It’s a question that’s plagued mankind for decades: Why is it impossible for makeup to stay put prior to dates, interviews, weddings or any other occasion where an immaculate cat eye/highlight/red lip would be nice and yet just as impossible to remove said makeup when it’s time to rest our heads against blessedly clean pillowcases?
Regardless, your struggles are now at an end. Your days of drawn-out cleansing, washing and rubbing (which can be pretty rough on the delicate skin surrounding your eyes and ultimately cause wrinkles) are behind you. There are plenty of gentle yet powerful waterproof makeup removers on the market — formulas that’ll remove your tough, long-wearing mascara without painfully blinding you temporarily, that’ll gently sweep away even the darkest of dark lips with little to no effort, that cater to all skin concerns and eye sensitivity levels — and we’ve rounded them up for you.
Click through the gallery below to shop 12 of the absolute best waterproof makeup removers out there, according to industry insiders and reviews by makeup lovers like you, who endured many a day-old raccoon eye before finally landing on their hero product. (Note: the aforementioned reviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.)
[ Next: Makeup Removing Wipes that Go Above and Beyond ]
Best Waterproof Makeup Removers
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Bioderma
Sensibio H2O Micellar Water, $10.90 at Amazon
A favorite of models like Malgosia Bela and Anais Mali, this scentless cleansing water is a makeup bag must-have.
Per reviewers:
"You know in Mulan when she wipes off half her makeup during 'Reflection'? I swear this had to be what was on her sleeve. I had a heavy amount of red, orange and black eyeshadow on and with one swipe of this it came clean off. It doesn’t leave an oily film behind or sting or burn. I honestly don’t know how I lived without it."
"This works so well at taking off eye makeup — even the most stubborn mascara. No more raccoon eyes for me in the AM! It's very gentle on the sensitive skin around your eyes, and you don't need to rub hard to get the makeup off."
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Simple
Cleansing Micellar Water, $7.99 at Ulta Beauty
Don't let the drugstore price tag fool you — this vitamin E and panthenol-infused formula means serious business.
Per reviewers:
"This stuff rocks! I have dry, sensitive skin and this is effective as both a makeup remover and secondary cleanser (I double-cleanse). I have next-to-no traces of makeup on my cotton pad after toning (usually none at all) and it hasn't irritated my skin or dried it out. It doesn't bother my eyes and is very affordable. Will purchase again."
"I love this stuff! It really feels like it's deep cleaning your skin without having to go to the trouble of washing your face at the sink. I love using this after a long day when I'm too lazy to wash my face. It really gets into your pores and clears everything out."
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The Body Shop
The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover, $10.80 at The Body Shop
Whilst the formula works its makeup-removing magic (even on matte, long-wear lipsticks), the chamomile within calms and soothes skin.
Per reviewers:
"This is a great waterproof eye makeup remover. It performs amazingly well and is also gentle. I wear contacts and often use this while still wearing my contacts and it's never caused any problems. It is non-greasy, cruelty-free and even works on tough, waterproof eye makeup. I never let myself run out of this makeup remover — I hope they never stop making it! I just wish it was a bit cheaper since I go through bottles pretty quickly."
"I bought the Camomile Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover on a whim during a really good sale and absolutely fell in love with it. I always have trouble getting all of my eyeliner and mascara off without scrubbing my eyes to death, but when I use this stuff, it comes off effortlessly. I also have very sensitive eyes, and most products make them burn or tear up. This product doesn't irritate my eyes at all, and it doesn't leave them feeling greasy like other products can. Plus, a little bit of it goes a very long way! I love it so much that I literally made an account on thebodyshop.com specifically to write this review."
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Leaders
Labotica Green Tea Lip & Eye Point Remover, $3 at Ulta Beauty
On the go? These conveniently packaged green tea, apple fruit extract and lavender-infused wipes get rid of stubborn eye makeup and long-lasting lipstick in seconds.
Per reviewers:
"Let me start by saying that I've tried all types of makeup removers (liquid removers, balms, wipes, etc.) but unless it's in wipe form I get too lazy to use it, to be honest. Unfortunately, most wipes are too harsh on my eyes — not Leaders'. They work so well! They have an oil base that takes off any mascara or liner you have on with minimal effort. So glad I bought them!"
