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10 Best Tried and True Japanese Makeup Removers in 2023 (Beauty Expert-Reviewed)

10 Best Tried and True Japanese Makeup Removers in 2023 (Beauty Expert-Reviewed)

Cleansing waters, also known as micellar water, water cleanser, cleansing lotion, or just makeup remover, are water-based makeup removers that allow you to remove makeup just by wiping it off, as well as add a bit of moisture to the skin. Oil-free makeup removers can even be used on eyelash extensions as well as be used as a face wash! But with so many brands, such as Clue, Shiseido's Clé de Peau Beauté, Kosé, and the fact that they're sold at varying price points can make it difficult to choose the best Japanese makeup remover. 


Our editors searched popular e-commerce sites in Japan, such as Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, and @cosme SHOPPING, and chose the most popular products and tested them all.


We tested each product for the following:

  1. Cleansing Power
  2. How moisturizing the ingredients are
  3. How gentle its ingredients are on the skin

We then ranked the 10 best Japanese cleansing waters based on the results of our tests. Keep on reading to find out more about the best Japanese cleansing waters!
Last updated 06/15/2023
Kaori
Expert
Scientific Beautician
Kaori

Kaori is the representative director of Japan's Scientific Beauty Institute. She also runs the Beauty Science Blog, which sends out beauty science information in a way that's easy to understand. She operates with the mission of "wanting people to enjoy the process of finding skincare that works for them by offering a scientific perspective". Kaori broadcasts her expert knowledge from working with skincare and cosmetics societies and academic journals on her blog, social media, and more. She also works with PR, product development, and corporate support teams for cosmetics.

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mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.

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The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.

Table of Contents

What is Japanese Cleansing Water?

If you’ve never used cleansing water before, here are a few things you should know about what it is and what it does.

It’s a Makeup Remover, but with More Features

It’s a Makeup Remover, but with More Features
There are five main types of makeup removers in Japan; oil’s said to be the strongest, followed by gel, cream, makeup remover wipes, cleansing waters, and then milk.

As the name implies, cleansing water is a type of cleanser that’s water-based and often comes in a plastic or glass bottle. You apply them as you would apply toner: by wetting a cotton pad and using that to wipe off your makeup.


However, unlike cleansing oils or cleansing creams, you can find products that don’t need to be followed by a face wash or options that double as toners and serums. These are wildly popular among the new, time-starved generation.


On the other hand, since you need to use a cotton swab, you do need to take into consideration how much friction you apply on your skin. Additionally, cleansing waters tend to have more surfactants, so this is something to consider if you have sensitive skin.


While cleansing waters aren't as strong in terms of makeup removal compared to an oil-based cleanser, since they don't strip excessive amounts of moisture from your face, they're best for those concerned about dryness.

Kaori
Scientific BeauticianKaori

If you have sensitive skin or usually have rough skin, check the ingredients list.

If a product lists divalent glycols such as DPG or BG as the second or third ingredient listed after water, it will likely help moisturize your skin.

Additionally, divalent glycols have a bacteriostatic effect, meaning the manufacturer doesn't need to use as many preservatives.

Are Surfactants Safe?

Are Surfactants Safe?
Water cleansers aren’t all water; they wouldn’t work if they were. Most rely on surfactants to provide cleansing power.


Some worry that surfactants are too harmful to use in skincare, but they’re not all bad. Most surfactants present in water cleansers are known as “non-ionic surfactants.” They aid in the emulsification and dissolving of cosmetic products and are considered to be mild and safe.

What's the Difference Between Cleansing Waters and Makeup Remover Wipes?

What's the Difference Between Cleansing Waters and Makeup Remover Wipes?

Cleansing waters and makeup remover wipes both remove makeup by wiping your face. So what's the difference?


Cleansing waters put less stress on the skin and are better for daily use. While they do often require you to use a cotton pad, they can help shorten your overall skincare routine, since many products also can be used as a facewash.


On the other hand, makeup remover wipes are more portable and are better for situations when you need to remove your makeup in a pinch. However, they tend to have a lot of preservatives, so they need to be used with caution if you have sensitive skin.


Different situations will call for different tools, so use the product that best suits your needs.

