Say Goodbye to Mascara Residue With Our Favorite Eye Makeup Removers (2024)

TL;DR

The Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water was my favorite for a hassle-free, one-step eye makeup remover. Its no-rinse, cleansing, and nourishing formula makes it the number one pick. The E.l.f. Holy Hydration Cleansing Balm wowed me with its wallet-friendly price, how effortlessly it melted away eye makeup (and face makeup), and its hydrating formula.

Our Top Picks

Formula: Micellar water | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Amount: 3.4, 13.5, 23.7 oz

A celebrated product in the makeup remover game, the Garnier Micellar Water has loyal fans for a reason. Its gentle yet powerful formula cleanses the skin without stripping it of moisture and swiftly removes eye makeup. It did not irritate my sensitive skin but felt cooling and soothing, which I appreciated. I used this one on a day when my cheeks and nose were slightlysunburnt, and it did not sting.

It removed all my mascara but worked best when I held a cotton round over my eyelid for 30 seconds—then I could wipe the residue away. This micellar water has unconventional uses, too, further expanding its value. It can be used to remove hair dye from the skin, clean makeup brushes, remove self-tanner from hands after application, and cleanse dirt and oil as a post-workout refresh. Plus, it’s only $12 for 13.5 ounces, which should last me a while.

Type: Cleansing balm | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Amount: 3.54 oz

This heavy-duty cleansing balm is like clicking the undo button—it quickly dissolves makeup.And for $11, it rivals most of the high-end cleansing balms I have tried. It was perfect at removing everything on nights when I had a full face of glam. With a consistency similar to coconut oil, it starts out solid and then turns into an oil from the warmth of your skin. I watched my eye makeup immediately disappear upon application—even my waterproof mascara started to run, which I’d never seen it do before. I was left looking a bit like a raccoon, but in the best way possible.

It certainly lives up to its name because it feels hydrating—like a drink of water for your face. This is thanks to hyaluronic acid, an ingredient known for it's nourishing and soothing properties. It left my skin feeling plump, smooth, and nourished. It’s a no-brainer for affordable hydration and makeup-melting power.

Type: Micellar water | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Amount: 8 oz

I’m all for convenience when it comes to makeup removers, and this one from Drunk Elephant is as easy as it gets. The formula removes makeup, cleanses the skin, and moisturizes it all at once, saving me time and effort. Rich in ceramides and fatty acids, the formula leans on wild melon seed oil to lock in moisture and keep out bacteria (It also makes my skin the softest it’s ever been).Its texture is a hybrid between a cleansing milk and micellar water, so you can expect an effective cleanse that supports the skin barrier.

Within a few swipes of this product, my eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara were gone. It felt gentle on my skin, and I didn't notice any signs of irritation while testing. The best part: it doesn’t need to be rinsed off. So, on those lazy nights, you can easily crawl into bed after one step (or you can do your whole skincare routine if you're feeling fancy). My skin felt cleansed and moisturized, all thanks to the multitasking power and the one-and-done process.

Type: Biphase liquid | Cruelty-Free: No | Amount: 4.2 oz

Specifically designed to target waterproof mascara and hard-to-remove eye makeup, this Lancôme eye makeup remover requires no tugging or rubbing. Thanks to its biphase formula (which is equal parts oil and water), it's able to break down makeup and cleanse the skin. It works by loosening makeup with the oil and washing it away with water, ultimately removing impurities to reveal a clean face without irritation.

It tends to leave a slight greasy residue on the skin, so I preferred it as an eyes-only makeup remover. However, this wasn’t a dealbreaker for me, considering it dissolved my mascara and eyeliner in seconds (which was very impressive). I think the hefty price tag is worth it for the speedy results. The formula was incredibly gentle, did not irritate my skin, and was contact lens-approved.

Type: Biphase liquid | Cruelty-Free: No | Amount: 4.2 oz

This La-Roche Posay remover is another one that excels at removing mascara. It’s similar to the Lancôme remover with its double-action, biphase formula, but it’s not as greasy. It’s also not quite as speedy as its Lancôme counterpart, and takes slightly more effort for total removal. However, it felt refreshing with its water-like, nondrying formula and was gentle on my skin, so I looked forward to using it daily.

As someone who wears contacts, I appreciate that it doesn’t cloud or sting my eyes. The brand mentions it can be used for face makeup, too; it removed my foundation and powder products exceptionally well.

Type: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: No | Amount: 8 oz

It's hard to find a makeup remover that melts away heavy eyeshadow, but this one passed the test with flying colors (couldn’t help it). The eye makeup remover from Clinique effortlessly washed away my long-wear eyeliner and glitter eyeshadow, so it's useful for days when you have full glam on your lids. However, it was not as good at removing all the mascara from my lashes; I had to work a little harder to remove all of the residue. This remover is still worthy of accolades for its tug-free and nonirritating approach and for leaving no sparkle behind. My eyes felt slightly oily after use, so it required an additional cleansing step, but that’s the case for most makeup removers anyway.

Type: Makeup wipes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Amount: 30 count

If makeup wipes are your preferred method of makeup removal, these Honest Beauty ones are worth buying. Formulated with clean ingredients and plant-based cloth, they’re good for the planet and your skin.

