The 16 Best Makeup Removers That Won’t Irritate Sensitive Skin

Best Overall

Bioderma H2O Micellar Water

$19 at Amazon $6 at Target $19 at Dermstore

Type: Micellar water | Size: 16.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This iconic French product is loved by skin experts, makeup artists, and beauty aficionado’s world over for its ability to gently remove makeup, skincare, and sunscreen. Simply saturate a reusable cotton round and sweep it across the face, neck, and chest for clean (not stripped) skin. “Formulated with fatty acid esters and constituent elements of micelles, it works to gently saponify sebum, grime, dirt, and pollution without disrupting the delicate acid mantle," say says Grant. "This rinse-free cleanse is the perfect travel companion, pre or post-cleanse, and/or makeup remover tolerated by even the most sensitive eyes.” We also loved that it didn’t leave behind any residue. 

Best Budget

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

$18 at Amazon $9 at Target $12 at Ulta

Type: Micellar water | Size: 13.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Much like Bioderma’s iteration, Garnier’s micellar water is a cleansing solution that whisks away dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and skincare without rubbing, tugging, or rinsing. The ingredients differ slightly (there’s no cucumber extract or fatty acid esters), but it still delivers on the promise of clean skin, sans irritation. FYI, it can feel slightly more oily, though it didn’t leave behind any residue.

Best Drugstore

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser

$26 at Amazon $26 at Ulta $39 at Walmart

Type: Fluid cleanser | Size: 6.76 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

While all French pharmacy brands cater towards sensitive complexions, La Roche-Posay’s Toleraine Dermo-Cleanser is especially gentle when it comes to removing makeup and skincare without disrupting the delicate acid mantle. The milky fluid contains glycerin, a humectant that improves hydration and promotes healthy barrier function. Try massaging it into dry skin before tissuing off. 

Best for Waterproof Makeup

Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser

$38 at Amazon $38 at Sephora $38 at Ulta

Type: Balm | Size: 3.88 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Rich in fruit, nut, and seed oils, this buttery cleanser (we couldn’t get over how moisturizing it was) from Drunk Elephant is hard-working, dissolving even the most stubborn waterproof makeup and sunscreens. But because of the high oil content, it’s wonderful for protecting the barrier, preventing irritation and redness. It also comes with an exfoliating powder that can be added to the balm to exfoliate the skin, as well as an included spoon applicator, which we greatly appreciated for hygiene reasons.

Best for Waterproof Makeup, Runner-Up

Tata Harper Makeup Removing Oil Cleanser

$88 at Amazon $88 at Sephora $88 at Nordstrom

Type: Oil | Size: 4.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Here’s another great choice for taking off even the most stubborn of waterproof makeup. We loved that a tiny amount went a long way, as well as the fact that it didn’t cause any irritation on our very sensitive skin. The oil is loaded with a host of good-for-your skin ingredients, too; think antioxidant-rich sacha inchi oil and hydrating squalane, just to name a few.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Cosmedix Purity Clean

$48 at Amazon $48 at Dermstore View on Cosmedix.com

Type: Gel | Size: 5.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

“This cleaning gel is amazing for congested and acne-prone complexions,” says Grant. “It’s rich in lactic acid and tea tree oil to support the demarcation process and reduce the incidence of acne-causing bacteria. And because it’s a light fluid gel, it’s a wonderful first cleanse to remove makeup.” With ongoing use, this formula will assist with removing dead skin cells and promoting a smooth, even texture. 

Best for Dry Skin

Glossier Milky Oil

$18 at Sephora $18 at Glossier.com

Type: Oil | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There’s truly not one thing that we didn’t like about this deeply hydrating formula. True to the name, it’s a creamy oil, so it’s extra moisturizing but doesn’t feel in the least bit greasy. (And that’s even the case if you don’t rinse it off.) Not to mention that it’s so effective that we only had to use one cotton round saturated with the product to fully remove makeup from both of our eyes—color us impressed. Top tip: It is a dual-phase formula, so make sure to give it a good shake before use.

Best Balm

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

$36 at Amazon $15 at Sephora $15 at Target

Type: Balm to Oil | Size: 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Few makeup removers have as many rave reviews as Clinique’s Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. The formula is made on a base of safflower oil, and when it comes into contact with the skin, it transforms into a light, silky texture that cuts through makeup (even waterproof mascara) with ease. It doesn't have any fragrance, alcohol, or sulfates, so it’s a great pick for sensitive skin types. Simply massage it into dry skin, and emulsify it with warm water. You’ll be left smooth, glowy, and clean—so much so, that we found that it took off nearly 100% of our (dark colored) eye makeup in one go, without smearing or smudging all over our face. Plus, a little goes a long way.

