Trying to ditch the chemicals and use a natural makeup remover? Use this guide to find the best DIY makeup remover!
The most natural makeup remover is the soap you use to wash your face.
I use a very gentle goat milk soap that has done WONDERS for my acne-prone skin. I shared my skin story before, and if you’re in the market for a new natural soap, I cannot sing enough praises. If you’ve already got cleansers that work for your skincare routine, then keep on keeping on!
The not-so-obvious aspect about removing makeup is that sometimes washing your face isn’t good enough.
Waterproof mascara? Smokey eye-look for a hot date? Going glam on a girls night out?
I hear you. And I still see your make-up come Sunday morning.
Let’s take care of that, shall we?
BEST NATURAL MAKEUP REMOVER OPTIONS
While researching the best natural makeup remover options, I tested over 10 formulas and ingredients. In the end, I found that less is more.
Most store-bought makeup removers will have multiple ingredients that all do the same thing. This isn’t usually a problem unless you have sensitive skin (like me) or are trying to find the best natural makeup remover without spending an arm and a leg (like me).
All of the natural makeup removers below are essentially just one single ingredient. Most likely you have at least one of these natural ingredients on hand since they are pretty common. They’re gentle enough for all skin types, yet strong enough to remove waterproof makeup.
Use whatever method you have supplies for right now. If it doesn’t work for you – or if you have a reaction or allergies to some of the ingredients – then make a mental note to try another one in a few weeks.
The good news is that every ingredient below can be used in something else. You’re not wasting your money on something you can only use once, crossing your fingers and hoping it works. Better yet, you’re SAVING money because you no longer need to buy chemical make-up remover!
THE CLEANEST MAKEUP REMOVER RECIPES
As it turns out, the cleanest makeup remover is not a soap, but an oil.
Do you know how oil and water don’t mix? That’s why you see a line of separation in vinaigrette recipes – the vinegar (which is water-based) doesn’t mix with the oil.
The same goes for makeup. Your skin produces oil naturally, and makeup is oil-based. This lets you do your makeup in the morning and it does not disappear throughout the day as you work, play, sweat, and live out your day-to-day.
This is why soap and water aren’t enough, and the reason for needing an oil-based makeup remover. The oil in the cleanest makeup remover recipes will bind to the oil in your makeup and will get washed away in the end.
There’s a huge markup in makeup removers; fortunately, you can make the cleanest makeup remover recipes yourself at home!
COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil is a healthy fat that I use often for cooking, but I also use it as a carrier oil for essential oils, a simple moisturizer when I run out of Homemade Tinted Moisturizer, OR when I’m experiencing a severe acne breakout.
Because I keep a tube of coconut oil in my bathroom (either in a small 5-gram pot jar or in a leak-proof squeezable silicone tube), it’s easy to open it up and use it as an eye makeup remover before bed.
I usually buy my coconut oil from Amazon or from Costco.
SWEET ALMOND OIL
Sweet almond oil might not be as common as coconut oil, but you likely have it on hand if you make Homemade Shaving Cream or Homemade Bug Repellent. It’s super gentle and light on the skin and doesn’t have much of a scent either.
You can likely find sweet almond oil locally, either at a health food store like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. You could even try a bigger box-store like Walmart or Target. If you can’t find it locally, you can get it on Amazon.
OLIVE OIL
Olive oil has long been known to be a key player in the natural beauty routine. It makes an appearance in my Hand-Healing Lotion, as well as in a Detoxifying Salt Scrub, and is likely the most affordable of the single-oil options.
Olive oil is easy to find in your local grocery store and you can find it on Amazon.
SHEA BUTTER
Another one-ingredient wonder, shea butter is reported to be able to take off even the most stubborn eye make-up. It’s solid at room temperature, so I’d suggest rubbing a pea-sized amount between your fingers to warm it up before applying.
If you make lotions or creme at home, you likely already have shea butter. I haven’t seen it at any local stores, but again Amazon has it for a fair price.
WITCH HAZEL
Although more commonly used as a preservative in beauty DIY’s, witch hazel is a natural makeup remover too! Witch hazel is a bit thinner than the oils mentioned above, so I would definitely recommend using a cotton ball for makeup removal.
