Why Go Natural?
Modern makeup removers are often packed with alcohol, preservatives, and synthetic fragrances. Going natural means you ditch those irritants for wholesome ingredients. This switch can help soothe your skin and still get every last fleck of eyeliner.
- No Harsh Chemicals: Store-bought removers often contain alcohol and other additives. Natural DIY removers skip these irritants entirely.
- Gentle & Effective: Plant oils actually pull out makeup and excess oil without stripping your skin’s moisture. Even oily or acne-prone skin can benefit from oil cleansing.
- Cost-Effective: You likely already have cleansing ingredients like olive oil or honey in your kitchen. Homemade recipes are cheap and easy to make.
- Multi-tasking Ingredients: Many natural ingredients hydrate and pamper the skin as they clean. For example, coconut oil not only melts away makeup, but also leaves your skin feeling soft.
- Eco-Friendly: Say goodbye to single-use wipes and plastic bottles. Reusable cotton pads and jars reduce waste.
Love these ideas? Keep reading for more!
Key Kitchen Ingredients
Your pantry probably has everything you need for a DIY remover. Here are some superstar ingredients:
- Coconut Oil: Creamy and gentle. It dissolves waterproof mascara and makeup, then absorbs into skin for extra moisture.
- Olive Oil: A kitchen staple that breaks down foundations and eye makeup easily.
- Jojoba or Sweet Almond Oil: Lightweight plant oils that mimic your skin’s natural oil, pulling dirt out without clogging pores.
- Honey: A natural antibacterial humectant. A dab of raw honey can remove makeup and fight breakouts at the same time.
- Aloe Vera Gel or Juice: A soothing liquid that hydrates and refreshes. Mix with oils to make a gentle, hydrating cleanser.
- Witch Hazel (alcohol-free): A gentle astringent. When diluted (50/50 with water), it lifts away makeup and excess oil while calming the skin.
- Baby Shampoo (mild): If you don’t have oils handy, a tiny bit of tear-free baby shampoo mixed with water can also wipe off makeup without stinging your eyes.
Each of these ingredients is natural, gentle, and skin-loving. In the next section, we’ll show you how to combine them in super-simple recipes.
DIY Natural Makeup Remover Recipes
Get ready to play chemist (the fun kind!). These recipes all use just a few kitchen ingredients.
- Olive-Castor Oil Cleanser: Mix ⅓ tsp castor oil and ⅔ tsp extra-virgin olive oil in a small bottle. Apply to dry skin and massage for 1–2 minutes. Then lay a warm, damp cloth over your face for about 1 minute and gently wipe off the oil. This combo dissolves even stubborn makeup and lets your skin retain hydration.
- Pure Coconut Oil: This one’s almost foolproof. Scoop a dollop of extra-virgin coconut oil and warm it between your fingers. Rub it over your face, massaging to loosen makeup. Use a cotton pad or damp washcloth to wipe away. The coconut oil will melt off makeup and then soak into your skin, leaving it soft.
- Aloe Vera + Oil Soother: Blend ½ cup aloe vera juice, 1 cup filtered water, and ¼–½ cup olive (or almond) oil. Shake well and pour a little onto a cotton pad. Swipe over your face to remove makeup while hydrating your skin. (The ingredients will separate as you shake, but that’s normal – just give it a good shake before each use.)
- Witch Hazel Toner: Simply mix equal parts gentle witch hazel and water in a clean bottle. Dampen a cotton pad with this solution and sweep across your face and eyes. The witch hazel draws out makeup and oil, while still being kind to sensitive areas.
- Honey-Mask Remover: Massage 1 tsp of raw honey onto your face, concentrating on areas with makeup. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes. Then rinse with warm water or wipe off with a damp cloth. Honey’s antibacterial nature tackles blemishes as it cleans.
The image above shows golden cleansing oil (like olive or sunflower oil) being poured onto a cotton pad. These oils are perfect for DIY removers: just soak a pad and swipe away makeup with ease!
Each of these recipes is easy to make and uses ingredients that nourish your skin. No fancy equipment needed—just mix, apply, and wipe off!
Pro Tip: Always patch-test a new ingredient first (dab it on a small area) in case of sensitivity. And after oil cleansing, the warm-towel trick (from the first recipe) is your friend—it loosens makeup and makes removal super easy.
Bonus Tips for Best Results
- Be Gentle: Use light pressure and circular motions. Don’t scrub hard!
- Double Cleanse (if needed): If you wore heavy waterproof makeup, you might need to repeat one of these steps to get every last bit.
- Storage: Keep your homemade cleanser in a clean jar or bottle. Oils don’t spoil quickly, but try to use your blend within a month or so for freshness.
- Make It a Ritual: Light a candle and pretend you’re at a spa—this simple routine can turn bedtime into a mini pampering session.
Give It a Try!
Switching to a homemade makeup remover is a breeze, and your skin will thank you for skipping the harsh chemicals. Pick a recipe and treat yourself to a gentle cleanse tonight. Don’t forget to share your results!
Stay tuned for more DIY beauty hacks. Up next: Homemade Toner Recipes for Clearer, Healthier Skin!
Hi! I’m Katia Luján, an SEO and Content Marketing expert with over 10 years of experience helping websites grow organically and get approved by Google AdSense.
I’ve worked in Google’s Trust & Safety team for AdSense and have helped more than 100 websites comply with monetization policies. Currently, I’m the strategist behind Buzzlix—creating SEO-optimized, high-quality content on beauty, skincare, and self-care.
I’m passionate about empowering others with actionable, sustainable, and accessible beauty content.