# The 5 Best Makeup Cleansers on Amazon in 2026 > Best makeup cleansers in 2026: micellar water, a bi-phase makeup remover, micellar wipes, a cleansing balm and a cleansing oil for waterproof mascara. Guide: https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-makeup-cleansers/ · Updated 2026-09-29 · By TwelveTabs · Search it live: https://twelvetabs.com/?q=best%20makeup%20remover%20cleanser&guide=best-makeup-cleansers As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. Our picks are independently researched, written by TwelveTabs AI and never sponsored. Prices and ratings change often: see the guide for today's. ## The top picks - **An all-in-one micellar water for face, lips and eyes:** Garnier Micellar Water Hydrating Facial Cleanser & Makeup Remover. An all-in-one micellar water that cleanses and removes makeup, dirt, sunscreen and excess oil in one step, made for the face, lips and eye area. - **Eye makeup, sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers:** e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration Off Makeup Remover. A non-greasy liquid makeup remover with hyaluronic acid, squalane and niacinamide, described as gentle enough for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers. - **Quick removal that needs no bottle or pads:** Neutrogena Makeup Remover Micellar Wipes, 2 Pack of 25 Count. Pre-soaked plant-based cloths with micellar water and hyaluronic acid that remove up to 99% of dirt, including waterproof mascara, in a pack of two 25-count tubs. - **A cleansing balm with only 10 ingredients:** JUNO & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover, 3 oz. A cleansing balm with only 10 ingredients that rinses clean with no residue, made with Japanese pearl barley extract. - **Stubborn waterproof mascara and eyeliner:** DHC Deep Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover, 6.7 oz. An olive oil based cleansing oil that binds with sebum and breaks down makeup, including stubborn waterproof mascara and eyeliner, with no oily residue. Our top pick is the **[Garnier Micellar Water](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-makeup-cleansers/#pick-1)**, an all-in-one micellar water for the face, lips and eyes. We read 124 Amazon search cards for “makeup remover cleanser”, compared 13 finalists and kept five makeup cleansers of five different types. For eye makeup and sensitive eyes, the [e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-makeup-cleansers/#pick-2) is a bi-phase remover, and it is Wirecutter's pick in that type. The [Neutrogena Micellar Wipes](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-makeup-cleansers/#pick-3) are the no-bottle option. For a balm, the [JUNO & Co. Clean 10](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-makeup-cleansers/#pick-4) keeps its ingredient list to ten, and for waterproof mascara and eyeliner, the [DHC Deep Cleansing Oil](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-makeup-cleansers/#pick-5) is the oil. Wirecutter's top pick, a Bioderma micellar water, is in the comparison table next to ours. ## How to choose a makeup cleanser The products in this category fall into a few types. Wirecutter describes the three it picked from, and Allure sorts its own picks by type and by skin, such as dry or acne-prone skin. - **Micellar water.** Wirecutter calls it the lightest type: water, hydrating ingredients and micelles that attract makeup and oil, which the water rinses away. Its micellar pick is, it says, the best multitasker of its three for removing makeup and cleansing. - **Bi-phase remover.** Wirecutter says these have an oil layer and a water layer that you shake together, and they suit stubborn eye makeup. Some leave a greasy feel that calls for a face wash afterwards. - **Balm.** Wirecutter says balms dissolve waxy products like mascara and eyeliner but may need wiping and rinsing, because they have no watery phase. - **Waterproof makeup.** Wirecutter explains that waterproof makeup, water-resistant sunscreen and long-wear foundation are often oil-soluble, so a micellar water, bi-phase remover or balm can break them down where a face wash struggles. - **A face wash is not a remover.** Wirecutter says facial cleansers may irritate the eyes and need extra rubbing to remove cosmetics fully. That is why the face washes in Amazon's results are not here. ## Our picks in detail ### 1. Garnier Micellar Water Hydrating Facial Cleanser & Makeup Remover: best all-in-one micellar water **Why it made the list** - Its listing calls it an all-in-one cleanser and makeup remover that lifts makeup, dirt, sunscreen and excess oil in one step. - It is labelled dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested for the face, lips and eye area. - The formula is described as gentle enough for sensitive skin. - It is vegan and approved by Cruelty-Free International's Leaping Bunny program, per its listing. - Wirecutter says micellar water is the lightest type of makeup remover, and that its micellar pick is the best multitasker of its three for removing makeup and cleansing. **Drawbacks** - It is a light formula, so heavy waterproof makeup may need several passes (our inference from the type). - Micellar water is used on a cotton pad, so you need pads on hand. **Skip it if** you wear heavy waterproof makeup every day and want it off in one swipe. ### 2. e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration Off Makeup Remover: best for eye makeup and sensitive eyes **Why it made the list** - Its listing describes a non-greasy liquid makeup remover for the eyes and face. - It is called ophthalmologist-tested and gentle enough for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers. - It is enriched with hyaluronic acid, squalane and niacinamide, and made for normal, dry, oily and combination skin. - Wirecutter names it its best bi-phase makeup remover: it says the formula erases heavy mascara, long-wear eyeshadow and eyeliner in single swipes and wipes off without residue. Wirecutter's own link for it goes to this listing. **Drawbacks** - Wirecutter says it has no safety cap, and oil-forward bi-phase liquids can make a mess if spilled in a bag. - A bi-phase remover has an oil layer and a water layer, and Wirecutter shook it to combine before use. **Skip it if** you toss your makeup remover loose in a bag without a case. ### 3. