Anyone who wears makeup is aware that getting rid of it is the most difficult part until you discover the perfect makeup remover (i.e. one that doesn’t cause irritation to your eyes but will still eliminate all trace of makeup). It’s crucial to understand that washing your face and getting rid of your makeup are different and aren’t the identical. This is because a standard cleansing product for your face doesn’t always rid your face of any leftover foundation and, while a makeup remover will help melt away mascara, it’s not going to remove your skin of the leftover toxic substances.
“makeup remover is work on the principle of ‘like dissolves like,'” explained Danusia Wnek, a chemist at the Health, Beauty & Environmental Sciences Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. For long-wear makeup as well as water-resistant makeup formulas (or in the case of wax-based or oil-based formulas), “exposing it to water won’t move the formula that much — an oil-based product is needed to remove it, which is why oil cleansers and makeup removers work so well at removing stubborn makeup.”
However, there are a myriad of makeup removers, including cleansing balms, oils and makeup removal wipes micellar water, even cloths which claim to get rid of waterproof mascara using only water, not even to mention the formulas that are designed specifically for eyes, lips vegan formulas and many more. Sheesh! Which ones really work?
We’ve put together our top cosmetic removers that have been tested in the lab and our personal favorite products to assist choose the best one for your needs Make sure to wash your face with a cleanser following your makeup removal!
THE BEST SURFACES FOR WATERPROOFED EYES makeup removerOil-Free Liquid Eye Makeup Remover
NEUTROGENA
The GH Seal Star aced our chemical experts’ tests and leaves virtually no evidence of the product behindregardless of the length of time products claim to be! To apply, wet a cotton ball in the product, then place it in front of closed eyes for few seconds for the product to take effect, then move it away to eliminate the remaining mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow.
THE BEST MICELLAR CLEANING WATER makeup removerSkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water
GARNIER
Ideal for all types of skin This budget-friendly product from the GH Lab can be a quick-acting formulation that completely cleanses the pores and removes makeup without drying your skin as according to what the GH Lab found. Just put some micellar on a cotton pad and rub it on your skin for a thorough removal of any dirt.
The best makeup remover WIPESHungarian Water Essence Calming Makeup Remover Wipes
OLAY
The product from GH Seal Star impressed users who claimed they felt that it effortlessly removed any makeup and didn’t leave any oily residue. It cleanses gently without needing a lot of rubs, and also removes eye makeup easily. Amazon reviewers are incredibly committed to them. One reviewer praises “Five stars. A true and complete daily facial in every cloth!”
THE BEST makeup remover FOR SENSITIVE SKINMake-Up Remover Water
KLORANE
“This makeup remover made with soothing floral water and just a handful of ingredients is so gentle on my extremely sensitive eyes and areas of skin that get eczema flare-ups —it never stings, burns, or irritates in any way,” says Beauty director April Franzino. “I love that it also doubles as a face cleanser in a pinch and the bottle is huge, so it lasts forever.”
THE BEST EYE makeup removerOil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
MARY KAY
The affordable Holder GH Sealliquid efficiently and quickly dissolves mascara that is waterproof without drying, tugging or irritating the skin. With more than 1,100 reviews on Amazon users swear by it, “the first swipe took 90% of the extremely thick mascara & eyeliner off, along with all of my eye shadow.”
BEST MAKEUP REMOVAL BALMSlaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser
DRUNK ELEPHANT
“This is the kind of product that does exactly what it says melting makeup and dirt off,” says Paige Stables as assistant editor of beauty for Good Housekeeping. “I like wearing an eye-catching red lip or an intense winged eyeliner. It can easily remove both regardless of whether it’s a durable formula. In addition the moisturizing oil blend makes my skin feel very soft and silky.”
Follow IBA to read more articles about health and beauty.
