10 Best Makeup Removers for Oily Skin

Wearing makeup can be pretty fun...until it comes time to remove it.

If you’ve been relying on a cleanser alone to remove your makeup, your skin will thank you for switching things up a bit.

A good cleanser does leave you feeling soft and fresh. But if you love foundation and can’t get enough of concealer, you might need to get your hands on the best foundation remover and a good makeup-melter.

If you’re struggling with smudges, smears, and leftover mascara, we’ve found some of the best makeup removers for oily skin and listed them below for you.

How to remove makeup for oily skin

Like every skin type, oily skin comes with its own set of challenges. Designed to cut through sunscreen and shift stubborn mascara, the best makeup remover for oily skin won’t break you out or leave you feeling icky. You’re not limited to oil-heavy solutions!

If you have oily skin, you might struggle with clogged pores and annoying blackheads. Did you know that scrubbing your skin excessively to remove makeup (around the eyes too) can irritate oily skin and actually rub bacteria back into your pores? Yep, it’s a thing.

Water-based makeup wipes break down stubborn makeup and help prevent clogged pores. Micellar water and cleansing gels leave your skin feeling refreshed and help reduce the look of oily skin.

Choosing a makeup remover designed for oily skin will help your pores stay clear. Long-wearing mascara, foundation, and concealer all usually contain waxes or oils. To combat the oil in the makeup product, an oil-based makeup remover works well. You just need to use a product that works specifically for oily skin. You’ll also keep your skin conditioned and healthy when you get into the habit of a double cleanse routine.

A no oil makeup remover, Ella Baché 3 in 1 Radiance Cleanser helps enhance the natural look of your complexion. Crafted to leave your skin looking a bit brighter and healthier, this formula leaves your skin clean, clear, fresh, and hydrated. For an easy routine, dampen a cotton pad with the blend and sweep it all over your eyes, face, and lips. There’s no need to rinse the formula off. Bonus: if you wear eyelash extensions, this non oily makeup remover will protect them.

Who doesn’t love the feeling of fresh skin? Especially when you deal with oily patches and an acne-prone complexion. To help your skin reach some pure new heights, you could remove your makeup with Bioderma Sebium H20 Micelle Solution. Perfect for oily and combination skin that breaks out easily, this soap-free, alcohol-free, hypoallergenic formula won’t irritate your complexion. Designed to leave the skin feeling smooth and not sticky, the solution melts makeup and excess oil away easily. Douse a cotton pad with this formula and gentle press around your eye contour to lift stubborn mascara away.

The Almond Oil and Jojoba Oil in Dr Hauschka Soothing Cleansing Milk help boost your skin’s moisture reserves in the best way possible. If you’re battling combination skin, this formula will help calm inflammation without making you break out further. Kidney Vetch and Special Cereal Extracts help invigorate and revitalise the look of a tired complexion. These ingredients also help your skin look brighter and more even in tone. Anthyllis Extract helps calm irritation and redness. Suitable for all skin types and genders, Soothing Cleansing Milk keeps your oily skin comforted even after you’ve removed your makeup. The formula doesn’t foam, so your complexion won’t feel stripped of its natural goodness.

Erno Laszlo Detoxifying Cleansing Oil is one of the best oil makeup remover for oily skin solutions. The Charcoal in the blend offers a deep cleanse to help draw out impurities. Shea Butter hydrates and conditions the skin. Olive Oil deeply nourishes to leave your skin hydrated, not greasy. Grape Seed Oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the appearance of blemishes. Jojoba Oil works naturally with the skin to lift away dirt and ease speedy healing. Sea Water is packed with essential minerals. And Vitamin E offers protection from free radical damage, so your skin stays clearer and smoother. This boujee formula is free from mineral oil, parabens, and phthalates.

If you’re going to use a makeup wipe on your oily skin, make sure you use an alcohol-free formula that replenishes the skin instead of stripping it. The Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water Cloth has been infused with 6 nourishing and protective herbs to maintain the skin’s natural moisture balance. Each wipe holds a generous amount of the effective, non-drying makeup removing formula. The mineral-rich, cleansing Spa Water lifts away oils, impurities, and residue, so you won’t need to rinse or wash your face after wiping. These wipes are the perfect makeup removing solution when you haven’t got time to fuss around.