How to Choose Japanese Cleansing Water

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

① Purchase According to What Makeup You Usually Wear

Purchase According to What Makeup You Usually Wear

More surfactants roughly equates to more cleansing power, but the amount you should look for in a product will vary depending on the type of makeup you wear and the type of skin you have. If you seek a more cleansing power, pay attention to the amount of nonionic surfactants as well as the name of the ingredient.


There’s no way to tell exactly how much of a certain ingredient is included in a cleanser, but you can guess. Remember that ingredients are always listed by quantity–from highest to lowest. Therefore, if surfactants are among the first few ingredients, you can assume that the formula’s brimming with them.


If moisturizing ingredients come first, however, then the product is a mild cleanser. We recommend you look for something mild if you have sensitive skin, as surfactants can often prove to be irritating. Below, we’ve listed some popular non-ionic surfactants that you can look out for.


  • PEG-6 (Caprylic/Capric) Glycerides
  • PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Kaori
Scientific BeauticianKaori

You can expect a makeup remover to have a decent amount of cleansing power if it's formulated with nonionic surfactants such as Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate or Sorbitan Oleate.

On the other hand, if a product is formulated with surfactants with a large number, such as PEG-6 (Caprylic/Capric) Glycerides or PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, you can expect it to have mid-range cleansing power.

② Check for Moisturizing Ingredients

Check for Moisturizing Ingredients
Many water cleansers act not only as makeup removers but also as toners. That’s why you’ll find a lot of formulas that include skin-healthy ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides.


Of course, every product’s different. If you’ve got dry skin, then we recommend searching specifically for hydrating ingredients. If you’re looking to brighten your complexion, then look for cleansers that double as exfoliants or peels, which serve to clear away dead skin and unblock pores.


Below are a few skincare ingredients you should get acquainted with.


  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Butylene Glycol
  • Glycerin
  • Collagen
  • Ceramides
  • AHA (Lactic Acid, Malic Acid)
  • Papain Enzyme
  • Vitamin C Derivatives

③ Avoid These Ingredients if You Have Sensitive Skin

Avoid These Ingredients if You Have Sensitive Skin
Make sure nothing’s going to be too harsh for your skin. There are cleansers with fragrances or ones that contain a whole bunch of botanic extracts. While these ingredients aren’t intrinsically bad, know that formulas that feature multiple botanic extracts can sometimes be irritating when applied to sensitive skin.


Then there are cleansers that are free of preservatives, including parabens. These seem gentle at first glance, but can also include antibacterials like propylene glycol (PG) and 1,2-hexanediol in high concentrations. Products that have these chemicals at the top of their ingredients lists can also prove irritating for certain skin types.


If you have sensitive skin, we heavily recommend conducting a patch test before applying anything to your face.

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10 Best Japanese Cleansing Waters

We tested the most popular Japanese cleansing waters available online and tested them all. Then, based on how they performed on our tests, we graded and ranked the 10 best Japanese cleansing waters available online.
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

