There’s nothing better than removing your makeup after a long day out – it feels as though you’re taking off a mask of sorts, getting rid of the day’s grime and dirt, and just being yourself at home. There’s just one problem with removing our makeup at the end of the day: most of us tend to rub our faces, and especially our eye area, vigorously with store-bought disposable makeup wipes and call it a day.
But did you know that these wipes, though convenient, can actually be causing harm to your skin and your eyelashes?
Firstly, most of us don’t truly take the extra time and effort to properly wipe off every single smudge of makeup; there’s always a little leftover that we cannot see with the naked eye. And as we all know, makeup is made with dozens of chemical, irritants, and even carcinogens.
Secondly, makeup wipes are often formulated with a high alcohol content and various chemicals, many of which can be irritating and damaging for your sensitive and delicate skin around the eyes. Even just the alcohol alone will wreak havoc on your precious lashes! These harsh wipes can strip your skin of naturally occurring oils that keep you hydrated and moisturized, leaving you with rough, dry skin, especially around your eyes.
Lastly, if you add in the wiping motions – some of us aren’t as gentle as we should be when removing makeup – we’re adding the risk of micro-tears, which are little microscopic cuts that can leave your skin vulnerable to further irritants and damage. The stretching and pulling while we work to remove our stubborn eye makeup doesn’t only lead to losing strands of your lashes when you tug at the lash line too hard, but also often results in lessened elasticity…which means premature fine lines and wrinkles.
Now that’s a triple threat to your skin health, all before bedtime.
This is why many skincare-savvy women are turning to homemade makeup removers.
Not only are they easy to make, they’re also wildly affordable and you can get the ingredients anywhere. And the best thing is, you don’t have to perform separate steps to remove your eye makeup AND your face makeup – these terrific DIY makeup removers can do both jobs at once! You’d be amazed at how much time time you actually save.
Read on to discover 6 simple, fuss-free recipes for your very own do-it-yourself eye makeup remover that can be whipped up in your kitchen in no time.
DIY Eye Makeup Remover Recipe #1: The Perfect Oil Cleanse
It may sound counterintuitive to put MORE oil on your face when your skin in likely oily or cakey with makeup by the end of the day, but that’s the beauty of the oil cleansing method: when using the right oil for your skin type, it is extremely effective for dissolving makeup, dirt, and even excess oil in your pores! It can keep your skin supple without stripping it of its natural protective layers that lock the moisture in.
What you need:
- For combination skin
- Mix 1/4 hazel nut oil or castor oil with 3/4 sunflower or olive oil (others oils work too)
- For oily skin
- Mix 1/3 hazelnut oil or castor oil with 2/3 sunflower or olive oil (others oils work too)
- For dry skin
- You can use just olive oil alone, and add a bit of castor, hazelnut, coconut, or avocado oil if you prefer.
Directions:
To remove face makeup
- Put a quarter-sized amount of your preferred oil (or oil combination) in your palm.
- Using both hands, spread the oil onto your dry face, massaging your face with your fingertips. This massaging motion is crucial as it helps the oil to penetrate your pores and mix well with the dirt and grime to draw them out.
- Dampen a washcloth with hot water and place it over your face to “steam” for 1 minute. This really helps to open up your pores for more dirt and makeup to be released.
- Alternative, if you don’t have a minute to spare, wet a soft washcloth with warm water and gently wipe the oil away, without pulling or scrubbing your skin.
- You could also rinse with warm water instead of using a cloth, but be prepared as it might get a little messy as the water mixes with oil.
- Use the other side of the cloth (which is clean) and gently wipe away the excess oil.
To remove eye makeup
- Put a bit of the oil onto a cotton round.
- Gently massage your closed eyelids until eye makeup is dissolved.
- Then wipe or rinse as directed above in Steps 3a-b.
Things to note:
- Make sure to use organic extra virgin olive oil as it’s the least processed version of olive oil, and will bring you the maximum benefits.
- After oil cleansing, your face shouldn’t feel squeaky clean, but refreshed and hydrated, without any greasiness.
- You may find yourself breaking out more within the first month, as the oil cleansing method truly cleans deep within your pores and will bring some things to the surface, drawing out all the pollution, dirt, makeup, and dead skin cells from your congested pores. The healthy, nourshing oil you’re now using will instead give your pores both the cleansing and nutrients they need.
- If you experience any prolonged itching, red or inflamed skin, stop using the oil cleansing method immediately and check with your dermatologist or doctor, as it may be an allergic reaction.
DIY Eye Makeup Remover Recipe #2: Witch Hazel
Witch hazel has been used for centuries since the time Native Americans used it to treat a variety of skin-related issues such as inflammation, acne, cuts, bug bites, bruises, and even diaper rash – that’s how gentle yet effective it is. Many people use this herbal extract as a toner, for spot treatment or itchy skin, but it’s actually quite effective as a DIY cleanser, too!
What you need:
For all skin types – You can use witch hazel by itself, or dilute it 1:1 with water.
