8 Best Eye Make-Up Removers To Melt Away Stubborn Mascara And Eyeliner
When it comes to the delicate skin around your eyes, only the best make-up removers will do. Mascara, liquid liner, and long-wear shadows can be notoriously tenacious — but tugging and scrubbing only lead to lash breakage and irritation.
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“Eye makeup removal is one of the most overlooked steps in a beauty routine, yet it is absolutely critical to maintaining healthy skin and lashes,” pro makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre says. “After nearly two decades in the beauty industry, working with everyone from brides to celebrities, I’ve seen how improper removal can age the eye area prematurely or lead to irritation, and how the right products can completely transform the skin’s resilience.”
That’s where a gentle yet effective formula comes in — one that melts away every trace of make-up, from concealer to waterproof liner, in a single swipe without tugging at the delicate skin around your eyes. The right remover doesn’t just cleanse; it supports lash health and protects the skin’s barrier, making it an essential step in any nighttime routine. Think of it as the quiet hero of your beauty arsenal – ensuring you wake up fresh-faced, bright-eyed and ready for another day of glam. Below, discover Vogue’s favourite eye make-up removers — from rich balms to milky cleansers, micellar waters and more.
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Shop Vogue’s edit of the best eye makeup removers
Best cleansing balm: Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
Clinique
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
- Why we love it: This oh-so-creamy cleansing balm transforms make-up removal from a chore into a quick indulgence. Watch as safflower seed oil effortlessly melts away even the most stubborn waterproof formulas, leaving behind a soft, dewy glow. “I love how this melts make-up so quickly and leaves the skin feeling silky,” says make-up artist Brielle Pollara. As a pro tip, D’Amelio Ventre recommends warming the balm between your fingertips before application, then massaging it in using gentle circular motions. “This not only helps dissolve every last trace of make-up, but also boosts circulation around the eyes,” she explains. And for contact lens wearers, rest assured — this formula is ophthalmologist-tested and entirely safe to use.
- Key ingredients: Safflower seed oil, tocopherol
- Type: Balm
- Fragrance: Yes
Best for sensitive eyes: CeraVe Comforting Eye Makeup Remover
CeraVe
Comforting Eye Makeup Remover
- Why we love it: “For sensitive eyes or those prone to irritation, CeraVe’s eye make-up remover is excellent because it balances effectiveness with skin-soothing ingredients,” D’Amelio Ventre says. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid ensure lids and lashes stay hydrated, leaving the delicate eye area cleansed, comforted and cared for. Milky, non-greasy, ophthalmologist-tested and under £10: There’s no reason not to stock up on it.
- Key ingredients: Ceramide np, ceramide ap, ceramide eop, hyaluronic acid
- Type: Liquid
- Fragrance: No
Best naturally derived: Kora Organics Milky Mushroom Gentle Cleansing Oil
Kora Organics
Milky Mushroom Gentle Cleansing Oil
- Why we love it: Calling all clean-beauty devotees: look no further than Kora Organics’ plant-based cleansing oil. Composed of 98% natural-origin ingredients, this blend of botanical oils effortlessly lifts away make-up without stripping or tugging at the skin. “This is a super-gentle and nourishing clean-beauty pick that’s perfect for sensitive eyes,” says make-up artist Brielle Pollara. Best of all, the texture transforms from a silky oil into a milky cleanser when emulsified with water, leaving no trace of residue. With the soothing aromatherapy of rose and basil oils — and not a hint of artificial fragrance — your nightly cleanse suddenly feels more like a spa ritual than a routine.
- Key ingredients: Aloe vera leaf juice, sunflower seed oil, glycerin, apple seed oil, lactic acid, snow mushroom extract, basil oil
- Type: Cleansing oil
- Fragrance: Yes (naturally derived, only)
Best micellar water: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
Bioderma
Sensibo H2O Micellar Water
- Why we love it: Even the most sensitive skin types will be pleased to know that this micellar cleansing water is wonderfully gentle yet impressively effective, sweeping away SPF, eye make-up, foundation and more. For best results, pair it with an ultra-soft cotton pad. Consultant dermatologist Dr Blair Murphy-Rose praises its paraben- and fragrance-free formula, which cleanses thoroughly without leaving behind any greasy residue. It’s also entirely non-comedogenic, making it a safe choice for even the most blemish-prone complexions. Vogue’s associate director of shopping, Talia Abbas, has sworn by this classic for over 15 years. “It’s no surprise — my Italian mother, who lived in France for several years, introduced it to me when I was a teenager. It’s an OG in my routine and always will be,” she previously shared.
