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Best Non-Toxic Makeup Removers

We vetted makeup removers against the Welpr Standard and here are our top picks.

Camille May

Cofounder & Product Curator

Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Here's what we look for:

Formulas made with natural or synthetic ingredients that meet our standard
Free from parabens, PEGs, phthalates, harsh sulfates, BHA/BHT, artificial dyes, formaldehyde-releasing ingredients, and undisclosed fragrance
Minimal, well-chosen preservatives
Trusted third-party certifications when available
Transparent sourcing, ingredients, and manufacturing practices

Best Non-Toxic Makeup Removers

On Welpr, terms like "non-toxic," "safer," "cleaner," "healthier," and "vetted" are editorial labels based on our own standard for product assessment. They are not guarantees, certifications, or medical claims. Learn more.

Top Pick

Bambu Earth

Castor + Squalane Cleansing Face Oil

Free From: Formaldehyde Free, Heavy Metal Free, Paraben Free, Phthalate Free, Sulfate Free
Certified: EWG Verified
Highlights: Cruelty-free, Made in USA, Oil cleanser, For Face & eyes, No rinse needed

8.1

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Oil-based cleanser that works by dissolving makeup and impurities on contact. When you add water and keep massaging, the oil emulsifies and turns milky, so it rinses clean without leaving a heavy residue.
Formulated for all skin types, but particularly suited to dry, sensitive, or dehydrated skin since the oil format cleanses without stripping moisture the way foaming or gel cleansers can.
Functions as a one-step cleanse: removes makeup (including eye makeup) and daily buildup in a single pass, so no separate makeup remover is needed. Among non-toxic makeup removers, that simplicity is a real draw.
Bambu Earth sources specific ingredients with traceability in mind, publishing a full ingredient glossary with country of origin, extraction method, and supporting research for every ingredient they use. The formula contains 96% organic ingredients and uses no synthetic preservatives.
Comes in frosted glass packaging rather than plastic, consistent with the brand's broader effort to reduce packaging waste in beauty products.

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Budget Pick

Eminence Organics

Herbal Eye Make Up Remover

Free From: Cruelty Free
Certified: Certified B Corp, PETA Certified, USDA Organic
Highlights: Vegan, Cruelty-free, Made in USA, For Eye makeup, No rinse needed

7.8

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

Removes eye makeup effectively without a lot of scrubbing.
Leaves no oily residue or smears behind after use.
Safe to use with lash extensions, according to one long-term user.
The pump dispenser is easy to use and dispenses product cleanly.

Cons

The scent is noticeably strong; one person said it was detectable from the next room.
A few people found it struggled with waterproof or oil-based mascara, leaving the eye area feeling dry afterward.

A liquid-format eye makeup remover that you apply with a cotton pad. It's pH-balanced and designed specifically for the eye area rather than as an all-over face cleanser.
Formulated for sensitive eyes and suitable for all skin types. The herbal base leans on calming and soothing botanicals rather than oils, so it doesn't leave a greasy residue on the lids.
Eminence Organics has Hungarian roots dating back to 1958 and uses a minimum of 70% certified organic ingredients across its product line. The brand blends its own proprietary botanical complexes in-house.
Among non-toxic makeup removers, this one is specifically an eye-area product, not a dual-purpose micellar water or cleansing oil. That narrower focus means the formula is tuned for the thinner, more reactive skin around the eyes.
Has a light herbal, lavender-forward scent from botanical extracts rather than synthetic fragrance. The texture is watery, not milky or oily.

Organic Phytonutrient Blend™ [Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract, Prunus Domestica (Plum) Fruit Extract, Prunus Cerasus (Sour Cherry) Fruit Juice, Myrciaria Dubia (Camu Camu) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Juice, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Juice, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract, Euphrasia Officinalis (Eyebright) Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Vegetable Glycerin And Plant-Derived Maltodextrin]
Vegetable Glycerin
Decyl Glucoside
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) (Chamomile) Flower Extract
Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Powder Extract
Lavandula Hybrida (Lavandin) Oil
Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract
1,2-Hexanediol
Caprylyl Glycol
Hydroxyacetophenone
Vegetable Heptyl Glucoside
Aqua (Water)
Biocomplex2™ [Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Juice, Malpighia Glabra (Barbados Cherry) Fruit Extract, Emblica Officinalis (Indian Gooseberry) Fruit Extract, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Fruit Extract, Myrciaria Dubia (Camu Camu) Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Lycium Barbarum (Goji) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Plant-Derived Maltodextrin, Vegetable Glycerin, Thioctic Acid (Alpha Lipoic Acid) And Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10)]