ZERO

Reize Gentle Bio Cleansing Water

ZERO Reize Gentle Bio Cleansing Water 1枚目

An Extremely Cleansing Makeup Remover

2

Muji

Mild Cleansing Water

Muji Mild Cleansing Water 1枚目

Mild and Refreshing, but Excellent Removal

3

Kikumasamune

Cleansing Lotion

Kikumasamune Cleansing Lotion 1枚目

The Perfect Daily Makeup Remover for All Skin Types

4

Albion

Ignis Sunny Sour Cleansing Lotion

Albion Ignis Sunny Sour Cleansing Lotion 1枚目

Great at Removing Heavy Makeup

5

JSP Labo

Unlabel Moist Botanical Micellar Cleansing

JSP Labo Unlabel Moist Botanical Micellar Cleansing 1枚目

Only Requires a Few Wipes to Remove Heavy Makeup

6

Eve

Purevivi Cleansing Lotion

Eve Purevivi Cleansing Lotion 1枚目

Quickly Removes Heavy Makeup, but No Noteworthy Ingredients

7

Clue

&be Clear Cleanse Water N

Clue &be Clear Cleanse Water N 1枚目

Wipes Off Heavy Makeup, but Not the Most Gentle

8

Chacott Cosmetics

Cleansing Water

Chacott Cosmetics Cleansing Water 1枚目

A Fantastic Makeup Remover, but Not the Best for Sensitive Skin

9

Shiseido

Clé de Peau Beauté Micellar Cleansing Water

Shiseido Clé de Peau Beauté Micellar Cleansing Water 1枚目

A Moisturizing Micellar Water

10

Kosé Cosmeport

Softymo Lachesca Water Cleansing

Kosé Cosmeport Softymo Lachesca Water Cleansing 1枚目

A Moisturizing Makeup Remover, but Not Strong Enough for Eye Makeup

Product details
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No.1

ZEROReize Gentle Bio Cleansing Water

Reize Gentle Bio Cleansing Water Image 1
Reize Gentle Bio Cleansing Water Image 2
Reize Gentle Bio Cleansing Water Image 3
Reize Gentle Bio Cleansing Water Image 4
Reference price
$27.28

An Extremely Cleansing Makeup Remover

ZERO's Reize Gentle Bio Cleansing Water has a slightly thick texture that helps minimize friction and enhances the feel of the product.


This product is unique in that it's formulated with oil as well as several beautifying ingredients. Its ingredients are also formulated to put as little stress as possible on the skin, allowing those with delicate skin to use this with ease.


In the makeup removal test, this product earned full marks, removing almost all of the makeup in one wipe. At five wipes, it even neatly removed eye makeup, suggesting that it can make quick work of layered mascara and eyeliner.


We think this is the best cleansing water for those who want to quickly remove their makeup.

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No.2

MujiMild Cleansing Water

Mild and Refreshing, but Excellent Removal

Muji's Mild Cleansing Water is formulated with ingredients that are gentle on the skin, making it great for when you have sensitive skin.


It has a slightly thick texture, and after wiping off makeup, it makes the skin moist and dewy. This product is best for those who are concerned about tight skin after wiping off their makeup, but if you prefer a more refreshing feel, this might not be for you.


Still, in terms of makeup removal, this product earned a full score, demonstrating outstanding cleansing ability. WIth one wipe, it was able to remove our base makeup; at five wipes it removed eye makeup with ease.


This cleansing water is best for those who want to moisturize their sensitive skin while also quickly removing heavy makeup.

No.3

The Perfect Daily Makeup Remover for All Skin Types

Kikumasamune is a Japanese sake brewery that also produces various types of cosmetics and skincare products. This Cleansing Lotion is a micellar water that the company claims to have several functions in a single bottle. While its small cap made it slightly hard to open, we liked how it made our skin feel moisturized.


In our makeup removal test, it was able to neatly remove our base makeup and eyeliner, with one wipe and five wipes, respectively.


Its relatively simple ingredients mean it's fairly gentle on the skin. While it's unique in that it's formulated with rice-based moisturizing ingredients, we felt that it wasn't formulated with enough of it to have an impact on its moisturizing ability.


This is a great makeup remover for those who usually don't wear heavy makeup and want something that isn't too harsh on the skin.

No.4

AlbionIgnis Sunny Sour Cleansing Lotion

Ignis Sunny Sour Cleansing Lotion Image 1
Ignis Sunny Sour Cleansing Lotion Image 2
Ignis Sunny Sour Cleansing Lotion Image 3
Ignis Sunny Sour Cleansing Lotion Image 4
Reference price
$29.44

Great at Removing Heavy Makeup

Albion's Ignis Sunny Sour Cleansing Lotion has a fantastically refreshing feel to it. It also has a citrusy scent that most will likely find pleasant.


However, this wasn't particularly packed with moisturizing or gentle ingredients. While it is formulated with basic moisturizing ingredients like BG and DPG, it isn't particularly formulated with beautifying ingredients, so it might be a bit lacking for those who want more out of their makeup remover.


Still, in our makeup removal test, its impressive cleansing ability earned it a full score. After a few wipes, it was also able to remove mascara, making it an ideal product for those who want to minimize the amount of stress they put on their eyes when they remove layered eye makeup.

