10 Best Eye Makeup Removers And Buying Guide
Experience: 3 yearsEsha Saxena is a writer and journalist with over 3 years of experience. She holds a master’s degree in media and mass communication from St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, and firmly believes that makeup is nothing less than art.
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Your eyes are the mirror of your soul. And for most of us, our eye makeup is an indispensable part of our daily beauty routine. Whether you love trying out new eyeshadow techniques or wearing winged eyeliner and a ton of mascara, it is essential to take it all off at the end of the day. Enter: a gentle yet effective eye makeup remover to cleanse and protect your delicate eyes. With an abundance of options out there, picking an eye makeup remover that suits your eyes and skin type can get tricky. To make your job easier, we’ve rounded up the best eye makeup removers on the market right now that are absolutely worth trying.
But, why do you need an eye makeup remover? Scroll down to find out!
In This Article
Why Is It Important To Use Eye Makeup Remover?
Plain water does not effectively remove all the traces of waterproof eyeliner or mascara. You need a formula that quickly breaks down your eye makeup and efficiently removes every last bit of it. Besides, hitting the bed with remnants of these chemicals in your eye area spells disaster. No matter how tired you are, you should make it a point to remove your makeup with the right kind of products at the end of the day. This little move will prevent eye infections, allergic reactions, and premature aging.
Let’s now check out the best eye makeup removers.
10 Best Eye Makeup Removers
1. Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
Review
Lancome’s Bi-Facil Double Action eye makeup remover gets rid of even the most stubborn waterproof mascaras. It leaves your skin feeling moisturized, and your lashes feeling softer. The best part? It does not leave behind a slimy residue, so you don’t have to wash it off. This formula has a fresh scent and a watery consistency that leaves your skin feeling hydrated. It is the best eye makeup remover for sensitive eyes owing to its skin conditioning properties.
- Removes all eye makeup while conditioning your skin
- Ideal for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers
- Leaves the eye area feeling cool and refreshed
- One bottle lasts you a long time
- Price is on the higher side
2. Neutrogena Oil-Free Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
Review
This Neutrogena eye makeup remover is a cult favorite as it is the best for waterproof eyeliner and mascara. You only need a few drops of this solution on a cotton swab to cleanse your eyes and lips. Despite its oil-free claims, it does leave behind a bit of greasy residue, and it’s important to wash your face after using it. Nevertheless, it leaves your skin feeling hydrated and moisturized. This formula is one of the best drugstore eye makeup removers out there, and we highly recommend giving it a shot.
- Removes waterproof makeup quickly
- Fragrance-free
- Inexpensive
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Feels slightly oily
3. Almay Longwear And Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads
Review
These eye makeup remover pads from Almay come in handy when you are traveling or just need something to carry with you on-the-go. It does leave a little oily residue behind, but this oil base helps in removing all traces of stubborn mascara. The pad simply glides over your eyelids and lashes, taking all the makeup off without any hassle. This is the best eye makeup remover for sensitive skin.
- Easy to use
- Hypoallergenic
- Soothes and depuffs eyes
- Budget-friendly
- Leaves a thin layer of oil on the skin.
4. L’Oreal Dermo-Expertise Gentle Lip And Eye Makeup Remover
Review
This eye and lip makeup remover from L’Oreal is one of our favorite fragrance-free and non-irritating formulas. The dual-action formula inside the bottle separates into two layers of oil and lotion. One helps dissolve makeup and get rid of it while the other refreshes and moisturizes your skin. This is the perfect pocket-friendly alternative to Lancome’s Bi-Phase eye makeup remover. It is incredibly gentle on the skin and also gets rid of long-wearing lipstick with ease.
- Dual-action formula
- Travel-friendly
- Reasonably priced
- A small amount goes a long way
- Leaves a slimy residue behind
5. Clarins Gentle Eye Makeup Remover For Sensitive Eyes
This newly formulated solution by Clarins contains soothing organic plant extracts. It dissolves light to medium eye makeup easily. It is extremely gentle and does not sting even the most sensitive of eyes. It is mild enough for contact lens wearers. It has a slightly oily consistency that helps melt away all your makeup. You will need to follow up with some washing after using this formula.
- Great for daily use
- Removes waterproof makeup
- Nourishes and hydrates skin
- Gentle
- Price is on the higher side
6. Chanel Gentle Bi-Phase Eye Makeup Remover
If you have the urge to splurge on a makeup remover, this one from Chanel is all you need to try! This bi-phase eye makeup remover removes the most stubborn makeup gently. It is non-irritating, and its fragrance-free formula contains mineral oil, cornflower water, and rose oil. You not only get cleansing benefits, but your skin also feels thoroughly moisturized and nourished after using it.
- Bi-phase formula
- Extremely gentle
- Suits sensitive eyes
- The price tag
- It takes a considerable amount of remover to do the job, so the bottle won’t last you for very long.
