Health & beauty

14 Best Makeup Removers

See which products -- from MAC cosmetics, Rimmel and more -- easily stripped off eye makeup (and everything else)

September 16, 2011 | by Sarah Carrillo | 43 COMMENTS

No. 3: YonKa Gel Nettoyant -- Cleansing Gel and Makeup Remover, $31 TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9.5*
Why it's great: "This is the best makeup remover I have ever tried. My skin feels so clean, but instead of feeling tight, like most cleansers, it leaves your skin feeling so soft!" -- tontaldav, TotalBeauty.com member

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 2: Bare Escentuals On The Spot, $5

13 of 15

products mentioned

MAC Wipes

8.6

Estee Lauder Take it Away LongWear Makeup Remover...

6.8

Lancome Effacil Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

9.1

Rimmel London Gentle Eye Make Up Remover

7.9

Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover

8.4

St. Ives Fresh Skin Make-Up Remover & Facial Cleanser

8.5

Sephora Express Cleansing Wipes

8.4

Nivea Eye Make-up Remover

8.7

Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

9.3

The Body Shop Camomile Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover

9.3

Lush Baby Face

9.3

YonKa Gel Nettoyant - Cleansing Gel And Makeup Remover

9.5

Bare Escentuals On The Spot Eye Makeup Remover

9.2

Estee Lauder Take It Away Total Makeup Remover

8.7

leave a comment

View old comments

By far my fave is Nivea Eye Makeup Remover! Easy to use and the worst of eye makeup melts off. This is sometimes hard to find. I wish it was in every Drugstore and Supermarket. Nivea could make a mint! Great picks in the article.

by Ydabney Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 10:48AM Report as inappropriate

There are some great products here (love Lush's "Baby Face"), but some are missing--like Pond's Cold Cream (gets rid of everything!) and Estee Lauder's Eye Makeup Remover.

by GigiSD Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 08:42PM Report as inappropriate

I use WEI to go gelled oil cleanser. It's the best!

by emkgibson Monday, April 29, 2013 at 12:49AM Report as inappropriate

Sephora has a good eye makeup remover much like lancome's bifacil. Not as pricey. Does a great job and is gentle on the eyes

by FrannyLou Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 10:48PM Report as inappropriate

for removing makeup there are so many options - as long as they are gentle on the skin and so the job well...

by AstridB Friday, February 15, 2013 at 11:21AM Report as inappropriate

Nice

by EricaF123 Friday, February 15, 2013 at 05:51AM Report as inappropriate

i really need a good makeup remover

by LittleBunny Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 03:34PM Report as inappropriate

I used to use the Mary Kay makeup remover, until I realized that Loreal makes a makeup remover (green bottle) that works just as well, and it's only like $6.

by MissPurple Friday, January 25, 2013 at 01:19PM Report as inappropriate

I'd like to try the Boots makeup remover. I like their rosewater toner

by kimihavens Monday, December 10, 2012 at 10:38AM Report as inappropriate

Lancome Effacil Gentle Eye Makeup Remover....did not remove my mascara without some harsh rubbing. I will not repurchase!

by marinetiger Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 04:40PM Report as inappropriate

I have the lancome, estee lauder and mary kay removers and they actually work great for makeup in general, but if you use a makeup sealant like shelaq or kryolan it won't work on those, so I just use olive or coconut oil for that.

by Lani702 Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 07:01AM Report as inappropriate

My favorite was not on here :( I love the Sonia Kashuk "remove" eye makeup remover! It's very gentle and removes your makeup very quickly!

by Chris213 Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 07:39PM Report as inappropriate

no biore gel remover?

by yun_yuwa Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 11:38PM Report as inappropriate

Hmm, I think I'm going to try the Boots remover and the Nivea as well! Thanks for the info on other options.

by mhw Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 10:59AM Report as inappropriate

My vote to the Ecoco glove as well. There is a video review showing a makeup artist using it, just search for "ecoco review".

by Lola86 Thursday, July 5, 2012 at 01:01AM Report as inappropriate

Try the Ecoco Cosmetic Glove - a natural makeup remover designed to remove makeup with just water!! At ecoco-cosmeticglove . c o m Works much better than any of the above. 500x washable and $8,95 per piece!!! I absolutely love it.

by weirdmier Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 08:01AM Report as inappropriate

None of the above! Use olive oil and witch hazel. Inexpensive and au natural ;)

by www.KeepMeBlushing.com Monday, April 30, 2012 at 05:35PM Report as inappropriate

I'm not a fan of remover wipes. They don't really get everything off, and the only time I use them is when travelling. I gentle cream cleanser will get even the most stubborn eye makeup off & clean your skin.

