DIY Natural Make-Up Remover

This DIY Natural Make-Up Remover is a simple and effective way to remove your make-up without putting harsh chemicals on your face. It’s great for your skin care routine.

I don’t usually wear a lot of makeup but I do wear mascara every day. Finding a good make-up remover has always been a challenge. I love the idea of the make-up removing wipes but it seems that they don’t remove well any mascara, especially if it’s waterproof. I eventually found a makeup remover that removed my mascara but then soon after I discovered it contained questionable chemicals. That would probably explain why it smelled a little weird.

I started looking for non-toxic alternatives to make-up removers that actually worked, but it seemed like an impossible task. And I bought every option I found and nothing removed entirely my mascara. That was when I got fed up and decided if I had luck making some of my own DIY body products, I could make a natural make-up remover too.

What can I use if I don’t have makeup remover?

I remember reading somewhere that Coconut Oil can remove your make-up. To be honest, I had my doubts and didn’t try it but I was desperate one day and decided it give it a try. I put some organic Coconut Oil on a piece of cotton and started rubbing my eyes. To my surprise, it removed all of my mascara. All of it. I couldn’t believe it. It was the best make-up remover I’ve ever tried and it was completely non-toxic!

I started using it to remove both my mascara and face make-up and it worked like a charm. It also left my skin feeling really nice and soft. However, as I looked more into it I found out coconut oil is considered a comedogenic and can clog pores on some people. I haven’t had this problem in the 2 + years I’ve been using coconut oil to remove my make-up but I figured someone reading this post might.

Did you know we have an e-book with 40 DIY recipes for bath and body products
⇒ ⇒ Check it out ⇐ ⇐

Can you remove makeup with soap and water?

Yes, you can but I’ve found out that there were other methods that worked a little bit better for me. When I was using soap and water for removing makeup, my skin would get a bit irritated from the soap or the scrubbing that I was having to do to try and remove the makeup.

How do you make homemade makeup remover pads?

You can easily use some cotton pads or even a super soft cloth to clean your face if you don’t have any makeup remover pads. The pads are nice to have but they aren’t a requirement to clean the makeup off your face.

How to remove your make-up using a natural make-up remover

There are different oil combinations you can use to remove your make-up and which oil you use will depend on your skin type. Regardless of which oil combination you decide to try, you need to use castor oil as a base oil. Castor oil is naturally astringent, so it pulls impurities from the skin. Make sure you get one that’s organic, after all this is going on your face.

You’ll then combine the castor oil with another oil like coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, or grapeseed oil. I personally like to use grapeseed oil since it’s great for all skin types.

The amount of oil you will need depend on your skin type. I’m basing these guidelines using grapeseed oil but you can replace that for any of the oils mentioned above.
Follow these guidelines to pick the right oil combination for you:

Oily Skin: 2 teaspoons of castor oil + 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil.
Combination skin: 1 teaspoon of castor oil + 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil.
Dry Skin: 1 teaspoon of castor oil + 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil.

Experiment to see how your skin will react and what’s the right combination for you. The castor oil will make your skin drier and the other oils will make your skin oily, this is why you might have to try a few times before you find the right combination for you. It is important that you use both the castor oil and a nourishing oil.

I suggest you start by mixing these in smaller quantities and once you figure out what’s right for you, you can make a bigger batch and just keep it in your bathroom. You can start by using this oil cleansing method to clean your mascara and then move onto using it on your entire face.

Keep in mind that if your skin has a lot of toxin build-up you might breakout for the first week or so while your skin is clearing out. This is a good sign, you want all those impurities out. If it persists for longer than 2 weeks and your skin is looking worse, then experiment with another oil ratio. As I said before, that has never happened to me but each skin type is different.

Don’t be scared to try. Your skin will look and feel so much healthier!

Does oil really clean and is it safe to put on my face?

Yes, not only does it clean but it does wonders for your skin.

Oil dissolves oil. “The basic concept of this skincare and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores.” (source)

“By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables, and fruit that heal, protect and nourish your skin. When done properly and consistently, the OCM can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads, and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne–while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.” (source)

How to clean your face using oils:

You can either massage the oil on your face and eyes or apply it using organic cotton rounds. I use the cotton rounds to clean all my make-up with the oil.
Dip the cotton round in the oil combination and rub gently on your face and eyes until all of the make-up has been removed. You can dip the cotton round again or use a new one until there’s no trace of make-up left on your face.
If you can, put a moist hot towel on your face for a minute so your pores can open and to let all the impurities out. Then wipe your face clean with that towel. When I’m in a hurry I skip this step and just wipe my face clean with a moist towel.
Follow your regular face care routine after your make-up has been removed.

I like to keep my natural make-up remover in this small mason jar in my bathroom. It lasts me about a month or so. If there’s more than one person using a make-up remover in your home, I suggest you make a separate jar for each person.

I have been using Coconut Oil to remove my make up for almost 3 years now and for the last 6 months I’ve been using the oil combination. I am honestly very pleased with both methods. The best part is that they’re non-toxic, organic, and good for your skin. Your face will look so much healthier!

Have you tried using oils as your make-up remover? How do you like it?