Top 17 Best Japanese Makeup Remover Wipes in 2021 - Tried and True! (Bioré, Muji, and More)

Top 17 Best Japanese Makeup Remover Wipes

We used them on liquid foundations and waterproof items. We checked if they were drying. We made sure their ingredients were safe for sensitive skin. Then, based on how they performed on our tests, we ranked the top 17 makeup remover wipes available online.

※Japanese prices for the products are given; they’ve merely been converted into USD for easy viewing.

1

BifestaMoist Cleansing Sheet

$3.72

The Best All-Around Choice: Effective and Hydrating

When it came to hydration, none of the other wipes even came close to this. Cleansing power was also exceptional; though the tint left behind some residue, most of the waterproof mascara actually came off.

Ethanol was pretty high up in the ingredients list, which will knock this product off the list of contenders if you’re sensitive. Generally speaking, though, the ingredients were simple and few in number; there should be little issue if you have normal to oily skin.

Finally, a friendly tip: if you ever find yourself in Japan and in sudden need of cleansing sheets (because you forgot to restock or you have a sudden sleepover), you can also find pocket-sized packs of ten in most convenience stores.

Japanese	ビフェスタうる落ち水クレンジングシートモイスト
Type	Liquid
Sheet Material	Not Listed
# of Sheets	46
Sheet Size	5.9 x 7.9 inches
Cleansing	4.0
Hydration	5.0
Ingredients	2.0
Overall Score	4.0

2

Bioré Makeup Remover Fukudake Cotton

$8.11

View product on ZenMarket

Japanese	ビオレメイク落としふくだけコットン
Type	Liquid
Sheet Material	100% Natural Cotton
# of Sheets	46
Sheet Size	8.3 x 2.9 inches
Cleansing	4.0
Hydration	4.0
Ingredients	2.0
Overall Score	4.0

3

Dr.Ci:LaboCleansing Sheet

$6.54

View product on ZenMarket

Japanese	ドクターシーラボクレンジングシート
Type	Liquid
Sheet Material	Microfiber Mix
# of Sheets	46
Sheet Size	Not Listed
Cleansing	4.0
Hydration	4.0
Ingredients	2.0
Overall Score	4.0

4

Bioré Makeup Remover Fukudake Cotton Uruoi Rich

$7.14

View product on ZenMarket

Packed With Cleansing Liquid for Heavy Makeup Days

It only took a single swipe to rid our skin of waterproof mascara. Most of the other products quickly followed. The sheets were so wet that, when we wrung them, rivulets of cleanser ran down our arms, which helped account for how effective they were.

However, they also stripped our skin of essential oils and hydration. It wasn’t bad enough for us to feel any tautness, but we’d recommend following up right away with a good toner and moisturizer.

Japanese	ビオレふくだけコットンうるおいリッチうるっとモイスト
Type	Oil-in
Sheet Material	Natural Cotton
# of Sheets	44
Sheet Size	8.3 x 2.9 inches
Cleansing	5.0
Hydration	2.0
Ingredients	2.0
Overall Score	4.0

5

BifestaOil In Cleansing Sheet

$3.48

Japanese	ビフェスタクレンジングシートオイルイン
Type	Oil-in
Sheet Material	Not Listed
# of Sheets	40
Sheet Size	5.9 x 7.9 inches
Cleansing	3.0
Hydration	5.0
Ingredients	2.0
Overall Score	3.0

6

softymoW Hyaluronic Acid Makeup Cleansing Sheet

$5.98

Japanese	ソフティモメイク落としシートヒアルロン酸
Type	Liquid
Sheet Material	Microfiber Mix
# of Sheets	52
Sheet Size	3.3 x 2.2 inches
Cleansing	3.0
Hydration	5.0
Ingredients	2.0
Overall Score	3.0

7

Koh Gen DoCleansing Water Cloth

$59.00

Japanese	Koh Gen Do クレンジングシート
Type	Liquid
Sheet Material	100% Organic Cotton
# of Sheets	40
Sheet Size	7.3 x 6.5 inches
Cleansing	4.0
Hydration	3.0
Ingredients	2.0
Overall Score	3.0

8

Clé de Peau Beauté Eye and Lip Makeup Remover Towelettes

$45.00

Japanese	クレ・ド・ポーボーテランジェットデマキアント
Type	Oil-in
Sheet Material	Not Listed
# of Sheets	50
Sheet Size	5.9 x 3 inches
Cleansing	4.0
Hydration	4.0
Ingredients	2.0
Overall Score	3.0

9

MUJICleansing Wipes

$4.45

Japanese	無印良品クレンジングシート
Type	Liquid
Sheet Material	Not listed
# of Sheets	12
Sheet Size	5.9 x 7.9 inches
Cleansing	2.0
Hydration	5.0
Ingredients	2.0
Overall Score	2.0

10

Zubö LaböNight Cleansing Face Wipes

$8.60

Wipes That Function as Both Cleanser and Skincare

We could hardly believe these wipes were packed with cleanser–they were so hydrating. Time passed, and our skin showed little signs of drying. We’d even say you can skip the moisturizers every once in a while after using this–making it perfect for you’re out camping, for example, and want to pack light.