- Key ingredients: Water, cucumber fruit extract
- Type: Micellar water
- Fragrance: No
Best emulsifying: Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil
- Why we love it: This K-beauty staple melts away make-up effortlessly while delivering a boost of hydration, thanks to tangerine peel extract, squalane, and a blend of traditional Korean oils such as pine nut, camellia seed and plum seed oils. Facialist Amity Murray recommends it to all her dry-skinned clients, describing it as “a gorgeous, natural formulation that emulsifies with ease and rinses clean, leaving skin refreshed but never stripped” — qualities that have earned it the title of Vogue’s senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden’s all-time favourite cleansing oil. Just a few pumps of this silky formula are enough to dissolve even the most stubborn mascara; add a touch of water to watch it transform into a plush, milky foam.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, squalene, mulberry leaf extracts, mountain yam extracts
- Type: Cleansing oil
- Fragrance: Yes
Best Korean cleansing balm: Banila Co. Clean it Zero Cleansing Balm
Banila Co. Clean it Zero Original Cleansing Balm
- Why we love it: D’Amelio Ventre considers this Banila’s cleansing balm phenomenal for efficient, everyday make-up removal. “Its lightweight sorbet texture melts seamlessly into a silky oil that breaks down even waterproof mascara without leaving behind a heavy residue,” she says. “It is especially great for anyone who wants a quick yet thorough cleanse that leaves the skin feeling refreshed.” Plus, this pick is packed with antioxidants thanks to a blend of bamboo and cherry extracts.
- Key ingredients: Synthetic wax, red root extract, vitamin E, bamboo extract, acerola (cherry) extract
- Type: Balm
- Fragrance: Yes
Best bi-phase: Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse
Merit
Great Skin Double Cleanse
- Why we love it: Here at Vogue, we’ve long adored Merit’s make-up — but it’s worth remembering that the brand excels in skincare too. Take the new Great Skin Double Cleanse, for instance: a clever two-in-one that combines make-up removal with gentle exfoliation. Simply shake to activate its bi-phase formula and watch as it transforms into a soft, airy foam that lifts away sunscreen, impurities and make-up without stripping the skin. Surprisingly effective at removing even a full face of glam, it’s the effortless shortcut to clean, smooth and hydrated skin — all in a single step.
- Key ingredients: Oat-derived surfactants, plant-derived humectants, PHA (gluconolactone), fermentation-based extract
- Type: Bi-phase foam cleanser
- Fragrance-free: Yes
Best for waterproof make-up: Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover
Lancôme
Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
- Why we love it: “Traditional waterproof mascaras require oil-based or bi-phase formulations that contain a good amount of oil to soften and dissolve the waterproof film around each lash,” cosmetic chemist and president of SOS Beauty Charlene Valledor previously told Vogue, noting she personally thinks Lancome’s Bi-Facil is the best waterproof eye make-up remover — utilising two phases (first oil; then water) to sweep away make-up before cleansing.
- Key ingredients: Lipid concentrate, emollients
- Type: Bi-phase liquid
- Fragrance: Yes
FAQs
What is eye make-up remover?
Much like a standard make-up remover, eye make-up removers cleanse the eyelids and lashes by removing stubborn cosmetics, impurities and build-up. They are available in a plethora of forms, from micellar water and oil cleansers, to balms and various liquids, according to Pollara.
What’s the best type of eye make-up remover?
There’s no single answer to which eye make-up remover reigns supreme – it all comes down to personal preference. As Pollara explains, “Cleansing balms and oil cleansers are brilliant for breaking down heavy or waterproof make-up without causing irritation, while micellar water is lighter and ideal for minimal make-up or sensitive eyes. Both can be highly effective when used correctly.”
How to use eye make-up remover
No matter which type of cleanser you choose, experts agree that the secret to effective eye make-up removal lies in patience and a gentle touch. “The skin around the eyes is the thinnest and most delicate on the face, so tugging or scrubbing will only lead to irritation, redness or long-term laxity,” explains D’Amelio Ventre.
If you’re using a liquid-based cleanser, she suggests saturating a cotton round or reusable pad and allowing it to rest over your eyes for 10 to 15 seconds before gently sweeping downward. “This method gives the remover time to break down even the most stubborn formulas — like waterproof mascara — so the make-up quite literally melts away without friction,” she says.
For balm or oil cleansers, warm the formula between your hands before lightly massaging it over closed eyes. Then, rinse away as you would a standard face wash. Remember, this is just the first step in a double-cleansing routine — follow with a gentle gel or cream cleanser to ensure a truly clean, balanced complexion.
Are make-up wipes recommended for eye make-up removal?
Experts agree it’s best to give make-up wipes a miss — particularly when cleansing around delicate areas such as the eyes. “Make-up wipes are convenient in a pinch, but they’re not a long-term solution for eye make-up removal,” explains D’Amelio Ventre. “The friction from repeatedly wiping such a fragile area can lead to micro-tears, lash breakage and irritation over time.” Her advice? Reserve make-up wipes for travel or true emergencies, and otherwise treat your eyes with the same care you’d give to your most expensive silk blouse.
- Alexandra Bowles, DO, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Mona Dermatology in Cincinnati.
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre is a celebrity make-up artist, beauty educator and founder of The Art of Enhancement, D’Amelio Cosmetics, and La Ve Da Beauty.
- Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, is a top cosmetic and medical dermatologist specialising in facial rejuvenation at Newport Beach Dermatology & Plastic Surgery and clinical instructor of dermatology at Cornell.
- Amity Murray is the lead aesthetician at Hotel Chelsea in New York City.
- Brielle Pollara is a professional make-up artist and licensed aesthetician based between New York and New Jersey.
- Nazanin Saedi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University.
- Charlene Valledor is a cosmetic chemist and president of SOS Beauty.