Removing makeup is very important to keep skin healthy and clear. Using just a few simple, all-natural ingredients, you can make the best DIY makeup remover that will leave your skin soft and clean.
I don’t wear makeup very often, and when I do wear it, it is light. Not that I don’t need it or think it looks nice; I am just lazy. I definitely wear it more often now that I make youtube videos, but I would pretty much wear makeup on a date or at church before that.
One time I was putting makeup on, and my 3-year-old asked me, “What video are you making today?” He knows the drill. Ha! I wish I were one of those moms that looked put together every day, but most days, that isn’t the case.
On the rare occasion that I do wear makeup, I find it very important to remove it at the end of the day. Like most things in my home, I like to DIY it, so I know exactly what I am putting on my skin.
PIN IT FOR LATER
BEST DIY MAKEUP REMOVER
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There are several natural ingredients that you can use to remove makeup from your face. One of my all-time favorites is fractionated coconut oil. I am going to show you how to make a makeup remover solution and wipe, but if in a pinch, just reach for the fractionated coconut oil.
Fractionated coconut oil (FCO) is my favorite carrier oil because it is a very light oil and has many health benefits. Though it is made from regular coconut oil, FCO is tasteless and odorless.
It is important to use FCO and not just regular coconut oil in this recipe. FCO is different from coconut oil because it stays liquid no matter what temperature it is stored in. Coconut oil will solidify at any temperature below 76 degrees.
FCO is very moisturizing to the skin and will leave your skin smooth and with a healthy glow. I use FCO for a lot of my DIY’s when I make roller bottles, and it is a big part of my natural skincare routine. Thankfully, a little goes a long way, so if you purchase a large bottle, it will last you for a long time. Believe me, I use it every single day, and I still only have to buy it a couple of times a year.
Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal, making it very beneficial for the skin.
CASTILE SOAP
If you have been hanging around my blog long, you knew that castile soap would somehow end up in this recipe. Alright, I will admit, I am a little obsessed with this stuff! I use it for cleaning, body wash, shampoo, and even in laundry soap!
Castile soap is gentle, safe, and leaves the skin purified and clean. Castile soap is highly concentrated, making it cost-effective because you only need a little bit each time you clean. Just like the FCO, each bottle will last you a long time.
The environmental working group gives Dr. Bronner’s castile soap an A. This means that it is proven to be safe and made with ingredients that have low concern for skin irritation, cancer, skin allergies, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and the environment.
Since makeup remover will be used to remove eye makeup, you will want to avoid using hot oils, and minty oils as these will burn if they get too close to the eyes.
VITAMIN E OIL
Vitamin E oil has so many benefits for the skin and will help to extend the shelf life of the DIY makeup remover. Similar to essential oils, vitamin E oil can also help with anti-aging.
Vitamin E oil is found in many beauty products including lipstick. It works to block free radicals from the body, which can reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and crows feet. It is high in antioxidants, which can help repair damaged skin cells — leaving your skin beautiful and free from imperfections. Vitamin E can also be used to reduce dark spots on the face.
WITCH HAZEL
You can use witch hazel or distilled water in this recipe. Witch hazel will extend the shelf life and add even more benefits for the skin. It can be found in a lot of beauty and skincare products because it has a lot of benefits for the skin. I also use it in homemade spray deodorant, after sun spray, and room sprays.
Witch hazel has astringent and antiseptic properties similar to alcohol, but it doesn’t dry out the skin. It can improve skin irritations, reduce swelling, and tone and tighten the skin. Witch hazel is good for oily and acne-prone skin and can be used as a spot treatment.
WHY MAKE YOUR OWN MAKEUP REMOVER?
Conventional makeup removers can dry the skin out and irritate it because they are made with harsh chemicals and preservatives. Making your own is an easy solution!
Making your own homemade makeup remover will save you money and leave your skin smooth and healthy. Using store-bought makeup remover can strip your skin of the natural oils that are very beneficial.
Place all the ingredients in the small mason jar and put the lid on tightly.
Shake the jar well to mix all the ingredients together.
Add the cotton rounds to the jar, pushing them down into the liquid. Replace the lid, then swish the jar around upside a few times to make sure all the cotton rounds are thoroughly soaked.
HOW TO USE MAKEUP REMOVER?
Use one cotton round when you need to remove your makeup. If you don’t have cotton rounds, you can make the same recipe and skip adding them. Put a small amount of the solution on a soft cloth to remove makeup.
Place all the ingredients in the small mason jar and put the lid on tightly.
Shake the jar well to mix all the ingredients together.
Add the cotton rounds to the jar, pushing them down into the liquid. Replace lid and swish jar around upside down a few times until cotton rounds are thoroughly soaked in the liquid.
Notes
Use one cotton round when you need to remove your makeup. If you don't have cotton rounds, you can make the same recipe and skip adding them. Put a small amount of the solution on a soft cloth to remove makeup.
I made these and like them…..i am “assuming” you do not rinse your face after using them?
