Waterproof Mascara Has No Chance Against These Top-Tested Eye Makeup Removers (2025)

Our Top Picks

Why We Love It: As far as eye makeup removers go, a creamy lotion isn’t what we typically think of, but this rich formula from Clinique has changed our minds. It goes on like a soft gel and only took gentle swipes to remove our tester's eyeshadow. It doesn't leave a weird residue either—just soft, moisturized eyelids. FYI, the formula contains sesame seed extract, which may trigger a reaction from those who are allergic to various nuts and seeds.

Who It's For: Given its silky texture and gentle formula, we'd recommend this cleanser to anyone who regularly wears heavy eye makeup.

Active Ingredients: Sesame seed oil, algae extract | Texture: Lotion | Size: 2.5 oz

Samantha, tester: "I was a bit worried to put a cream on my eye since it is very different than what I usually use, but I was amazed! The product came right off and there was absolutely no burning at all."

Why We Love It: This cleansing balm from E.l.f. Cosmetics proves that a luxurious makeup-removing balm doesn’t have to be expensive. Formulated with a blend of nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides, the balm offers deep hydration on top of effective cleansing. Our tester, who’s tested tons of balms prior to this one, said that it stood apart from the rest for its seamless removal without feeling greasy or slimy.

Who It's For: Anyone looking to get the most bang for their buck will appreciate this formula, which only requires a dollop to remove eye makeup completely.

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides | Texture: Balm | Size: 2 oz

Katherine, tester: "I loved the feel of the balm on my skin. It felt calming and not at all harsh on my eyelids, which I feel like some eye makeup removers do."

Why We Love It: Tata Harper is dedicated to sourcing plant-based ingredients from its own farm in Vermont with the intention of using nature to provide clear, youthful skin, and this oil cleanser definitely delivers. The vitamin-infused, botanical formula restores balance to the skin while breaking down makeup and buildup, and is gentle enough to be used on the sensitive eye area. Our tester also loved how a tiny amount removed all signs of his makeup with very little pressure. Keep in mind that if you apply too much, the cleanser leaves residual oil.

Who It's For: If you gravitate towards multifunctional products and don’t want to use a separate eye makeup remover—or simply prioritize plant-based formulas—this is the splurge for you.

Active Ingredients: Alfalfa, vitamin A, squalane | Texture: Cleansing oil | Size: 4.1 oz

Andrew, tester: "This product goes a long way. With a tiny amount applied to my eyelid, I was able to easily remove all eyeshadow and primer with ease."

Why We Love It: This eye makeup remover is one of our favorite products from this iconic brand—especially for sensitive eyes. The gentle formula refreshes skin and lifts makeup from the super-sensitive eye area without any stinging or pain. Our tester's skin felt hydrated, clean, and refreshed after swiping away her makeup with this product. We also love that this remover was tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists.

Who It's For: This sensitive skin-friendly formula is ideal for those who wear contacts or who have skin allergies (while still remaining highly effective).

Active Ingredients: Dimethicone | Type: Bi-phase | Size: 3.75 oz

Michelle, tester: "The eye makeup remover felt so soothing on the skin and did an amazing job at removing makeup."

Why We Love It: This buttery smooth Drunk Elephant cleanser is incredibly moisturizing, and even felt this way when removing makeup from tester, Caitlyn's, peepers. Although there’s oil in the formula, it didn’t get into her eyes or make her temporarily blind, which happens often since she wears contact lenses. The brand does intend for the product to be used on your whole face—either on its own to remove makeup or in conjunction with the exfoliating powder that comes with it (though we wouldn’t use this component anywhere near our eyes).

Who It's For: If you’re looking for a multitasking cleanser that won’t sting your eyes, this is the pick for you. It's also worth noting that the balm has a fruity fragrance, due in part to natural ingredients, that can be off-putting to some.

Active Ingredients: Blueberry extract, kiwi extract, strawberry extract, cranberry seed oil, açai fruit oil, watermelon seed oil | Texture: Balm | Size: 3.88 oz

Caitlyn, tester: "There was no residue left on my skin. It took my makeup off well and left my eye area feeling soft, smooth, and not irritated in the slightest."

Why We Love It: This pampering formula feels so luxurious, it turns your daily cleanse from a chore into a treat. The gentle oil is formulated with sweet almond, rapeseed, sunflower, and castor oil—to condition skin as you cleanse, and is especially helpful for eye makeup removal. Our tester—who usually stays away from oil-based products—loved how fresh her face felt after use. She recommends applying a small drop to your hands or a cotton round before applying to avoid a huge mess.

Who It's For: This cleansing oil is a delight for removing eye makeup from dry skin types, and will leave your skin silky-smooth and makeup-free. If you're prone to breakouts or clogged pores, this product may be a bit heavy for you.

Active Ingredients: Sweet almond, rapeseed, sunflower, and castor oils | Texture: Cleansing oil | Size: 5 oz

Mariah, tester: "I've been looking for a good eye makeup remover and this feels like a holy grail product."