"These eye makeup remover pads are the best. They strike the perfect balance between too dry (no harsh rubbing necessary) and too oily (like the ones that make your eyes filmy). The only negative thing I can say is that sometimes the flap will curl and won't stay stuck to the rest of the package. I just store them upside down and that seems to have solved the problem."
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Lancôme
Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover, $30 at Sephora
Even your scary-cool Halloween makeup won't stand a chance against this cult favorite. It's the best at removing waterproof mascara. Just shake the bottle to activate the ingredients.
Per reviewers:
"For many years I tried to get away with drugstore brand eye makeup removers, but I keep coming back to this one because it easily wipes away all traces of eye makeup without any pulling or tugging on the thin skin around my eyes. It removes eye makeup effortlessly and is definitely worth the money — especially since your eye area is more prone to wrinkles."
"I have tried other eye makeup removers in the past that I thought were pretty good, but none of them were as outstanding as this one. The difference between Lancôme's formula and the other eye makeup removers I've used is that this one removes all traces of eye makeup with such ease, within only four to five seconds per eye. I wear primer, eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara every day and just a few swipes of this product on a cotton pad removes every last trace of makeup — even waterproof eyeliner and mascara. Also, it's never stung my eyes. The gentleness of it is amazing given that it's such a powerful eye makeup remover. The one and only negative to this product is that I do find it expensive."
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Elemis
White Flowers Eye & Lip Makeup Remover, $34 at Nordstrom
This ultra-gentle waterproof makeup remover is enhanced with skin-nourishing peony extract and lash-conditioning vitamin B5 (which is super important because daily mascara can leave your lashes damaged and brittle).
Per reviewers:
"I have used many eye makeup removers and this is BY FAR the best...very, very, gentle but effective."
"Love this stuff — works well, smells nice and leaves the skin around eyes feeling nourished and soft."
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Sephora Collection
Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, $7.50 at Sephora
Here's another gentle, highly effective, vitamin B5-loaded formula (at a much more affordable price). The fact that it's nearly sold out is telling, though some reviewers note that the oil-based remover does leave a lingering film.
Per reviewers:
"I usually use Lancôme's makeup remover, but I tried this less expensive one out and I'm really impressed. I've only used it a few times, but I dare say it's comparable to Lancôme's. Makeup comes off easily, then I clean off the remaining oil."
"This product is good for the price. It removes my waterproof eye makeup well and reminds me of the Lancôme Bi-Facil. It works the same way but costs less than half the price. Because it's an oil based product it is greasy, so if you don't like any kind of residue on your skin, steer clear. I've been looking for a cheaper alternative to Lancôme's Bi-Facil and I think I've found it."
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Mary Kay
Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, $18 at Amazon
Whereas oily makeup remover can seep into the eyes and cause puffiness, Mary Kay's oil-free version, a former Allure Best of Beauty winner, gets rid of makeup, doesn't run and leaves behind zero greasy residue. And though it does smell faintly of alcohol, it's still incredibly soothing.
Per reviewers:
"I use waterproof Dior mascara, which is very dark and difficult to remove. I've used other eye makeup removers and the only ones I really LOVED were by Mary Kay and Shiseido. A lot of others leave a kind of film all over your eyes. At $15 vs. $26 though, hands down the Mary Kay remover wins."
"I don't use the stay-put-forever eyeliner, only wear mascara now and then and tend to stick with fairly neutral eyeshadows. Yet and still, with all the other makeup remover wipes and liquids I've tried, I'd be left with a dark circle of residue that made me look like I hadn't slept in a month. And that's just when I was wearing eyeliner. When I wore mascara too? Raccoon eyes. With some of the other products, even after I kept wiping at it until my skin was irritated, there'd still be traces of residue. But with this? Poof, all gone, no muss, no fuss. I wish I'd found out about it years ago — it would've saved my skin (and myself) a lot of irritation. My daughter does wear the stay-put-forever eyeliner, always wears mascara (usually several coats) and prefers really bold shades of eyeshadow. This remover works just as well for her. I'm done wasting my time and money on other brands. I'll be sticking with this one."