Though most of the eyeliner faded after cleansing, the waterproof mascara barely budged. We doubt you’ll be wearing heavy makeup while backpacking or camping, so we’d still say these are the ultimate sheets for when you’re out roughing it.

Japanese	ズボラボ夜用ふき取り乳液シート
Type	Oil-in
Sheet Material	Not Listed
# of Sheets	35
Sheet Size	6.5 x 3.8 inches
Cleansing	2.0
Hydration	5.0
Ingredients	1.0
Overall Score	2.0

Compare the Best Japanese Makeup Cleansing Wipes

Image	1 Bifesta	2 Bioré	3 Dr.Ci:Labo	4 Bioré	5 Bifesta	6 softymo	7 Koh Gen Do	8 Clé de Peau Beauté	9 MUJI	10 Zubö Labö
Name	Moist Cleansing Sheet	Makeup Remover Fukudake Cotton	Cleansing Sheet	Makeup Remover Fukudake Cotton Uruoi Rich	Oil In Cleansing Sheet	W Hyaluronic Acid Makeup Cleansing Sheet	Cleansing Water Cloth	Eye and Lip Makeup Remover Towelettes	Cleansing Wipes	Night Cleansing Face Wipes
Features	The Best All-Around Choice: Effective and Hydrating	Smells Great and Works on Heavy Base Makeup	Fine, Tightly-Woven Threads Glide Against Skin	Packed With Cleansing Liquid for Heavy Makeup Days	Gentle Wipes that Keep Skin Hydrated	Cleanses and Moisturizes Your Skin on Busy Nights	Effective Cleansing, Huge Sheets, and User-Friendly	Works on Most Makeup, but Feels Oily	Decent Cleansing, and Hydrating to the Point of Being Sticky	Wipes That Function as Both Cleanser and Skincare
Price	$3.72	$8.11	$6.54	$7.14	$3.48	$5.98	$59.00	$45.00	$4.45	$8.60
Japanese	ビフェスタうる落ち水クレンジングシートモイスト	ビオレメイク落としふくだけコットン	ドクターシーラボクレンジングシート	ビオレふくだけコットンうるおいリッチうるっとモイスト	ビフェスタクレンジングシートオイルイン	ソフティモメイク落としシートヒアルロン酸	Koh Gen Do クレンジングシート	クレ・ド・ポーボーテランジェットデマキアント	無印良品クレンジングシート	ズボラボ夜用ふき取り乳液シート
Type	Liquid	Liquid	Liquid	Oil-in	Oil-in	Liquid	Liquid	Oil-in	Liquid	Oil-in
Sheet Material	Not Listed	100% Natural Cotton	Microfiber Mix	Natural Cotton	Not Listed	Microfiber Mix	100% Organic Cotton	Not Listed	Not listed	Not Listed
# of Sheets	46	46	46	44	40	52	40	50	12	35
Sheet Size	5.9 x 7.9 inches	8.3 x 2.9 inches	Not Listed	8.3 x 2.9 inches	5.9 x 7.9 inches	3.3 x 2.2 inches	7.3 x 6.5 inches	5.9 x 3 inches	5.9 x 7.9 inches	6.5 x 3.8 inches
Cleansing	4.0	4.0	4.0	5.0	3.0	3.0	4.0	4.0	2.0	2.0
Hydration	5.0	4.0	4.0	2.0	5.0	5.0	3.0	4.0	5.0	5.0
Ingredients	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	1.0
Overall Score	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	2.0	2.0
Link	View Amazon View ebay	View ZenMarket	View ZenMarket	View ZenMarket	View Amazon View ebay	View Amazon View ZenMarket	View Amazon View Dermstore View Koh Gen Do	View ZenMarket View Nordstrom View Clé de Peau Beauté	View MUJI View ZenMarket	View ZenMarket View TOKTOKBEAUTY

Products That Didn't Make The Cut

And why they didn't quite make it.

Texture is Rough on Skin

BCL Cleansing Research AHA Sheet Cleansing sheets were made from a rough, mesh-like material and didn’t pack much liquid, so there was no way for us to cleanse without rubbing at our skin. And the more makeup you wear, the more you’re going to have to scrub. It also contained malic acid and lactic acid as exfoliants, so be sure to patch test if you have sensitive skin.

