These Makeup Removers for Sensitive Skin Won’t Leave Your Face Irritated or Dry (2024)

Makeup wearers understand the universal relief of removing a day’s worth of worked-through (maybe even cried-through) foundation, eyeshadow, and mascara. They also understand the frustration of a makeup remover fighting back, leaving skin burning, sensitized, and red instead of soft and clean. If the latter experience rings true for you, it might be time to switch to a makeup remover for sensitive skin.

Meet the Experts: Jeannette Graf, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Ian Michael Crumm, licensed esthetician based in New York City, and Jodi LoGerfo, D.N.P., A.P.R.N., F.N.P.-B.C., a doctor of nursing practice certified in dermatology and family medicine.

Believe it or not, not all makeup removers are created equal. Reactions to certain formulas can occur “due to presence of harsh chemicals, fragrances, or ingredients that can damage the skin’s barrier,” explains Jeannette Graf, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. She adds that some makeup removers simply may not do their job, resulting in the need for excessive rubbing and scrubbing, which can also lead to irritation.

Our top picks

The last thing your skin needs is more barrier compromise than the environment (i.e. the sun, pollution) does alone. So, experts helped us round up the best makeup removers—micellar waters, cleansing balms, oils, and more—that (when paired with a good cleanser) will leave your skin feeling clean, content, and ready for the next day of glam.

A best-seller for a reason, this micellar water is affordable, gentle, and effective, which is why both Graf and licensed esthetician Ian Michael Crumm recommend it. The formula uses micelles, a surfactant that gently lifts dirt and oil like a magnet, and added glycerin leaves the skin hydrated and smooth. “It’s shown to remove dirt, makeup, and sunscreen without rubbing or rinsing,” says Crumm. “But it’s still advised to do a proper cleanse after makeup removal. Don’t rely on a makeup remover only.”

“This makeup remover is super gentle on the skin and packed with glycerin, a humectant that promotes a healthy skin barrier,” says Crumm. Graf, who also recommends it, adds that it’s free of harsh chemicals and fragrance and contains calming niacinamide. To use, Crumm advises applying it to dry skin and wiping away with a damp cloth. You can double cleanse using the same product, or follow up with a separate wash to make sure your skin is squeaky clean.

Jodi LoGerfo, D.N.P., A.P.R.N., F.N.P.-B.C., a doctor of nursing practice certified in dermatology and family medicine recommends these for sensitive eyes and calls them her “favorite.” The sterile pads form a gentle lather when activated with a gentle rub, and the hypoallergenic, pH-balanced formula melts away makeup. Just hold it over the eye for a few seconds and softly swipe it all away. “They work fantastic as a makeup remover and are great for travel,“ one Amazon reviewer wrote.

Although the tugging that wipes require may cause your skin unnecessary aggravation, if you need to reach for a quick cleanse in a pinch, these, formulated especially for sensitive skin, should minimize irritation. They contain aloe vera, cotton extract, and glycerin to keep things calm and moisturized, and are made of upcycled cotton, which makes them a touch easier to buy than other single-use towelettes.

A tried-and-true, this oil-free, aloe- and glycerin-packed makeup remover is ophthalmologist-tested and approved for use around the sensitive eye area. It’s also under $10, and cuts through the strongest of long-wearing makeup. “I’ve been using this makeup remover for a long time and I can’t imagine using anything else,” a reviewer wrote.

Perfect for travel, this conveniently compact solid oil stick was created by makeup artist Bobbi Brown. It doesn’t strip away moisture like some traditional cleansers do, and it melts away makeup with ease with vitamin-enriched sunflower, jojoba, and avocado oils. All you have to do is swipe it on, emulsify the formula with water, and rinse everything away. “If you have dry skin like I do, this cleanser is a game changer,” Brown said on Instagram.

“This inexpensive balm is rich in almond oil (to nourish), oat kernel (to retain moisture), and sunflower oil (to moisturize). It’s gentle and very moisturizing but unlikely to cause irritant reactions,” Sheilagh Maguiness, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of the Stryke Club previously told Prevention.

Dry, sensitive skin types can really benefit from removing makeup with an oil-based cleanser—one that will leave behind more moisture than it takes away. This one from Tatcha is particularly luxurious and gentle, containing vitamin-rich Japanese camellia oil, which is why reviewers love it. “After washing it off you feel soft and hydrated but not oily or greasy at all,” one happy customer wrote.

This customer-favorite micellar water gets the job done without any fuss. It’s non-greasy, and you don’t even have to rinse it off, though experts recommend double cleansing with any makeup remover just to ensure all impurities are gone. The simple, gentle formula is safe for all skin types. To make daily use more sustainable, you can pick up some reusable cotton rounds.

A shake of this solution activates its makeup-dissolving power, one that’s strong enough to effortlessly cleanse but gentle enough not to cause eye stinging—the worst side effect of a bad makeup remover. Its key ingredients are calming allantoin⁠, aloe leaf juice extract⁠, green tea, and glycerin. “I love this makeup remover! I wear contacts, so can’t use an oily remover,” one reviewer raved. “I easily get sties, so I have to be very careful with my eye products. This one is perfect for me!”

LoGerfo recommends this classic remover that’s been around for years and will always get the job done. It’s formulated without any irritants, fragrance, or parabens, and reviewers say it even dissolves lash glue without leaving any residue behind.

Packed with papaya, vitamin C-rich cherry, and herbal extracts, this cleansing balm effectively removes makeup, dirt, impurities, and dead skin cells without leaving it feel tight and dry. Plus, it smells delicious—just like cherries, which is partially why it has over 8,000 five-star Amazon reviews. One said it “has a nice texture, emulsifies nicely once you mix it with water, takes makeup off easily, and doesn’t leave a residue on the skin.”

In short, check your ingredients labels. Dr. Graf recommends avoiding essential oils, retinoids or chemical exfoliants, high levels of vitamin C, alcohol, artificial fragrances, sulfates, and parabens, all of which can be irritating. Instead, look for skin replenishing ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera, chamomile, calendula, cucumber, green tea, and natural oils like coconut, jojoba, and almond to remove and soothe, she suggests.

Micellar waters, cleansing oils, and cleansing balms are most recommended by experts for gently removing makeup from reactive, sensitive skin.

Massaging a soft, moisturizing oil or cleansing balm into the skin to dissolve, then rinse away makeup creates far less potential for irritation than say, tugging at your skin with makeup wipes. If you need to wipe the skin, use a soft cloth or reusable cotton pad instead.

We spoke with dermatologists, an esthetician, and consulted customer reviews to narrow down the best makeup removers for sensitive skin.

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.