If you have been searching for the best makeup-removing cleanser to streamline your routine, you are not alone. The answer lies not in adding more steps, but in choosing a formula that is meticulously crafted to do it all.

The Most Important Step in Your Routine

We often assume serums, toners and spot treatments are the heavy lifters of our skincare routine, but the truth is that healthy skin begins with the very first step: cleansing. The right cleanser will not only wash the day’s makeup, sunscreen and environmental pollutants away, it will also prime your skin to help every subsequent step in your routine work harder. 

But finding a single cleanser that effectively removes everything without leaving your skin feeling stripped or taut can sometimes feel impossible. At the end of a long day, you may have camped out in front of the bathroom mirror, washing your face multiple times, only to still find traces of mascara on your towel or foundation on your pillowcase. Even more frustrating is the residue we cannot see, which can clog pores, dull skin and lead to breakouts down the road.

Oil-Based Cleansers vs. Water-Based Cleansers

Many foundations, tinted moisturizers and sunscreens include both oil-soluble and water-soluble components. Similarly, eye makeup, especially waterproof mascara and long-wear liners, often relies on waxes and oils to adhere to the skin. A gentle splash of water or a quick foam cleanse is not enough to fully remove these layers of products from your skin.

People often address this problem by adding more steps to their skincare routine, often beginning with an oil-based cleanser and then moving on to a water-based cleanser. While this “double cleanse” approach can be effective, it also adds time, cost and can be wearing on the skin.

A Streamlined Solution

At Vintner’s Daughter, we believe in achieving powerful, multi-beneficial results in fewer steps. We asked ourselves: Is it possible to achieve a professional-level cleanse that removes all traces of makeup in a single step?

After years of careful research and development, the result is Active Renewal Cleanser. By using the highest quality, nutrient-dense whole plant ingredients and our proprietary Phyto Radiance Infusion technology, we were able to create a cleanser that gives you the benefits of both an oil-based cleanse and a water-based cleanse at once—plus more powerful results.

Breaking Down the Science

Active Renewal Cleanser is formulated with a dual-action system. It combines active water-based and oil-based ingredients that bind to specific impurities, including makeup residue, sunscreen, oil and environmental debris. This allows the formula to sweep away waterproof mascara and long-wear foundation just as easily as it removes the day’s sweat, leaving your skin truly clean without the need for harsh scrubbing.

The Most Effective Application

Because Active Renewal Cleanser is so active, how you use it matters. We invite you to turn what once may have felt like a daily chore into a brief ritual of self-care.

First, begin by dampening your hands with water. Place 3-4 pumps of the formula in your hands and rub together to activate. Next, thoroughly massage the cleanser into your skin using circular motions for 30-60 seconds. (This isn't just about breaking down makeup; it also stimulates circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the skin's surface to support a healthy glow.) Finally, rinse your face with cool water. Use a washcloth to wipe away any makeup or other residue along with the remainder of the cleanser.

After applying, not only will your skin feel thoroughly cleansed, but it will also feel hydrated and even bouncy or dewy, rather than stripped or dry. 

More Than a Cleanser

Because Active Renewal Cleanser is packed with whole-plant nutrition—including brightening vitamin C and balancing minerals—it also doubles as a treatment step. On days when your skin needs an added boost, leave the formula on for 5 to 10 minutes as a "flash mask." This allows the active botanical ingredients to work deeper, amplifying the typical results and revealing a complexion that feels incredibly soft, balanced, and energized.

A Solution You Can Trust

Switching to a cleanser that works effectively is a relief. It eliminates the need for cotton pads, wipes, and multiple bottles cluttering your shelf. But more importantly, it gives you the confidence that your skin is breathing freely and receiving the full benefits of the rest of your skincare routine. When you find the best makeup removing cleanser for your lifestyle, the result is simple: skin that looks as bright and healthy as you feel.