Why We Love It: This milky oil-meets-micellar water contains comfrey root extract and pro-vitamin B5, which nourishes skin after dissolving both eye and base makeup. The bottle is squeezable, so it’s mess-free, and can be used either alone or with a cotton pad. Our tester loved how smooth and non-greasy the cleansing water felt on skin—a major step up from the other removers she's tried in the past.

Who It's For: If you hate the idea of slathering an oil or a balm all over your face, try this milky oil from Glossier, which received a perfect score from our tester for performance and easy use.

Active Ingredients: Comfrey root extract, pro-vitamin B5, castor oil | Texture: Micellar water, oil | Size: 3.4 oz

Ellie, tester: "I was able to use the same cotton round for both eyes and didn't even need to apply more product. It got all of the makeup off after three swipes per eye."

Why We Love It: Bi-phase cleansers are exactly what they sound like—formulas that provide two steps in one product (a water-based phase and an oil phase). This remover, which is one of our favorite Chanel beauty products, dissolves all traces of stubborn makeup as well as any top-performing makeup remover. It also provides additional soothing skin benefits with rose and cornflower waters. Due to these ingredients, the formula feels watery but is surprisingly pleasant to work with—InStyle associate editorial director Shannon Bauer loved how it removed her eyeshadow and mascara without leaving behind a slimy feeling.

Who It's For: We appreciate this gentle cleanser for lighter eye makeup days (and when we want a bit of a skin care boost). Also of note: It does have a slight scent, which isn't unpleasant but does feel unnecessary.

Active Ingredients: Cornflower and rose extract | Texture: Bi-phase liquid | Size: 3.4 oz

Shannon, tester: "This product was the perfect consistency. It was a watery formula but not drippy. Though it contains oil, it also wasn't greasy or slimy."

Why We Love It: These pre-soaked makeup remover pads gently clean away makeup and (most importantly) don’t leave eyes red and irritated. They also have a lightweight feel—our tester enjoyed the fact that the product on pads doesn't seep into your eyes or make your face overly wet. They don't have a strong scent, which is another plus for sensitive skin. What we loved most, though, is that it only took one wipe to remove the entirety of our tester's makeup. Seeing as the pads aren’t overloaded with liquid, they may dry out over time, so if needed, wet them a bit in order to bring them back to life.

Who It's For: If you’re still part of the camp of people who stand by their makeup remover wipes over oils, these gentle pads will be right up your alley.

Active Ingredients: Aloe vera | Texture: Wipes | Size: 85 wipes

Lauren, tester: "The pads were the perfect level of moist, without my eyelids feeling wet after use or no drying period needed. My eyelids did not feel like they had any residue left. They felt smooth and not sticky."

Why We Love It: This drugstore staple has been around for decades and continues to be a favorite among supermodels, beauty professionals, and everyday makeup wearers alike. Why? It’s affordable, effective, and doesn’t tout any bells and whistles. All you need is a cotton pad and a tiny bit of the dual-phase liquid to lift eye makeup, without any need for scrubbing or tugging. To get the best results, the brand suggests shaking the bottle to break up the formula and then apply it directly to the face.

Who It's For: This oil-free formula is particularly gentle on skin for those with sensitivities and is equally as effective at removing waterproof mascara. Bonus: You might notice an immediate calming effect, thanks to soothing aloe and cucumber extracts.

Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, cucumber extracts | Texture: Bi-phase liquid | Size: 5.5 oz

Sara, tester: “I love that the product is water-based and feels nice on my eyelids. Very little is needed to take off all of my makeup, which is huge.”

Why We Love It: Waterproof eye makeup is key for a long-lasting, impenetrable makeup look. Still, if you’ve ever packed on waterproof mascara, then you know how much of a struggle it is to get off. Our tester, who tried this formula on eyes covered in dark shadow and mascara, was impressed by its ability to fully remove her look. It seamlessly wiped away her eyeshadow and left her skin “comfortable and soothed” with no residue in sight.

Who It's For: This remover can rid raccoon eyes for good, getting rid of tough eye makeup in an instant. Keep this around for those full glam days. However, this formula is not fragrance-free, so it's not recommended for sensitive skin types.

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, chamomile extract, Damascus rose extract | Type: Bi-phase | Size: 4.2 oz

Caroline, tester: “Usually, makeup removers leave a sticky oil on my eyes and I can’t see clearly for some time, but this one didn’t do that.”

Why We Love It: Anything Cetaphil makes is known for being super gentle, and this makeup remover is no exception. Because it has a micellar water feel with a slightly oily texture, it feels conditioning yet doesn’t leave behind that annoying oily residue. Plus, it contains aloe vera, ginseng, and green tea botanicals to soothe skin along the way. One note: The formula needs some shaking before each use.

Who It's For: This fragrance- and oil-free formula is kind to skin, but doesn’t back down against waterproof pigments. The result? Calm, relaxed skin without a trace of makeup, perfect for problem-prone and sensitive skin types.

Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, ginseng, green tea botanicals | Type: Bi-phase liquid | Size: 6 oz

Marina, tester: "It felt really nice on my skin and I did not experience any discomfort or irritation. It took most of the makeup off in one swipe without me having to apply too much pressure or tugging on my skin too much."