Living Libations

Organic/Wildcrafted Goodnight Oil Eye Makeup Remover

Free From: Cruelty Free
Highlights: Cruelty-free, No synthetic fragrance, Recyclable packaging, Oil cleanser, For Eye makeup

8.1

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

An oil-based eye makeup remover that doubles as an overnight treatment for skin, lashes, and brows. It dissolves makeup without alcohols or surfactants, using plant oils to break down product while leaving moisture behind.
Only five ingredients, all botanical oils and resins. Among non-toxic makeup removers, that's an unusually short formula with no water, emulsifiers, or preservatives.
Very small amount needed per use: one or two drops on a damp cotton round. The oil is viscous and thick but less sticky than typical castor-based products.
You may notice natural sediment settling at the bottom of the bottle. That's from the unrefined, unfiltered castor oil they use; just shake before applying.
Also works as a standalone overnight lash and brow conditioning treatment for people who don't wear makeup but want the nourishing benefits.
Living Libations sources its botanical oils through direct relationships with small-scale distillers and farmers, tracing each oil from the field to the bottle.

Agent Nateur

holi (cleanse) Natural Cleansing Face Oil

Free From: Cruelty Free
Highlights: Vegan, Made in USA, Pregnancy safe, Breastfeeding safe, Oil cleanser, For Face & eyes, No rinse needed

7.9

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

Leaves skin feeling noticeably soft and moisturized after cleansing, without that stripped feeling.
The included muslin cloth doubles as a gentle exfoliant and makes removal easy.
Pump dispenses a small, controlled amount, so the bottle lasts.
Light, pleasant scent that doesn't linger.

Cons

Doesn't emulsify with water like other oil cleansers, so you need the cloth to remove it.
Struggles to cut through heavy makeup; multiple passes or a second cleanser may be needed.
Leaves a greasy feel that's too much for oilier skin types, even combination.

An oil-based cleanser that you massage onto dry skin to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and daily buildup. When you add water, the oil emulsifies into a milky texture that rinses clean without leaving an oily film behind.
Formulated for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone. The brand also notes it's suitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Among non-toxic makeup removers, oil cleansers work by using oils to break down oil-based products (like waterproof mascara and sunscreen) more effectively than water-based cleansers alone. This one is designed to be a complete first cleanse rather than requiring a separate makeup remover step.
The base is a blend of plant-derived oils rather than synthetic emollients or mineral oil, so it doubles as a skin-conditioning step while cleansing.
Agent Nateur sources many of its active ingredients from small-batch European suppliers and formulates between France and Los Angeles. The brand was founded by Jena Covello after her endometriosis diagnosis led her to rethink what she was putting on her skin.

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil
Polyglyceryl-4-Oleate
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil
Oryza Sativa (Rice Bran) Oil
Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil
Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Leaf) Juice
Tocopheryl Acetate
Jasminum Sambac
Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil
Rosa Damascena

Ilia

The Cleanse Soft Foaming Cleanser + Makeup Remover

Free From: Cruelty Free
Certified: 1% For The Planet, Leaping Bunny
Highlights: Vegan, Cruelty-free, Made in USA, Fragrance-free, Recyclable packaging, 0.25 year warranty, Foam cleanser, For Face & eyes, No rinse needed

7.7

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

Removes all makeup including mascara in a single step, confirmed by multiple people using toner afterward.
Leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated rather than stripped or dried out.
Virtually no scent, which is consistent across nearly every review.
The foam feels surprisingly creamy and dense once massaged in, despite dispensing as a standard foam.
Two pumps is enough for a full face cleanse, and the bottle lasts for months.

Cons

Takes a bit more effort to rinse off than a typical foam cleanser.
People used to gel cleansers may find the foam format less intuitive; one person noted needing to double cleanse to feel confident all makeup was removed.

