Best Makeup Remover for Waterproof Makeup (2025)

I completely agree with you on BiFacial. It is my favorite, too. The only thing it does not remove well is Benefit They’re Real products. The Benefit They’re Real remover does a wonderful job of removing those items, and I love it for that and spot removal. For overall removal, I always prefer BiFacial.

Simple. Oil.
I use a mixture of almond, cold pressed castor, and virgin olive oil to remove stubborn makeup.
It works 100% of the time. Plus, the oils have been strengthening my feeble lashes.

The Neutrogena blue liquid stuff has never let me down. I’ve never even tried anything else.

I usually use Clean & Clear eye makeup remover. Right now I am using up the 2 bottles of Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup remover I bought before Target stores closed in Canada. I am really loving it, it is too bad that there are no longer any Target stores in Canada and I don’t have any friends/family in the US that could pick me up some once I run out.

Marcelle Gentle Make-Up Remover for Sensitive Eyes, It’s basically the poor mans verson of BiFacial at around $15CAN but it does leave a slight oil film compared to BiFacial. But I use this first to take off my eyeliner and lashes before washing.

I like MAC and Chanel for waterproof eye makeup remover. I must be one of the few people who dislikes Bi-Facil. It feels greasy to me. For facial cleansers, my HGs are Lancome’s galetee douceur and Charlotte Tilbury’s multi-miracle glow.

Another oil person here. Usually Jojoba or Sweet Almond since both are pore-friendly and nicely moisturizing on the eyes. No remover ever works as well for me as straight oil.

BHcosmetics Eye & Lip Makeup Remover takes off everything, no matter how waterproof or staining. It’s inexpensive, gentle, and doesn’t irritate my eyes.

Coconut oil, straight from the jar!

I know Lancôme’s is the classic, but it irritates my eyes and feels oily. I much prefer Chanel’s biphase for its gentle effectiveness.

Lancome Bi-Facil is great, except that it’s frangranced, gosh darn it! I also really like Bobbi Brown Long Wear Makeup Remover, Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, and coconut oil from the grocery store. Since I apply my makeup to stay on even if I have to walk a mile through a downpour in 90-degree heat, I really need to use two different products if I want to get absolutely every last trace of waterproof and long-wear makeup off. Coconut oil (wiped off with a tissue) followed by the Clinique balm (removed with a warm washcloth) is great for dehydrated winter skin. Another excellent option is Sephora Collection Triple Action Cleansing Water on a cotton pad (it’s not *as* fragranced as the Lancome product, doesn’t bother my eyes) followed by the Bobbi Brown long-wear remover on a cotton pad. Either way, I then wash my face after removing my makeup.

I really love the make up for ever sens’eyes for removing my eye makeup. Its magic, i use the estee lauder little black primer and getting that off my lashes can sometimes be really difficult. the sens’eyes is the only thing i have currently found to remove all of my lash makeup.

Oil. I use a homemade mix of almond, sunflower and grapeseed. I use it to smoosh everything around on my skin for a few minutes, then I use a regular cleanser to remove the oil and debris. Works amazingly well and has stopped the need for a washcloth or sponge or other scrubber every single time because no cleanser I ever tried actually removed my makeup. And with this method I can use tepid water, as hotter water makes my face red and raw feeling. So my skin is no longer abused, but still cleaner and softer than it’s ever been. And my eczema went away. Can’t recommend it enough.

the clarins version of bi-facil is very good too. and i think it costs a bit less.

Banila Co Clean It Zero. K beauty for the win!

I absolutely love The Body Shop’s Chamomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Makeup Remover. I usually use the Chamomile Cleansing Oil first to get most of my face makeup off and then use a cotton round with the waterproof one to get off any stubborn mascara/eyeliner/etc. I’ve used it for YEARS and I don’t see myself changing anytime soon. It’s also pretty affordable compared to some of the other ones out there. The waterproof one is $16 for 5 oz (and you barely use any each time so it lasts AGES) and the cleansing oil is $19 for 6.7 oz (in the US). The line also has a cleansing butter and a “gentle” eye makeup remover, but all of them are suitable for sensitive skin. Basically this is the line of makeup removers that I recommend for anyone regardless of their skin type or skin issues, it’s that good.

Bifacil used to be my favorite until they remormulated it a few years ago (inexplicably) without nitifying consumers. I noticed it wasn’t performing as wella s it had been and when I made mention the slaes rep told me about the change. After a few trials, I have settled on Cle de Peau. It is wonderful with no tugging or pulling. Of course Balms Away is excellent and Eve Lom is DIVINE!

L’Oreal Gentle Makeup Remover Eyes and Lips (blue bi-phase) works well, and is inexpensive and readily accessible.
The best I’ve tried is Bifesta Eye Makeup Remover by Mandom Corp., it removes even waterproof mascara wonderfully and doesn’t leave a greasy film. Almost like a budget dupe for Lancome’s Bi-Facil, and it’s unscented. Unfortunately, it seems to be available only in Asia, but I’ve seen it sold on Amazon.

I just got the garnier micellar water in waterproof formula love it takes all eye makeup off

I love Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover –it’s cheap and gets everything off my eye quickly, without irritating or drying out the skin.

I still use the same exact thing that I have been using for years: Baby oil with ADDED aloe vera. Takes everything off thoroughly, quickly and gently! However, after reading Momo’s oil mixture below, I am game to try that out because it has castor oil in it , which is super for growing thick, strong, healthy lashes! But only if it’ll take off waterproof liner and mascara.

I use the Body shop cleansing oil every day it is ahmazing 🙂

I really love Bobbi Brown Eye Make Remover and Philosophy Just Release Me Eye Makeup Remover because it can remove the eyes makeup that I make sure myself that they’re in full waterproof so easily!

I do really like the Sephora brand waterproof eye makeup remover. I primarily use waterproof formulas (darn you, humidity, hot weather and oily eye lids!) so this takes off all of my eye makeup in 1 go most of the time. I just use The Body Shop’s cucumber cleansing cream for the rest of my face.

DHC’s Deep Cleansing Oil, which also has some other ingredients in it other than olive oil. It doesn’t leave a heavy film like straight-up oil and rinses off pretty cleanly.

Olive oil! I came upon this out of necessity while travelling and having nothing else to use. But now there’s no going back. It’s soothing and absolutely thorough.

Bi-facial IS good, but I can’t stand bottled makeup removers that you have to put on a cotton pad etc. I don’t like how the grease gets all around the opening and everywhere. And I can’t imagine using straight up oil, just thinking about that getting on my hands makes me shiver.

I have been using the Garnier 2 in 1 Express Eye Makeup remover. I bought it specifically for waterproof mascara that doesn´t quite come off with the Bioderma or Garnier Micellar water it is biphasic and I find it works really well. It also has a fantastic price point!

I think I may be posting this twice….I really enjoy the Garnier 2 in 1 Express Eye Make Up Remover. I bought it for water proof mascara that is difficult to remove with Bioderma or Garnier Micellar water. It is biphasic and works really well, the price point is very affordable!

The Almay pads made for waterproof/long wear makeup are EXCELLENT! I use hardcore waterproof everything on my eyes and these remove it all without making my eyes blurry.

Dermalogica pre-cleanse, takes off all of my makeup before washing, even waterproof mascara