No.5

JSP LaboUnlabel Moist Botanical Micellar Cleansing

Only Requires a Few Wipes to Remove Heavy Makeup

JSP Labo's Unlabel Moist Botanical Micellar Cleansing comes in a large, 500ml push-style pump bottle.


When looking at the ingredients, it's packed with a ton of plant extracts, but aside from that, it didn't particularly have any moisturizing ingredients. However, its base ingredients, surfactants, and preservatives were all well-balanced, making it fairly gentle on the skin.


In our makeup removal test, it demonstrated that it has a fairly decent cleansing ability. While with only one wipe, it was only able to remove concealer, with five wipes, it was able to remove everything aside from mascara. Even heavy base makeup can be removed with a few wipes with this cleansing water.

No.6

Quickly Removes Heavy Makeup, but No Noteworthy Ingredients

Eve's Purevivi Cleansing Lotion has a smooth, watery texture that adds moisture to the skin without requiring a double cleanse.


In terms of moisturizing ingredients and ingredients that make it gentle on the skin, this cleansing water came a bit short on both. While it uses BG as its main moisturizing ingredient and is formulated with glycosyl trehalose and sodium hyaluronate as its beautifying ingredients, there just simply isn't enough of these ingredients in the product to reasonably expect them to do much.


However, its ingredients do suggest a strong cleansing ability, which was proven in our makeup removal test, where it was able to easily remove most makeup. After five wipes, it was able to remove eye makeup, making it best for those who want to quickly remove heavy makeup.

No.7

Clue&be Clear Cleanse Water N

Wipes Off Heavy Makeup, but Not the Most Gentle

Clue's &be Clear Cleanse Water N is a cleansing water with the fresh scent of essential oils. Clue claims this product is a makeup remover formulated similarly to a toner, and we indeed feel that our skin was nice and moisturized after using it.


As for the ingredients, it earned a reasonable score for its moisturizing and gentle ingredients. However, since this product does contain essential oils for fragrance, this might trigger reactions if you have sensitive skin, so pay attention to changes in your skin.


In the makeup removal test, while it struggled to remove eye makeup with one wipe, after a few wipes, it was able to remove base makeup as well as eye makeup, meaning it'll work with heavy makeup as well.

No.8

Chacott CosmeticsCleansing Water

A Fantastic Makeup Remover, but Not the Best for Sensitive Skin

Chacott's Cleansing Water claims to combine makeup remover, face wash, and moisturizing toner in one bottle. This fragrance-free product hardly has any scent to it, making it great for those who aren't fond of scented products.


Since this product is formulated with ingredients that may add stress to delicate skin, it lost points in our test. Additionally, it uses several plant extracts for its moisturizing ingredients, meaning it's probably best to avoid this product if your skin is sensitive.


On the other hand, it earned full marks in the makeup removal test. One wipe thinned down stubborn eye makeup, and five wipes removed everything cleanly. If you have regular skin and want something that removes makeup and adds moisture, this is the product for you.

No.9

ShiseidoClé de Peau Beauté Micellar Cleansing Water

A Moisturizing Micellar Water

Shiseido's Clé de Peau BeautéMicellar Cleansing Water claims to wipe off makeup and grime lodged deep in the pores, as well as moisturize the skin.


Unfortunately, we found that it didn't remove makeup as well as it claims, and when removing waterproof makeup, it's better to just use a product that's formulated for removing such makeup. Since it hardly removes any makeup with a single wipe, it'll require several gentle wipes.


However, it did earn high marks for its moisturizing ingredients. In addition to its base ingredients BG and DPG, it contains conditioning ingredients such as glycyrrhizic acid 2K, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid to moisturize and cleanse the skin. However, it's not the most gentle product out there, so check the condition of your skin as you use it.

No.10

Kosé CosmeportSoftymo Lachesca Water Cleansing

A Moisturizing Makeup Remover, but Not Strong Enough for Eye Makeup

Kosé Cosmeport's Softymo Lachesca Water Cleansing is an oil-free makeup remover that doesn't require you to follow with a face wash.


In our makeup removal test, it succeeded in removing base makeup after five wipes, but hardly put a dent in the mascara. While it's great for removing lighter base makeup, it just isn't strong enough to remove heavy eye makeup.


