Best Makeup Removers

Removing your makeup at the end of a long day is an essential part of a skincare routine, but there are so many out there in the market nowadays that it’s hard to decipher which ones are actually effective! Which ones actually remove waterproof makeup and tough foundation? Which ones won’t irritate my skin because of the alcohol in it? To help you guys choose which one works best for you, I’ve curated my top 3 choices for makeup removers I cannot live without!

DHC Deep Cleaning Oil

DHC Cleansing Oil

Wow. This stuff is God-sent. Show me a makeup remover that takes off heavy foundations like Double Wear as efficiently as this one does- I’ll wait. But really- this stuff is magic. It really just melts away all makeup and leaves the skin super moisturized after. With pre-wet hands, you squirt two pumps or so out, massage into the skin, and tissue off or my preferred method: wipe off with a makeup wipe.

Banila Co Clean it Zero Cleansing Balm

Banilla Clean it Zero Cleansing Balm

Before I met the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, this was my stuff! You just scoop a pod size out, activate with water, and massage it into the face. It’s similar to the oil in the sense that you can tissue off or use a makeup wipe. Although it’s no longer my favorite, it still holds a place in my skincare cabinet as it’s effective in removing even the toughest makeup. They also come in different formulations such as Purifying and Revitalizing.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes

I’ve now mentioned two makeup removers that require a wipe or tissue afterwards, so you can only imagine which makeup wipes I’m going to recommend. That’s right- the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes have been my tried and true for over 10 years now. No other makeup wipe has taken off my bulletproof makeup as effectively as this brand has. From post dance performances to NYFW backstage, I’ve carried these around with me for a longgg time. On top of how effective they are, they’re easily accessible and can found virtually anywhere.

Honorable Mention:

Clinique Take the Day Off for Lids, Lashes, and Lips

Think your waterproof mascara is impossible to remove? Think again. The Clinique Take the Day Off for Lids, Lashes, and Lips have yet to be beaten by any waterproof/long-wearing mascara, lipstick, or eyeshadow. Because of this, I always stock a mini bottle of it in my kit! It’s handy for any quick fix touch-ups or post-shoot cleaning. If my cleansing oils or my remover balms aren’t strong enough, I can always count on my Take the Day Off to literally- take the day off.

What about you guys? What are your favorite makeup removers? Do you guys prefer balms and oils like me? Or just good ole’ makeup wipes by themselves? Let me know in the comments below!