00

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