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Arguably the worst part of makeup is taking it off. You spend so much time perfecting your look before you go for the day or night ahead, only to have to wash it off at the end.
Note, however, that the only cardinal rule of makeup is to remove it before going to bed. âOil, dirt, pollutants and makeup left on the skin can lead to rashes, irritation, styes and even accelerated skin aging,â says New York-based certified dermatologist Dr. Charlotte Birnbaum. . âThe longer this debris stays on the skin, the more likely these unwanted effects are to occur, which is why leaving your makeup on overnight is even more of a problem. Overnight, this is potentially made worse by further occlusion by a pillow. Worse yet, you wake up with makeup stains all over your pillowcase.
Fortunately, there are many makeup removal options on the market these days that are much more effective than your everyday face wash and water. According to Dr. Jessica Wu, a Los Angeles-based dermatologist and author of âFeed Your Face,â you should âchoose a makeup remover based on the type and amount of makeup you’re wearing. It should remove makeup easily without rubbing or leaving the skin red and itchy.
With these tips in mind, we consulted various beauty experts on the best ways to remove makeup. Read on to find out their choices.

Micellar Water Bioderma Sensibio H2O
âI recommend Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water for my patients with sensitive skin,â says Wu. âIt gently cleanses and contains ingredients like mannitol to help hydrate sensitive skin, which tends to be dry.â Celebrity makeup artist Latrice Johnson echoes that sentiment – it’s her go-to makeup remover for sensitive skin because it’s “gentle, yet effective.”

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
âI wear waterproof makeup and have tried many different ones over the years. I keep coming back to Neutrogena oil-free eye makeup remover, which you can also use to remove water-resistant lip color and sunscreen, âWu says of this makeup remover which is also the dermatologist’s top choice. Dr. Morgan Rabach.

Face Halo Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
According to Rabach, “Makeup pad removers are great for removing makeup from the eyes because normal cotton balls can shred.” Celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg says she’s “obsessed with The Face Halo [makeup remover pads] because all you need is water! It saves the planet and it works like magic. These eco-friendly makeup removal pads have taken the beauty industry by storm and can be washed up to 200 times for reuse over and over again.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleansing Milk
Rabach thinks the best makeup remover for sensitive skin is this La Roche-Posay Toleraine Dermo Milky Cleanser. It’s a cleansing cream formula that gently wipes away makeup, dirt, and oil without drying out the skin. Because it doesn’t contain perfume, alcohol, parabens, or sulfates, it shouldn’t irritate your skin.

Farmacy Green Clean Make-up Removing Balm
Another new make-up removal method is a good cleansing balm. Rabach recommends using it when removing makeup from a very thick foundation. Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm is an industry favorite because it literally melts your makeup onto your face as it transforms from a balm to a milky lather.
Using a cleansing balm can get a bit messy though. After you rub the balm on the skin, you need to rinse the product, makeup, and dirt off your face, right? Instead of using a washcloth or our hands, we like to use these compressed facial sponges to wipe our face. Just soak the compressed sponge in water – once it expands, you can literally use it as a disposable, reusable facial cleansing sponge. They are super soft and lather well with facial cleansers.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Birnbaum recommends CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, or the aforementioned Bioderma Micellar Water, for sensitive skin, as it “contains few ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction or irritation.” She notes that this cleanser is gentle and fragrance-free.

Dermalogica Precleanse Cleansing Oil
“For dry skin, double cleansing with an oil cleanser or cleansing balm followed by a mild water-based cleanser can effectively remove debris from the skin without stripping it.” , explains Birnbaum. Dermalogica Precleanse has long been one of our favorite cleansing oils for easy makeup removal.

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-one make-up remover and cleanser
Rabach agrees that micellar water is a great way to remove most types of makeup. She said, “I love that you can control how much you saturate the cotton ball.” This option from Garnier is another top pick – so much so that it’s one of the expert-approved skincare products you can buy on your next Target run.

Versed Down To Earth Reusable Cotton Pads
As Rabach mentioned, you will need to saturate a cotton ball or micellar water ball to remove your makeup. If you prefer an eco-friendly alternative to using a new tampon every time, get the Versed Down To Earth Reusable Cotton Pads. These even come in their own toiletry bag for easy reuse.

Curél Makeup Remover Oil
Curél Makeup Remover Oil is another top notch option to consider. âCleansing oils have the added benefit of hydrating the skin,â says Birnbaum. âIt should be noted that it is important that cleansing oils be applied to dry skin to properly bind to the oils on the skin before being rinsed off with water. Once you’ve added the water, it should turn into a dreamy milky texture.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel
Remember Birnbaum’s recommendation to follow your cleansing oil or balm with a water-based cleanser. We love Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel for a double cleanse. It is a lightweight gel formula containing hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and leave your skin feeling soft like baby’s.

Albolene Hydrating Cleanser
“If I did [my] makeup to last a full day, I like to break down makeup using Albolene moisturizing cleanser all over my face and eyes – wiping off [it] away with a handkerchief or towel, âJohnson says. You don’t even need to use water.

Neutrogena Makeup Removing Cleansing Wipes
There is a lot of debate in the beauty industry as to whether you should use makeup wipes to remove makeup properly. However, Wu set the record straight when she told us that “wipes are a great option if you don’t have the time or the energy to wash your face.” So keep these Neutrogena cleansing wipes handy for those lazy nights.

Dr. Elsa Jungman Begin Again Gentle Cleanser
Greenberg recommends this gentle cleanser from Dr. Elsa Jungman. It is a non-foaming herbal cleanser that is formulated to cleanse your skin without stripping it of its natural oils.

Honest Facial Makeup Remover Wipes
Honest Beauty Facial Makeup Remover Wipes are another convenient option to have on hand, as Greenberg recommends. She says these are “gentle and work great”.

So I Met You Living Living Cleansing Balm
Once you’ve tried Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm, it’s hard to part with it. This K-beauty balm is formulated with blueberry oil rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, as well as persimmon extract, to soften, nourish and brighten your skin.

Juno & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm
Juno & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm not only dissolves your makeup, it’s created to brighten your skin tone, reduce dark spots and fight the signs of aging. The star ingredient is Japanese Barley Magic, an ingredient that supplies the skin with vitamins and antioxidants that aid in the production of melanin.

Brighter Milky Jelly Cleanser
Surely one of our favorite cleansers, Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser is a nourishing creamy facial cleanser that is formulated to be gentle on the skin. Glossier’s skin-first approach is evident with this product which contains five skin conditioners to hydrate your skin while cleansing it.

Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser
The Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser is an OG cold cream and the star of makeup removal, much like today’s cleansing balms. It’s super affordable, great for dry skin and available at your local drugstore, but be sure to follow our expert advice and follow the cream with a mild water-based cleanser to ensure you remove properly. all the grime on your face.

Cligonic premium cotton rounds
There is never a bad time to stock up on cotton rings. Add this 300-pack of cartridges to your Amazon cart along with the other removers you’re about to try.