Witch hazel is fairly common, so check your local stores first. Although you should try to get an alcohol-free witch hazel if at all possible so it doesn’t dry out your skin OR burn your eyes.
JOJOBA OIL
Jojoba oil is like sweet almond oil’s unpopular little sister, but it shouldn’t be! It has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties AND you already have it if you’re making Homemade Shampoo Bars. It’s one of the best makeup remover choices in my opinion.
I haven’t looked for jojoba oil recently, but the bottle I have is from Whole Foods. Make a pass through the health aisle the next time you’re at your favorite grocery and see if they have it. If all else fails, hail the awesome Amazon.
DIY MAKEUP REMOVER: OIL + WATER + WITCH HAZEL
If you feel like your skin needs a little extra kick, this DIY makeup remover recipe is super easy. It’s essentially 2 tablespoons of each ingredient measured together into a small travel bottle. Oil and water technically don’t mix, so you’ll have to shake it well before using it each time.
This homemade makeup remover will also be on the thinner side, so again, reach for cotton balls or cotton pads.
HOW TO USE YOUR OWN DIY MAKEUP REMOVER
This is the skincare routine I suggest:
- Wash your face with a natural soap or cleanser (I love goat milk soap) and warm water.
- Massage a small amount of makeup remover using your fingers (coconut oil or butter) or cotton balls or cotton pads (liquid oils) into your skin using a circular motion.
- Rinse face with warm water. Use a damp washcloth if the skin feels too oily for your preference.
- If needed, apply a gentle moisturizer such as pure aloe vera or this DIY Face Serum.
HOW TO STORE NATURAL MAKEUP REMOVER
If you’re going to travel with any of these ingredients, you MUST invest in a leak-proof container.
The 3 oz plastic travel bottles pass TSA inspection. They work well for liquids at home, but they’re not leak-proof and you could ruin whatever is in your carry-on bag.
For storing coconut oil or shea butter, I like these small 5-gram pot jars. They are not leakproof though, so you will not want to travel with them.
I highly HIGHLY recommend using a leak-proof squeezable silicone tube when you’re traveling. They’ve proven themselves trip and trip again and I absolutely won’t travel with any other type of bottle!
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST MAKEUP REMOVER
In addition to goat’s milk soap, coconut oil is a huge part of my natural beauty routine. I like to buy it in bulk from Amazon. Or I find it at Costco.
Sweet almond oil and jojoba oil are best priced on Amazon (here and here, respectively). Same with shea butter. I usually buy olive oil at Costco but here are some ideas on finding a good brand.
This brand of witch hazel is the one I prefer. I use it in my After Sun Spray and Homemade Bug Spray too. Multiple uses of ingredients make me so happy!
For traveling with your oils you can put them in these squeezable tubes or these small containers.
If you want more about the non-toxic, DIY natural living lifestyle, check out Kinda Crunchy! A hold-your-hand guide to a more natural life.
QUESTIONS ABOUT NATURAL MAKEUP REMOVER
Is makeup remover important?
Yes! Whether you wear commercial makeup or homemade makeup, you should remove makeup every day. Leaving the makeup on can clog pores and make your skin produce excess oil. Cleaning off the makeup will also cleanse any dirt and impurities from your skin helping it stay healthier.
What is a natural makeup remover?
A DIY natural makeup remover is typically made from household items. You can buy commercial natural makeup remover, but I advise you to research the ingredients, especially if you have sensitive skin. As I learned with food, not every item labeled ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ is truly free from chemicals. EWG.org is a great resource for researching the severity of chemicals in your products.
Can I use natural makeup remover on oily skin?
Yes! Using a facial cleansing oil to remove your make up may actually reduce the oiliness of your skin. Some makeup remover wipes can cause dry skin which then causes the oil glands to overproduce leaving you with oily skin. Natural makeup remover is great for any skin type!
