A few days ago I reviewed L’Oreal Skin Genesis Wet Cleansing Towelettes with BHA. A few of you gals then offered up your fave makeup removing wipes and cleansers in the comments. Here’s a list featuring your recommendations and why you love ’em!
1. MAC Wipes
$24.50 for 100 wipes
Super duper. They’re a great cleanser and come in a resealable bag (that actually works) to keep them moist and fresh until you need ’em.
2. Korres Wipes
$12 for 25 wipes
Sticker trubs. Great wipes, but the package closes with a sticker instead of a Ziplock and doesn’t always form a tight seal. If you’re not careful, the wipes can dry out soon after the package has been opened.
3. EveryDayMinerals Cleansing Wipes
$3.75; I don’t know the package size
Great scent. People seem to really like the mild lavender and grapefruit fragrance. These wipes are all-natural, but aren’t considered among the softest wipes on the market.
4. Garnier Nutritioniste Nutri-Pure Wet Cleansing Towelettes
$6 for 25 wipes
Soft and clean. These are said to be softer than most other moist cleansing towelettes and remove makeup well. They have a fresh scent, don’t leave behind a sticky residue, but the pack tends to dry out if you’re not careful.
5. Olay Daily Facials Express: Sensitive Skin
$6 for 30 wipes
Velvety soft. These wet cleansing cloths contain aloe and vitamin E, making them extremely soft and moisturizing. They great makeup cleansers, too, even removing waterproof mascara with ease.
6. Boots No7 Quick-Thinking 4-in-1 Wipes
$7 for 30 wipes
Handy dandy. With Boots now carried in Target stores nationwide, these are easy to find (and sometimes on sale). They remove makeup well, even mascara, but they can be a little bit drying.
7. L’Oreal Skin Genesis Wet Cleansing Towelettes
$8 for 25 wipes
Acne fighter. These extremely soft wipes have a nice honeysuckle/rose scent and contain BHA (beta hydroxy acid) to help treat mild acne.
8. Comodynes Dermatological Cleansing Towelettes for Acne and Problem Skin
$4 for 20 wipes
Bargain Basement. I’ve never tried ’em before, but if rumors that Trader Joe’s carries them are true, sign me up. I love Trader Joe’s!
9. MAC Cleanse Off Oil
$21 per bottle
Fan favorite. A gentle, cleanser for oil-based makeup; 100% mineral-oil free, even removes waterproof mascara.
10. Shu Uemura Skin Purifier High Performance Cleansing Oil
$28 per bottle
Super moisture. Similar to MAC’s Cleanse Off Oil but doesn’t smell as good; said to be more moisturizing, though, and ya gotta love Shu.
11. L’Oreal Skin Genesis Pore Minimizing Gel Cleanser
$8 per bottle
Deep cleaner. Also contains BHA, like the Skin Genesis cleansing towelettes, and considered a good cleanser, able to even remove eye makeup.
So tell me… How do you remove your makeup? Do you use a liquid cleanser, a wipe or a combination of both?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hi Karen,
as you know, I use Shu Uemura’s high performance cleansing oil and I like it because they actually have 4 different types for 4 kinds of skin (I think there’s oily/combination, anti-ageing, sensitive, and the last one could be whitening though I’m not too sure) and each uses different ingredients (sensitive is tomato-based I think). As for the fragrance of the cleansing oil, for me I think it smells less fruity than MAC’s cleansing oil, but for my boyfriend, he remarked that it smells good (I put some mascara on him one day and as he was massaging it off with the cleansing oil, he said “hmm, this smells very good.”) So just a little more information on it, it certainly deserves the publicity!
I usually use Cetaphil and a washcloth. Sometimes I’ll use Almay eye makeup remover pads or Neutrogena’s eye makeup remover.
Hi, Karen. This is a great list. Currently, I use the Target brand of Pond’s Original Clean Sweep wipes. They are about $4 and I can’t remember the quantity right now. I love them: they clean off everything (including wp mascara), they are gentle and moisturizing…plus not to mention accessible and inexpensive 🙂 The only thing that I do not like is the packaging…it’s not in a zip lock type container, so the pack can tend dry out a little. Otherwise, fantastic!
At the moment I’m using L’Oreal Demaq Expert Elixir which is THE best make up remover I’ve ever used.
It goes on as a gel that you apply all over, then you can either wipe it off or rinse it off (at which point that it turns to a cleansing milk) and its just amazing.
