The golden rule of skincare: Never ever sleep with your makeup on. We found some of the best removers to ease this crucial step.
If there’s one cardinal beauty rule we live by, it’s this: Never sleep with your makeup on – do it and you might end up with skin irritation, clogged pores and even wrinkles. We’ve religiously stuck by this and have never looked back. So if you love makeup as much as we do, it’s best that you enjoy taking it off too, with the right product that soothes, protects and hydrates your skin. From cleansing oils and balms to micellar water and wipes, these are some of the best makeup removers out there. Side note: Unless otherwise stated, always always double cleanse to thoroughly clean skin.
FrankSkincare Magic Wipe Cleansing Oil
This homegrown brand is run by organic beauty fanatics who only offer 100% natural and organic products, free of GMOs (Genetic Modified Organism) as well as parabens. The Magic Wipe Cleansing Oil is no exception; its ingredients list – it comprises of apricot, castor, tamanu and kiwi extract – is pretty straightforward. It doubles up as a cleanser and makeup remover, and even brightens skin. To use, massage over your face and neck, then wipe clean with the accompanying bamboo washcloth (be sure to dampen it first!).
FrankSkincare Magic Wipe Cleansing Oil, $56, OUE Downtown Gallery, #01-46, 6 Shenton Way, Singapore 068815 and online.
Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser
This multi-tasking makeup-melting butter cleanser is made from a blend of five African oils and antioxidant-rich fruit extracts – super-rich ingredients designed to be used on dry skin. Add water and it turns into a milky cleanser. It does the job even with a full face of makeup and waterproof mascara.
Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser, $50, available online and at various locations.
Bifesta Cleansing Lotion series
Touted as the number one water-based makeup remover in Japan, this magical potion easily lifts off even the thickest eye makeup. There are five variations that target each concern so you can pick something suitable for your skin type. We also love that it’s not greasy.
Bifesta Cleansing Lotion, from $16.90, available at Watsons, Guardian and Lazada.
Bioderma Sensibio H20
Like Garnier’s Micellar Water, this Bioderma bestseller is extremely popular – so popular that one bottle is sold every five seconds. Its claim of respecting sensitive skin isn’t just talk – it calms and clears up irritated skin while gently removing makeup from the face and eyes.
Bioderma Sensibio H20, $41.90 for 500ml, available at Guardian, Watsons and Lazada.
Biore Cleansing Oil Cotton Facial Sheets
We can’t stress how much we love these wipes. The nifty packets of 10 sheets ($3.90) are great for a quick swab before the gym. No surprises why it’s also a staple in our travel makeup kits.
Biore Cleansing Oil Cotton Facial Sheets, $17.90 for a regular tub of 44 sheets, available at Watsons, Guardian and Lazada.
Heroine Make Speedy Mascara Remover
We love applying a decent coat of mascara but it’s also such a hassle to remove without losing an eyelash or two. Enter this miracle in a tub – the Heroine Make Speedy Mascara Remover. No need for rubbing action, all you have to do is gently “comb” your lashes with the formula. Easy peasy!
Heroine Make Speedy Mascara Remover, $14.90, available at Watsons and online.
Sephora Collection Original Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
All “swatch queens” would have probably tried this at Sephora. It’s an oil-based makeup remover that removes even the heavy-duty stuff. The gentle formula also strengthens the lashes.
Sephora Collection Original Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, $18, available online and at all outlets.
Garnier Skinactive Micellar Cleansing Water
A perennial favourite among makeup junkies, this drugstore bestseller’s gentle micellar formula easily removes dirt, the toughest of makeup as well as oil without harsh rubbing. It’s also suitable for all skin types so don’t worry about the usual stinging or irritation often faced with harsher makeup removers.
Garnier Skinactive Micellar Cleansing Water, $17.90, available at Guardian and Watsons.
Nivea 3-in-1 Micellar Facial Cleansing Wipes
We’re not entirely sold on makeup wipes, so trust us when we say that this one’s an exception. Soft and gentle (even on delicate lashes!), it picks up waterproof makeup and mascara and leaves skin baby soft. The formula even includes Vitamin E for an antioxidant boost.
Nivea 3-in-1 Micellar Facial Cleansing Wipes, $10.90, available at Guardian, Watsons, Cold Storage, Lazada, NTUC Fairprice and other major retail stores.
Urban Decay Meltdown Dissolving Spray
No exaggeration: Squeals of delight were heard in the office when word got ‘round about Urban Decay’s Meltdown line. If you’re an ardent fan of the brand’s long-wearing products, you know the struggle: those pigmented eyeshadows and glitter lippies are notoriously hard to remove. Thankfully, these new removers remove even the most stubborn makeup. Our favourite’s got to be the Dissolving Spray. Made up of only three ingredients including conditioning vitamin E, it gently dissolves makeup with a single swipe.
Urban Decay Meltdown Dissolving Spray, $39 for 100ml, available at Urban Decay standalone stores and Sephora.
Clinique Take the Day off Cleansing Balm
Upon application, this sold balm transforms into a silky oil. Not only does it remove the most stubborn makeup, it also cleanses skin thoroughly, leaving it non-greasy and non-dry. Plus, it’s suitable for all skin types.
Clinique Take the Day off Cleansing Balm, $55 for 125ml, available at Clinique counters and stores including TANGS Orchard and BHG Bugis and Sephora.
La Roche-Posay Make-Up Remover Micellar Water Gel
Best for sensitive and dry skin, this makeup remover gel rids skin of the toughest makeup and impurities – all while maintaining its pH balance thanks to hydrating and soothing active ingredients.
La Roche-Posay Make-Up Remover Micellar Water Gel, $29.90, available at Guardian, Watsons and Unity stores.
Banila Co Clean It Zero Balm
Many have cited Banila Co.’s resemblance to Benefit Cosmetics, but we think this cult K-beauty brand is in a league of its own with its creative, adorable girly packaging and innovative formulas. Its star product, the Clean It Zero Balm is life-changing. It’s lightweight, sorbet-like texture is non-sticky and makes cleansing a breeze; it also doesn’t only remove makeup, but tightens pores, rehydrates and softens fatigued skin.
Banila Co. Clean It Zero Balm, $19.30, available on Lazada, IShopChangi, Iherb and more. Lazada and iShopChangi.
Chanel Le Blanc Brightening Tri-Phase Makeup Remover
Makeup removal doesn’t have to be a chore. Make your daily routine a soothing one with Chanel’s Le Blanc make up remover – it transforms from a clear gel to a milky texture. Not only does it gently remove pigments, pollutants and makeup, it leaves skin luminous and supple, thanks to an infusion of rare pearl extract which brightens your complexion, as well as glycine which hydrates skin.
Chanel Le Blanc Brightening Tri-Phase Makeup Remover, $77 for 150ml, available at Chanel counters.
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
If you’re new to cleansing oils, don’t be put off by this cleanser’s texture – it intensely hydrates while removing any grime. It’s made with eight natural botanical oils which promise to reduce pore visibility and improve skin elasticity while removing waterproof mascara and makeup.
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil, $65 for 150 ml, available at Shu Uemura outlets and Sephora including ION Orchard and Bugis Junction.
