There’s no denying the benefits of long-wear makeup, but removing those waterproof mascaras and smudge-proof liners can pose a challenge. To avoid rubbing and pulling at (read: irritating) the delicate skin around your eyes, consider a gentle yet effective makeup remover designed specifically for your eyes. These formulas dissolve makeup, even the most stubborn kind, without bothering your skin.
With so many eye makeup removers available in various forms that range from balms and oils to wipes and water, finding the right one can be overwhelming. To help you pick the best remover for you, we enlisted the help of a handful of testers to individually test 29 of the most popular eye makeup removers. After keeping application, feel, residue, and performance top of mind, the InStyle team determined the 11 best eye makeup removers.
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Ulta Beauty
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveAs far as eye makeup removers are concerned, a creamy lotion isn’t usually what comes to mind first. But, after putting this rich formula from Clinique to the test, it’s changed everything we know about eye makeup remover. “Initially, I was a bit worried about putting a cream on my eye since it’s a lot different than what I usually use, but I was amazed,” our tester admits. “It didn’t get in my eyes or cause burning—instead, it made my makeup come right off.” Given its silky texture, our tester was pleased to find that it left her lids feeling soft and moisturized.
One thing to note: The formula contains sesame seed extract, which may trigger a reaction from those who are allergic to various nuts and seeds.
Size: 2.5 fl oz. | Type: Lotion | Ingredients: Sesame seed oil, Algae extract
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Ulta Beauty
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveA luxurious makeup-removing balm doesn’t have to be expensive. Case in point: This cleansing balm from e.l.f. Cosmetics. Our tester, who has tested tons of balms prior to this one, said that it stood apart from the rest. “I loved the feel of this balm on my skin. It didn’t feel harsh, unlike other makeup removers I’ve tried,” she says. “Compared to other balms I’ve used, it required minimal product—which is something I value a lot—and left behind no residue.” Formulated with a blend of nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides, the balm offers deep hydration on top of effective cleansing. “The product effectively took off all of the eyeshadow I was wearing in just a few swipes and I never once felt greasy or slimy,” she explains.
While our tester didn’t have a bad thing to say about the product’s makeup-removing capabilities, reviewers online mentioned that it might take a bit of elbow grease to remove waterproof eyeliner and mascara.
Size: 2 oz. | Type: Balm | Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides, Peptides
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Bloomingdale's
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveTata Harper is one of those brands you never stop hearing about. It’s for good reason, we can assure you that. If it wasn’t, celebs like Brooke Shields and Kate Hudson wouldn’t be feeding into the hype. What makes the brand so special is that it’s dedicated to sourcing plant-based ingredients from its own farm in Vermont with the intention of using nature to provide clear, youthful skin. With that said, farm-to-face isn’t cheap, so if you’re going to splurge on a luxury skincare brand, let it be on this one. Not only did it wow our testers, but a little bit goes a long way, so you can get the most out of your money. “I used a tiny amount on my eyelid and was able to easily remove my makeup,” our tester confirms. “It required minimal effort and pressure, too.” The tester also admits that upon first application, he used a little too much and noticed some residual oil. But, next time he tried it, he used significantly less and had no residue left behind.
Size: 4.1 fl oz. | Type: Cleansing oil | Ingredients: Alfalfa, Vitamin A, Squalane
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Sephora
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveThere’s no question about it: Drunk Elephant knows skincare. This buttery smooth formula felt incredibly moisturizing, even on my eyes. And, although there’s oil in the formula, it didn’t get into my eyes or make me temporarily blind, which happens to me often since I wear contact lenses. The brand intends you to use the product on your whole face, either on its own to remove makeup or in conjunction with the exfoliating powder that comes with it. I wouldn’t put the exfoliating powder anywhere near my eyes (that screams a recipe for disaster), but it does work quite nicely when I want to give my skin an extra zhuzh while cleansing.
Plus, the tub itself is pretty large, so even though the price is up there, I know I’ll get a good use out of it. I also love that it comes with a spoon that can be used to dish out the perfect amount of product every time and eliminate any cross-contamination from bacteria or grubby fingers. A quick note: It has a fruit smoothie-like smell everyone may not love.
