Gentle makeup remover: types, labels and cost per use

Micellar water, balm, oil or wipes

• Micellar water: a liquid you apply with a cotton pad. Easy to use and to travel with, and you need pads as well.
• Cleansing balm and oil: you massage them on, then rinse or wipe off. Often used for waterproof makeup, and a small amount goes a long way.
• Cream and milk removers: lighter than oils, used with a pad or a cloth.
• Wipes: the fastest, but each use is a single wipe, which adds up and creates waste.

Reading the label near your eyes

If a product gets in your eyes, follow the rinse instructions on the label. If your eyes or skin stay irritated, stop using the product and see an eye doctor or dermatologist.

• Fragrance-free: no fragrance ingredients were added. Check the list for fragrance or parfum.
• Suitable for eyes or ophthalmologist-tested: a maker's wording, not a promise. Follow the directions for the eye area on the package.
• Waterproof makeup: some formulas are made specifically for it. Check that the remover mentions it if you wear waterproof products.
• Read hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested as the maker's wording, not as a promise about your skin.

Our angle: cost per use, not price per ounce

Ounces tell you little here, because a wipe, a pad with liquid and a dab of balm are used so differently. Estimate the cost of one removal, including pads or cloths. For a liquid, count roughly how many removals a bottle gives you. For wipes, divide the price by the number of wipes. For reusable cotton rounds, divide their price by the number of washes you expect, then add the remover itself. Compare the totals.

1. Work out the removals per bottle or pack from your own use.
2. Divide the price by that number, and add the cost of pads or cloths.
3. Compare formats on this one number.

Buying tips

• Try a small size or a travel size first.
• Reusable pads can cut the cost of disposables if you do not mind laundering them.
• Check the use-by period after opening, if the label shows one.