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Beauty review roundup

The best makeup removers, in plain English

Taking makeup off every night keeps skin and lashes healthy. We read editor tests and dermatologist picks and boiled them down: gentle micellar waters for everyday makeup, and cleansing balms that melt off the heavy stuff.

  • Last reviewed October 20, 2026
  • 6 makeup removers
  • 7 expert reviews read

We didn't test these ourselves. We read reviews from experts who test products hands-on, then summed up where they agree and where they don't. Every source is linked. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Short on time? Start here

Our top pick in each group. Tap one to jump to the details.

Best overall Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water $15–$21 Gentle on sensitive eyes, no rinsing needed. See details Best under $10 Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water $7–$10 A drugstore favorite for about $8. See details Best cleansing balm Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm $24–$38 Melts off full makeup, and it's gentle. See details Best balm under $15 e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm $9–$12 Removes heavy makeup for about $11. See details

Before you buy: 3 quick checks

Light makeup or heavy makeup?

Micellar water or balm

Micellar water (water with tiny particles that grab oil and makeup) goes on a cotton pad and needs no rinsing. It's quick and gentle for everyday makeup. Cleansing balms melt heavy and waterproof makeup, then rinse off with water.

Be gentle around the eyes

Hold a soaked pad on closed eyes for about 10 seconds, then wipe down. Rubbing pulls on delicate skin and can make lashes fall out.

Double cleansing

After a balm, many people wash with a gentle face cleanser to remove any oily film. Using two cleansers in a row like this is called double cleansing.

Compare at a glance

On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.

RemoverBest forTypical priceTypeBest for
1. Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water Best overall $15–$21Micellar waterSensitive skin and eyes
2. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water Best under $10 $7–$10Micellar waterMost skin types
3. e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm Best balm under $15 $9–$12Cleansing balmMost skin types
4. Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm Best cleansing balm $24–$38Cleansing balmMost skin types
5. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm Best fragrance-free balm $36–$44Cleansing balmDry or acne-prone skin
6. Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm Best splurge $44–$69Cleansing balmDry or sensitive skin

The 6 best makeup removers, explained

Best overall first. Prices are typical ranges, not live prices, so check Amazon for today's price.

#1Best overall

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water

  • Micellar water
  • Sensitive skin and eyes
  • Fragrance-free, no rinsing

$15–$21typical price

Gentle on sensitive eyes, and a favorite across the board. Who What Wear, PureWow and Yahoo all name it the best overall, Marie Claire picks it as the best micellar water, and it's an NBC Select editor's pick.

What testers liked

  • Gentle, and didn't sting Yahoo's tester's eyes, even with heavy eyeliner.
  • Fragrance-free and alcohol-free.
  • No rinsing needed.

Common complaints

  • Can take several cotton pads.
  • Not strong enough for some long-wear liquid lipsticks.

Skip it if: They wear heavy or waterproof makeup every day. A cleansing balm (#3 to #6) breaks it down with less rubbing.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (5)

Summed up from Who What Wear, PureWow, Yahoo Shopping, Marie Claire, NBC Select.

#2Best under $10

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

  • Micellar water
  • Most skin types
  • Versions for oily skin and waterproof makeup

$7–$10typical price

A drugstore favorite for about $8. Who What Wear and PureWow name the All-in-1 version the best budget micellar water, and dermatologists recommend its waterproof and oily-skin versions to NBC Select.

Garnier makes an All-in-1 version for most skin, plus versions for oily skin and waterproof makeup. The sources picked different versions.

What testers liked

  • Fragrance-free and alcohol-free.
  • The waterproof version takes off waterproof makeup.
  • Vegan and certified cruelty-free (no animal testing).

Common complaints

  • May take a few passes, and can leave a little residue.

Testers disagree on: Whether it stings. Who What Wear calls it safe for sensitive skin. Yahoo's tester found it stung her eyes.

Skip it if: They have very sensitive eyes. Bioderma (#1) was gentler for Yahoo's tester.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (3)

Summed up from Who What Wear, PureWow, NBC Select.

#3Best balm under $15

e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm

  • Cleansing balm
  • Most skin types
  • Rinses off with water

$9–$12typical price

Melts off heavy makeup for about $11. A dermatologist recommends it to NBC Select as the best budget cleansing balm, and PureWow's editors, who tested 25 balms, name it the best drugstore pick.

What testers liked

  • Removes heavy makeup.
  • Hydrating, with no oily film left behind.
  • Affordable.

Common complaints

  • Has added fragrance.
  • Contains polyethylene (a type of plastic).

Skip it if: They're sensitive to fragrance. Clinique Take The Day Off (#5) has none.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from NBC Select, PureWow.

#4Best cleansing balm

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm

  • Cleansing balm
  • Most skin types
  • Several sizes, spatula included

$24–$38typical price

The top cleansing balm in two big roundups. NBC Select's dermatologists and editors, and PureWow's editors who tested 25 balms, both name it the best cleansing balm overall.

What testers liked

  • Gentle around the eyes.
  • Leaves skin soft and dewy.
  • Comes in several sizes, with a spatula.

Common complaints

  • The scent may be strong for some people.

Testers disagree on: How skin feels afterward. NBC Select found it moisturizing. PureWow says it may feel drying on sensitive skin.

Skip it if: You're on a budget. e.l.f. Holy Hydration (#3) costs about a third as much.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (3)

Summed up from NBC Select, PureWow.

#5Best fragrance-free balm

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

  • Cleansing balm
  • Dry or acne-prone skin
  • Fragrance-free, tested by eye doctors

$36–$44typical price

A fragrance-free balm that's checked by eye doctors. A dermatologist recommends it to NBC Select as the best balm for acne-prone skin, and PureWow picks it as the best makeup remover for dry skin.

What testers liked

  • Fragrance-free.
  • Ophthalmologist-tested (checked by eye doctors).
  • A dermatologist says it helps clear pores without drying skin out.

Common complaints

  • Can feel heavy.
  • Pricey.

Skip it if: You're on a budget. e.l.f. Holy Hydration (#3) costs about a quarter as much.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from NBC Select, PureWow.

#6Best splurge

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

  • Cleansing balm
  • Dry or sensitive skin
  • Unscented, several sizes

$44–$69typical price

A luxurious balm that leaves skin soft. Marie Claire names it the best luxury cleansing balm, NBC Select calls it the best splurge, and PureWow picks it for sensitive skin.

What testers liked

  • Leaves no residue and doesn't strip moisture.
  • Softens skin.
  • Suits dry and sensitive skin.

Common complaints

  • Expensive.
  • PureWow doesn't recommend it for eye makeup.

Skip it if: They wear lots of eye makeup. Bioderma (#1) is gentle around the eyes and costs much less.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (3)

Summed up from Marie Claire, NBC Select, PureWow.

How we pick

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