Makeup Removers that Won't Irritate Sensitive Skin

As beauty editors, we've heard time and time again how incredibly important it is to remove your makeup before bed. It's one of these things you don't want to do every night, but you kind of have to. Even when you've had the busiest day and all you want to do is jump into bed when you get home, you need to take a few moments to remove your makeup so you won't wake up with clogged pores and unsightly breakouts. So, when removing your makeup is the last thing you do for the day, you can rest easy knowing that these gentle removers for your face and eyes will do right by you.

Read on for our picks of the best makeup removers for sensitive skin.

Best Overall: Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water

This is a cult favorite makeup removing product among supermodels, dermatologists, and celebrity makeup artists alike. Its ingredients tread so lightly that it is gentle enough to use without water. It'll feel like you're removing your makeup while giving your skin a healthy dose of hydration.

Best for Dry Skin: Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser

At this point, it feels like everyone has tried this cleanser out, but if you haven't, one look at the Glossier videos of models removing their full face of makeup with this jelly-based cleanser will have you sold. On a sensitive skin scale of 0 to 100, my skin surpasses 100. So I found this cleanser when I was in desperate need of a makeup remover that wouldn't break me out. It's made of the same gentle cleansing agents you can find in contact solution, it features soothing rose water, and it's pH balanced.

Best for Eye Makeup: Neutrogena Oil-Free Liquid Eye Makeup Remover

Contact wearers have no need to be concerned about this, as this super- lightweight eye makeup remover has been ophthalmologist-tested. It's made of soothing ingredients like aloe and cucumber extract, so your skin will feel refreshed. And because it's oil-free, you won't be left with the feeling that something's lingering on your skin after you use it.

Best for Eye Makeup, Runner-Up: Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent

Sometimes smudging is inevitable, and when you do need a quick touch-up, all you need is a cotton swab and a bit of this solvent to do the honors. It's oil- free and gentle enough to use on the most sensitive parts of your face no water necessary, which is why celeb makeup artists love this stuff.

Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser

Key Ingredients

Glycerin is a naturally occurring compound in the body; in topical skincare, it is derived from plants. It functions to draw water to the skin and continue hydrating it, making it a great ingredient for extreme dryness.

The kind of cleanser you want to use when your skin is freaking out, La Roche- Posay's Toleriane line is made for people with sensitive skin. This particular creamy cleanser is meant to remove makeup and clean your face, so you don't have to deal with double cleansing, which can be irritating. The best part? The glycerin in it leaves your skin feeling smooth—not stripped down.

Best Drugstore, Runner-Up: Simple Kind to Skin Dual Effect Eye Makeup Remover

Key Ingredients

Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin and oil often found in anti-oxidant blend topicals or moisturizers. It also helps soothe the skin and protects the lipid barrier.

This cleanser-based eye makeup magically removes every trace of makeup, even pesky mascara fallout. It's made of cleansing oil infused with vitamin B5 and purified water infused with vitamin E, so your skin will get double the nourishment.

Best for Waterproof Makeup: Estée Lauder Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion

Key Ingredients

Aloe vera is a naturally derived ingredient known for its soothing and moisturizing properties. The aloe plant's inner gel mucilage (the part that's used in skin care products) is made up of 99.5% water.

This unique formula was specially designed for long-wear makeup—like the stubborn liquid lipsticks that are so hard to take off. Pump a bit of it on a cotton pad and watch it disappear in one swipe. It's infused with aloe vera gel and other green ingredients, so no stinging is involved.

Best Splurge: La Prairie Crystal Micellar Water

La Prairie doesn't make bad products, and their foray into the world of micellar waters is just as beautiful and effective as everything else in their line. Utilizing Swiss glacier water and liquid crystal technology to wipe away all impurities and toxins, the water will clear your skin without being abrasive to the surface layer. No rinsing involved, just a cotton pad.

Best Budget: Neutrogena Makeup Remover Night Calming Cleansing Towelettes

Celebs like Kylie Jenner have singled out these drugstore cleansing wipes as the best. A personal favorite of mine, these wipes cleanse and remove makeup at the same time. These new calming versions are formulated with a calming scent you need right before bed. But don't be alarmed by the fragrance, as its ingredients are made for sensitive skin.

Best for Lips: Beauty Bakerie Lip Whip Remover

When their lip whips proved so good at staying on that regular makeup wipes couldn't get them off, Beauty Bakerie had to make a product that would. So, this product was born—but it happens to work really well for all stubborn makeup. Stubborn mascara and eyeliner are no match for these oil-packed, stunningly effective wipes.

Best Wipes: RMS Beauty The Ultimate Makeup Remover Wipes

RMS is known for providing some of the best clean beauty products money can buy. These makeup remover packets come in individually sealed packets and are blended in RMS's star ingredient: coconut oil. They're pre-soaked and offer up a cooling effect once they touch the skin. Oh, and of course, they sweep away the makeup, dirt, and grime on your skin. Can you ask for much else?

Best Balm: Farmacy Meltaway Cleansing Balm

If you live in a metropolitan area you're probably aware of how nasty the air gets, which can make you desperate for a clean-feeling wash. Farmacy's natural ingredient list and balm-to-oil formula gently washes your face free of any gunk and get rid of makeup in the process.

Best Oil Cleanser: Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser

Another gentle and 100% natural cleanser, Tata Harper's Nourishing Oil Cleanser is one of the most used for double cleansing, but it works wonderfully on its own too. The nutrient- and antioxidant-dense formula can be used on a cotton pad to just wipe off makeup or rubbed between your hands for a full face cleanse.

Best Brightening: Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup Melting Butter Cleanser

While most cleansers use nut and seed oils (and this one does too), Drunk Elephant chose to also bring fruit oils into the mix for this particular rich oil cleanser. However, the brand knows that some oils can be irritating, too— which is why this formula is free of all essential oils and fragrance.

Best Natural: Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Facial Cleansing Towelettes

I'm sure you've heard the word about the harsh chemicals found in many makeup wipes. It's imperative that you follow up with a nourishing cleanser after using makeup wipes. These natural towelettes are a great alternative. Made without any parabens, phthalates, or petrolatum, they swiftly remove makeup without the bad stuff.

Best Scent: Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil

An oil-to-milk cleanser, Kiehl's Cleansing Oil is specially formulated to leave skin balanced after use. It's also scented with lavender, so you'll be relaxed and ready for bed once your skincare routine is done.

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