Size: 3.88 oz. | Type: Balm | Ingredients: Blueberry extract, Kiwi extract, Strawberry extract, Cranberry seed oil, Açai fruit oil, Watermelon seed oil
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Glossier
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveIf you hate the idea of slathering an oil or a balm all over your face, try this milky oil from Glossier. The perfectly-proportioned combo of oil and micellar water work together to create a dual-phase formula that dissolves makeup and conditions skin at the same time. The bottle is squeezable, so it’s mess-free, and it can be used either alone or with a cotton pad. “It’s super smooth and doesn’t feel greasy, despite having oil in it,” our tester says. “To my surprise, there’s no residue left behind, and I was able to use the same cotton round for both of my eyes (three swipes per eye).”
Size: 3.4 fl oz. | Type: Micellar water, Oil | Ingredients: Comfrey root extract, Pro-vitamin B5, Castor oil
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Sephora
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveThis pampering cleansing oil feels so luxurious it turns your daily cleanse from a chore into a treat. The gentle oil is formulated with four oils—sweet almond, rapeseed, sunflower and castor oil—to condition skin as you cleanse, leaving it silky smooth and product-free. “I usually stay away from oil-based products, but I was surprised to find that this cleanser didn’t feel greasy on the skin,” our tester shares. “After using it, my skin felt fresh with no residue left behind, making it my new holy grail product.”
Size: 5 fl oz. | Type: Cleansing oil | Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, Rapeseed oil, Sunflower oil, Castor oil
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Macy's
Our Ratings
What We LoveThis bi-phase makeup remover effectively removes all types of makeup, especially heavy, waterproof kinds.
Like most things stamped with the coveted Chanel branding, there’s an intentional and meticulous construction behind this formula. Spoiler alert: It’s exceptional. While it dissolves all traces of stubborn makeup as well as any top-performing makeup remover, its skincare benefits are even better. The oil-based formula feels watery but is surprisingly pleasant to work with. “It’s not drippy, and though it contains oil, it didn’t leave behind a greasy or slimy feeling,” says InStyle associate editorial director Shannon Bauer. “It removed every speck of eyeshadow in one swipe. There was no residue left on my eyes after using it and I didn’t feel like I needed to wash it off with a cleanser.”
Almost $40 feels like a lot for a makeup remover, especially one that’s only three ounces. But, given the results during the lab test, our tester would recommend it for lighter makeup days. “It can get off the tough stuff, but for glam looks I would reach for something a little tougher,” she says.
Size: 3.4 fl oz. | Type: Bi-phase liquid | Ingredients: Cornflower and Rose extracts
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Amazon
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveIf you’re still part of the camp of people who stand by their makeup remover wipes over oils, these gentle pads are right up your alley. “They’re moist without making your face all wet and don’t seep into your eyes,” our tester explains. “It dries on contact and leaves skin feeling smooth instead of sticky.” It only took one swipe per eye to get rid of stubborn eye makeup, which, obviously, is impressive. But, the best part of all is that the tester says “eyelids aren’t red at all” after. Seeing as the pads aren’t overloaded with liquid, they may dry out over time, especially if you don’t use them that often. If that’s the case, you may need to wet them a bit in order to bring them back to life.
Size: 85 wipes | Type: Wipes | Ingredients: Aloe vera
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Amazon
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveThis drugstore staple has been around for decades and continues to be a favorite among supermodels, beauty professionals, and everyday makeup wearers alike. Why? It’s affordable, effective and doesn’t tout any bells and whistles. All you need is a cotton pad and a tiny bit of the dual-phase liquid to lift eye makeup without the need for scrubbing or tugging. “I love that the product is water-based and feels nice on my eyelids,” our tester shares. “Very little is needed to take off all of my makeup, which is huge.” To get the best results, the brand suggests shaking the bottle to break up the formula and then apply it directly to the face. You might notice an immediate calming effect, thanks to soothing aloe and cucumber extracts.
Size: 5.5 fl oz. | Type: Bi-phase liquid | Ingredients: Aloe vera and Cucumber extracts
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Amazon
Our Ratings
What We Love What We Don’t LoveChances are, at one point or another, you’ve tried one of Mary Kay’s iconic cosmetic products. This eye makeup remover by the brand is our pick for those with sensitive eyes (like contact lens-wearers) because it refreshes skin and lifts makeup from the super sensitive eye area without any stinging or pain. Plus, it was tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists, who proved it to be suitable for those who wear contacts and those who have skin allergies.