Although Daiso Makeup Removing Sheets are alcohol- and fragrance-free, affordable, and eyelash extension-friendly, it's not a complete cleanse. Plus, the sheets were rough in texture and a bit dry, so we couldn’t remove makeup without scrubbing. You might be able to use them for touchups.

Cleansing Left Something to Be Desired

PureVivi Cleansing Sheet had just decent cleansing power and hydration. The sheets themselves were so thin that we had to fold them in half to even use them. And they featured a mix of botanical extracts that could prove irritating on sensitive skin.

Orbis Cleansing Mild Sheet Oil Cut was so soft, it felt more like a face towel than wipes. There weren’t too many ingredients and they were all mild. However, waterproof mascara hardly budged and you would have to follow up the sheets with face wash, so, overall, not much time was saved.

Skin dried out right after cleansing with Bifesta Bright Up Cleansing Sheet. And despite how dehydrating they were, the sheets left behind a sticky residue. Cleansing power was decent at best, so we couldn’t think of a reason to buy these wipes in particular.

softymo White Makeup Cleansing Sheet could do precious little to waterproof products. Some of our testers complained that skin felt taut after cleansing. Ethanol was also one of the first ingredients listed, so the sheets won’t work for anyone allergic to alcohol.

Saborino Body Sheets were quite large, as they’re meant to clean your entire body. The formula featured cosmetic ingredients, but it wasn’t hydrating and left skin feeling tight. And it didn’t work on waterproof products.

How We Tested Our Products

We determined that the best makeup remover wipes had to, of course, remove even stubborn makeup. They had to hydrate skin, especially if you plan on using them in lieu of face wash and moisturizer. And they had to be compatible with your skin type.

This is how we tested for those factors.

Test ① Cleansing Power

We applied makeup to the back of our hands, then used the wipes on them. We gently rubbed back and forth, five times each, and looked at how much product came off. We then graded the wipes on a five-step scale.

We tested using the following cosmetics. In order to give us a better idea of the maximum efficacy of each cleanser, we chose long-wearing items.

Waterproof Mascara
Eyeshadow
Waterproof Eyeliner
Lip Tint
Liquid Foundation

We found that effective wipes not only featured strong ingredients but also included more cleanser—that is, the wetter the sheet, the deeper the cleanse.

Test ② Hydration

We used a moisture analyzer and measured water levels in our skin before cleansing, right after cleansing, and five minutes after cleansing. We then compared the values and rated the wipes on a five-step scale.

Makeup remover sheets that featured squalane, which is found in your skin’s natural barrier, were typically the most hydrating. It felt as if there was a thin membrane protecting our skin and sealing in moisture.

As for products that contained ingredients like hyaluronic acid and collagen—they proved to be moisturizing upon application, but skin rapidly dried out over time. It seemed that a thin membrane was key to long-lasting hydration.

Test ③ Ingredients

We asked a specialist who used to work in cosmetics R&D to look at all the makeup remover wipes. She flagged ingredients that could prove irritating, then rated all the products on a five-step scale, with products judged to be most suitable for sensitive skin earning the highest scores.

※Keep in mind that a low score doesn’t equate to a dangerous product. It simply means that it was deemed to be possibly irritating for folks with sensitive skin.

Many cleansing sheets contain ethanol, a volatile compound, as an anti-bacterial and emulsifying agent. It also helps left-over liquids evaporate so they don’t leave behind any sticky residue.

It’s not a bad ingredient in and of itself, but could be irritating for certain skin types. If you have sensitive skin, we recommend avoiding ethanol or at least using products where it’s at the bottom of the ingredients list.

How to Choose Japanese Makeup Remover Wipes – Buying Guide

When buying a makeup remover wipe, there are a couple of things to look out for. Here, we'll go over three big points to check before purchasing one.

Pick a Type of Sheet Based On What Makeup You Use

Broadly speaking, you’ll find two kind of cleansers in makeup remover wipes: oily or oil-free.

Thick Makeup Calls for “Oil-In” Wipes

You might run across Japanese makeup remover wipes that are labelled as “oil-in.” This just means that they utilize oil-based cleansers. These are more effective on long-wearing products, such as waterproof mascara or liquid foundations with a high oil content.

Plus, oil is moisturizing. You can find products that feature squalane or jojoba oil, which are hydrating and a godsend on nights you aren’t able to go through an entire skincare routine.

However, some oil-in wipes need to be followed by face wash. Check the packaging if you were hoping to save yourself a trip to the sink.

