12+ Makeup Removers for Oily Skin – Part I

This review of makeup removers for oily / acne prone skin comes from our community member Tejupriya. She has gone on to analyse many popular makeup removers ranging from Maybelline to Lakme and Colorbar, to some lesser known ones, to finally come out with some hidden gems. * applause *

This is part  1 of the 3 part the makeup remover series. See part 2 here and part 3 here.

All these makeup removers can be found at beauty shops and online shopping websites.

Maybelline Eye & Lip Makeup Remover

Ingredients: water/aqua, cyclopentasiloxane, isodexhecane, isopropyl palmitate, panthenol, dipotassium phosphate, poloxamer 184, polyaminopropyl biguanide, potassium phosphate, sodium chloride, CI 61565, green 6,(fii 7222/3)

1. Instantly removes all eye and lip makeup even waterproof mascara/kajal
2. Doesn’t sting
3. Have to shake the bottle well before use
4. Skin appears oily after use
5. This is not meant for face
6. Contains comedogenic ingredients isopropyl palmitate, so not suitable for oily/acne prone skin

Price 225 for 70 ml

L’Oreal Paris Derma Expertise Gentle Lip & Eye Makeup Remover

1. Ingredients as same as Maybelline as above
2. Content and the composition is also same and manufactured by same company L’Oreal
3. Again not suitable for oily/acne prone skin

Price Rs.425 for 125 ml

Revlon Eye & Lip Makeup Remover

Ingredients: water, mineral oil, isopropyl palmitate, butylene glycol, isopropyl myristrate, trietholamine, glyceryl stearate, steareth-20, chamomila recutita (mataricaria) flower extract, stearic acid, carbomer, imidazolidinyl urea, methyl paraben, titanium dioxide, dimethicone, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, hydrolyzed wheat protein, tocopheryl acetate, soya lecithin, sodium hyaluronate, propyl glycol steratate, retinyl palmitate, EDTA, pentadeclathone trisodium, lecithin, polysorbate 20, sorbitae laurate, panthenol, tocopheryl acetate, hydrolized glycosaminagylcans

1. Cream base used for eye and lip make up removal only
2. Contains comedogenic ingredients isopropyl myristate, stearic acid
3. Contains parabens
4. Claims dermatologically tested but not suitable for oily/prone skin
5. Stings after use
6. Blurs the vision temporarily when used around the eyes

Price: Rs. 200 for 60 ml

Street Wear Makeup Remover

Ingredients: Water, mineral oil, isopropyl myristate, butylene glycol, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, polyoxy ethylene-20 cetyl/ stearyl ether, chamomile extract, acrylates/ C 10-30 alyl acrylate cross polymer, methyl paraben, polysorbate 20, dimethicone, propyl paraben, stearic acid, disodium EDTA, tocopheryl acetate, triethanolamine, diazolidinyl urea, d-panthenol, dipropylene glycol

1. Removes make up to a decent extent
2. Contains comedogenic ingredients like isopropyl myristate, stearic acid
3. Contains chamomile extract which soothes the skin
4. Not suitable for oily/prone skin
5. Contains parabens

Price Rs. 120 for 50 gm

Lakme Absolute Bi Phased Makeup Remover

Ingredients: water, cyclomethicone, dimethicone, glycerine, fragrance, D-panthenol, potassium hydrogen phosphate, capryrl glucoside, iodopropyl butyl carbonate, DMDM hydratoin, disodium EDTA, isohexadecane

1. Leaves oily residue behind
2. Contains no majorly comedogenic ingredients (glycerin, dimethicone are only mildly comedogenic)
3. Should work for acne prone skin
4. Removes make up to a decent extent
5. Bottle has to be shaken well before every use. Face has to be washed after use

Price Rs. 210 for 60 ml

Colorbar Ultimate Makeup Remover for Oily & Combination Skin

Ingredients: water, propylene glycol, disodium EDTA, sodium chloride, polyaminopropyl biguanide, D-panthenol, sodium PCA, di-potassium phosphate, potassium phosphate, isohexadecane, c 12-15 alkyl benzoate, tocopheryl acetate, isododecane, color CI 60725, tea tree oil, allantoin, imidazolydinyl urea

1. Contains no pore-clogging ingredients making it suitable for acne prone skin
2. Contains tea tree oil which corrects oily skin by dissolving excess sebum from skin hence preventing acne and acne blemishes
3. Bi-phase formula also contains allantoin that hydrates and smoothes oily skin without increasing the sebum levels
4. Also Available in variations for dry skin, sensitive skin and all skin types
5. Removes make up well
6. Stings eyes

Price Rs. 699 for 90 ml

Look out for part II of the series which covers makeup removers from high end, herbal and lesser known brands. Part 2 here. See reviews of Bioderma Sensibio, Sebium and Hydobio makeup removers in part 3.