Coming Clean: Must-Have Makeup Removers

5 must-have makeup removers

I love chatting all things makeup but rarely do I spend the time talking about how I remove it at night. My cleansing routine is pretty weird now that I think about it. I use different cleansers and makeup removers for different needs and occasions. Here’s a rundown of what makeup removers and cleansers I’ve been using lately. Now, cue the the Hilary Duff song.

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes: This is my one-stop shop for removing everyday makeup. If it’s late at night, I’ll opt to use a wipe over liquid and I love traveling with these. I like Simple products because it’s made with no artificial perfumes or harsh chemicals and I never have to worry about irritated eyes after I use these. I also use these for wiping away makeup swatches and not-so-flattering lipstick colors I’ve tested.

Simple Dual Effect Eye Makeup Remover: This is what I use for removing my heavy evening eye makeup looks that a wipe can’t always cleanup. It’s got vitamin E and provitamin B5 to help moisturize skin. More importantly, it just feels really good on my skin. I accidentally purchased a waterproof version of L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara and for two days, I couldn’t figure out why it was so difficult to remove my mascara. This solved that problem (and cleaned up 2-day old mascara without any extra rubbing).

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Makeup Remover: Back when I had eyelash extensions, I used this religiously (since it was an oil-free makeup remover). Nowadays, I really only use this to clean my makeup brushes. I’ll generously squirt this on my brush heads and soak for a few minutes before rinsing. If you’re planning on using this as a traditional makeup remover, they also have a waterproof version as well.

Origins Cleansing Makeup Removing Jelly: This is an oil-based makeup remover that doubles in skincare benefits. It has willowherb and rock rose plant extracts designed to even out skin tone and reduce hyper-pigmentation. I like to slather this all over my face for an extra few minutes just to soak in all of its jelly goodness.

EcoTools Konjac Facial Sponge: I didn’t have high hopes for this sponge but apparently this is the newest trend in skincare. Made from 100% natural ingredients, this exfoliating bamboo charcoal helps remove old skin cells while washing away dirt and makeup. Dry and unused, it feels like a rough, hard hockey puck. I initially thought, there’s no way I’m letting this touch my face! But once I soaked it in warm water and applied with facial cleanser, it did a decent job cleansing without aggravating my skin. Depending on how often this is used, it can last up to 3 months—which means a much longer shelf life compared to disposable cloths.

What are your favorite makeup removers? 

Must-Have Makeup Removers