Mascara that doesn’t budge is all fun and games until it, well, doesn’t come off. I love the idea of waterproof mascara, because it’s not just waterproof, it’s lifeproof. It won’t smear off as you sweat, nor will it transfer to your eyelids throughout the day. But that payoff often comes at a cost when you’re left scrubbing at your lashes at the end of the day—a major no-no, according to dermatologists, ophthalmologists, and basically anyone who cares about the skin around your eyes.
If you’re wondering how to remove waterproof mascara without all the rubbing and irritation, let me help you. Before you reach for just any formula on the shelf, pause for a second. Removing eye makeup isn’t the same as washing the rest of your face—the skin around your eyes is far more delicate. In fact, the skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your body, says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. “Being too rough can lead to broken lashes, irritation, redness, and even damage." The good news? Gentle removal with the right products can help you avoid all of this. Below, Dr. Gohara and I break down how to remove waterproof eye makeup—and the best formulas for your delicate eye area.
What's the best way to remove waterproof mascara?
"To safely remove waterproof mascara, opt for an oil-based eye makeup remover, micellar water, or a cleansing balm/oil specifically formulated to dissolve waterproof products," says Dr. Gohara. But that's just the start; the real key to ensuring you avoid damage is how you go about it—slow and careful is the name of the game. "Gently soak a cotton pad with the remover and pat over the lash product," she says, adding to swipe your lashes and eye area softly without excessive rubbing. "This minimizes irritation and keeps your lashes intact."
Why should I be gentle when removing eye makeup?
As I mentioned earlier, the skin around your eyes is thin, making it ultra-sensitive. This means it's more susceptible to irritation, fine lines, and damage. Dr. Gohara says to think about your skin in this area like delicate tissue paper; the gentle touch you would use when handling tissue paper is how you should go about applying/removing product around your eyes. "Use oil-based removers to melt waterproof mascara, and avoid harsh rubbing to protect the skin and your precious lashes," says Dr. Gohara.
What you can use to remove waterproof mascara
Some of the best removers use oil-based formulas, which work best to break down waterproof mascaras. This is because like dissolves like; an oil-based makeup remover works best to dissolve an oil-based makeup product. Oil-based cleansers are a good choice for any skin type, including sensitive-prone individuals, if they're clear of any irritating essential oils or fragrances.
This said, some of you may not like the greasy-like residue that an oil-based formula leaves behind—it truly comes down to personal preference, and you can definitely opt for an oil-free option. However, I recommend a double-cleanse (i.e., wash first with an oil-based cleanser and then with a water-based cleanser), which totally takes away the residue problem, and I find it removes all my makeup best.
Cleansing balm/oil
Everyone everywhere—with every skin type!—can benefit from a cleansing oil (AKA cleansing balm) if they're wearing a waterproof mascara or really any waterproof eye product. By using water-soluble oils, cleansing balms gently remove makeup, dirt, and grime. The result is super-soft skin that's not stripped and ready for the rest of your products. If you're wearing makeup, you'll need to follow with a traditional face cleanser; an oil cleanser is just an extra step to get rid of extra stubborn residue—i.e., waterproof mascara. FWIW, we just awarded Murad Lipid-Enriched Double Cleansing Balm the “best cleansing balm” of 2026 in our Holy Grail Beauty Awards.
Micellar water
Most micellar formulations are considered a great option for sensitive-prone skin. Micellar water is made up of purified water, moisturizers, and teeny-tiny surfactants called micelles. Put simply, these micelles are a group of molecules that have two ends: one that attracts water, and the other that attracts oil. These micelles basically bind to oil, dirt, ahem, makeup, to effectively and, most importantly, gently remove them. Need a rec? Dr. Gohara is a big fan of the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Micellar Water for waterproof mascara.
Wipes and pads
At Cosmo, we're not huge fans of makeup wipes. Not only are single-use makeup pads and wipes terrible for the environment, but they also can dry out and potentially irritate your skin due to harsh ingredients or fragrances used. That said, if you're traveling or just can't be bothered, they're better than not removing your makeup at all. We awarded The Face Shop’s Rice Water Bright Makeup Remover Wipes a beauty award because they’re really gentle and help take off all remnants of mascara, eyeliner, eyeshdow—you name it.
Just keep in mind that you should follow the wipes with a facial cleanser and stick to using the pads only on your eye makeup to prevent stripping the rest of your facial skin. Got it? Cool.
Meet the expert
- Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, CT. Dr. Gohara is an associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine and president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. Her areas of expertise include medical and surgical dermatology and skin of color.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing stories on hair, makeup, and nails.
Siena Gagliano was the associate editor at Cosmopolitan where she wrote about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
