Are you a fan of Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover too? I love how easily it whisks away long-wearing foundation and waterproof mascara. But the price… ouch! Why can’t someone come up with a cheaper alternative? Oh, wait. L’Oreal did. On paper, their Absolute Make-Up Remover For Eye & Lip seems like the perfect dupe for Lancome Bi-Facil. Does it deliver? Let’s find out:
What Ingredients Do These Eye Makeup Removers Have In Common?
ISOHEXADECANE
Isohexadecane is one of those useful ingredients nobody knows because it’s neither dangerous nor cool. It’s an iso-paraffin emollient with cleansing properties. That means it removes dirt and makeup (even the stubborn waterproof kind) quickly and easily, while leaving skin silky soft to the touch. Just what you need from a cleanser.
POLOXAMER 184
Poloxamer 184 is another ingredient you probably never heard of. It’s a polymer that, like Isohexadecane, cleanses skin gently. It helps water mix with oil and dirt, so they can be rinsed away. It leaves skin soft too. Its concentration is just a touch higher in Lancome Bi-Facil, which may make it slightly more effective than its L’Oreal dupe.
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What Else Is In These Eye Makeup Removers?
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
LANCOME BI-FACIL DOUBLE-ACTION EYE MAKEUP REMOVER
- Water: The base of pretty much every skincare formula. It’s what helps dissolve other ingredients and makes the whole thing spreadable.
- Cyclopentasiloxane: A lightweight silicone that makes the texture feel silky and smooth. It evaporates quickly, so it helps things glide on without feeling greasy.
- Sodium Chloride: Yep, that’s just salt. In formulas, it helps thicken the texture and can also work as a binding agent.
- Hexylene Glycol: A multitasker THAT keeps ingredients mixed together, makes the formula spread nicely, and helps dissolve grime.
- Dipotassium Phosphate: A pH balancer. It keeps the product from getting too acidic or too alkaline, which keeps it skin-friendly.
- Benzyl Alcohol: A preservative that keeps the formula from going bad. It can also double as a solvent to help dissolve other ingredients.
- Potassium Phosphate: Another pH stabilizer, working alongside dipotassium phosphate to keep the formula balanced.
- Quaternium-15: A preservative (though not the friendliest one – it can release formaldehyde, which is irritating for some).
- Benzalkonium Chloride: An antimicrobial agent that helps stop bacteria from growing in the product.
- Fragrance: Just what it sounds like, added scent. Makes the product smell nice but can sometimes irritate sensitive skin.
- Citronellol: A fragrance component that smells fresh and floral (think roses), but it’s one of those potential irritants for sensitive skin.
- Geraniol: Another fragrance note, often giving a rosy, sweet smell. Like citronellol, it can trigger irritation for some people.
L’OREAL PARIS ABSOLUTE MAKE-UP REMOVER FOR EYE & LIP
- Aqua / Water: The base. Keeps everything mixed together and makes the formula spreadable.
- Cyclopentasiloxane: A lightweight silicone that makes skin feel silky-smooth and helps the product glide on without any greasy feel.
- Isopropyl Palmitate: An emollient that softens skin and locks in moisture. Downside: it can be comedogenic (pore-clogging) if you’re acne-prone.
- Sodium Chloride: Good old salt. Used here as a thickener and texture stabilizer.
- Dipotassium Phosphate: Keeps the product’s pH balanced so it’s not too harsh on skin.
- Potassium Phosphate: Another pH stabilizer, working with dipotassium phosphate to keep things skin-friendly.
- Panthenol: A soothing hydrator (a form of Vitamin B5). Helps calm irritation, reduce redness, and boost skin’s water content.
- Polyaminopropyl Biguanide: A preservative that keeps bacteria from growing in the product. Gentle but effective.
- CI 61565 / Green 6: A green colorant that just gives the product its tint. Doesn’t do anything for your skin.
WHICH FORMULA IS BETTER?
If you want the workhorse, go with the first formula. It’s built to be tough – the preservatives and antimicrobial agents make sure nothing nasty survives in the bottle, and it cuts through grime like a champ. But here’s the catch: that toughness shows up on your skin too. The added fragrance and Quaternium-15 don’t do your face any favors if you’re sensitive.
If you want the skin-friendly one, the second formula wins. It’s got panthenol to actually calm and hydrate while you cleanse, and the preservative is way gentler. It’s less about being a powerhouse and more about keeping your skin happy. The only thing to watch out for is the isopropyl palmitate, which might bug you if you’re acne-prone.
So the trade-off is simple: Formula 1 = stronger, Formula 2 = gentler.
What’s The Texture Like?
