An unassuming sponge, I thought, with the mention of gentle exfoliation. It leaves my skin feeling smooth with any cleanser I've tried so far (facial soap bar, exfoliating facial scrub, liquid facial soaps). It removes a full face of makeup, no problem. I don't use waterproof mascara, so can't speak to that. I do use very black black mascara. For removing makeup, more effort hasn't been required on my face, with the exception of a few more swipes on the mascara, to let that really sweat away, but I haven't even had to use something like micellar water to break it down. Face is cleaned clean. And mascara and lipsticks have cleaned away with water (not leaving color residue on the sponge, unlike the makeup remover towels that I have to spot clean for stains after washing my face). Is this review too much for this little item? Maybe, but it's really left my feet feeling fresh and clean.