How to Pick the Right Makeup Remover

Co-authored by Katya Gudaeva

Last Updated: December 8, 2021 References

Removing your makeup every day is an important part of taking care of your skin, but using the wrong makeup remover can cause more damage than good. Picking the right facial makeup remover for your skin type, choosing a gentle eye makeup remover, and avoiding certain ingredients can help you choose a makeup remover that does its job and helps your skin.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Choosing Products for Your Skin Type

1
Use salicylic acid if you have oily skin. If your skin is oily or a combination of oily and dry, choose a makeup remover that has salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide in it. Both ingredients will help to soak up excess oil while the cleanser removes your makeup.^{[1]
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2
Use a creamy or foaming cleanser for dry skin. If you have dry skin, use a makeup remover that is creamy or foams when you massage it in to your skin. This restores moisture to your skin at the same time that the chemicals in the cleanser break down and remove your makeup.^{[2]
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3
Try oil-free makeup remover. If you’re concerned about your makeup remover clogging up your pores, try an oil-free makeup remover. This type of makeup remover tends to be gentler. Keep in mind that you might need to wipe down your face two or three times with this type of remover.^{[3]
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- Oil-free makeup removers are good for all skin types, so feel free to use them no matter what type of skin you have.
4
Choose an emulsifying cream for sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, avoid makeup removers with foaming formulas. Instead, get a cream makeup remover that you massage into your skin and then rinse off. This type of formula doesn't require you to wipe anything on or off your skin, which prevents it from getting irritated.^{[4]
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5
Wash your face after you remove your makeup. Washing your face after you use makeup remover removes the chemicals present in your makeup remover and keeps your skin healthy. You can use your regular daily face wash after you've removed your makeup.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Removing Eye Makeup

1
Avoid foam for eye makeup remover. You don’t want to use the same makeup remover on your eyes as you do on your face, because the skin around your eyes is very sensitive. Avoid foaming cleansers in particular, because they can easily get into your eyes and you'll likely have to scrub to get your makeup off.^{[6]
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2
Try micellar water. Micellar water is a type of cleanser that uses water mixed with minerals that attract dirt. It won’t foam up while you’re using it, but the chemical composition of micellar water will attract dirt. However, you might have to wipe two or three times to get all of your waterproof makeup off.^{[7]
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3
Use an oil-based makeup remover. Since eye makeup – especially mascara and eyeliner – tends to be waterproof, using a water-based makeup remover won’t always work best. Instead, try an oil-based makeup remover that will dissolve your makeup more quickly. This is also the best type of remover if you’re in a hurry since you’ll really only need one wipe.^{[8]
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4
Be gentle. Avoid scrubbing your eyelids or lashes and touching the very sensitive area under your eyes. Instead, apply a small amount of your chosen makeup remover to a cotton pad or cotton ball, and hold it over your lashes and eyelid for a minute or two before gently wiping the makeup away.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Avoiding Harsh or Damaging Ingredients

1
Avoid alcohol-based removers. Many makeup removers include alcohol as one of their main ingredients because it can easily break down the tough chemical composition of a lot of makeup. However, exposing your skin to alcohol-based removers on a regular basis can damage your skin over time, so avoid using them when you can.^{[10]
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2
Don’t use nontraditional removers that clog pores. Some websites suggests using nontraditional makeup removers like baby oil. This helps you stay away from makeup removers that have alcohol in them, but using something like baby oil can also clog your pores. You want your makeup remover to remove product from your face, not just add new stuff, so try to avoid those types of removers.^{[11]
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3
Avoid fragrances and preservatives. A lot of makeup companies add fragrances to their makeup removers to make them more attractive to consumers. However, if you have sensitive skin, fragrances can actually irritate your skin. Avoid them when you can.^{[12]
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- Fragrance-free makeup removers are also best if you have acne, since they won’t irritate your skin further.
- If you don’t have sensitive skin, you can use removers with fragrances if you like, but the purer the composition of your makeup remover, the better.

Community Q&A

Question

Is it bad to not take off makeup?

Katya Gudaeva
Professional Makeup Artist
Katya Gudaeva is a Professional Makeup Artist and the Founder of Bridal Beauty Agency based in Seattle, Washington. She has worked in the beauty industry for over 10 years and worked with companies such as Patagonia, Tommy Bahama, and Barneys New York and with clients such as Amy Schumer, Macklemore, and Train.

Katya Gudaeva

Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Yes! Always take off your makeup and wash your face at the end of the day. Your skin is an organ, and it needs to breathe. Our bodies aren't naturally designed to wear anything on our faces, even if it's natural, non-toxic makeup. Your skin will be much healthier if you remove your makeup and wash your face as soon as you get home each day.
Question

Which face wash is best without chemicals?

Katya Gudaeva
Professional Makeup Artist
Katya Gudaeva is a Professional Makeup Artist and the Founder of Bridal Beauty Agency based in Seattle, Washington. She has worked in the beauty industry for over 10 years and worked with companies such as Patagonia, Tommy Bahama, and Barneys New York and with clients such as Amy Schumer, Macklemore, and Train.

Katya Gudaeva

Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Check the ingredients! For a non-toxic, natural face wash, look for brands that use seaweed.