MORE NATURAL SKIN CARE RECIPES
I’m 27 and only started wearing makeup at 26 (a couple of months ago, I just had my birthday) and I wondered if coconut oil would work, since it is a miracle fat and I’m glad others use it too. I just feel bad about wasting so much trying to remove makeup so what also has been effective for me is my own breastmilk, I’m guessing because of the fat content. My breastmilk is just as much a part of my skincare as coconut oil is and has helped the fine lines I’ve earned entering into my late 20s! If anyone breastfeeds, I suggest you mix in some breastmilk with any recipes you may be trying, but especially coconut oil. I don’t pump anymore and haven’t with my newest kid; I just squeeze some onto my fingers and apply it along with the coconut oil before wiping it off.
Yes all of the above will work wonders just be careful when using coconut oil to use small amounts because if you have oily skin the coconut oil will cause a breakout and if you go out into the hot sun coconut oil will cause burns.
Sorry if I am being dense but I wasn’t sure if I mix 2 tablespoons of all of the oils with the water and witch hazel, or just pick an oil?
Many thanks, I love your site! 😍
Hi Kerry,
It’s picking 1 oil and using 2 Tbsp (of that 1) oil, 2 Tbsp witch hazel, and 2 Tbsp water.
Hi
Do you keep it in the fridge sincee there is water? What is the shelf life?
Thanks!
My GO TO makeup remover is Albolene, however, when I’m a little strapped for cash and don’t feel like buying a makeup removing product, I love using olive oil or coconut oil. The olive oil is best when i have a full face.
I tried your “combo” recipe substituting with sunflower oil for the vitamin E. I love it!
Bee, I missed the combo recipe, could you share with me. Thanks
Linzie
Wow. I was completely blown away after reading this, and then I tried it. I started with coconut oil and could not believe how easy my eye makeup came off! I’m going to try the others just to see which works best for me, but yay! No more having to buy eye makeup remover!
Yay!!
Hi Tiffany are you all aware that coconut oil is one of the highest ratings for clogging pores. You don’t want this anywhere near your eye glands.
My Ayurvedic doctor recommends sweet almond oil or Argan oil. The latter does not clog pores. I also use castor oil which is a natural antibiotic. It makes lashes grow lustrous.
Hi Yvonne! I personally have never had an issue with coconut oil clogging pores, and found that argan oil caused me to break out! Published ratings are helpful, but I suggest trying something for yourself to see what works best. We’re all created differently and will therefore have different reactions!
If I decided to use Coconut Oil, which I love to remove eye up, what would be the exact proportions? And what about for hair health anc growth. I’m oldered and my hair is dry from coloring, hair dryer etc. Thanks so much.
Thank you for the information! I can’t wait to make my own. You had stated you found out what the ingredients in your Almay makeup remover pads were rated. How did you find that information? I would love to check on some of the things I’m currently using. Thank you so much!
Hi Hannah! I use the Think Dirty app and the Healthy Living app by the EWG. 🙂
what about using rosehip oil? does anyone know if it removes makup. I’m 62 so I have mature skin.
I have heard coconut oil is good for hair and eyelashes. It makes your hair healthy, sleek, and stimulates hair growth. But coconut oil is really makeup remover.
Really all the oils are versital. I have found castor oil works the best for growing my eyelashes and mix it with rosemary peppermint and lavendar oil, great for growing my hair, I, also mix it woth jojoba or argan oil and sometimes sub the castor oil for oil cleansing!! These oils are miracle oils through my experience with them but everyone is different so everybody needs different ones , hope I could help
A recent skin issue prompted me to look for a quality facial cleanser with only natural ingredients (no chemicals). I went with the Made from Earth Green Tea Cleanser because it removes makeup (including eye) without irritating my eyes. My face is clean and smooth, no taunt feeling. As stated, only a small amount of cleanser is required. The scent is fresh, spa like botanical.
Yes ma’am, I use green tea as a cleanser, toner and makeup remover! It works great and my skin feels clean and well fresh. I can feel that my skin is getting healthy cleansing! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks for this. Question about the coconut oil and your book.
I live in Japan and at the moment it’s crazy hot, should I be keeping my organic goodies (coconut oil, olive oil, apple cider) in the fridge or doesn’t it matter?
Second question, would your book apply to people globally or only in America? I’m concerned that the ingredients you would recommend wouldn’t come cheaply here in Japan.
Thanks
Hi Carmen! For the items you mentioned, it doesn’t matter if you keep them at room temp or in the fridge. As for the book, I’ve done my best to make sure that ingredients are available around the world, but since I’ve never been to Japan, I can’t say for sure.
