Makeup Removers

After a long day, take care of your skin with a refreshing makeup remover that both cleanses and restores without damaging your complexion.


The Benefits

  • End the day with fresh, clean skin
  • Promotes skin rejuvenation
  • Protects bedding from makeup stains
  • Unclogs pores and prevent breakouts
  • Protects skin from free radical damage

What To Look For

Your makeup is an important part of your look, it sets the mood for the day. But at the end of the day, it’s crucial that you remove all traces of your makeup, so your skin can recover and leave you looking and feeling refreshed in the morning. Leaving makeup on overnight can clog pores—which leads to breakouts. It can also accelerate aging and leave you with dull skin and premature wrinkles.

But sometimes removing makeup can be difficult, especially with waterproof products. A good makeup remover is an essential tool in your beauty kit—it’s just as important as a great mascara.

So how do you decide which makeup remover is the most effective and safest for your skin? That’s where our team of ShopOwl researchers step in and help. We’ve created this quick guide to help you choose a fantastic makeup remover that you’ll swear by.

How Do Makeup Removers Work?

A great makeup remover will easily remove all traces of your makeup. You shouldn’t have to rub or scrub to get the job done.

While your makeup remover is taking off makeup, it shouldn’t be leaving anything behind that can clog pores or create buildup on your face.1 You also want to make sure the product doesn’t irritate your skin, which might take a little personal experimentation depending on your skin type.

Every product on the market works a little differently, so using a unique blend of ingredients to clean your face can leave it feeling fresh and reinvigorated.

What Ingredients To Look For And What To Avoid

  • Look For
  • Jojoba oil
  • Micellar water
  • Avoid
  • Parabens
  • Triclosan

Beware Of Allergens

Trying new products can be tricky, especially for people with sensitive skin or a history of allergies, eczema, or contact dermatitis.2 Makeup removers, just like cosmetics, can exacerbate these reactions, which can vary from person to person. While some people might experience a severe reaction to a product or ingredient, others may only experience mild irritation.

That’s why it’s always best to ease into a new product by conducting an allergy patch test first.3 Don’t worry! You can do this simple test at home, without a visit to the dermatologist. Essentially, before you go about smearing this new product all over your face, try a little bit out on your arm or neck. If you don’t experience a reaction to the patch test after 24 hours, then you’re probably clear to proceed.

What Else To Consider Before Buying A Makeup Remover

Finding the right makeup remover for you involves not just finding a product that wipes away your makeup, but one that also treats your skin right. Before purchasing a makeup remover, you’ll want to consider the following factors:

Watch Out For Alcohol

Alcohol is very good at removing oily products from your skin and drying out your pores. The problem is that because it’s so efficient, it can actually dry out your skin, too. Alcohol can leave you with a dry, damaged complexion and even promotes premature wrinkling.  If you must use a product with alcohol, always follow up with a moisturizer.

Positive And Authentic Reviews

Make sure to check with the ShopOwl algorithm before purchasing a makeup remover, so you can get a clear understanding of what other customers liked and didn’t like about it. This will help you make a more informed purchase.

Find Fragrance-Free Options

The ingredients in fragrances are varied and rarely listed individually on products.4 This means you have no idea what you’re actually putting on your face. Unfortunately, some of these additives are dangerous or can cause a dermatological reaction. Your best bet is to avoid makeup removers with fragrances and look for the purest products available.

01

Burt's Bees Sensitive Facial Cleansing Towelettes
Sold by: Burt's Bees

Marketplace Rating:

Adjusted Rating:

Buy On Amazon

A

  • Quality RankA-
  • Review RankA
  • Value RankA
Close Full Analysis
Quality Rank A-

92/100

After our algorithm searched over 5,000 data points and analyzed 52 variables, Burt's Bees Sensitive Facial Cleansing Towelettes received a high score for its quality. 

Review Rank A 

100/100

Our algorithm took a deep dive into the reviews and didn’t detect any fraudulent or suspicious reviews. 

Value Rank A 

94/100

Considering the high quality score and perfect review rank, we’ve determined this product has a strong purchase value. 

Marketplace Rating:
Adjusted Rating:

95.3

of 100

A

  • Quality RankA-
  • Review RankA
  • Value RankA-
Close Full Analysis
Quality Rank A-

91.2/100

After our algorithm searched over 5,000 data points and analyzed 52 variables, the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Biodegradable Facial Cleansing and Makeup Remover Wipes received a high score for its quality. 

Review Rank A 

100/100

Our algorithm didn’t detect any potentially fraudulent or suspicious reviews. 

Value Rank A- 

90.1/100

Considering the high quality score and perfect review rank, we’ve determined this product has a strong purchase value. 

Marketplace Rating:
Adjusted Rating:

93.8

of 100

03

Simple Facial Wipes
Sold by: Simple

Marketplace Rating:

Adjusted Rating:

Buy On Amazon

B+

  • Quality RankB+
  • Review RankB+
  • Value RankB+
Close Full Analysis
Quality Rank B+

89/100

After our algorithm searched over 5,000 data points and analyzed 52 variables, the Simple Facial Wipes received a higher than average score for its quality. 

Review Rank B+ 

88.7/100

Our algorithm determined that about 13% of the reviews left for this product were fraudulent or suspicious. 

Value Rank B+ 

88/100

Considering the higher than average average quality rank and mediocre review rank, we’ve determined that this product has a B+ value rank. 

Marketplace Rating:
Adjusted Rating:

88.6

of 100

04

Yes to Miracle Oil Calm & Soothe Primrose Oil Cleansing Facial Wipes
Sold by: Yes to Miracle Oil

Marketplace Rating:

Adjusted Rating:

Buy On Amazon

B+

  • Quality RankB
  • Review RankA
  • Value RankB-
Close Full Analysis
Quality Rank B

84.3/100

After our algorithm searched over 5,000 data points and analyzed 52 variables, the Yes to Miracle Oil Calm & Soothe Primrose Oil Cleansing Facial Wipes received an average score for its quality. 

Review Rank A 

100/100

Our algorithm didn’t flag any reviews as being suspicious or potentially fraudulent. 

Value Rank B- 

80/100

Considering the average quality rank, the strong review rank, and handful of poor marketplace reviews, we’ve determined that this product has a B- value rank. 

Marketplace Rating:
Adjusted Rating:

88.1

of 100

05

Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes
Sold by: Neutrogena

Marketplace Rating:

Adjusted Rating:

Buy On Amazon

B+

  • Quality RankB+
  • Review RankB-
  • Value RankB+
Close Full Analysis
Quality Rank B+

88/100

After our algorithm searched over 5,000 data points and analyzed 52 variables, Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes received a strong score for its quality. 

Review Rank B- 

82.4/100

Our algorithm determined that about 18% of the reviews for the product were fraudulent or suspicious. 

Value Rank B+ 

89/100

Considering these different variables and the moderate price point, we determined that this product has an average purchase value. 

Marketplace Rating:
Adjusted Rating:

86.5

of 100


Citations

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-unclog-pores
  2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/contact-dermatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352742
  3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/allergy-tests/about/pac-20392895
  4. http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/fragrance/