Liquid Wipes are More than Enough for Light Makeup and Touchups

If you usually wear powder products, which have very little oil content, then try liquid wipes. They don’t contain any oil themselves, which makes them safe for eyelash extensions.

Liquid wipes feel light and tend not to leave behind sticky residue. You could also use them as body sheets to wipe off sweat or sunscreen. However, they can sometimes be dehydrating or irritating on dry or sensitive skin.

To Keep Skin Damage at a Minimum, Choose Wipes Made from Fine, Densely Woven Threads

Harsh ingredients aren’t the only thing that can damage your skin. Rubbing, scraping, and tugging can all serve to wear down your skin’s natural barrier, weakening it over time.

You use makeup remover wipes on your face, so look for soft fabrics. You can find products that are microfiber blends or 100% natural cotton. Stay away from thin sheets with a coarse weave, as these stir up the most friction.

Of course, there is no way to check for weave short of actually feeling the product. We’ve tested all our wipes for softness, so no worries if you're planning on picking up one of the packs on our list. Other than that, read reviews and, when uncertain, buy smaller packs first.

Pay Attention to Other Skincare Benefits, Such as Hydration or Whitening

Makeup remover sheets sometimes offer other skincare benefits; they include, but are not limited to, hydration, whitening, and exfoliation. They come in handy on busy nights when all you want to do is sleep.

However, the main purpose of makeup remover wipes has been and will always be cleansing. They’re fine to use in a pinch, but you should never replace proper skincare with wipes for extended periods of time, no matter what the packaging claims.

So don’t get too caught up in all the other purported benefits; your greatest priority should always be to find an efficient cleanser.

How to Use Makeup Remover Wipes in the Gentlest Way Possible

Even if you use a wipe that contains nothing but skin-healthy ingredients, if you scrub too hard, it’ll still end up drying out or irritating your skin.

When removing stubborn makeup, especially around the eyes, let the wipe rest on your skin for 10 to 15 seconds, so that the cleanser has time to seep in and lift the product off your face. Clean up any residue by gently stroking outwards.

Also, when you reuse any side of a wipe, you’re transferring gunk back to your face. It may seem like a waste, but fold up the sheet after every stroke so only clean surfaces touch your skin.

Don’t Use Makeup Remover Wipes Every Day

Wipes contain pretty strong substances such as alcohol, surfactants, and mineral oils. When left on your skin for long periods of time, these ingredients can be drying and irritating.

Recall the fact that the very act of wiping off your face can cause damage in the long run, and you’ll see that makeup remover wipes can be trouble waiting to happen.

But there are days where you get home and it’s past midnight or you’re out camping and don’t have access to soap. That’s when you should turn to makeup remover wipes. One of the worst things you could possibly do to your skin is sleep in your makeup, so keep a pack of wipes by your bed just for when you’re particularly tempted.

Looking for Cleansers to Use on a Daily Basis? Consider These Options

Makeup remover wipes should always be your plan B. They’re less effective than traditional cleansers and harsher to skin. If you’re looking for something to use every day, consider the following.

Top 21 Best Japanese Cleansing Waters (Makeup Removers) in 2020 - Tried and True!

Top 31 Best Japanese Cleansing Oils in 2020 - Tried and True!

Top 15 Best Japanese Cleansing Milks in 2020 - Tried and True!

Summary

We rounded up members from our editing department, purchased the 17 most popular Japanese makeup remover wipes, and tested them all.

Makeup remover wipes can strong or mild, light or oily, hydrating, whitening, or exfoliating. There is no one product that’s better than all the rest–everything comes down to your skin type and priorities.

Author: Rio Sasaki/Translation: Jasmine Li

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A Japanese Oil Cleanser Recommended by an Expert

Sometimes you need something even stronger than makeup wipes for getting off stubborn makeup. What about trying an oil cleanser? Aesthetician and beauty blogger, Devan Jesmer recommends this J-beauty favorite!

Expert's
pick

amazon.com

DHCDeep Cleansing Oil

6.7 oz.

$27.98

View product on Amazon

An Oil Cleanser That Actually Works and Comes Off Clean

DHC's cleansing oil is a lightweight blend of olive oil, rosemary leaf oil, and vitamin E that completely removes even the most stubborn waterproof makeup, sunscreen, and any dirt or pollution on the skin. Once you add water, it lathers beautifully and rinses clean without leaving any residue.

The oil blend is not pore-clogging, is antioxidant-rich, and has a very faint scent, making this a great cleansing oil for all skin types. If you’re sensitive to rosemary leaf oil, though, you may want to avoid this. It's not only effective but also quite affordable as well!

Devan's Top 10 Favorite Fall Skincare Products