Here's How to Remove Your Waterproof Mascara the *Right* Way (2024)

Ask any of my friends, and they'll tell you I'm the queen of the lowkey smokey eye. If I'm doing my makeup, I go all out; I'm talking about my everyday matte nude eyeshadow palette, gel eyeliner, and blackest of black waterproof mascara—s/o to Covergirl Clump Crusher, that's my sh*t. It's all fun and games until night comes and it's time to wash my face. I'm a beauty editor–I like a complete double cleanse, so I know a thing or two about how to remove waterproof mascara.

Before you go scrubbing with any formulation you find on the market, take a beat. Removing eye makeup is not like washing the rest of your face. In fact, the skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your body, says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. "Being too rough can lead to broken lashes, irritation, redness, and even damage." The good news? Gentle removal with the right products can avoid all this in the first place! Below, Dr. Gohara and I break down everything you need to know about removing waterproof eye makeup, along with the best formulations for your delicate skin.

"To safely remove waterproof mascara, opt for an oil-based makeup remover or micellar water specifically formulated to dissolve waterproof products," says Dr. Gohara. But that's just the start; the real key to ensuring you avoid damage is how you go about it—slow and careful is the name of the game. "Gently soak a cotton pad with the remover and pat over the lash product," she says, adding to swipe your lashes and eye area softly without excessive rubbing. "This minimizes irritation and keeps your lashes intact."

As I mentioned earlier, the skin around your eyes is thin, making it ultra-sensitive. This means it's more susceptible to irritation, fine lines, and damage. Dr. Gohara says to think about your skin in this area like delicate tissue paper; the gentle touch you would use when handling tissue paper is how you should go about applying/removing product around your eyes. "Use oil-based removers to melt waterproof mascara, and avoid harsh rubbing to protect the skin and your precious lashes," says Dr. Gohara.

Some of the best removers use oil-based formulas, which work best to break down waterproof mascaras. This is because like dissolves like; an oil-based makeup remover works best to dissolve an oil-based makeup product. Oil-based cleansers are a good choice for any skin type, including sensitive-prone individuals, if they're clear of any irritating essential oils or fragrances.

This said, some of you may not like the greasy-like residue that an oil-based formula leaves behind—it truly comes down to personal preference, and you can definitely opt for an oil-free option. However, I recommend a double-cleanse (i.e., wash first with an oil-based cleanser and then with a water-based cleanser), which totally takes away the residue problem, and I find it removes all my makeup best.

⮕ Cleansing balm/oil

Everyone everywhere—with every skin type!—can benefit from a cleansing oil (AKA cleansing balm) if they're wearing a waterproof mascara or really any waterproof eye product. By using water-soluble oils, cleansing balms gently remove makeup, dirt, and grime. The result is super-soft skin that's not stripped and ready for the rest of your products. If you're wearing makeup, you'll need to follow with a traditional face cleanser; an oil cleanser is just an extra step to get rid of extra stubborn residue—i.e., waterproof mascara.

⮕ Micellar water

Most micellar formulations are considered a great option for sensitive-prone skin. Micellar water is made up of purified water, moisturizers, and teeny-tiny surfactants called micelles. Put simply, these micelles are a group of molecules that have two ends: one that attracts water, and the other that attracts oil. These micelles basically bind to oil, dirt, ahem, makeup, to effectively and, most importantly, gently remove them. Dr. Gohara is a big fan of the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Micellar Water for waterproof mascara.

⮕ Wipes and pads

At Cosmo, we're not huge fans of makeup wipes. Not only are single-use makeup pads and wipes actually terrible for the environment, but they also can dry your skin out or irritate it due to harsh ingredients or fragrances used. That said, if you're traveling or just can't be bothered, they're better than not removing your makeup at all. Just keep in mind that you should follow the wipes with a facial cleanser and stick to using the pads only on your eye makeup to prevent stripping the rest of your facial skin. Got it? Cool.

• Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, CT. Dr. Gohara is an associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine and president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. Her areas of expertise include medical and surgical dermatology and skin of color.

Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, and has four years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing beauty stories, like the best makeup removers and the best hair growth oils. She regularly works with the industry’s top dermatologists and trichologists to assess new trends, formulas, and brands.