When looking at its ingredients, it's not the most gentle product out there, but we did like that it's formulated with moisturizing ingredients like BG and Polyquaternium-51, the latter of which is a particularly effective moisturizing ingredient.

How We Tested Our Products

We determined that the best water cleansers needed to be powerful enough to remove makeup (even waterproof products), yet gentle enough to keep skin hydrated. They also needed to be compatible with your skin type, whether you be oily, dry, or sensitive.


This is how we tested for those factors.

Test ① Makeup Removal

Test ① Makeup Removal

First, we tested how well each product removed makeup.


We applied several types of makeup to artificial skin. We then dispensed the cleansers onto cotton pads and gently wiped the makeup five times to see how well the makeup was removed. We then evaluated how well each product was able to remove makeup on a 5-point scale.


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


  • Liquid foundation
  • Concealer
  • Waterproof eyeliner
  • Waterproof mascara

Test ② Moisturizing Ability (Ingredients Evaluation)

Test ② Moisturizing Ability (Ingredients Evaluation)

Next, we checked and evaluated each product for their moisturizing ingredients. To do this, we invited a cosmetics R&D specialist to check each product's ingredients.


Some products that we tested are classified as quasi-drugs, which is a unique Japanese classification of products that sits in between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. 


Manufacturers are not obligated by law to label all their ingredients for quasi-drugs, so we only evaluated those products based on what was written on the label.

Test ③ Gentleness (Ingredients Evaluation)

Test ③ Gentleness (Ingredients Evaluation)

We again asked our cosmetics R&D expert to analyze all the ingredients lists for us to see how gentle each product is on the skin.


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

How to Use Cleansing Water and Be Kind to Your Skin

You want to be gentle to your skin, even when you're taking off makeup. To that end, we'll introduce ways to use cleansing water while still being kind to your skin.

Switch Out Your Cotton Pad When You Switch to a New Part of Your Face

Switch Out Your Cotton Pad When You Switch to a New Part of Your Face
Remove the makeup around your left eye. Flip the cotton pad over and use the clean side to remove the makeup around your right eye. Then reach for a new cotton pad.


It might seem like a waste, but if you’re really set on preserving the state of your skin, make sure that whatever you put to your face is pristine. Try to reuse cotton pads, and all you’re doing is rubbing that gunk back into your skin.


Also, make sure that your cotton pads are soaked through. Any dry patches will rub at your skin, which can irritate and wear it down in the long run.

Use Q-Tips for Any Stubborn Bits

Use Q-Tips for Any Stubborn Bits
Cotton pads and a good cleanser can rid your lids of heavy makeup in a matter of seconds–or most of it. For your lash line, we recommend using a Q-Tip.


Wet the cotton tips with your cleanser, then wipe off any makeup along your lash line by rotating it. This will keep you from swiping the same dirty surface back and forth across your skin.

Wipe Off Any Sticky Residue

Wipe Off Any Sticky Residue
Generally speaking, water cleansers don’t need to be followed by face wash. But if you’re worried about any surfactants that may be left over or you just don’t like the feel of residue on your skin, then feel free to rinse off with warm water. Or you could use toner to wipe off your face.


Water cleansers are mild by nature, but because you’re also rubbing at your skin with a cotton pad, the act of cleansing itself can be harsh. If you just switched over to water cleansing and have sensitive skin, pay close attention the first few weeks and look out for any signs of irritation.


You could also start off by alternating between your old and new cleanser, gradually switching over.

Finish Up the Rest of Your J-Beauty Skincare Routine With These Products

Cleansing is only the start of your skincare routine. Cleansers are often followed by face wash (optional, but recommended if you have oily skin), then toner, serum, lotion, and cream. Learn more about all these products below.

Top 5 Japanese Makeup Removers

No. 1: ZERO | Reize Gentle Bio Cleansing Water

No. 2: Muji | Mild Cleansing Water

No. 3: Kikumasamune | Cleansing Lotion

No. 4: Albion | Ignis Sunny Sour Cleansing Lotion

No. 5: JSP Labo | Unlabel Moist Botanical Micellar Cleansing

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