Designed to trap and remove stubborn makeup, the Face Halo Original also offers gentle exfoliation. But you don’t need to rub harshly! Perfect for all skin types (but especially great for oily skin), the double-sided makeup remover works well with either hot or cold water. If you struggle to find the motivation to remove your makeup at the end of a long day, these clever face pads will cut the effort needed in half. You don’t need to apply any further products, and your skin will feel clean and healthy after every use. If you’re wearing particularly stubborn eye makeup, rinse the cloth with warm water and hold it against your eyes for up to 10 seconds to help lift the makeup. Wash the pads a couple of times a week with a light-coloured load, and you’re good to go!

Anti-irritating and anti-inflammatory, Grown Alchemist Detox Eye-Makeup Remover is solvent-free and super-effective. A natural blend that won’t annoy tender skin, the dual-action formula dissolves eye makeup without stripping the skin or leaving a greasy residue. Shake the bottle well before use to activate the formula. Just a few drops on a pad is all it takes to sweep everyday makeup away. Use as much as you need to help remove any last bits of stubborn or heavy makeup.

Highly rated and loved across the globe, Lancôme Miel En Mousse Foaming Cleansing Makeup Remover is a great all-in-one, easy cleansing solution. You can use this mild cleanser twice a day on skin of any age without worrying about the condition of your skin. And the delicate fragrance won’t irritate your complexion. In fact, your complexion will look clearer and more radiant after every use. If you love the idea of glowing skin but can’t seem to escape your oily patches, this gentle but effective cleanser is one to try.

The milky texture of Clarins My Clarins Re-Move Micellar Cleansing Milk works with or without water. So, if you have sensitive patches or combination skin, you can play around to find out what works best for you. Fig Tree Extract hydrates your skin, and Moringa Extract helps eliminate any potentially damaging pollution particles. If you’re battling the signs of premature ageing, this gentle formula won’t irritate or aggravate your skin. Picking up a present for a teen who loves playing with makeup? This cleanser will keep their skin safe.

This melting formula softens skin that’s looking a little worse for wear. The Coconut Oil in the formula helps reduce inflammation and hydrates the skin. The L22 Lipid Complex helps protect the skin’s barrier. Macadamia Oil is rich in both omega-6 and omega-7 fatty acids, so tender skin feels safe and nourished. HydroPeptide Makeup Melt also contains Vitamin E helps protect the skin from daily pollutants and free radical damage. The melting texture of this formula shifts stubborn makeup with almost zero effort. Simply massage a small amount between your dry or damp palms and apply to your face and neck. Massage in using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly et voilà!

Find more products for oily skin types in the video below as Hannah shares her morning skincare routine for oily skin...

What's in makeup remover?

What’s in a makeup remover depends on the product you’re looking at, but there are two traditional formulations. You just need to remember it’s a like-for-like thing. A water-based formula removes water-based makeup, whereas an oil-based formula breaks down and shifts oil-based makeup.

The key to removing makeup comfortably is to look for ingredients that melt products away without harsh scrubbing. And don’t be scared of using an oil cleanser on oily skin! Combined with the best face washcloths, ingredients such as Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter, and Olive Oil break down oil-based makeup, so you can spend less time pawing at your complexion.

A makeup remover made with Charcoal can help improve blemishes, so it slots into a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin pretty perfectly. A foaming formula that contains Honey, Sweet Almond Extract, and Citric Acid will speed up your nightly routine and won’t make your oily patches expand.

How to take your makeup off without makeup remover

If you want to remove makeup without using a makeup remover, you could try something completely different. A reusable microfibre makeup remover that sweeps away makeup using only water may be your best bet if you have oily skin.

A great remover for sensitive skin, a carefully designed, eco-friendly microfibre pad suits all skin types.

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