Makeup removers for oily acne prone skin in India

7 makeup removers for oily acne prone skin in India

Each makeup remover is suited to different needs. Sometimes, to different personalities.

Example: I, for one, can’t imagine going through the hassle of pouring liquid onto cotton, swiping it on face- repeat x3 after a long day. I am now used to the ease of cleansing oils which remove my face makeup as well as eye makeup in one go. Without me having to follow up with another cleanser!

Conclusion? Cleansing oils are a smart girl’s best friend! Now, more on that later! 😛

Read more: The makeup mistake that was worsening my acne

Allow me to guide you through different makeup removers for oily acne prone skin in India(actually, all skin types!) and suggest you the ideal one for yourself

*Takes a bow*

Garnier Pink and Maybelline Pink micellar water

Before the launch of pink Garnier micellar water, I was using Pink Maybelline micellar water. Before the launch of pink Maybelline micellar water, I was using Bioderma. Affordable prices attract me!

Micellar waters are a no-rinse solution and often considered as the best makeup remover for sensitive skin. However, I still wash my face afterwards. Except for once when I was on a trekking trip and the water was too cold.

My reasons for using these classic versions of micellar water:

– To correct my eye makeup mistakes.

– To use as a toner on days I have applied heavy layers of makeup (Once or twice in a month).

– To go from an AM to PM look during work hours without having to wash my face.

– To clean my skin mid-day when I’m going out and don’t want to use a face wash.

None of these micellar waters have caused breakouts on my acne prone skin. For the reasons I listed above, the differences for me between all of them are pretty negligible. But if you plan on using this classic micellar water version as an all rounder, know that Maybelline takes a lot of time to remove makeup as compared to the other two here.

Garnier yellow micellar water and Maybelline eye and makeup lip remover

Both of these are bi-phased makeup removers and supposed to remove long-lasting and waterproof makeup. Again, Garnier claims to be a no-rinse makeup remover. But since it tends to leave a slightly oily film on face, it’s better to wash your face afterwards.

Read more: Learn from the four biggest skincare mistakes I made as a beginner

Maybelline bi-phased makeup remover can only be used on eyes and lips whereas this can be used on face too. Price-wise also, Garnier wins for me.

Just a minor glitch: Garnier bi-phased micellar water takes more time to remove waterproof mascara as compared to the Maybelline one. But if budget is your main issue, try the Garnier one and stick with it if it works for you. It costs Rs.225 for 100ml.

Cleansing oils

If you are looking for an all-rounder makeup remover which simplifies your whole cleaning process, look no further than cleansing oils!

Oily skinned beauties! Please don’t skip this part as I too have a super oily acne prone skin and still love them. They don’t make oily skin oilier but instead even more balanced out because they don’t leave the skin overly dry. You need to message the cleansing oil for a few minutes and then, emulsify it properly.

My first one was Innisfree apple juicy cleansing oil. As compared to the one I’m using now (Olive oil variant), the consistency was a lot thinner. That said, both of them work amazingly well in removing waterproof makeup and emulsify well with water without leaving any residue behind. On days I’m wearing very heavy makeup, I double-cleanse and follow up with Garnier pink micellar water to take off the last traces. Most days, I don’t as I wear only sunscreen and powder.

Read more: Basic makeup kit for beginners in India

I have used two bottles of MAC cleanse off oil. It is also one of the best makeup removers for oily acne prone skin. I do find it better because you can remove heavy makeup with less quantity and it’s mineral oil free( if that matters for you). Also, it leaves skin very soft and easily lasts 4-6 months! But since it’s also very expensive (almost double of Innisfree cleansing oils), I’m going to stick with Innisfree cleansing oils.

Right now, I’m using Innisfree olive real cleansing oil which has a thick consistency. It removes all traces of makeup and washes off easily. Unlike the Apple juicy variant, it doesn’t leave my skin overly dry even when used on a consistent basis. It costs Rs.1,200 for 150ml. The bottle will easily last you 5-6 months even with regular usage.

Cleansing balms

A cleansing balm is basically a cleanser in a solid form which usually emulsifies upon coming in contact with warm water. A good travel-friendly option too!

My first cleansing balm was from Clinique. I received a sample size of it on some purchase. It was nice but I never got the heart to try its full-sized variant maybe because I already had two cleansing oils to finish and also, because it’s for Rs.3,000 something.

I bought the Innisfree Apple seed cleansing balm thinking it would be more gentle on the skin. But when I used it regularly for a week at the end of the day, I noticed more dryness on my cheeks area. So, now I reserve it solely for travel purpose.

That said, it’s more effective at removing waterproof mascara and also, quickly compared to the cleansing oils I have used.

Different combinations you can try:

Combo 1: Garnier pink micellar water(for removing everyday light makeup) + Garnier bi-phased micellar water (for those days you’re wearing long wear makeup)

Total cost: Rs.400 (225+175)

Combo 2: If you wear waterproof mascara frequently, have a limited budget and don’t want to spend a lot of time removing mascara

Garnier bi-phased micellar water (for face makeup removal) + Maybelline bi-phased remover for eyes and lips

Total cost: Rs. 550 (225+325)

“Beauty blogger” combo pack: Innisfree cleansing oil (Face + eyes) + Garnier bi-phased micellar water( Removing swatches from arm)

Total cost: Rs.1,425 (1,200+225)

😛 😛 😛

You can also try DIY makeup removers. There are different versions available on net. Since I haven’t tried any, I can’t say anything about them.

Hope this post on makeup removers for oily acne prone skin in India helps you pick your ideal one. Don’t forget to tell me about your favourite makeup removers.