11 best eye make-up removers: Hardworking formulas that are gentle on the skin

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

This formula contains 30 per cent oil and 70 per cent water and requires shaking to form an emulsion. We could not fault its ability to effortlessly shift a heavy eye, (layered with liquid liner, eyeshadow and a hardcore mascara) without smearing or irritation. It comes fortified with naturally-derived arginine to protect the lashes, making it a great option for those with brittle eyelashes, and it left ours beautifully soft too, right down to the root. On the whole, it’s inexpensive, kind to lashes and just as effective as products twice the price.

Best: For sensitive skin and eyes

Rating: 8/10

Free from fragrance and parabens, this ultra-mild formula is especially good for sensitive eye areas – it doesn’t cause any stinging or itching and does a great job at removing make-up without bothering contact lenses. Gentle on the eyes but tough on make-up, it worked wonderfully to eradicate daily eye make-up, like a slick of mascara and stroke of eye-liner, without the need to rub.

Best: For soothing

Rating: 7/10

This water and oil-based blend felt gentle and super light on the skin. It expelled eyeliner with ease, but mascara and eyeshadow required a bit more work, so it may not be ideal for more stubborn eye make-up formulas. The added cornflower soothed and refreshed the eye area, and we can confirm that it left zero oily residues, nor did it sting.

Best: For all skin types

Rating: 8/10

This is a brand known for its gentle skincare formulations, and this eye make-up remover is no different. The bi-phase blend is made up of mild oils to attract make-up and spring water to lift residue. Around five cotton pads doused in the formula were needed to shift concealer, mascara and a layer of cream eyeshadow effectively. Although a little residue was left behind, it was easily blotted away. It gets a big thumbs up for leaving the skin feeling soft and nourished without a hint of irritation.

It’s currently out of stock on Lookfantastic, but is available elsewhere, or you can add it to your wishlist to be the first to know when it’s back.

Best: For water-resistant make-up

Rating: 9/10

This two-part formula requires shaking to be activated. The lower, blue part is infused with soothing rose and cornflower water, while the transparent top layer contains purified oils.

You can rely on this formula to dissolve anything and everything you apply to the eyes – including glitter. The skin was left beautifully soft and supple, without feeling overly oily. There’s no need to soak the cotton pad with this one, as a little goes a long way.

Best: For hydration

Rating: 9.5/10

This luxurious cream to gel formula glides effortlessly over the lids. It can be massaged on with a cotton pad or fingers. We used a warm, damp flannel to sweep away a dramatic smokey eye layered with two coats of waterproof mascara, with minimal effort. We were left super impressed with its deep cleaning powers – it shifts all traces of make-up, while simultaneously hydrating the skin around the eyes.

Best: Oil-free formula

Rating: 8.5/10

If your skin cannot tolerate oils or you detest the greasy feel of some eye make-up removers, this oil-free blend is for you. Instead of oil, this dual-phase formula uses silicone to dissolve make-up, and water to clean.

It does require vigorous shaking for the two layers of liquid to combine, but once ready it will then swiftly dissolved eyeliner and mascara leaving lashes feeling super soft. It’s also useful for fixing eyeliner and mascara smudges without disturbing other make-up.

After use, skin felt dry to touch, but not dried out thanks to the addition of moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid. It’s also enriched with cucumber and chamomile for a comforting effect around the eyes.

Best: For convenience

Rating: 7.5/10

Perfect for travelling, this portable tub comes filled with 80 easy-to-use pads. They have been pre-soaked with a cocktail of skin and lash-friendly ingredients such as soothing aloe vera; argan oil to nourish lash roots; panthenol to repair and castor oil to boost eyelash growth.

The flexible pads are great for cleaning hard to reach areas and while they do a good job at eradicating eyeliner and tough eyeshadow, waterproof mascara required more effort. The pads are fairly small and thin, so you do need to use a fair few per eye to get everything off.

Best: For multi-tasking

Rating: 9/10

If you don’t like to faff around with multiple make-up removing products, you won’t be disappointed with this multi-tasking formula that can be used all around the eyes and face. It beautifully cleanses and tones the skin, while wiping away tough eye make-up. It leaves skin squeaky clean and lashes with a glossy finish.

Why the hefty price tag? It contains plant-based saponins like shikakai, desert date, and gypsophila that are hailed for their potent cleansing powers. Plus, moisturising pro-vitamin B5 along with linden blossom water and neroli extract, which provide a pleasant soothing sensation.

Best: For affordability/speedy removal

Rating: 8.5/10

According to Nivea sales data, 2.8 bottles of this eye make-up remover are sold in the UK every minute. Developed with a two-phase formula, oil quickly lifts and shifts tough waterproof eyeliner, mascara and brow pencil without the need to rub, while the aqueous phase offers hydration. It did leave the skin slightly greasy, but this faded after a while. We were impressed with how it removed every speck of make-up with less effort than some of the pricey formulas.

Best: For eyes and lips

Rating: 8/10

Enriched with hydrating wild peony, cooling white tea and lash-conditioning vitamin B5, this oil-based, fragrance-free formula seamlessly dissolves everything from eyeshadow to brow pencil without irritating skin or contact lenses. Skin felt refreshed and hydrated after use and the fact that it can shift a usually budge-proof liquid lipstick was an added bonus.