And, even though it’s gentle enough for those with sensitivities, it’s still highly effective. “It does an amazing job of removing makeup—I feel refreshed without any irritation,” our tester says. “I only needed a couple swipes to get rid of all of the makeup I had on; it performed way better than I expected it to.”
Size: 3.75 fl oz. | Type: Bi-phase | Ingredients: Water and Dimethicone
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Amazon
What We Love What We Don’t LoveAnything Cetaphil makes is known for being super gentle, and this makeup remover is no exception. The formula is kind to skin, but doesn’t back down against waterproof pigments. The result: Calm, relaxed skin without a trace of makeup. Because it has a micellar water-y feel with a slightly oily texture, it feels conditioning yet doesn’t leave behind that annoying oily residue. Plus, it contains aloe vera, ginseng, and green tea botanicals to soothe skin along the way. “The product seamlessly removed shadow from my eyelids without seeping into my eyes and causing discomfort or irritation,” the tester notes. “It took off most of my makeup in just one swipe, no pressure or tugging required.”
Size: 6 fl oz. | Type: Bi-phase liquid | Ingredients: Aloe vera, Ginseng, Green tea botanicals
What to Keep in Mind
- Type: Makeup removers come in different forms—from wipes, oils, and cleansing balms to micellar water and bi-phase solutions. According to cosmetic chemist Julie Pefferman, they’re all effective but differ only in ingredients. “Oil cleansers are largely oil, and micellar water or bi-phase solutions contain mostly water. Both are effective at removing makeup, but with added ingredients like glycol and a surfactant, the cleansing powers are amplified,” she explains. Balms contain a lot of oil but differ from traditional oils because they sit on the skin for a bit longer and usually melt into a milky liquid when they come in contact with water. Wipes she says, are mostly made of water but have “a significant portion of emollients and silicones” to ensure the wipes glide easily over the skin.
- Skin Type: Choosing the right makeup remover for your skin type is important for optimum results. Oily skin types should look for micellar solutions to draw out impurities and dirt on the skin. Those with dry skin should opt for creamier, oil-based formulas that deliver hydration as they cleanse. Sensitive and mature skin types should look for more mild formulations that are fragrance-free and void of gritty exfoliants.
- Ingredients: According to board-certified ophthalmologist Diane Hilal-Campo, M.D., you should avoid using makeup removers containing parabens and sulfates, as well as benzalkonium chloride. This type of preservative is harmful to the ocular surface of the eye and has been found to decrease the production of tears, resulting in dry eye and overall discomfort. “Fragrance—a blanket term for anything that adds scent to a product—should be avoided,” she explains. “Many of these fragrances can be irritating and allergenic.”
Your Questions, Answered
What is the best way to remove eye makeup?
To avoid aggravating the skin and to protect the eyes, Dr. Hilal-Campo recommends using light pressure to push the product firmly against the eye (while your eye is closed). “Waiting a few minutes will allow the oils in the makeup remover to break down the makeup,” she says. “Then, gently wipe it away from your eyes and repeat as necessary until all makeup has been fully removed.”
Which eye makeup removers are best for sensitive skin?
Those with sensitive skin and eyes may need to be more careful about the formulas they choose. You’ll want to look for formulas chock full of skin-conditioning ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid while avoiding irritants like alcohol, fragrances, and sulfates. You may also want to avoid makeup wipes if you have ultra-sensitive skin as the rubbing might be aggravating.
What can I do if I get eye makeup remover in my eyes?
Whenever you’re experiencing eye irritation from getting something in your eye, whether it be eye makeup remover or a stray eyelash, the technique is always the same. “Use a sterile eyewash solution—you can buy some at the drugstore—to flush out your eye,” Dr. Hilal-Campo explains. “Use more than you think you need to ensure the offender is fully flushed out.” If you’re still experiencing some redness and inflammation, a cool compress can help relieve any lingering discomfort. Of course, if the discomfort still persists, you should see your eye doctor, she says.
Why Shop With Us
Caitlyn Martyn is a former commerce writer for InStyle, where she covered skincare, makeup, hair, and fashion. With expert insight from a cosmetic chemist, an ophthalmologist, and tester first-hand experience, she poured over product specifications and rounded up our top picks for this story. Caitlyn has experience researching, testing and writing about beauty products and has tried tons of different eye makeup removers, including several from the above brands, including Drunk Elephant, Neutrogena, and Caudalie.
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