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Why Make DIY Makeup Remover?

What’s wrong with the makeup remover you can buy at the drug store?

Conventional makeup remover formulas, while seemingly simple, usually contain some combination of chemicals and petroleum based ingredients including mineral oil, artificial colors and fragrances, as well as paraben preservatives. These ingredients are linked to endocrine disruption and allergic reactions, and may be causing more harm than good to your skin.

Let’s just steer clear of those ingredients, shall we?

Easy Homemade Makeup Remover Recipe

When my old makeup remover ran out, one of the things I tried was straight coconut oil. It seems like a simple solution, and maybe it works for you, but I was not a fan.

I prefer a liquid makeup remover because it’s easier to handle near my eyes. Sometimes I run a Q-tip under my eyes to remove eye liner and I find that’s a lot easier to do with a liquid.

Yet, I still want some oil in the formula to help dissolve makeup and remove mascara on the days that I use it.

After some experimentation I landed on a very simple formula that includes an alcohol-free witch hazel blend and a nourishing plant-based oil.

The end result is cleansing and moisturizing at the same time. Unlike some formulas that strip skin of moisture, this homemade makeup remover is actually good for your skin!

Ingredients for DIY Makeup Remover

You don’t have to use these exact brands but I really love this witch hazel blend from Thayers – I use it straight up as a facial toner too!

1.) Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Toner

• Certified organic witch hazel (from the witch hazel shrub – Hamamelis Virginiana) is a natural astringent
• Also contains soothing aloe vera and moisturizing vegetable glycerin
• I use the Rose Petal version which uses rose flower water and natural rose fragrance
• Also available in Lavender, Cucumber, Lemon or Unscented varieties

2.) Aura Cacia Sweet Almond Oil 

• Moisturizes skin with nourishing fatty acids and Vitamin E
• Can substitute other natural oils such as jojoba, apricot kernel, grapeseed, avocado or olive oil

Directions for Homemade Makeup Remover

This makeup remover is super easy to make! Just mix the two ingredients in equal parts. I use 2-oz of witch hazel and 2-oz of sweet almond oil to make a 4-oz bottle of makeup remover.

If you want to start small to see if you like it, try mixing 1 tablespoon of each ingredient together in a small dish. Then, depending on your bottle size, mix equal parts together and give it a quick shake. The oil will rise to the top over time, so always shake before using.

This gorgeous dropper bottle you see here is repurposed from a bottle of facial serum but you can use any bottle you have around – it doesn’t need to have a dropper.

Best Way to Use Makeup Remover

To use the makeup remover, I saturate one of my favorite reusable makeup pads and wipe lightly over my skin. I also dip in a Q-tip to get under my eyes – carefully! The skin under your eyes is fragile, so you never want to rub very hard over that area.

So what do you think? Is homemade makeup remover in your future? If you’re still using up your old brand, be sure to Pin this post for later so you’ll have it when you need it!

Have you made your own DIY makeup remover? Let us know in the comments below!