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A good makeup remover is essential. Cleanse your skin with these vegan, clean-ingredient makeup removers or DIY your own.
Getting ready for the day and putting on makeup is (for the most part) a fun experience. But taking it off? That is usually not quite as fun — especially if you’re tired and just want to crawl into bed as soon as possible. But, it’s still important that you’re not tempted to skip this vital step in your bedtime routine.
Not taking your makeup off before you hit the pillow can have some annoying, and sometimes even painful, consequences. Products like foundation and concealer can clog pores, and if they’re not removed effectively, this can lead to breakouts, and they can also dry out the skin. Other products like mascara can even lead to eye infections if they’re not removed. Taking off your makeup also allows your skin to breathe and regenerate overnight, leaving you looking healthier and rejuvenated in the morning.
Best clean makeup removers
Finding the right makeup remover for you can make the process of taking off your makeup easier and more rewarding, so it’s worth investing in a formula your skin loves. Here are some of our favorites.
Bioassance Amino Aloe Gentle Pore-Minimizing Cleanser + Squalane
This gentle foaming gel cleanser turns the daily cleanse into a moment of pure refreshment, using a potent amino acid complex to dissolve makeup, pollution, and debris without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture. Aloe vera leaf juice delivers an instant surge of hydration, soothing and quenching for a plump, glowing finish, while moringa helps sweep away the traces of environmental stress. This cleanser envelops skin in an antioxidant-rich formula that leaves it soft, hydrated, and visibly refined. Clinical results speak for themselves — nearly every participant reported makeup was effortlessly removed and pores appeared smoother after just two weeks of use.
Aesop Remove
Another oil-based formula, Aesop’s Remove was developed especially for delicate skin areas, like around the eyes and the lips. The soothing formula will effectively clear away mascara, for example, while calming down your skin at the same time. One of the key ingredients is blue chamomile, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
Caudalíe Vinoclean Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil
This cleansing oil delivers a sensorial cleanse that is as indulgent as it is responsible, leaving skin radiant without a hint of residue. Crafted with sweet almond, grape seed, sunflower, and castor oils, the formula glides across the skin, dissolving stubborn makeup and daily buildup while softening, nourishing, and supporting healthy lashes. Unlike typical oils, it leaves no greasy after-feel — only a veil of hydration and a visibly brighter complexion.
L’Occitane Cleansing Oil to Milk
From the certified B Corp L’Occitane, this formula relies on the cleansing, skin-rejuvenating, and soothing powers of immortelle and calendula to help remove makeup and dirt while leaving skin soft, supple, and smooth. The unique Oil-to-Milk formula transforms from a smooth oil into a milky emulsion when mixed with water. The gentle cleanser is tough on makeup, including stubborn waterproof products like mascara and lipstick.
Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm & Makeup Remover
Papaya enzymes take center stage in this cleansing balm, melting away layers of makeup, sunscreen, and city grit in a single sweep. The formula’s featherlight cream texture delivers more than a thorough cleanse — it leaves skin plush and velvety, thanks to hydrating papaya seed oil and antioxidant-rich blueberry extract. In clinical trials, every participant reported luminous, healthy-looking skin, with not a trace of tightness or dryness left behind — just a clean, radiant canvas ready for whatever comes next.
Tatcha Indigo Cleansing Balm Moisturizing Makeup Remover
Designed with sensitive skin in mind, this cleansing balm quietly transforms the ritual of makeup removal into a soothing escape. Japanese indigo extract calms visible irritation, while a cocktail of cleansing lipids lifts away every trace of long-wear makeup and city debris without disturbing the skin’s fragile moisture barrier. The addition of Hadasei-3, a proprietary blend, ensures skin is left nourished and supple, not stripped. In clinical trials, every participant reported effortless removal of even waterproof mascara and a noticeable boost in moisture—a rare feat for even the most discerning cleansers
Youth to the People Superfood Gentle Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser
This antioxidant-charged gel cleanser brings together kale, spinach, and green tea in a gentle yet remarkably effective formula that leaves skin luminous and refreshed. The gel transforms into a light foam, sweeping away makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil without disturbing the skin’s delicate moisture barrier. With glycerin and vitamins B5 and E to hydrate and soothe, each cleanse feels like a fresh start, unveiling skin that’s clean, soft, and naturally glowing. Housed in recyclable packaging and celebrated with multiple beauty awards, this vegan and cruelty-free face wash is designed for anyone seeking clarity and radiance — especially those with combination or blemish-prone skin.
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser – Hydrating Makeup Remove
This balm-to-oil cleanser transforms daily skincare into a luxurious, gentle ritual, lifting away every trace of makeup, debris, and excess oil while cocooning the skin in lasting hydration. The non-comedogenic, soap-free formula glides effortlessly across all skin types, supporting the skin’s natural barrier without a hint of residue. Free from a laundry list of irritants and harsh additives, this vegan, cruelty-free blend lets the skin breathe and glow, making it a versatile staple that plays well with the rest of your skincare routine. For anyone seeking a clean, uncomplicated cleanse that delivers both purity and moisture, this modern balm is the ultimate everyday essential.
Farmacy Green Clean
Farmacy’s Green Clean balm, which has a sorbet-like texture until it hits your skin, will help to melt away makeup and gently exfoliate and cleanse your skin at the same time. It contains papaya extract, which helps to retexture skin, as well as a refreshing, delicious-smelling blend of lime, bergamot, and orange essential oils. Even better: the jar is recyclable, too.
DIY vegan makeup remover recipes
If you’d prefer to try your hand at making your own makeup remover from scratch, this is more than possible with just a handful of effective ingredients. Here, we’ve compiled a few of our top suggestions. But one important note: if you’re prone to skin conditions, it’s best to stick to the store-bought options or check with a dermatologist before experimenting.
Rosewater and aloe gel
Leading beauty platform Byrdie recommends mixing rosewater into aloe gel, before applying it to cotton wool. Gently massage the mixture into your skin to remove makeup, but note this may only work on water-based formulas, so you may need another store-bought option as a backup to ensure you’ve removed all residue.
Castor oil and olive oil
According to Healthline, a simple mix of organic castor oil and olive oil can help to pull excess oil out of particularly oily skin. Mix in a bottle, apply a small amount to your skin, and allow to dry before steaming with a warm, moist cloth.
Coconut oil and olive oil
Taste of Home recommends mixing together these two simple cooking ingredients to create a simple yet effective DIY makeup remover. Again, make sure to use a warm, moist cloth to thoroughly remove the mixture and the makeup from your skin, before rubbing in that all-important moisturizer.
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