Stop torturing your eyelids! The skin around your eyes is just .5 mm thick — much thinner than the rest of your face and body! Rubbing, tugging and scrubbing stresses it out and hastens wrinkles. Here’s how to gently but effectively remove eye makeup.

Tips for Removing Eye Makeup

#1 DON’T use makeup wipes to remove eye makeup

Most makeup wipes contain alcohol, which dry out the skin and can irritate your eyes. Plus, you’ll have to rub the wipe around, which is fine for the rest of your face but a big no no for the eye area!

Instead: Soak two cotton pads in micellar water or any alcohol-free makeup remover. Press against your eyes for about a minute. When done, gently swipe it once across your eyelid. Repeat as needed.

Eye Makeup Removers

#2 DON’T tear off your fake eyelashes

Ripping off those falsies may feel satisfying, but you could end up damaging off your real lashes in the process.

Instead: Soak a cotton bud in makeup remover, and gently rub along your lash line. This softens any leftover glue that your cotton pads (see tip above) didn’t remove. Removing eye makeup and falsies has never been easier!

#3 DON’T use regular facial cleanser on your eyes

Facial cleansers break down dirt and oil, but have the side effect of drying out the skin. But the super-thin skin around the eyes are especially prone to dryness. Celebrity dermatologist Dr. Francesca Fusco warns: “You can get lichenification, which is when the skin looks lined or almost a little leathery. Then, when you put your eye shadow on, it doesn’t deposit evenly and catches in all the nooks and crannies.”

Instead: Get a makeup remover just for the eyes. These usually contain hydrating ingredients, and won’t have potential eye irritants like tea tree oil or artificial fragrances. The best eye makeup removers are also opthalmologist-tested, so they won’t sting.

removing eye makeup

#4: DON’T rub your cotton pad back and forth

You can irritate your skin, break off one of your lashes, or get makeup residue into your eyes!

Instead: Dr. Fusco says to remember this ritual: “in, out, in and down.”

  • Soak a cotton pad and swipe it along the lashline starting from the inner corner to the outer corner.
  • Flip the cotton pad around and use the fresh, clean side.
  • Go back to the inner corner and make short downward motions., following your lashline until you reach the tips.

#5 DON’T reuse the same side of your cotton pad

You’re just putting back all the dirt and makeup you removed back on your face!

Instead: You can still use just one or two cotton pads to remove your eye makeup.

  • Use the full pad to wipe across your eye.
  • Flip the cotton pad. Now, fold the clean side in half. You can remove any leftover makeup traces, and the straight edge also makes it easier to get into hard-to-reach corners like underneath your lower lashes.

Best Gentle Eye Makeup Removers

BioDerma Sensibio H20

Best Overall Makeup Remover

Buy now: $31.40, Watsons

This all-around makeup remover is in every professional makeup artist’s kit! It works on the face but is gentle enough for the eyes. It can even remove waterproof eye makeup and long-wear lipstick. Some of the celebrity makeup artists who swear by BioDerma: Pat McGrath, Liads Eldridge, Wendy Rowe, and Val Garland.  “I like to use Bioderma for eye-makeup removal because I find it takes waterproof mascara off and fake lashes, and I don’t really like very oily removers,” says Lisa Eldridge.

Simple Dual Effect Eye Makeup Remover

Best Drugstore/Affordable Eye Makeup Remover

Buy now: $14.90, Guardian

This popular eye makeup remover got 4.7 stars on Makeup Alley It removes even waterproof or longwear mascara and eyeliner, and won’t sting your eyes or your skin. It contains purified, and nourishing vitamin E and pro vitamin B5 — so your eyes actually feel comfortable while you use it. One reviewer even said that “it feels silky on the skin!”

Lancôme Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover

Best Eye Makeup Remover for Heavy/Waterproof Makeup

Buy now: $48, Sephora

If you wear a lot of longwear eye makeup and intricate eye shadow looks, this eye makeup remover is worth the splurge. It quickly and gently removes even the most stubborn eye makeup, including cream eye shadows, gel liners, waterproof mascara, and false eyelashes.

A Sephora review said: “I’ve been using Bi-facil ever since I can remember and no other eye makeup remover can even compare. This is the best for me especially for long wearing and heavily applied waterproof mascara. It’s non-irritating and very gentle on my delicate eye area.”

Burt’s Bees Eye Makeup Remover Pads

Most convenient eye makeup remover

Buy now: $5.90, Amazon SG

When you’re just too tired for a complicated cleansing routine, reach for these pre-soaked pads. Unlike regular makeup remover wipes, they’re both ophthalmologist-tested and dermatologist-tested. They’ll wipe off eye makeup and moisturize your eyes with kiwi extract. No need to rinse!

Make Up For Ever Sens’Eyes

Best eye makeup remover for sensitive eyes

Buy now: $44, Sephora

Removing eye makeup can be tricky if you have sensitive eyes or contact lens. Try this gentle product, formulated especially for people like you! Aside from being free of harsh ingredients, it also moisturizes the delicate eye area and soothes redness.