I don’t know if the range is available in the US, but if it is I can’t urge you enough to try it out. They do a few different products, a couple of wipe off ones, a wash, the elixir, wipes and also a bi-phase eye makeup remover too.
The Boots No7 Wipes are great too. I really like the whole No7 range especially the blushes and single eyeshadows. I’m not sure if you knew, but Boots is a store over here and every few months they do an offer where if you spend £5-£10 in store you get a voucher for £5 off any No7 product. I tend to buy my lunch in there (although its never just lunch!) and so I’ve got 3 burning a hole in my purse as we speak!
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I really like to use Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes (£3.99 for 25) I don’t think they sell them in the US, which is so sad because they’re fantastic for senstive skin like mine as they don’t contain perfume. They smell super fresh like cucumber and get all my makeup off (I also love their eye makeup remover pads which banish every last trace of my waterproof mascara so I don’t wake up with that small bit of black under my lash). Saw them snapped behind the scenes at London fashion week too.
I use aveeno ultra calming foaming facial cleanser. Its only 6 dollars and it removes all my makeup easily
Hi Karen,
I absolutely adore Clarins Pure Melt Cleanser to remove makeup its really gentle, i dont hav eto scrub at my face and it leaves my skin feeling gorgeously soft!
I tend to remove my eye makeup first with whatever eye makeup remover im trying out at that time (at the moment im loving a Garnier one) and then use the clarins to remove my face makeup.
Its a strange product, it applies as a gel which you massage into the skin, as you massage it in it becomes an oil which lifts all the makeup off and then as you rinse off with water it becomes a milk. If you’re ever in the market for a new makeup remover I would highly reconmend this one!
The EveryDayMinerals wipes come in packs of 100 🙂 I use Clinque’s Foaming Cleanser to remove my makeup, and the EDM wipes when I am lazy or just want to do touchups 😀
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Hi Karen,
Hope all is well!!
I used to use Shu Uemura green and plain colored oils BUT after about 2 months of use my skin started to get a bit oily and broke out. I also noticed they werent so good at removing eye make up pigment.
Now i use most Neutrogena facewashs or plain old fashioned soap and water. If my make up is stubborn ill use olive oil on a cotton pad (my skin looks healthy now) (plus moisturiser)
I use an eye makeup remover to remove my eye shadows then wash the rest of my face with Cetaphil and run over with a wash cloth. Since I use mineral makeup, Cetaphil is enough to remove things. Pond’s wipes are great as well on days I just want to go to sleep. It’s gentle and removes everything, even water proof mascara. You don’t have to wash your face with water afterward and the 15 wipe pack is handy to travel.
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Great list Karen. I never knew some of these existed. To remove my make up, I have the following (not used all at the same time):
MAC Wipes
Neautrogena MU Oil Free Remover
MUFE Sens’Eyes – Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser
MAC Cleanse Off Oil
Mary Kay Makeup Wipes
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I’m a pretty loyal user of MAC. I use the wipes everyday and also use the cleanse of oil. Remember the MAC Cold Cream Cleanser? I really used to love that!
I’ve also tried the Pomegranate wipes from Korres, but wasn’t worth the price for me.
I also keep some drugstore wipes on hand to clean up fall out as I apply makeup. I’m not sure what the brand is, but I think they were 2 packs (of 120 or so each) for less than $10.
I use a combination of both. When I’m reallly lazy, I’ll just use a wipe, but sometimes I’ll use a wipe and then cleanser because I don’t think my cleanser removes makeup. I’m using the Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit scrub. I also use the Clean and clear steam detox cleanser after reading your blog on it. I love it too!
I was wondering, are the L’oreal skin genesis cleansing wipes ok to take off mascara?
I recently used my 4-in-1 Boots wipes yesterday and for the first time, they were burning my eyes!
I like the comodynes wipes so far. They don’t really leave a sticky-ness.
I usually remove makeup with a wipe first and then cleanse with Purity. If the eyes are super done up or the mascara is being stubborn, I put Neutrogena Oil-Free Makeup Remover or Bi-Facil on a cotton ball, leave it on my eyes for a few, swipe, and then do the wipe and Purity thing! I usually just use Ponds or the generic drugstore or Target wipes. Though this list definitely has me wanting to try some with better scents!
