Best OTC Makeup Remover

Updated on March 10, 2016
K.Z. asks from Lincoln, NE
20 answers

What is your favorite OTC makeup remover? I have a friend who sells MK and theirs is $18 a bottle! That's kind of expensive. (IMO). I was telling my friend I would just buy some from Walmart or Target. I need one that does a good job removing mascara too! TIA

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for your feedback! I've never tried coconut oil but heard it works wonders! I'd be willing to try the baby oil but have to admit I'd be a bit apprehensive since the cancer thing surfaced. I might try the wipes that someone suggested! :)

Featured Answers

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I use waterproof mascara and it's hard to find an OTC that works well...but I've been using Ponds and it's okay. It works pretty well. I feel like I have to "scrub" a bit but it seems to work. I used to use Mac make up wipes, which are awesome, but I was tired of the price and dragging my kid into Nordstrom! :)

2 moms found this helpful

F.W.

answers from Danville on

I used to use a cheap makeup remover called 'abolene' for theatrical makeup when in college. Just 'globbed' it on, waited a few moments, and wiped it all away!

I just googled it, and it is still around. I may be off to get some for myself, just to have on hand!

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

D.B.

answers from Boston on

My problem with Walmart shopping is that they keep their prices low in part by buying from companies who are paying slave wages in 3rd world countries, and in part by paying their own employees such low wages that many are on programs like food stamps. Walmart even runs food donation programs so that customers can buy food from the store and then donate it to the company employee donation bin! So you're paying one way or another - through your taxes or at the register!

I also have problems with the causes that Walmart and Target corporate owners support. So I don't spend money there just on principle.

I don't sell Mary Kay, but they are a good company that is a member of the Direct Selling Association (that only allows ethical companies into membership) and you are supporting a small business owner. You'll probably find that their products, like Avon (which also does awesome things for women like donating to breast cancer research), also tests ingredients and uses higher quality ingredients.

I think you have to research products that you use near your eyes, and also it matters if you are using waterproof or non-waterproof mascara. A lot of people used to use baby products for things like this, but now that Johnson & Johnson faced a multi-million dollar settlement for causing a death through their baby powder, people are steering away from that stuff too even though one would think it was "mild" and "safe".

I'm saying, there's a trade-off for everything. You might check Consumer Reports to see if they've done a study on cosmetics. Even if it wasn't on eye make-up remover, a good company in some products might be worth considering for other products.

4 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from New York on

I use Lancome Bifacil. It works great. But it's pricey - but lasts a long time. I use Cetaphil to cleanse.

My mom always uses baby oil to remove her makeup. She has great skin. She then uses a face wash all over to clean the rest of her face.

Just remember, you want to use something that will get the makeup off of your eyes with as little rubbing as possible You don't want to damage that thin skin.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

My girls use Neutrogena makeup wipes. To remove extra stubborn masscara they apply a little coconut oil to a cotton ball and wipe off.

$18 a bottle is crazy unless it lasts for a year.

1 mom found this helpful
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P.1.

answers from San Francisco on

I use Wal-Mart brand (Equate?) eye makeup remover. The kind you dump on a cotton ball and is kind of like baby oil? I think it was a couple of bucks and lasts me at least 4 months using daily. I also use a face wipe after to wipe off the rest of my make up and then I wash my face every day with plain old Noxema. Seems to get everything off.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Rochester on

Soap and water. I've never used makeup remover. It evens removes waterproof mascara with just a little rub with a washcloth.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.Z.

answers from Los Angeles on

I use Pond's cold cream and Neutrogena make-up removing cleansers (liquid).

1 mom found this helpful
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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

I only use makeup remover to take off mascara, the comes off when I wash my face. Though I don't wear a lot anyway. I buy makeup wipes from Target or Meijer or use baby oil on a cotton square to remove mascara--both water proof and not.

1 mom found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

ponds cold cream.
khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful

J.S.

answers from St. Louis on

I didn't know there was prescription makeup remover. Do you fill that at Walgreens?

After reading Stephanie's answer I am going to have to try that.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.B.

answers from Beaumont on

I used baby oil for YEARS!

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Try a little coconut oil on a cotton ball.

1 mom found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Nashville on

I use Huggies baby wipes. the texture kind of deep cleans and exfoliates, and they are safe to use around my eyes without worrying about getting anything in my eyes.

1 mom found this helpful

E.A.

answers from Erie on

Anything made by Almay is my go to brand. Also, Aldi's facial products are also quite good, surprisingly.

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I use plain Vaseline to remove mascara.

My other go to's are Noxema and Clinique.

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M.G.

answers from Portland on

Clinique is lovely - they have a foaming wash that comes in a tube. It's worth the money.

Or - I use Dove. I don't use a waterproof mascara. Dove and water takes off my mascara too.

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

I don't sell Mary Kay, but it's facial cleanser is terrific taking off all mascara gently.

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N.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I have always bought Mary Kay Extra Emollient Cleansing Cream. It seems to just melt the mascara and everything off. It's hard to find though so I pretty much stopped wearing waterproof mascara. I use bar soap to wash my face now.

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S.F.

answers from Phoenix on

Vaseline for eye makeup

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