Sensitive-Skin Saviors: The Best Oil-Free Makeup Removers - NewBeauty (2024)

When it comes to makeup, taking it off should be easy. And it definitely shouldn’t leave your skin irritated or your pores clogged. And for those of us with oily or super sensitive skin, that means turning to the tried and true: oil-free makeup remover. These hydration-focused formulas are all about gently clearing makeup and dirt while reducing the tugging and pulling on our skin and leaving a clean, non-greasy finish.

Featured Experts

• Courtney Rubin, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and cofounder and Chief Medical Officer of Fig. 1
• Doris Day, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York
• Kally Papantoniou, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Melville, NY

Why Oil-Free Makeup Remover?

Certain oils are pretty good at removing makeup. Recently, superstar Shania Twain made headlines around the world when she shared her kitchen pantry formula for makeup remover: sugar and olive oil. A combination she’s been using for decades that seems to work well for her, Twain’s method raised some eyebrows among dermatologists.

“She looks like she has beautiful skin so it seems to be working for her,” says New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD. “In general, the olive oil is fine, and the sugar could be exfoliating. But it could also be irritating, and there are better, more reliable ways to remove makeup than that.”

And a lot of our makeup is oil-based, making oil useful when it comes to removing it.

“Since most makeup, especially foundation and concealer, is oil-based, the best way to remove it is with an oil-based makeup remover or oil cleanser (like dissolves like!),” explains cofounder and Chief Medical Officer of Fig. 1, dermatologist Courtney Rubin, MD.

The problem comes for those of us with particularly sensitive or acne-prone skin: it produces so much oil regularly that you may be left with an oily-skin finish that no one wants. That’s where oil-free makeup remover comes in.

What Skin Type Is it Best for?

People with very oily skin tend to gravitate towards oil-free skin care, but Dr. Rubin explains that that’s only half the battle.

“Oil-free skin care is usually lightweight and water-based, often with a gel or lotion texture,” explains Dr. Rubin. “Those with very oily and sebaceous skin may benefit from water-based, oil-free skin care since their skin already produces adequate oils to condition the skin.”

Additionally, oil-free makeup removers need to be designed with balance in mind, especially if you’re going to use it as a cleanser.

According to Melville, NY dermatologist Kally Papantoniou, MD, that’s one thing people often get wrong about their skin’s natural barrier. “People don’t understand the importance of retaining a balance of facial oils,” she explains. “For oily skin types, a cleanser that is hydrating without being too drying will always be best. Cleansers that remove too many oils can sometimes lead to rebound oil production, so this must be taken into consideration when selecting a cleanser.”

The Best in Oil-Free Makeup Removers