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MAKE UP FOR EVER
Sens’Eyes Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser, $25 at Sephora
Makeup removal often requires vigorous scrubbing, which can lead to irritation, inflammation and, in the long run, premature aging. A creamy cleansing formula is a good way to avoid doing damage to the sensitive skin around your eyes — especially if it's made with hydrating honey extract.
Per reviewers:
"I'm obsessed with this awesome product. My skin is extremely sensitive and I've had lots of problems with makeup removers being overly drying. This cleanser is so silky soft, like a lotion, but doesn't leave a greasy residue. A little goes a long way which makes the price more acceptable in my opinion!"
"I'm a cat eye addict who wears some heavy evening looks off and on, and I've tried many, many makeup removers because I've got really sensitive skin. Almost all of them made my eyes super raw after a day or two of use (and we won't even discuss breakouts). About a year ago, I snagged a sample of this to try it out because my wipes were used up, and it's an absolute miracle. Put a little on a cotton round, add a drop of water or two, hold the round over your makeup for a count of 10 and it comes right off. Period. And no more raw eyes. Yes, it can burn a little if you get it directly in your eye — I'd suggest adding a little water to the pad you're using for removal, or using less — but I will cry if this ever gets discontinued. I can't imagine using anything else."
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Maybelline
Expert Eyes Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover, $4.99 at Ulta Beauty
This drugstore favorite will safely and gently dissolve every last trace of even the most tenaciously long-wearing mascara. It's also good for touch-ups during winged eyeliner application — dab some on a cotton swab and you've got a makeshift eraser.
Per reviewers:
"I don't wear a lot of makeup but I love mascara. This is the best make up remover for mascara, cleans even the darkest, thickest lashes."
"This is my favorite eye makeup remover. It's the only thing that gets rid of ALL my eye makeup — matte black eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow, even lash glue —without irritating my eyes."
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Boscia
MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil, $32 at Sephora
Oily-skin-havers, meet your waterproof makeup remover match. Oil attracts oil, which allows this oil-based cleanser to remove all impurities — makeup, grease, etc. — without drying out your skin (the way an alcohol-based solution would).
Per reviewers:
"I was pleasantly surprised by how effortless it was to use this cleansing oil to remove eye makeup, particularly Benefit's They're Real mascara, which I've always had challenges removing completely. The oil glides easily on my skin. A little goes a long way — I'm used to slathering on other makeup remover products, but with this, I only had to use nickel-sized dollop and it did the trick."
"I really like this product, so much that when I returned the ineffective Boscia gel peel, I just exchanged it for another bottle of this cleanser! It dissolves heavy makeup and eye makeup and is also gentle enough to use on my super-sensitive, dry and changing (aging) skin. I feel it cleans deeply and hydrates as well. Definitely a staple product in this skin care fussbudget's routine!"
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Paula's Choice
Gentle Touch Makeup Remover, $16 at Dermstore
If you've got insanely sensitive skin or happen to work on Broadway, this one's for you. The aloe and green tea extract-infused formula is arguably the most hardworking-yet-gentle waterproof makeup remover on the market. It'll make quick work of everything from tough eyelash glue to multi-layered matte lipstick.
Per reviewers:
"This is amazing! It's insane to think how hard it is to find an effective, fragrance-free, non-irritating formula! I was using Lancome's Bi-Facil remover, but it was too expensive to repurchase. Moved to the Garnier Micellar Water, but the pH was way too high and stripped by skin. This does not irritate or feel like anything while using. The pH is perfect and something I aways stress over. This is seriously impressive! I'll never look for another eye makeup remover!"
"I've never written a review before but for this product I just had to. This is by far the best makeup remover. I've never found a makeup remover that doesn't irritate my eyes apart from this one. Even when it gets into the eyes it doesn't burn or sting. Plus it removes matte liquid lipsticks with just one swipe and leaves my lips feeling soft."
