Despite the creamy texture, our tester appreciated that it didn’t leave behind an oily residue. She said it effectively removed all of her makeup and was gentle on her delicate eye area. Considering that it delivers on its claims at an affordable price, we can’t recommend this option enough. Our tester explained that the pads are just saturated enough to get the job done without being too wet and dripping into her eyes. With just one pad, she was able to completely remove her makeup. She also appreciated that it left her skin feeling normal—not dry and not coated in oil. We also love that the small container comes with 85 pads, and the formula is fragrance-free and dermatologist-tested. The lightweight, oil-free formula is non-greasy and contains soothing aloe and cucumber extracts for a refreshing feel with no oily residue

Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover | Neutrogena®

This luxe formula is excellent for people with dry skin because it contains nourishing squalane. While it’s not the most convenient or mess-free formula, we love that it doesn’t need to be used in conjunction with a cotton pad, making it a sustainable option. Despite the lightweight consistency, some people have said that they find the formula to feel slightly greasy to the touch. If this bothers you, we recommend washing your face after removing your makeup.While we appreciate the beautiful glass bottle it comes in, some online reviewers say that the pump is faulty, so keep that in mind. Melting off your face of makeup with a creamy cleansing balm is ultra-satisfying—and these types of formulas are also really effective. This one starts as a soft solid and emulsifies into a creamy oil before turning into a milky consistency when mixed with water. It works to gently break down makeup without you needing to tug at the skin. It’s also formulated with hyaluronic acid and ceramides for an added boost of hydration. Aside from noticing how little product she needed to remove her makeup thoroughly, our tester shared that the formula felt comfortable on her skin and she didn’t see any residue. However, it’s worth noting that while the formula is oil-free, some people find that the consistency resembles that of lightweight oil.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Gentle Liquid Eye Makeup Remover - Target Neutrogena Oil-Free Gentle Liquid Eye Makeup Remover - Target

Cleansing oils can be highly effective when trying to remove heavy makeup. The idea behind this is that oil dissolves oil—meaning that oil-based makeup removers will work to dissolve oil-based makeup. So, if you’re wearing heavy foundation or a face of cream makeup, reaching for a cleansing oil like this one is a great option. Dr. Janelle Davison is a Georgia-based Optometrist with more than 15 years of experience providing eye care to her patients. She’s also a twenty/twenty beauty Visionary Panel member where she helps to ensure that all products created are effective and eye-safe.

It’s safe to say that one of the worst parts of wearing makeup is having to remove it at the end of the day. It’s a tedious task that we’re often tempted to skip—even though we’ve been told time and time again that properly removing makeup before bed is essential. Need more motivation to never sleep in your makeup? According to Georgia-based Optometrist Dr. Janelle Davison, “Removing eye makeup is essential to maintaining the normal bacteria flora around the lid and lash margin.” She explains that failing to do so can cause an imbalance of bacteria along the eyelid margin, which has been linked to blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, and dry eye disease. One thing to note is that some people find it’s not the most effective for removing waterproof sunscreen and mascara formulas, so keep this in mind if you tend to use waterproof products. Makeup pads and wipes aren’t the most sustainable choice, but they’re a great option when you’re on the go. These small circular pads are soaked in a micellar makeup remover formula that works to dissolve all traces of makeup without over-drying the skin or leaving behind a greasy film. We can’t promise that removing your makeup will become your favorite part of your skincare routine, but we can promise that using the right eye makeup remover will make the process less painful (literally and figuratively). So, we put dozens to the test in our lab in NYC, and ahead, we’re sharing the very best eye makeup removers on the market.