How to Remove Eyeliner

Co-authored by Nini Efia Yang

Last Updated: December 13, 2024 References

Eyeliner is a great way to enhance your eyes or alter their shape. At the end of the day, however, it needs to come off, and knowing how to remove the makeup properly will help the whole process go more smoothly. Makeup remover and micellar water are the best ways to remove eyeliner. Saturate a cotton pad with the product and gently wipe your lids and eye area to remove the liner. Follow up by washing your face with your usual cleanser.

Quick Guide: Best Way to Take Off Eyeliner

Moisten a cotton ball with makeup remover or micellar water, or use pre-moistened makeup remover wipes. Gently wipe your eyelids with the cotton ball to remove the eyeliner, then wash your face as you normally would. Remove any lingering residue with a little makeup remover on a cotton ball or Q-tip.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Eye Makeup Remover

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Use an oil-based makeup remover to dissolve waterproof eyeliner — it might seem counterintuitive to use oil as a cleanser, but it works. ^{[1]
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Research source} A dual-phase makeup remover removes most eye makeup. Cleansing water is perfect for sensitive skin or eyeliner that comes off easily, like liquid liner. ^{[2]
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2
Saturate a flat, cotton pad with the product. A pad is preferable to a cotton ball, which can leave behind fibers that may get stuck in your eye. ^{[3]
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- If you are just trying to fix a small mistake, dip a cotton swab in the remover and squeeze out the excess liquid with a tissue. ^{[4]
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  Research source} Then gently erase the mistakes.
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3
Press the pad against your eye for 20 seconds. You can wiggle the pad and add a little pressure to get between your lashes, but don't scrub.
- This give the makeup remover time to break down the eyeliner so it will come off quickly and easily.
4
Wipe off the eyeliner with downward strokes. Be careful not to scrub or tug on your skin. ^{[5]
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Research source} Flip the pad over to the clean side and repeat.
- Follow up by washing your face with your usual cleanser.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Makeup Removing Wipes

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1
Choose a facial wipe that is alcohol- and fragrance-free. The makeup wipes designed to remove an entire face of makeup may be too harsh on the delicate skin around your eyes. Look for a wipe made specifically for use around your eyes
- Sensitive baby wipes can sometimes be used to cleanse your face, but they're not designed to lift off makeup. Try to stick to wipes that are specifically for makeup removal for the best results. ^{[6]
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2
Use the edge of the wipe to wipe along the base of your eyelashes. Wipe along the upper lid with an outward motion (from the inner corner of your eye to the outer). Then repeat underneath your lower eyelid.
- Change to a new tip of the wipe for each eye, to prevent transferring anything from eye to eye.
- Don't pull or tug the skin too much. This can cause wrinkles.
- The edges of eyelids are usually neglected during makeup removal. This can be dangerous, as the eyeliner can build up over time and cause some irritation. ^{[7]
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Even if you can use the wipe to remove makeup from your entire face, removing makeup is not the same as cleaning your skin. It should be a two-step process: remove your makeup first, then follow by washing your face. ^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Petroleum Jelly

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1
Scoop a small amount of petroleum jelly onto a cotton swab. Use only a thin layer of jelly--it shouldn't be a big glob that is about to fall off the cotton swab.
- Make sure you are using a trusted brand of highly refined petroleum jelly. It is a byproduct of oil refining and is found in different grades of purity. If it's not properly purified it can contain harmful toxins. ^{[9]
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Run the swab along the base of your eyelashes. Wait a few seconds, then use the clean end to gently wipe away the eyeliner and petroleum jelly. ^{[10]
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- Use another, clean cotton swab if you don't get all your eyeliner off with the first one.
3
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser when you've removed the eyeliner. If you see any smears under or above your lashes, run a clean cotton swab over the area to remove the remaining makeup.
- If you get any petroleum jelly in your eyes, rinse with warm water. It may cause your vision to blur temporarily.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Natural Oils

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1
Use coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil to break down the eyeliner. The oils in these products will dissolve the liner so you can easily wipe it away and can also condition your lashes and moisturize the delicate skin around your eyes. ^{[11]
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- Oils are the best option to remove waterproof eyeliner. The oil in waterproof eyeliner repels water, which is why it lasts so long, but also makes it hard to remove.
Make sure you run your finger along your lash line where you have applied the eyeliner. ^{[12]
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^{[13]
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Research source} Never scrub your eyelid or yank on the skin. It's far too delicate, and the rough treatment will eventually show in wrinkles and fine lines. ^{[14]
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The oil isn't harmful, but it may blur your vision temporarily if you get some in your eye.

What Are Tips For Removing Makeup?

Common Questions: Removing Eyeliner

Can you remove eyeliner with just water?

Plain water isn't the best way to remove eyeliner, but it can definitely be done! Wet a washcloth with warm water and press it on your eyes to soften up the eyeliner. Rinse the washcloth with warm water and repeat until you're removed as much of the eyeliner as possible. Go slow and be gentle! ^{[15]
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Can you remove eyeliner with Vaseline?

Yes! Just scoop a small amount of petroleum jelly onto a cotton swab and run the swab along the base of your eyelashes. After waiting a few seconds, wipe away the eyeliner with the clean end of the swab. Follow up by washing your face with your usual cleanser.

What happens if you don't remove eyeliner?

If you don't remove eyeliner, mascara, and other eye makeup every night, you could end up with painful eye irritation, an eye infection, or a buildup of makeup particles under your eyelids (which could potentially erode your cornea and lead to blindness). ^{[16]
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Tips

It's always a good idea to cleanse your face twice. First to remove the makeup and the impurities of the day, second to clean your pores and remove dead skin cells. ^{[17]
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Warnings

Don't wash your face before removing the eyeliner; it will smear all over your face, and you will end up having to scrub it all off.

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If your hands begin to shake, stop removing the eyeliner. It's possible that you may stab yourself in the eye.

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Always take your makeup off before going to bed, or you will risk acne breakouts and clogged pores.

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Make sure to follow your makeup removal with some moisturizer. ^{[18]
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How to Remove Eyeliner

Quick Guide: Best Way to Take Off Eyeliner

Steps

Using Eye Makeup Remover

Using Makeup Removing Wipes

Using Petroleum Jelly

Using Natural Oils

What Are Tips For Removing Makeup?

Common Questions: Removing Eyeliner

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Tips

Warnings

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