Upon testing, I thought the wipes were not saturated with enough solution, but they still got the job done. And, since they aren’t as saturated as other wipes I’ve used, they don’t leave behind a wet, greasy feeling on the skin. After about 30 seconds of rubbing with one wipe, most of my eye makeup was gone, including my long-wearing eyeliner and most of my mascara. I used a second wipe for the remaining mascara on my lashes, which did the trick. It is worth noting that the dryness of these wipes did make my eyes slightly red, but the formulation itself is sensitive skin-approved. When you can’t be bothered to fuss with a cotton round and liquid solution, these makeup wipes are convenient and provide the clean feeling your skin craves.

Type: Oil cleanser | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Amount: 3.3 oz

Who knew a makeup remover could come in the form of a jelly? I sure didn’t. With a thick consistency close to Vaseline, this product felt soothing on the skin. The dual-action formula cleanses and moisturizes the skin (it's a makeup remover and a true cleanser). The nine luxe oils quite literally melted my makeup off, thus living up to its name. I was astonished when my mascara instantly dissolved, and no residue was left on my lashes. The whole experience felt very spa-like, from how the product glides across the skin to the earthy, calming scent; it makes removing makeup enjoyable.

Once it came in contact with water and emulsified, the jelly turned into an oil cleanser that both cleansed and nourished. The one con for me was the packaging. Though an innovative push-up pump, there is major potential for waste because it is difficult to control how much comes out, and a little product goes a long way.

Type: Biphase liquid | Cruelty-Free: No | Amount: 5.5, 8 oz

If you have sensitive skin like me, this remover is perfect—it’s a gentle, oil-free formula that’s lightweight and doesn't include any irritating ingredients. It is also ophthalmologist-tested, so it shouldn’t irritate your eyes, and it’s safe for contact lens wearers, too. I didn’t need to tug or rub at my lids with this remover, and it still removed my eye makeup efficiently.

I had to use one cotton round for each eye to get totally clean lids and lashes. Since it’s a gentler formula, it did not remove my makeup as quickly as some of the other products on this list, but it eventually got the job done without any signs of irritation. It did feel slightly greasy on my lids, even though it claims to leave no oily residue. The brand recommends rinsing it off with water, but a good cleanser helped to remove any excess oil on my face.

Type: Cleansing oil | Cruelty-Free: No | Amount: 6.76 oz

Makeup removers can sometimes dry out the skin, but this ultra-moisturizing cleansing oil from Sulwhasoo does the exact opposite. Formulated with a Korean Herbal Oil Complex consisting of vitamin E, organic olive oil, and rosemary oil, it breaks down makeup, SPF, and excess sebum, all without feeling heavy or drying on the skin.

This cleansing oil felt luxurious upon application, and the lavender scent was soothing. It turned creamy when met with water and immediately started to break down my face and eye makeup. My mascara flaked off in clumps, but it didn’t drip or dissolve as it did with some other products. The result was a clean lash and eyelid, free from any residue. Fair warning: this product has a very runny texture and can easily make a mess if you are not careful. However, it never left a greasy feeling after use, just a hydrated and nourished complexion.

Type: Cleansing balm | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Amount: 1.9 oz

Tatcha is known for its high-end skincare, and this cleansing balm is no exception. A moisturizing formula made with Japanese indigo extract, it is calming and nourishing for dry skin types. It even comes with a convenient gold coin that makes scooping up the product effortless and hygienic.

I instantly noticed that it was fragrance-free, which is a plus for my sensitive skin. The consistency is very thick, but when applied to the face, it instantly absorbs into the skin, breaking down makeup. My eyeshadow and eyeliner dissolved, and my mascara quickly followed. I didn’t find this one to be the most efficient cleansing balm of the ones I’ve tried since it took some time to break down my makeup. However, once it did, the result was a clean, moisturized, and soft face. I think it’s worth the splurge, too; it feels luxurious on the skin and adds an extra level of moisture I didn’t even know I needed.

FAQ

• What is the most gentle way to remove eye makeup?

  Harsh rubbing in the eye area can cause irritation and damage to your lashes and delicate skin. Dr. Davison suggests gently rubbing the area in circular motions using a soft cloth soaked in a makeup-removing solution to completely remove makeup without being too abrasive. Instead of using a textured washcloth, opt for a soft cotton pad or cloth with a smooth texture.

• How do you remove glitter eye makeup?

  “My tip for removing glitter is to start with a wipe,” Smith says. “I wrap it around my finger and roll to remove the glitter. If you swipe back and forth, glitter will transfer all over your face. Any leftover specks are easily removed with clear tape. Just tap that over the area, and it instantly lifts the glitter off!”

• Can you use eye makeup remover on the rest of your face?

  It depends. If the remover is specifically formulated for just the eyes, there is a good chance it will be too harsh for the rest of the face and may cause breakouts or dryness. It may also leave the face feeling greasy. However, if the formula is water-based, it is most likely gentle enough to be used on the rest of the face. Some removers, like a cleansing balm, cleansing oil, ormicellar water, are targeted for the whole face, so they can easily be used on the eyes.