Our Best Drugstore Makeup Remover for a Complete End of Day Cleanse

Waterproof makeup isn’t just useful — it’s game changing. Gone are the days of ruining a perfectly good face full of glam through a joyful wedding ceremony or sappy date night movie. Waterproof makeup is also a must-have if you’ll be walking around somewhere hot and humid and want to avoid a dreaded midday makeup melt.

That being said, if you’ve ever worn waterproof makeup, then you know that it can be challenging to remove at the end of the day — especially waterproof mascara. It’s all about finding the best eye makeup remover for waterproof makeup and the best drugstore makeup remover if you want to save some coins.

Luckily, we’ve got just the options to satisfy both. Keep reading to get our product recs and learn about why it’s essential to always remove your makeup before bed.

Do You Really Need Makeup Remover?

We already hinted at this but before we get into our best makeup removers for waterproof makeup, let’s cover the basics. Going to bed in your makeup — waterproof or not — is a total skin care no-no. That’s because when you snooze in your makeup, it can mix with the dirt and oils that have built up on the surface of your skin throughout the day and this can lead to clogged pores, which can lead to breakouts. It brings new meaning to the phrase, “You snooze, you lose.”

The good news is, a great sinkless makeup remover can be stored on your nightstand for easy access — you don’t even need to go to the bathroom to use it. 

Our Best Drugstore Makeup Removers

Ready to say goodbye to your smokey eye or trendy soft glam look for the night? Check out our favorite inexpensive makeup removers below to ensure that your face gets the proper cleanse every night.

L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types

Micellar water has been a French-favorite cleanser for years — and for good reason. Since micellar water is a no-rinse cleansing option and you don’t need to be near a sink to use it, it’s very convenient. Besides being a cleanser, micellar water can also be used to remove makeup. 

This pick removes face and eye makeup, cleans dirt and impurities, and intensely purifies. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and free of oil, soap, and alcohol, this micellar water can be used on the face, eyes, and lips. All you have to do is saturate a cotton pad with it and wipe the pad across your face.

L’Oréal Paris Ideal Clean All Skin Types Makeup Removing Towelettes

Towelettes are the perfect option for traveling, as they can easily fit in your bag and offer a single-use, mess-free makeup removal option. They clean without drying out the skin thanks to their alcohol-free formula. 

These ultra-soft towelettes gently yet effectively remove all traces of makeup, mascara, and even long wear makeup. To use, peel the label to open, gently wipe your face and eye area, then reseal the pack to prevent the remaining towelettes from drying out.

Editor’s tip: Pro makeup artists have been known to turn their towelettes upside down after they reseal the pack to even out moisture, keeping the small towels saturated from top to bottom. 

What To Do After You Remove Waterproof Makeup 

Now that you’re sans makeup, you may be wondering what the next steps in your routine should be. If you’ve used the aforementioned cleansers on waterproof eye makeup only, then you’ve still got work to do. Move on to these finishing steps in your routine.

Step 1. Cleanse

Once you’re done removing your eye makeup, you’ll want to cleanse the rest of your face — so consider opting for a double cleanse if you’re wearing waterproof makeup. Double cleansing involves first using a no-rinse cleansing option (like micellar water or towelettes) to remove impurities from the surface of skin, then using a rinse-off cleanser to help remove any remaining impurities.

Need a cleanser option? The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser is a gentle option that’s suitable for all skin types. It gently exfoliates dead cells from the skin’s surface while removing dirt, oil and makeup residue.

Step 2. Moisturize

Now that your skin is clean, apply a moisturizer formulated for your skin type. You may want to include a facial serum to target specific skin care concerns beforehand, but that step is optional — moisturizer is not. 

The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Overnight Mask is formulated with a trifecta of powerhouse anti-aging ingredients — Pro-Retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C — to firm, brighten and hydrate skin while visibly reducing wrinkles over time.

Next: The Waterproof Eyeliners You Need for a Smudge-Proof Makeup Look

Edited by: Shalwah Evans, Photo Credit: Chaunte Vaughn