Lancôme Bi-Facil has that instantly recognizable two-part texture: the oil floats on top, the water sits below, and when you shake it together it turns into this light, silky blend that glides over your skin. It feels smooth when you swipe it across your eyes, but it doesn’t hang around in a greasy way – more like a quick-melt that dissolves your mascara and then wipes clean with barely a trace. Even waterproof formulas that usually fight you come off without the tugging.
L’Oréal Absolute is also dual-phase, but you can tell it’s a little lighter and more watery once you shake it up. It does break down makeup, but compared to Lancôme it feels like it takes a bit more effort – you’ll often need to soak your pad a little heavier and maybe go back in for a second round if you’re wearing full waterproof mascara or a stay-all-day lipstick. It’s still gentle, but doesn’t quite have that same buttery slip.
What’s The Fragrance Like?
Neither of these removers hits you with a big fragrance, which is good since they’re going right around your eyes. Lancôme has the softest clean scent – blink and you’ll miss it. It’s there if you put your nose right up to the pad, but it never lingers once you’ve wiped your eyes.
L’Oréal has a very similar vibe. There’s a slight cosmetic scent when you first pour it out, but it disappears almost instantly. Unless you’re hyper-sensitive to fragrance, you won’t even think about it.
What’s The Packaging Like?
Lancôme Bi-Facil feels luxe from the jump. The deep blue bottle looks pretty on a shelf, it’s sturdy in your hand, and the cap twists shut tightly so you don’t have to worry about leaks if you toss it in a travel bag. It’s one of those products where the packaging alone makes you feel like you splurged.
L’Oréal’s bottle, on the other hand, is very straightforward. Clear plastic with a blue cap, you can see exactly how much product you’ve got left, which is practical. It’s not fancy or “display-worthy,” but it’s sturdy enough for everyday use and won’t break the bank if you’re throwing it in and out of a gym bag.
How To Use Them
They both work exactly the same way, and the trick is patience. Shake the bottle to mix the two layers, then soak a cotton pad until it’s damp but not dripping. Press it gently onto your eyelid or lips and hold it there for five to ten seconds. That little pause makes all the difference – it gives the formula time to dissolve your makeup so you can wipe it off without scrubbing.
With Lancôme, one pad is usually enough even for heavy makeup. It lifts away mascara, liner, and shadow cleanly, leaving just a soft, fresh feel behind. With L’Oréal, you may need to go back in with a second pad if you’re wearing stubborn products. It’s not that it doesn’t work – it just takes a bit more product and a little extra patience.
Which Of The Two Should You Go For?
If you want that “one swipe and done” remover, Lancôme Bi-Facil is the one. It melts through waterproof mascara and long-wear eyeliner like butter, and the whole thing just feels a bit fancier – from the silky texture to the pretty blue bottle. The only catch? The price tag. You’re definitely paying extra for the luxury vibe.
L’Oréal Absolute is the cheaper dupe. It’s lighter, a bit more watery, and you usually need to go in twice if you’ve packed on heavy mascara. But for everyday makeup, it works totally fine. The bottle isn’t going to wow you, but it’s practical and way easier on your wallet.
So here’s the deal: if you want the smoother, more effortless option and don’t mind spending more, grab the Lancôme. If you just need a reliable remover and would rather save your cash for the fun stuff (like another lipstick), the L’Oréal will do the trick.
Availability
L’Oreal Paris Absolute Make-Up Remover For Eye & Lip ($5.49): Available at Look Fantastic
Lancome Bi-Facial Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover ($36.00): Available at Look Fantastic, Sephora, and Ulta
Is L’Oreal Paris Absolute Make-Up Remover For Eye & Lip A Dupe For Lancôme Bi-Facil?
L’Oreal Paris Absolute Make-Up Remover For Eye & Lip is a close dupe for Lancome Bi-Facil. It’s only slightly less effective at removing makeup, but much gentler on the skin. It’s up to you to decide if the trade-off is worth the huge difference in price.
Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Sodium Chloride, Poloxamer 184, Hexylene Glycol, Dipotassium Phosphate, Benzyl Alochol, Potassium Phosphate, Quaternium-15, Benzalkonium Chloride, Fragrance, Citronellol, Geraniol.
L’Oreal Paris Absolute Make-Up Remover For Eye & Lip
662081 Aqua / Water Cyclopentasiloxane Isohexadecane Isopropyl PalmitateSodium Chloride Dipotassium Phosphate Poloxamer 184 Potassium PhosphatePanthenol Polyaminopropyl Biguanide CI 61565 / Green 6 (F.I.L. B4885/3)
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