Directions:
To remove eye/face makeup:
- Simply out the witch hazel or diluted solution on a cotton pad or the corner of a clean washcloth, and gently wipe your face in circular motions to remove makeup. It’s that easy!
- You may need to do this a few times in order to get heavy makeup off.
DIY Eye Makeup Remover Recipe #3: Aloe Vera
You may have heard of using aloe vera to soothe sunburns. That’s because aloe vera contains tons of antioxidants, vitamins, enzymes, and is highly anti-inflammatory. It can relieve sunburn symptoms significantly of the skin, hence soothing the pain and redness while moisturizing your skin.
Since it works so wonderfully on sunburnt skin, doesn’t it also make sense that this mighty plant can also reduce redness and inflammation on your face as a regular makeup remover?
What you need:
For all skin types (yields 1 cup of cleanser)
- 1/2 cup aloe vera gel together
- Add the oil
- Blend into a paste and store in an airtight container
- Store in refrigerator to maintain freshness
To remove eye/face makeup
- Use a dry, clean scoop or makeup spatula to scoop up a small amount (nickel-to quarter-sized)
- Massage it into your skin for 1-2 minutes
- Rinse with cool water
DIY Eye Makeup Remover Recipe #4: Natural Makeup Wipes
If you still prefer to remove your makeup in wipe-form but don’t want to expose your skin to harsh chemicals and harmful irritants, the solution is simple: make your own wipes! This way, you’ll make sure that everything is all-natural and even great for your skin.
What you need:
For all skin types (yields 1 cup of cleanser)
- Cotton rounds
- Airtight jar or container (pin-sized)
- 1 tablespoon pure aloe vera (not gel)
- 1 tablespoon pure witch hazel extract
- 1 teaspoon liquid castile soap
- 1 teaspoon fractionated coconut oil (or your preffered oil)
- 8 to 12 drops of essential oil such as lavender, frankincense, rose (avoid citrus and minty oils)
- 6 to 8 drops of rosemary essential oil OR 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil (optional; as a preservative)
Directions:
- Put all the ingredients (except the cotton rounds) into your jar and shake until well-combined (you may choose to use an immersion blender if preferred).
- Place the cotton rounds into the jar, stacked. Shake gently to allow the mixture to coat them thoroughly.
To remove eye/face makeup:
- Simply use a cotton round (or as many as desired) to remove your makeup in a pinch. You can even take some with you for travel!
- Make sure you close your eyes tightly as you don’t want the essential oils to get into your eyes. However, they should be sufficiently diluted enough with this recipe’s ratios so stinging should not be likely. Do rinse your eyes with clean warm water if accidental contact is made.
DIY Eye Makeup Remover Recipe #5: Honey
One of nature’s best gifts to us is honey, with its naturally sweet taste making it a great addition to any dish. But did you know that honey is amazingly good for your skin as well?
It’s antibacterial, antiseptic, and a natural humectant, which means that it retains moisture in the skin without any oily residue on top. If you really love the smell of honey, you can even use it as a moisturizer.
What you need:
For all skin types, especially oily skin
- A teaspoon of raw honey (Manuka or organic honey)
Directions:
To remove eye/face makeup
- Spread the teaspoon of honey on your hands and fingers, then apply evenly on your face, massaging in circular motions.
- Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Use a warm, damp washcloth to gently wipe off the honey. Your skin will have a dewy glow after drying!
DIY Eye Makeup Remover Recipe #6: Gentle Exfoliating Scrub
Many store-bought face crubs have harsh, gritty granules, as well as additives like fragrances and dozens of unpronounceable chemicals that you wouldn’t want on your face. Homemade scrubs are so easy to make and the best thing is, you can customize it to your own unique preference.
This easy, creamy oatmeal curb can help to brighten dull, tired skin, as well as reduce redness. Try using to gently exfoliate your skin weekly and you’ll be surprised what a difference it makes!
What you need:
For all skin types
- 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
Directions:
To remove eye/face makeup
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until it reaches a thick, grainy texture.
- Apply onto your face in gentle circular motions, massaging as you go.
- Rinse! That’s all there is to it.
Conclusion
With the plethora of beauty products and makeup removers out on the market nowadays, it’s no wonder we frequently face what consumer behavior experts call “decision paralysis”. Even after narrowing down what works for your specific skin type, these mass-produced items often tend to contain cheap, artificial substances that serve companies profit margins more than their marketed purposes.
Instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars to buy something off the shelf that contain pretty much the same things you can already find in your pantry – oil, honey, and the like – why not give these easy DIY makeup removers a try? They’re so versatile that they can even remove not just your eye makeup, but your entire face’s makeup in one go.
With these fuss-free makeup removers in your collection, you no longer have to keep reaching for wipe after wipe to get rid of whole day’s worth of gunk on your face, trying your hardest to wash off that stubborn eyeliner or waterproof mascara…wasting resources, time, and your effort.
You’re going to love these natural, DIY makeup removers once you try them out and realize how moisturizing, hydrating, and crazily effective they are.
