5 Best DIY Makeup Removers

Learn to make these simple concoctions to get rid of those stubborn makeup stains from your face.

Reviewed by Favour Akinjiyan, Makeup Artist
Written by Esha Saxena

Fact-checked by Vaishali Sinha • Jul 13, 2023

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From lotions to serums to cleansers, skincare products are more than just a whim – they are a full-fledged investment. However, you can cut down your budget by making your own DIY makeup remover at home.

Most of the time, we don’t pay much attention to how we remove our makeup at the end of the day. If you believe that you can wipe off a whole face of makeup with a few damp wipes, you are mistaken. Do you want healthy skin? Then, it’s about time that you started making your own makeup remover at home. To make things easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of 5 DIY makeup removers that are far superior to the purchased ones. Check them out below!

Keep In Mind

Be Gentle: Be Gentle Always be gentle when removing makeup, especially at sensitive areas like the skin around the eyes. Do not harshly rub your skin as it can cause irritation and damage like cuts or scratches.
Precautions: Be Gentle Do not get the mixture in your eyes and do a patch test (on the forearm or back of the neck) before using the mixture on your face.
Aftercare Tips: Be Gentle Rinse your face with warm water and follow up with your regular skincare routine, such as moisturizing.

In This Article

DIY Makeup Removers That Do Wonders For Your Skin

1. DIY Coconut Oil Makeup Remover

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Coconut oil not only smells like a tropical vacay, but it also works brilliantly in breaking up the water-resistant substances found in makeup. It also keeps your skin happily hydrated. However, don’t forget to follow up this makeup remover with a soap and water session for a more thorough cleanse.

Suitable for : Dry, combination, dull, and dehydrated skin

What You Need

Organic, unrefined coconut oil

Tutorial

Step 1 : Scoop out a small amount of coconut oil from the jar. If the oil is solid, rub it between your palms until it melts.

Step 2 : Gently spread the oil all over your face, eyelids, and lashes. Make sure that there is enough oil to move your fingers around easily without tugging on your skin.

Step 3 : Wipe off the excess oil and makeup using a wet wipe.

Step 4 : Splash your face with some warm water and wash it with a cleanser. Voila! You’re done.

Tip : Massaging oil into your skin in a circular motion is a great way to improve blood circulation in your skin. You can give yourself a face massage whenever you feel like your skin needs some rest.

Quick Tip

A honey makeup remover is an excellent alternative to a DIY coconut oil makeup remover. Apply a teaspoon of raw honey on your face and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, use warm water to rinse it off.

2. DIY Baby Shampoo Eye Makeup Remover

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If you just can’t make do without your waterproof mascara (even though you realize how annoying it is to take off), you’ve got to try this DIY waterproof makeup remover made with three gentle ingredients.

Suitable for : All skin types (including sensitive skin and eyes)

What You Need

No-tears baby shampoo
Olive oil or coconut oil
Water
A small bottle

Tutorial

Step 1 : Pour half a tablespoon of baby shampoo in a clean container.

Step 2 : Add one-fourth teaspoon of olive oil and mix it well.

Step 3 : Pour in some water to fill the bottle and shake well.

Step 4 : Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and gently remove your eye makeup.

Tip : For best results, make sure you shake the bottle well each time you use the home made eye makeup remover.

3. DIY Witch Hazel Makeup Remover

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Witch hazel works brilliantly to remove oil- and water-based makeup. It is free of irritating chemicals, making it ideal for not just removing makeup, but also reducing the build-up in your pores.

Suitable for : Oily, dry, sensitive skin

What You Need

Witch hazel
Sweet almond or another nut oil
Extra virgin olive oil
Purified water
A small bottle

Tutorial

Step 1 : Pour four tablespoons of witch hazel and two tablespoons of sweet almond oil into your bottle.

Step 2 : Add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and mix them all.

Step 3 : Add three tablespoons of purified water, close the lid of the bottle, and shake well to blend the ingredients.