Best Wipe

Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes

$17 at Amazon $6 at Target $6 at Walmart

Type: Wipes | Size: 30 pre-moistened wipes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Facial wipes aren’t our top choice when it comes to makeup removal, but sometimes they’re just too easy to pass up. Enter the Burt’s Bees Sensitive Cleansing Towelettes. Made without any parabens, phthalates, or petrolatum, they are simple, effective, and swiftly remove all traces of makeup without the need for water or rinsing. Each wipe is even made from 60% repurposed cotton. 

Best Liquid

Cetaphil Waterproof Makeup Remover

$10 at Amazon $11 at Target $10 at Walmart

Type: Liquid | Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Simple, effective, and formulated with sensitive skin in mind, this liquid makeup remover from Cetaphil is the ideal first cleanse—especially if you’re wearing stubborn eye makeup. It’s fragrance-free, dermatologically tested, and contains botanicals like green tea and aloe vera to prevent redness or irritation. It also works extremely well; it seamlessly removed our eye makeup in one swipe without us having to tug or rub and further stress out our skin.

Best for Eyes

Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

View on Marykay.com

Type: Liquid | Size: 3.75 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

f there’s going to be one area of your face where you’ll want to use a makeup remover, it’s your eyes. This particular pick was our favorite for that purpose, a revamped version of a best-selling classic. We loved both how effective it was, along with the fact that it not only didn’t irritate skin or eyes, it actually felt soothing. Plus, unlike so many picks, it’s oil-free, a nice choice if you have oily skin or are worried about breakouts.

Best for Eyes, Runner-Up

Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover

$7 at Amazon $7 at Target $11 at Ulta

Type: Bi-phase liquid | Size: 5.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This bi-phase liquid contains an oily component to cut through oil-based makeup, removing it quickly and efficiently. To combine the formula, give it a shake before dispensing it onto a cotton round (even better if it’s reusable). Because of the oily layer, there’s no need to pull, rub or tug—a great feature for sensitive eyes. The drugstore price point is a bonus, as is the fact that you only need a tiny bit of product to completely take off makeup, one of our favorite features. 

Best Splurge

Chanel Sublimage Gel-to-Oil Cleanser

$115 at Nordstrom View on Chanel.com View on Harrods.com

Type: Gel to Oil | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Often, makeup removers that suit sensitive skin aren’t luxurious or overly special to use, but Chanel’s Sublimage Gel-to-Oil Cleanser is the exception.  The creamy formula is like silk on the skin, turning into a light, frothy oil when it comes into contact with water. While the price tag is substantial, if you’re into the finer things in life, this is gold class. 

Best for SPF

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm

$36 at Amazon $24 at Sephora $24 at Kohls.com

Type: Balm | Size: 1.7 / 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Balms are excellent for cleansing without stripping skin, but they can sometimes leave a film that feels less than squeaky clean. This makeup-removing balm is a solid choice for the way it softens skin without leaving a greasy residue. It's particularly great for removing sunscreen from your face, which can often be a challenge with gentler cleansers. It's great if you have an uneven skin tone or a rough texture, as it gently exfoliates and polishes skin. Finally, it shouldn't cause irritation because it glides onto the skin with zero tugging or pulling.

Best Oil

Dermalogica Precleanse

$49 at Amazon $15 at Sephora $49 at Ulta

Type: Oil | Size: 1 / 5.1 / 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If your skin is on the drier side, using a pre-cleansing oil like this one from Dermalogica is a good way to remove makeup, dirt, and excess oil without irritating your skin. With vitamin E and essential oils, it gently helps to unclog pores and soften skin, preparing it for a deeper cleanse. A little of this rich oil-based cleanser goes a really long way, so you can be sure you'll get plenty of use even from the smallest size.

Best Vegan

Caudalie Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil

$30 at Amazon $30 at Sephora $30 at Kohls.com

Type: Oil | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We couldn’t get over just how non-oil-like this cleansing oil felt, both during application and after the fact. It also didn’t sting our eyes or leave any residue (either from makeup or the oil itself). The vegan formula is loaded with hydrating plant-based oils; sweet almond, grapeseed, and sunflower oil, just to name a few. Bonus points for the castor oil in the mix, great for helping promote healthy lashes.