Just wanted tomake sure. i am new to DIY and love your site! Thank you.
Witch hazel (which is listed in the ingredients for this makeup remover recipe) is NOT a safe product to put on the eyes. It will sting and irritate the eyes something fierce! I would use fractionated coconut oil for an eye makeup remover instead.
Hi done this tonight could not believe how good it was so pleased never going back to my old make up remover, the only thing I wasn’t sure of was the vitamin E I used naissance 087 vitamin E one tsp.
I was very excited to try this recipe but it stings my eyes a bit. Any idea why that would be? Could it be one of the ingredients or perhaps just my eyes that are too sensitive?
I found your comment very rude and unnecessary.
Laura has obviously taken a lot of time and effort to produce all the content in her blog, and on her YouTube videos, it’s extremely kind of her to share it with us.
Was it really necessary to be so passive aggressive in your comment?
I wanted to love this but it stings and burns my eyes. I did not use essential oils at all, even my Castile soap is plain (baby version) – other products are plain too. It burned so much I couldn’t open my eyes and had to wash my face with a cleanser to help. 😕😔
Sounds good to me BUT, there’s no mention of this concoction removing mascara and eye pencil. Being that this has added soap, I wouldn’t chance using this to remove mascara and eye pencil.
wilhelmina says
These gentle makeup wipes are perfect for my sensitive skin! Love them!
Laura says
I am so glad you like them!
Ashley Presciutti says
I’m not great about removing my makeup so I need to try this!
Liz Ellis says
This sounds ideal for me – but –
how many drops of the essential oil blend do i use??
dont want to overdo them and cause a skin reaction
thanks
Laura says
I do 5 drops of essential oil. My favorite is lavender!
Rosemarie says
Love this I made it within days of watching it on your channel. Leaves face feeling clean and moisturised.
Laura says
I am so glad you love it! It is perfect for these cold winter days!
Colette says
I made these and like them…..i am “assuming” you do not rinse your face after using them?
Just wanted tomake sure. i am new to DIY and love your site! Thank you.
Laura says
Thank you so much! I have done it both ways. Sometimes I do this before washing my face, but you don’t have to rinse.
Cindy says
How is this for removing eye makeup? Safe?
Thank you 😊
Laura says
Yes! Plain fractionated coconut oil works great too for eyes too!
Tracey says
Witch hazel (which is listed in the ingredients for this makeup remover recipe) is NOT a safe product to put on the eyes. It will sting and irritate the eyes something fierce! I would use fractionated coconut oil for an eye makeup remover instead.
Sandra says
Can I use a pump container instead?
Laura says
And then pump it onto a cloth?
Janelle says
Can you use a different oil such as sweet almond oil or jojoba oil instead of the coconut oil
Laura says
Yes!
Kesta Jomes says
Can I use something else instead of castille soap?
stephanie says
Since your recipe contains soap, do you rince afterwards?
Laura says
I don’t use a lot and never do rinse, however you can if you want!
Marilene says
How many cotton rounds do you use for this recipe? I tried to make these, but I think I used to many.
Thank you for all your great recipes and tips!!
Laura says
I don’t remember exactly, probably about 25ish.
Gina says
How long is the shelf life?
Nicola Buckley says
Hi done this tonight could not believe how good it was so pleased never going back to my old make up remover, the only thing I wasn’t sure of was the vitamin E I used naissance 087 vitamin E one tsp.
Laura says
I am so glad you love it!
Anel de Beer says
I was very excited to try this recipe but it stings my eyes a bit. Any idea why that would be? Could it be one of the ingredients or perhaps just my eyes that are too sensitive?
Laura says
Try it without the essential oils.
Dan K says
SO, you need to be more specific about your chemical dislike. Since everything is made of chemicals.
Sincerely,
A chemist
Karen says
I found your comment very rude and unnecessary.
Laura has obviously taken a lot of time and effort to produce all the content in her blog, and on her YouTube videos, it’s extremely kind of her to share it with us.
Was it really necessary to be so passive aggressive in your comment?
Donna says
I am definitely going to be making this! I have a question, can this be used to remove eye makeup also?
Laura says
Yes, I use it around my eyes.
Riley says
I wanted to love this but it stings and burns my eyes. I did not use essential oils at all, even my Castile soap is plain (baby version) – other products are plain too. It burned so much I couldn’t open my eyes and had to wash my face with a cleanser to help. 😕😔
Laura says
I don’t recommend getting this in your eyes, castile soap is not tear free.
Melissa says
How long is the shelf life?
Chrissie says
Did you get a reply to this? Shelf life?
Diane Houser says
Sounds good to me BUT, there’s no mention of this concoction removing mascara and eye pencil. Being that this has added soap, I wouldn’t chance using this to remove mascara and eye pencil.
Laura says
This one does work well for removing eye makeup; I also use plain fractioned coconut oil around the eyes. It works great!
Darlene says
Hello what size small Mason jar the 4oz or 8oz?
Laura says
8 oz