Karen! You really need to add Nars Skin soap bar to the list. It’s amazing! I would never normally consider using a bar of soap on my face but i got this one after reading a very rave review by a blogger. It’s not too expensive £16 for a huge bar (I would imagine in the States it’s even cheaper) and it just lasts and lasts and lasts. It’s not really a soap it’s more like a cream cleanser in a bar. I use it after Shu Uemura oil – double cleansing, baby! And since i started, my skin is never too dry, there’s no visible blackhead and a lot less clogged pores and generally it’s just ace!
Mac wipes unfortunately a bit irritating for me. I haven’t tried Korres. I generally find wipes either a bit harsh in texture or stingy and they don’t really remove eye make up, not like Shu Uemura oil does anyway. When I’m really pressed I use L’Oreal Nourishing wipes (Balanced ones sting).
I use these wipes my mum brings from Aldi. I know it sounds aweful but they’re with aloe vera and really good. Even my Lancôme waterproof le crayon kohl comes off! And they’re not drying (for me, I can imagine for some people it would).
Plus the click system seals really well, I took one packet to Sevilla and no drying out at all 🙂
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I usually use drugstore brand cleanser – except I’ve tried several high-end makeup remover and I’m not impressed. I don’t use wipes. Seeing how MAC got all that hype, maybe I should try it after I finish up my L’oreal gentle oil-free makeup remover (It works just as good as Lancome bi-facil). However, I noticed even after removing my makeup once I still haven’t throughly cleaned my eye area, that’s why I take my makeup (if I wear any) before 8 and I sleep at 10, so by then almost all the missing dirty stuff pops up and I kill them! Thanks for making this category as I will try them. 🙂
I ran out and bought the L’Oreal Skin Genesis Wet Cleansing Towelettes after you featured them on your site the other day. They work beautifully! I was skeptical because the Mac wipes seem bigger so I thought the L’Oreal wipes wouldn’t remove all of my make-up. I think they did just fine.
My local drugstore’s L’Oreal rep just happened to be there and she got so excited when I told her about the Makeup and Beauty blog.
I’ve never had bad acne, but since I’m 22 I can still break out so I’ve really loved these.
I’ve also used the Garnier Nutritioniste wipes and I really liked them but I think I prefer the L’Oreal or the Mac wipes.
Hey Karen,
Most of the times i use makeup remover. currently im using the Sephora Brand Face waterproof eye makeup remover. I like the oil based cuz it takes my eye makeup off in seconds when i wipe.. it works better if u wait like 5 seconds before u wipe off. it works wonders. n i believe that it works the same as the lamcome bi-facil. and its also cheaper.
And when ive had a long long night n feel really lazy to wash my face i keep a pack of Pond’s Clean Sweep Cleansing and Make-up Removing Towelettes on the side of my bed for cases like that. it even takes off my heavy eye makeup and mascara as well. i love these and theyre really cheap also. i buy them from costco. dont remember exactly how much they cost but around 15 dollars for about 5 packs of 30 clothes. thats about 3 dollars a pack compared to store price of around 5 dollars.
Hi Karen!
I religiously cleanse my face with the gorgeous cream cleanser, cleanse and polish by Liz Earle. It takes of all my makeup, doesn’t dry out my skin, smells lovely and can even remove waterproof mascara! Used with the recommended muslin cloth it also gently exfoliates too, leaving my skin looking great!
Hi Karen!
I’ve used a couple different makeup removers, but my absolute favorite is JASON’s natural makeup wipes. they take everything off instantly, and they are 100% natural. they’re good for my entire face (even my break-out prone skin) and don’t leave my eyes feeling burning like my Aveda makeup remover used to do.
MAC makeup removing wipes are awesome for those of you with dry skin especially. They remove your makeup while leaving you skin feeling moisturized!!
I’ve used a variety of wipes for a while; I normally use wipes to take off the makeup and then wash with a cleanser and water afterwards. But I do have to admit that I sometimes just use the wipes when I’m lazy or tired. I just recently purchased Pond’s wipes and they came in a two-pack–chamomile and lavender for evening and citrusy for morning. I’m curious to try the citrusy. The chamomile wipes were textured and heavier than some of the other wipes I’ve used so they didn’t seem to tear when applying pressure. I’m curious to see how they work as well as how the citrusy ones work.
Hi Karen,
You should definately add the ELF Makeup remover Cleansing Cloths to the list. They’re soft and strong, remove all of my makeup, and leave my face feeling great. I usually use them to remove my makeup, then follow with the Aveeno clear complexion daily cleanser. At just $3 for a pack of 20 wipes, the ELF makeup remover cloths are a great product at a bargain price.
hey karen, i would love to see an updated list on best makeup removers/face wash for make up.