7. Nivea Visage Eye Makeup Remover
Review
If you’re on the hunt for a drugstore eye makeup remover that won’t break the bank, the Nivea Visage Eye Makeup Remover is something to look out for. It is a light, oil-free formula that contains soothing Pro-Vitamin B5 to hydrate your delicate eye area while removing any traces of makeup effectively. It does leave a residue behind, so you will have to wash your face after using it. However, it makes your skin feel softer and smoother instantly.
- Budget-friendly
- Mild fragrance
- Removes waterproof makeup
- Stings if it gets into your eyes
8. The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye And Lip Makeup Remover
Review
This Eye Makeup Remover by Body Shop is waterproof and suitable for sensitive skin types. The bi-phase formula effectively removes stubborn makeup, mascara, and lipstick. This product contains chamomile extracts that help soothe your skin. It is vegan, cruelty-free, and does not leave any residue.
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Does not sting your eyes
- No residue
- Might feel oily
- Might cause redness
9. MAC Gently Off Eye And Lip Makeup Remover
Review
This eye makeup remover from MAC is an excellent competition to Lancome. It is a dual-phase formula that removes every last bit of heavy makeup. It smells incredible and contains cucumber extract and Damask rose flower water. Your skin instantly feels soothed and refreshed after you get all the makeup off. It leaves no residue, so no rinsing is required. Also, this formula is non-acnegenic and dermatologist-tested.
- Removes waterproof makeup
- Gentle
- Does not leave any oiliness behind
- Expensive
10. Benefit They’re Real! Remover
Review
Remove easily waterproof mascara or eye makeup using Benefit They’re Real! Remover. This eye makeup remover effectively removes any waterproof mascara and eyeshadow combo. It comes in a smooth, creamy texture that you can conveniently use to remove tough eye makeup.
- Gel formula
- Suitable for sensitive eyes
- Contact lens wearer
- Convenient to use
- Sensitive skin may experience redness
These are some of the best eye makeup removers. But before you buy any of them, here are some vital points to consider.
Things To Remember When Buying An Eye Makeup Remover
- Oil-Free Formula
Use an oil-free eye makeup remover to ensure the product does not leave behind any oily residue. This may clog the skin pores and cause itching and breakouts.
- Fragrance-Free
Avoid eye makeup removers with synthetic fragrance as this is a potential irritant and may cause rashes and irritation on the delicate eye area.
- Powerful Solvent
Choose a makeup remover containing quick and powerful solvents to ensure it dissolves makeup easily and quickly. It should also remove waterproof eye makeup gently without requiring you to rub your skin aggressively.
Ladies, your eyes deserve special attention, especially after a long day. Scrubbing your eyes until they are red and irritated to get rid of that waterproof mascara is never a good option.
Investing in a good eye makeup remover is key, and it will save you a whole lot of time and trouble. That was our round-up of the 10 best eye makeup removers. Which one are you excited to try? Let us know in the comments section below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use baby oil as an eye makeup remover?
Yes, baby oil works well as a makeup remover. It does not irritate sensitive eyes and removes all traces of eye makeup. However, it’s important to wash your face after using baby oil.
Can I use coconut oil to remove eye makeup?
Coconut oil and olive oil both work wonderfully to remove eye makeup. These also help in promoting eyelash growth and provide added moisturizing benefits to your skin.
Can I use eye makeup remover on eyelash extensions?
You can use an oil-free eye makeup remover on eyelash extensions.
Can I use eye makeup remover to clean makeup brushes?
If you’re out of makeup brush cleanser, you can use an oil-free eye makeup remover to clean your brushes gently. However, for a thorough cleaning, you need to use soap and water or a brush cleanser.
Are eye makeup removers suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes, eye makeup removers are gentle and suitable for sensitive skin. The Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover, the Neutrogena Oil-Free Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, and the Almay Longwear And Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads are oil-free and work well for sensitive eyes.
Do eye makeup removers have any additional skincare benefits?
Yes, eye makeup removers not only take off makeup but also moisturize and hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes. They can even soothe the eyes and have anti-aging properties that combat crow’s feet and fine lines around the eye area.
Can eye makeup removers help improve the appearance of dark circles or puffiness?
Yes, eye makeup removers like the Almay Longwear And Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads moisturize the skin and reduce puffiness.
Do eye makeup removers leave any residue on the skin or eyelashes?
Certain eye makeup removers may leave behind a residue depending on the product’s formulation. Although it may be minimal, we recommend cleansing your face after removing eye makeup to ensure the removal of any remaining residue.
Can eye makeup removers help reduce the appearance of mascara clumps or flakes?
One of the main reasons for clumpy and flaky mascara application is the buildup on the lashes. Eye makeup removers can help achieve a clean canvas for perfect mascara application.
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