13 makeup removers that work hard to remove every single trace

This bottle of liquid gold gently removes all traces of eye makeup - even the most stubborn mascara. It can also be used all over the face to remove foundation and other makeup in a single sweep, leaving behind healthy traces of antioxidants, omega 6 and 9 fatty acids, plus vitamins A, D and E.

$25.70 at healthylife

This luxurious balm-to-oil waterless formula combines nourishing actives and antioxidants, including native Australian wild orange leaf extract, sandalwood seed oil and grapeseed oil, which leave skin hydrated, soft and radiant - never stripped, tight or dry.

$69.95 at Alpha-H

This makeup-removing lotion dissolves makeup, then with a quick wipe of a cotton pad, all traces are gone. Gentle enough to use on your eyes and lips, even stubborn waterproof, smudge-proof formulas will melt in its wake.

$6.95 (down from $13.95) at Cosmetic Capital

THE first micellar water - which was a cult favourite long before micellar water even took off-, Bioderma continues to be a French pharmacy top-seller to this day. A bottle of it is sold every six seconds around the world. The oil-free makeup remover is beloved by celebs like Chrissy Teigen, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Gwyneth Paltrow.

$32.99 at Adore Beauty

Waterproof makeup is not easy to remove, especially when it comes to mascaras. But this makeup remover doesn’t just do a great job, it leaves your lashes feeling conditioned and better than before. It’s not just eye makeup that this formula removes; you can use it all over your face.

$53 at David Jones

Another formula-free way to remove your makeup, these cloth discs get down deep into your pores to remove and trap makeup in its fibres, leaving you with practically-spotless skin. We love how eco-friendly they are, too.

$30 at Adore Beauty

A non-irritating and non-stinging lotion, this makeup remover gets rid of all traces of mascara, eye makeup and lip products, as well as your foundation. No rubbing required. We also love that it’s free from parabens, phthalates and fragrance.

$40 at Myer

This waterproof makeup remover is so gentle, even on sensitive eyes (thanks to provitamin B5), as well as being conditioning on the surrounding eye area. There’s no need for rubbing as it easily wipes away all makeup, including waterproof mascara and long-lasting lipsticks. 

$10.50 at Big W

No matter what kind of eye makeup you have on, this makeup remover is up for the job. The formula has an oil phase and water phase to freshen and condition skin while it works hard to remove all traces of makeup from the eyes, including waterproof mascara. It doesn’t leave behind any oily residue, either.

$71 at Myer

Micellar water is the lazy girl’s way to remove makeup every day of the week, and this one is the perfect time-saver and skin cleanser in one. It’s powerful yet gentle, even for sensitive skin.

$5.49 (down from $7.49) at Chemist Warehouse

This oil-to-emulsion cleanser focuses on removing makeup and excess oil to clear the path for your cleanser. It contains olive oil and kukui oil to dissolve even the most stubborn of makeup (that would be your waterproof mascara and long-lasting formulas) while rice bran and vitamin E oils leave your skin feeling lovely and conditioned. It’s the perfect first step for any double cleansing fan. If you’re not into oil formulas, the Precleanse also comes in a balm.

$69.35 (down from $78) at Adore Beauty

Who hasn’t come home after a long, late night and thought about tucking themselves into bed without going through the rigorous makeup cleansing routine? We’ve all been there. So, for the nights when a proper cleanse is firmly in the ‘too hard’ basket, we’ve given you the green light to turn to makeup wipes (they’re a sometimes cleanse, okay?). But which ones do you turn to? Well, opting for a biodegradable option is a must (environment first right?) and just because your occasional cleansing routine consists of a simple swipe doesn’t mean your skin needs to suffer, so these sensitivity-friendly wipes are ideal. The eco-friendly, gentle biodegradable wipes from Swisspers need to find their way into your beauty cupboard for those special occasion kinds of cleanses.

$6.50 at Chemist Direct

Housed in a simple to use pump bottle, this non-comedogenic micellar water has been tested on all skin types (including acne-prone). Working to remove even the toughest of water-proof makeup, the gluconolactone-infused water is able to oh-so-gently cleanse and refresh your skin. 

$34.54 at iHerb