Pumps out as a soft foam rather than a gel or cream, so there's no lathering step. It's meant to dissolve daily makeup, mineral SPF, and environmental buildup in one wash, though stubborn long-wear makeup may need a second pass.
Fragrance-free with no noticeable scent beyond a faint skincare-product smell. The foam is lightweight and rinses clean without leaving a film or residue.
Formulated to maintain skin's natural pH (around 4.5 to 5.5) during cleansing, which helps keep the skin barrier intact. Most foaming cleansers skew alkaline, which is what causes that tight, stripped feeling afterward.
Uses plant-based surfactants instead of traditional sulfate-based ones, and includes a hydrating sugar complex that's designed to draw moisture into the skin even after rinsing.
Ophthalmologist-tested and safe for contact lens wearers, so it works as both a face wash and eye-area makeup remover. Among non-toxic makeup removers, the intentionally short, fragrance-free formula is built with sensitive and reactive skin in mind.
ILIA started when founder Sasha Plavsic read the ingredient list on her favorite lip balm and found it wasn't as safe as she'd assumed. The brand treats clean beauty as a mix of natural and synthetic ingredients chosen for safety and performance, not a strictly "all-natural" approach.

Fitglow Beauty

Natural Water-Free Makeup Cleansing Oil

Free From: Cruelty Free
Certified: Leaping Bunny
Highlights: Vegan, Cruelty-free, Oil cleanser, For Face & eyes, No rinse needed

8.2

Performance score

Where to buy

Amazon
See price

Pros

Dissolves stubborn waterproof and long-wear makeup, including mascara, eyeliner, and lip stains, without rough scrubbing.
The pump dispenses a controlled amount without mess or spillage.
Scent is light and fruity; most people found it pleasant and not lingering.
Rinses clean with water and leaves skin feeling soft.

Cons

Can leave an oily feel on the skin, so most people follow up with a second cleanser to finish.
The consistency is thinner than expected, closer to a toner than a typical oil.

A waterless, oil-based cleanser that dissolves makeup (including eye makeup and mascara) on contact, then emulsifies when you add water so it rinses clean rather than leaving an oily film.
Formulated entirely around plant-derived seed oils and botanical extracts, so it doubles as a skin-nourishing step rather than just a removal step. Works well as the first half of a double-cleanse routine.
The texture is lightweight for a cleansing oil, and it turns slightly milky when water hits it. Scented subtly by the botanicals themselves, not by added fragrance.
Among non-toxic makeup removers, water-free formulas like this one tend to be more concentrated since there's no water diluting the active oils, which means a small amount goes a long way.
Fitglow Beauty formulates with a science-first approach focused on whether skin can actually recognize and absorb an ingredient, not just whether it performs in a lab. Several of the oils in this formula are certified organic.

How to Swap to Non-Toxic makeup removers:

Here's how to swap to non-toxic makeup removers:

What to know about makeup remover

Makeup removers sit on your skin while they dissolve product, and many are used around your eyes and mouth daily. That combination of frequent use, direct skin contact, and sensitive areas makes their formulation worth paying attention to.

Welpr focuses on what makeup removers are made of: the oils, surfactants, preservatives, and whether synthetic fragrance is present.
Products used around the eyes and lips deserve extra attention since skin in those areas is thinner and more absorbent.

Check what you're currently using

Pull out the makeup removers you use most often and scan their ingredient labels with the Welpr Personal Care and Cosmetic Scanner. The scanner will flag ingredients that don't meet Welpr's standards.

Start with the remover you reach for every night—daily-use products have the biggest impact over time.
If you use separate removers for eyes and face, check the eye product first since it contacts some of your most sensitive skin.

Use your current remover more carefully

If you're not ready to replace your makeup remover right away, a few small habits can reduce how much product lingers on your skin.

After using your remover, follow up with a gentle rinse of water to remove any residue instead of letting it sit overnight.
Use the smallest amount needed to get the job done—less product means less sitting on your skin.

Choose a cleaner makeup remover

Look for removers with simple, short ingredient lists built around plant-based oils or gentle cleansing agents. Fragrance-free formulas are the safest default, especially for something you use around your eyes every day.

Avoid products listing "fragrance" or "parfum" unless the scent comes from essential oils or plant extracts and is clearly disclosed on the label.
Click the button above to shop Welpr Approved makeup remover.

Camille May

Cofounder & Product Curator

Camille May is the co-creator of Welpr and a guide for clean living. After selling her last company in the health food space, she went non-toxic while working to heal an autoimmune condition....

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Olushola M. Awoyemi

Medical Reviewer, PhD

Olushola M. Awoyemi (aka Shola) is a board-certified toxicologist and a research scientist with a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. Shola's long-term ambition is to be recognized as a world-renowned expert in toxicology,...

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