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Micellar Wipes: best quick removal with no bottle **Why it made the list** - Its listing says the wipes remove up to 99% of dirt, including waterproof mascara. - The cloths are 100% plant-based and made with micellar water, hyaluronic acid and a triple emollient blend. - They are called ophthalmologist-tested, hypoallergenic and gentle enough for sensitive skin and the eye area. - The formula is free of dyes, parabens, sulfates, phthalates and alcohol, per its listing. **Drawbacks** - Every wipe is thrown away, which adds up as waste (our inference from the format). - The pack holds 50 wipes in two tubs, which is about a month and a half of daily use (our arithmetic, one wipe a day). **Skip it if** you want to cut single-use waste or use a lot of product per night. ### 4. JUNO & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm: best a short-ingredient cleansing balm **Why it made the list** - Its listing says the formula has an uncomplicated list of only 10 ingredients. - It is described as rinsing clean and leaving zero residue. - The star ingredient is Japanese pearl barley, which the listing says hydrates and nourishes the skin. - Wirecutter says balms dissolve tenacious, waxy products like mascara and eyeliner. **Drawbacks** - Wirecutter says a balm has no watery phase, so it may need wiping and rinsing, and it can leave tiny bits of tubing mascara on the cheeks. - It is a small 85 gram (3 oz) jar, per its listing. **Skip it if** you want a quick swipe-off remover with no rinsing. ### 5. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil: best waterproof mascara and eyeliner **Why it made the list** - Its listing says it binds with sebum, dissolves impurities and breaks down makeup, even stubborn waterproof mascara and eyeliner. - It is described as deeply cleansing with no oily residue. - It is made with organic olive oil (Flor de Aceite) and vitamin E to soften and moisturize. - Wirecutter explains that waterproof makeup and long-wear foundation are often oil-soluble, which is why an oil-based remover breaks them down. **Drawbacks** - Wirecutter notes that oil-heavy removers tend to feel oilier and may need a second cleansing step, and we apply that to an oil (our inference). - It lists rosemary leaf oil, so it is not for people who avoid added botanical oils (our inference). **Skip it if** you want a rinse-free, wipe-off remover, or you avoid oils on your face. ## What we left out, and why We read 124 search cards, 105 different products, and the pages of 13 finalists. We kept five and left out: - **CeraVe, La Roche-Posay and Vanicream face washes.** Four of our finalists were face washes that list makeup removal as one use among several. Wirecutter says a facial cleanser may irritate the eyes and need extra rubbing to remove makeup fully. - **Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm.** Wirecutter picks the Fragrance-Free version. This listing's title does not say Fragrance-Free, so we cannot tell it is the same product. - **Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser & Makeup Remover.** A fragrance-free cold cream that does the same job as pick 4. - **Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil.** A second cleansing oil next to pick 5. Wirecutter's top pick, Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water, is in the comparison table. Its own link goes to this Amazon listing, and our search found it on the first page of results. We kept it out of the numbered picks so it shows once, labelled as Wirecutter's, next to the micellar water we picked, the [Garnier Micellar Water](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-makeup-cleansers/#pick-1). ## Questions people ask ### What is the best makeup cleanser for waterproof mascara? An oil, a balm or a bi-phase remover. The [DHC Deep Cleansing Oil](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-makeup-cleansers/#pick-5) lists waterproof mascara and eyeliner among what it breaks down, and Wirecutter says the [e.l.f. Off Makeup Remover](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-makeup-cleansers/#pick-2) erases mascara in single swipes. ### Can you use a face wash to remove makeup? For light makeup, some face washes list it as a use. Wirecutter says facial cleansers may irritate the eyes and need extra rubbing to remove everything, so it recommends a micellar water, bi-phase remover or balm for eye makeup. ### Micellar water or cleansing balm? Micellar water is lighter and needs a cotton pad, like the [Garnier Micellar Water](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-makeup-cleansers/#pick-1). A balm, like the [JUNO & Co. Clean 10](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-makeup-cleansers/#pick-4), is richer and rinses off. Wirecutter says the balm route may need wiping and rinsing. For more balms, see our [cleansing balm guide](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-balm-cleansers/). ### Do makeup wipes work as a cleanser? They remove makeup, and the [Neutrogena Micellar Wipes](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-makeup-cleansers/#pick-3) list waterproof mascara among what they take off. They are single-use, so they are more about convenience than a full cleanse. ### How did TwelveTabs choose these makeup cleansers? TwelveTabs read the first two pages of Amazon results for “makeup remover cleanser”, set aside sponsored repeats and kits, and read the pages of 13 finalists. We kept five that cover different types of remover and checked the advice against Wirecutter and Allure. AI wrote this guide from that research. To see what TwelveTabs picks today, run the search yourself with the button on this page. ## How we researched On September 29, 2026 we read 124 Amazon search cards for “makeup remover cleanser”, 105 different products. AI compared them, set aside sponsored repeats and kits, read the pages of 13 finalists and chose five makeup cleansers of different types: micellar water, a bi-phase remover, wipes, a balm and an oil. AI wrote this guide from that research. Listings change: we read them on September 29, 2026, and a size, formula or seller may differ today. Formulas and claims are the listing text as we read it, which the collector cut to about 200 characters per bullet. Skin reacts differently to every product, so a patch test on a small area is a sensible first step. ### Sources - [Wirecutter: The Best Micellar Waters and Makeup Removers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-makeup-remover/) - [Allure: The Best Makeup Removers](https://www.allure.com/story/best-makeup-removers)