I read that Camellia oil was used in beauty routines in Japan (I know that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true, but). Anyway, I bought some through Amazon and I mix some in with my moisturizer, smooth a couple of drops into the ends of my hair, add it into the hand cream I make, and mix it with a bit of castor or coconut oil as an eye makeup remover. So far, I’m loving it. My skin looks good and I get compliments on my shiny hair. I’m still working on my eye makeup remover and I’m going to try some with the water and witch hazel and see if I like it better. What I’m using works but not as quickly as I’d like.
Hi everyone! I like coconut oil, too. But, I suggest using a soft towel to remove your makeup. In this way we keep the environment clean! Once the towel is dirty you just need to wash it and that’s it 😊
Hi Roser ,
Would you mind sharing what kind of tiwel you use that removesyour makeup that easy
If you have a picture or links that helps
Thanks
Hi, try the CVS one it is very soft, the price is 2 $ for 4, I use it my self.
I use olive oil since I always have it on hand, and while it’s a great moisturizer and does the trick for most makeup, I don’t find it takes off the mascara quite as well. I’m considering trying one of the others.
Tiffany, have you (or anyone else who has done) compared olive oil against coconut oil, or do you have a preference among the oils? (Although hopefully the aroma-free coconut oil would still be a good alternative, because I can’t stand the smell of coconut! :P)
And would you recommend the recipe above the oils by themselves for effectiveness? Thanks! 🙂
Hi Wendy! I’ve tried olive oil on my face before, but I wasn’t a fan. It felt too oily for me. Since my skin tends to be on the oily side, it felt like a recipe for disaster. I prefer to use coconut oil as a moisturizer and a makeup remover – which means just one tube in the bathroom serving multiple uses!
By recipe do you mean witch hazel + oil + water? I’ve used this, but again ended up going back to coconut oil because of preference and convenience of not mixing up anything else. Although, this recipe is very effective. I normally don’t wear a lot of eye makeup, but this took it off without issue. If I wore a lot of makeup daily or for performances, etc., the recipe would be in my bathroom for sure!
Just wanted to let you know I made your recipe & love it!
I used jojoba oil, Thayer’s alcohol free (rose b/c I have very sensitive skin) witch hazel and distilled water. I use waterproof eyeliner and love makeup! I don’t wear it daily, but fairly often. I have spent a small fortune on various removers and all have irritated my eyes and skin – not your recipe though.
Thank you very much for posting this!
Any chance you have a skin cleanser and moisturizer recipe?
Thanks again, Margie
Coconut oil doesn’t really smell much at all!
I use NORWEX cloths. I do not have to use ANY soap what so ever to wash my body or face. Removes make up without problem. Nor do I use shaving cream. Just wipe with body cloth and shave. They also sell cloths for all your household cleaning that don’t require any cleaning products. Sure simplified my life!!
what on earth is in the Norwex cloths that they can do all these things?
Hi Athalie, Norwex cloths have silver mixed in with the microfiber strands. That’s why so many people love them.
I find it helps to get the pad wet before applying the oil – that way you don’t need as much oil.
I can also attest to the effectiveness of coconut oil as a makeup remover, particularly for eye makeup. And very affordable.
I don’t use makeup but we do have to use s lot of it for dance. Coconut oil to the rescue!
Hi Tiffany, for the past few years, I have been using equal parts of purified water, castor oil, and olive oil (2 oz. each) with great results for eye makeup removal. I have read that castor oil is rich in vitamin E, proteins and minerals, has antifungal and anti-bacterial properties, helps in the growth and strengthening of hair follicles (lashes) and is anti-inflammatory. I keep it in a flip top travel bottle, it lasts for months and is very affordable. I moistened my cotton pad first, shake bottle, put a pea size amount on and gently wipe. I love it!
I hadn’t heard of castor oil as a make-up remover Deni – thanks for sharing!
I got some castor oil for my hair and eyelashes. For the face, I mix Jojoba with Coconut oil and a few drops from essential oil (rose or neroli) for cleaning and moisturizing my face and i really like it a lot. Although i dont wear make up i find that it removes the dirt from my face and helps me a lot with acne spots!