Step 4 : Dip a cotton ball into the solution and wipe your face.

Tip : This remover helps in removing stubborn eye makeup like waterproof mascara and eyeshadow. It dissolves the products on your eyelashes effortlessly without causing irritation.

Quick Tip

Be gentle with your eyes while removing your makeup to prevent eye irritation. Dip a cotton round in the remover and cover your eyes with it for 30 seconds before rubbing off the makeup.

4. DIY Aloe And Olive Oil Makeup Remover

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If you want to amp up your cleansing routine, adding some fresh aloe vera water to your favorite oil is the best way to do it. It is also good for skin problems.

Suitable for : All skin types

What You Need

Extra virgin olive oil
Aloe vera water
A bottle

Tutorial

Step 1 : Fill up a bottle with aloe vera water.

Step 2 : Add a two-third cup of extra virgin olive oil to the water. You’ll notice that the oil will float above the water.

Step 3 : Shake the mixture up, soak a cotton pad with it, and clean up your face.

Tip : This formula is incredibly gentle and light. It’s a great option for anyone who has allergies or is sensitive to chemicals.

Related: DIY Mascara At Home

5. DIY Jojoba And Rose Makeup Remover

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Jojoba oil is one of the best all-natural makeup removers. It moisturizes, nourishes, and soothes your skin, leaving it looking fresh and radiant.

Suitable for : All skin types

What You Need

Jojoba oil
Rose water
Glass bottle

Tutorial

Step 1 : Fill up a bottle with rose water.

Step 2 : Add half a cup of jojoba oil to the bottle.

Step 3 : Shake the bottle well. Soak a cotton pad with the solution and remove your makeup effortlessly.

Tip : If you’re looking for extra nourishment, you can also add vitamin E oil and sweet almond oil to this recipe.

In a world that never stops, we all know the struggle of stumbling home dead tired. But, failing to remove your makeup before bed can cause breakouts, clogged pores, blackheads, and a dull complexion. So, don’t ever skip your makeup removal regimen and give your skin the opportunity to renew itself through the night.

Infographic: 3 Easy Homemade Makeup Removers

Say goodbye to store-bought makeup removers and hello to personalized ones that you can make with simple ingredients from your kitchen. They are sustainable, effective, and pocket-friendly alternatives to chemically treated expensive makeup removers. Use the following natural ingredients and take control of your makeup removal routine with three easy homemade makeup removers. Check out the infographic below to know more!

3 easy homemade makeup removers (infographic)

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Download Infographic

Most often, people end up sleeping with their makeup on because they feel tired after a hard day of work or a fun party. And we cannot emphasize enough how wrong this can be. Your skin needs to rejuvenate while you are sleeping at night, but with all the cosmetic products stuck on the surface of your skin, it just cannot. However, you can give yourself that beauty sleep with these natural, DIY makeup remover ideas. From coconut oil to jojoba and rose, the effective options to prepare a makeup remover are endless. So, get started without any delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you remove makeup with just water?

No. Water cannot remove makeup. Instead, use mild soap, micellar water, or makeup remover to remove makeup thoroughly. You can also use the above-mentioned DIY removers.

Is Vaseline good for makeup removal?

Yes, you can use vaseline to remove makeup. Its texture makes it easy to remove makeup.

Is it OK to use baby wipes to remove makeup?

Baby wipes are gentle and non-toxic, but they are not meant for removing makeup. Even if you try to remove makeup with baby wipes, you still have to use a makeup remover and cleanser to eliminate all traces of makeup. Otherwise, it may clog the pores and cause breakouts.

Key Takeaways

Even waterproof makeup can be successfully removed using homemade makeup removers, and without irritating the skin.
These makeup removers offer additional benefits by nourishing and moisturizing the skin.
Different DIY makeup remover recipes can be made to suit the needs of people with dry, oily, and sensitive skin.
Making your own makeup removers at home is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and simple.