by DTalksAll Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 03:01PM Report as inappropriate

The mary kay and lancome ones are great. Have to try some of the others.

by Nicole1021 Sunday, April 8, 2012 at 06:52PM Report as inappropriate

I love facial wipes when I am being extremely lazy. They make taking off makeup so convenient.

by beautybody Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 10:09AM Report as inappropriate

I'm never going to pay $20 for makeup wipes..

by eatinglipstick Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 08:07PM Report as inappropriate

I'm using DHC right now. It is exactly like Lancomes with the silicone. I have used almay too which is the same. All the silicone based ones, at least the ones I have tried are on par with each other.

by ShanthiDevi Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 01:44AM Report as inappropriate

Mary Kay eye makeup remover is definitely something out of this world, just the best I've tried ever!! love it!!!

by yayabera Monday, March 12, 2012 at 08:38PM Report as inappropriate

I was surprised not to see Philosophy's Purity Made Simple makeup remover o the list. I do love the Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover for those hard to remove eye products.

by powerwoman033 Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 03:12PM Report as inappropriate

I'm glad I read this article, and the reviews. Just last night I almost bought the Neutrogena wipes, and I'm glad I didn't after reading what everyone said about it. I will definitely try the St. Ives, I have always liked their products.

by mrselliott08 Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 01:56PM Report as inappropriate

I will definitely try the St. Ives makeup remover after reading this article. Love the price and have always had good experiences with their brand. Im like several other reveiwers here that I just can not see spending thirty dollars on a makeup remover. I think it would have to reapply my makeup for me the next morning before I spent that amount. But im a mom of three and have to watch what I spend on mine and my daughters makeup supplies. I also have to agree that the cloths are a lifesaver and so convenient. I have been using the Walgreens brand makeup remover cloths for awhile not and have had no complaints about them. They take off eye makeup with ease, even when im having one of my smoky eyes days,lol. Great info on the other removers that I have not tried yet though, thank you!

by jslate304 Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 11:02PM Report as inappropriate

I loveee Bare Essentials on the spot!

by pink_love Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 07:26PM Report as inappropriate

Awesome!!!!

by volta Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 02:56AM Report as inappropriate

I really like the Yes to Cucumbers wipes..haha.

by sami_jo Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 05:41PM Report as inappropriate

thank youu

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 11:34AM Report as inappropriate

i wouldn't spend over 10$ on makeup remover give those are not better than cheap ones, but it's good that this article has good variety of options

by venenumletalis Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 07:28PM Report as inappropriate

I wouldn't buy a makeup remover for $31, but the others are good. I've tried the Nivea and I really liked the creamy feel.

by sweettpea29 Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 07:01PM Report as inappropriate

I think a lot of you would agree that wipes (in general) are awesome and work the best, however, they're usually too big and therefore wasteful. I noticed that a lot of us tend to rip them in half, which helps make the package last twice as long.

by m.rose Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 01:50PM Report as inappropriate

Neutrogena's is no good at all

by LittleBunny Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 10:44AM Report as inappropriate

I didn't like Sephora's wipes at all, but MAC's are great in my opinion.

by LipglossandSpandex Friday, April 8, 2011 at 08:22PM Report as inappropriate

Neutrogena DOES suck. like omg.

by yckitsmary Friday, April 8, 2011 at 07:11PM Report as inappropriate

Towelettes and Wipes are a lifesaver! The MAC ones are really great!

by makeupbyjanalyn Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 11:46AM Report as inappropriate

I have to say St. Ives is the best in my book, especially for the price.

by Bon_Bon Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 12:08AM Report as inappropriate

Do not buy anything from Neutrogena when it comes to make up removal, doesnt work!! It can''t get my non waterproof mascara off!!

by judyangel101 Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 09:47AM Report as inappropriate

Ciclos d'Racco is my go to product for eye makeup remover. I have extremely sensitive eyes and this potion does the trick AND for a lot less than any other brand I have ever tried, including this one from Lancome. Try it! it works.

by nicolle_nogueira Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 12:59PM Report as inappropriate

You didn't mention RACCO Cosmetics' makeup remover. It is on top of my list of best makeup removers!

by renata_dors_berto Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 11:13AM Report as inappropriate

washing your face with the clarisonic is also the bets thing to take off all your makeup! it truly deep cleanses!

by kenya Monday, December 27, 2010 at 11:42AM Report as inappropriate

I was sad to see that Neutrogena's make up removing wipes were not on this list.

by grilo Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 06:29AM Report as inappropriate

Home » Beauty Tips » Health & beauty » 14 Best Makeup Removers