19 Makeup Removers That'll Actually Get Your Face Clean
Makeup: never stays on during the day, never comes off at night.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. Innisfree Cleansing Tissues are formulated with antioxidant-rich nutrients found in olives. Olive the sound of this.
Promising review: "I LOVE these cleansing tissues — they are the best thing ever! They make your face feel super soft, get all the makeup and dirt off your face, and make you feel so fresh after using them. Plus, these wipes are gentle and don't cause me to break out. I got these about two months ago and I I don't know how I went 24 years without them." —metheliving
Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $8.95.
2. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is to waterproof mascara what Buffy is to vampires: deadly.
3. Banila Co. Clean It Zero with papaya extracts dissolves makeup while exfoliating your skin at the same damn time.
Promising review: "I wish I found out about this product sooner. I don't need to buy separate wipes or eye makeup removers anymore, all thanks to this little tub! I have very dry skin, but this product leaves my face super moisturized and fresh. This is going to last me A LONG TIME. I don't need any more than maybe a quarter-sized amount to let it do its magic. It's worth every penny!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Soko Glam for $16.
4. Simple Facial Wipes are perfect for sensitive skin (and noses). These contain no harsh chemicals OR artificial perfumes.
Promising review: "So here it is: I have weird dry/oily combination/sensitive skin. These wipes are gentle and non-irritating. They leave my skin soft and clean, plus they remove mascara and eyeliner gently and completely. Plus (and probably most importantly), they are fast. Pull one out, swipe off the crud. Follow with a smear of moisturizer and done. REM sleep is coming that much faster." —Cody Walker
Get two packs of 25 wipes from Amazon for $6.57.
5. The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Oil and Foam duo will become an important part of your daily skincare routine.
Promising review: "This is amazing! The cleansing oil dissolves impurities and removes makeup (apply to dry, 'dirty' skin, massage well, add some water, and then massage some more). Follow up with the cleansing foam, wash off with warm water, and enjoy a clean, clear face!" —Liudmila J.
Get this set from Amazon for $14.70.
6. Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel rids your skin of the remaining gunk that your cleanser seemed to ignore.
Promising review: "I am absolutely amazed! I've never left a product review before, but this toner has seriously changed my skin. I've always had redness, and my skin is very sensitive. But once I started using this? It's been AMAZING. My skin is so soft, so smooth! This toner even works great as a makeup remover. No harsh chemicals on my face anymore!" —Cassie
Get it from Amazon for $10.44.
Check out our review here.
7. Michael Todd Grape Seed Cleansing Oil may be made from grape seed oil, but it won't leave your skin feeling oily.
Promising review: "I have oily, acne-prone skin, and people with my skin type are always a bit wary to try oil-based products. But this oil is wonderful for my skin! After several days of use, I have not had any breakouts because of this product. I wear makeup everyday — foundation, concealer, powder, blush, bronzer, highlighter, eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, and lip products (including liquid lipsticks). This cleansing oil removes EVERYTHING! It's so easy. On your dry skin (do not wet skin prior to using), apply the oil and just rub lightly in circular motions. The oil breaks down the makeup easily." —trinigirl
Get it from Amazon for $26.60.
8. Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes are a must-have for your nightstand. You know, for nights when washing your face is NOT going to happen.
Promising review: "I'm a lazy person. I tell myself that I'll take my makeup off before bed, but I usually don't — so it winds up on my pillow and seeps into my pores. Yuck! But I actually don't mind using these to remove all of my makeup. These are just a couple of swipes and then you're done." —Amanda
Get two packs of 25 towelettes from Amazon for $8.83.
9. Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser is filled with 50% moisturizer. This little tub has been used for generations by makeup wearers!
10. Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover is perfect for contact-wearers. This ophthalmologist-tested formula won't irritate your eyes!
Promising review: "I have been using this remover since it came out. This is the only eye makeup remover that doesn't burn my eyes! I've tried to finding cheaper alternatives in the past, but they always irritated my eyes, made them feel dry, or just didn't work. This just removes makeup so well!" —Scrappyrn
11. S.W. Basics Makeup Remover has only three (!!!!) natural ingredients: organic sweet almond, olive, and jojoba.
Promising review: "I have been using this product for almost a year as a light moisturizer in the morning and a makeup remover at night. I absolutely love it — it absorbs nicely and has helped balance my oily skin." —Jessica Elizabeth
Get it from Target for $14.
12. Burt's Bees Sensitive Facial Cleansing Towelettes are specifically designed for sensitive skin. Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and allergy-tested, oh my!
Promising review: "This product is really easy on the eyes! I was getting rashes and irritation from the other products I was using to get makeup off my face — but these cloths remove all my makeup without irritating the skin around my eyes. I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND THEM!" —bq3
Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $5.12.
13. Bananamond Shaking Point Makeup Remover has to be shaken to mix the milk protein, banana, and sweet almond extracts.
14. The portable Urban Decay Cleansing Oil Stick with turmeric extract can be easily packed in your carry-on.
That's right! This won't get confiscated by the TSA.
Promising review: "I LOVE this. I use a cleansing oil at night to take off my makeup, and this is honestly so much more convenient. It takes off all my makeup effectively and gently. I have no complaints!" —Katie Prunes
Get it from Sephora for $26.
15. Glossier's Milky Jelly Cleanser is made from the cleaning agents found in contact solution and will gently dissolve all your makeup.
16. Palmer's Coconut Oil Cleansing Balm contains coconut oil that won't strip your skin of moisture. Hooray for people with dry skin!
Promising review: "This product leaves a slight oily residue, but that's great for me because I have dry skin. It takes very little to get all your makeup off and it has a really nice scent! Plus, it doesn't irritate or burn my eyes either." —Perseus Mom
Get it from Walmart for $6.98.
17. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm transforms from a balm, to an oil, to a milk while cleaning your face.
Promising review: "Before I started using this, I went through the pain of removing my eye makeup with a remover, then my face makeup with micellar water, and finally using a cleanser to wash my face. But this cleansing balm takes all my makeup off with ease. When first applied, you think it's going to be a greasy mess — but as soon as water hits it, the balm turns into a gentle, easy-to-rinse, milk-like consistency that rinse clean and quickly. I thought I would find similar products that were cheaper, but none of them could compare. This is something that I have to keep on hand at all times." —JulieAJB
18. Etude House Real Art Cleansing Oil is basically the face wash equivalent of Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo.
Promising review: "This stuff is fantastic at cleaning your skin and getting rid of makeup. I have dry and dehydrated skin, and this cleans really gently — I can rub directly into my eye tear ducts with no irritation whatsoever. I will be putting this product on reorder. It's absolutely fantastic." —Alexis
Get it from Soko Glam for $16.50.
19. Nivea Visage Refreshing Cleansing Wipes get rid of all the grime on your skin and leave it feeling clean, refreshed, and happy.
Hey LC, do you need a face wipe?
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.