Y’all, I love my homemade honey face wash and its composition of gluconic acid and enzymes do amazing things – brighten skin, promote cell renewal, and balance pH to name a few – but it is not awesome at removing mascara.
Apparently many of you have noticed the same thing, because recently I’ve received several messages like this one . . .
Ok, I’m absolutely loving how my face looks after using this . . . My problem is my eyes, though. I’m still using my regular makeup remover for my eyes because it works so well, but there’s a noticeable difference between the skin above my eyelids and the rest of my face. What should I use that’s gentle enough for my eyes but still gets my mascara off?” – Stacia
Well, Stacia, I’m so glad you asked.
Why avoid store-bought makeup remover?
Many of the most popular eye makeup removers contain parabens (hormone disruptors), imidazolidinyl urea (a formaldehyde releaser), and other problematic ingredients. (1) (2)
Although there are some good products out there – this one, for example – they can be pricey. Fortunately, the gentle, quick and inexpensive recipe below works just as well. Let’s take a look at the two ingredients you’ll need.
Ingredient #1: Witch Hazel Extract
Derived from witch hazel branches (Hamamelis virginiana), this extract is renowned for its ability to soothe, balance, cleanse and condition skin.
It also acts as an astringent, which helps to tighten pores. I always keep a bottle of witch hazel extract on hand for cuts, scrapes, and general skincare.
Ingredient #2: Skin Nourishing Oil
For this recipe, the oil you select doesn’t make a significant difference. Makeup remover doesn’t stay on very long and the skin around our eyes isn’t particularly acne prone, so in most cases any nourishing oil will probably work. I typically use olive or avocado oil because I have them on hand.
That said, if you’re purchasing an oil for this recipe, it makes sense to select one that you could use on your whole face as well. Here are some options to consider:
Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus amygdalus dulcis)
Light and gentle, sweet almond oil softens, soothes and moisturizes, then wipes away clean.
Best For: Dry, sensitive and acne-prone skin
Shelf Life: Approximately 12 months
Avocado Oil (Persea americana)
Rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs), vitamin E, and antioxidants like oleic acid, avocado oil is rich and nourishing. It also absorbs well into skin.
Best For: Dry or acne-prone skin
Shelf Life: Approximately 12 months
Fractionated Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera)
This oil makes an excellent all-around body moisturizer, but may cause breakouts for people with acne-prone skin when used on the face.
Best For: Most skin types
Shelf Life: Approximately 2-3 years
Buy fractionated coconut oil here
Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis)
Like tallow balm, jojoba oil has a structure that is similar to our natural sebum, which makes it uniquely compatible with our skin. It’s helpful for supporting skin repair without clogging pores. Also, it’s actually technically a wax, but most refer to it as an oil because it’s liquid in its natural form.
Best For: Most skin types, including combination and acne-prone skin
Shelf Life: Approximately 2-3 years
Olive Oil (Olea europaea)
Rich in antioxidants like phenols, fatty acids and vitamin E, olive oil is deeply nourishing and well-absorbed. It’s best for dry and normal skin types. If possible, opt for extra virgin olive oil because it’s higher in antioxidants.
For more information on different oils and how they interact with skin types, check out this post on the oil cleansing method.
Best For: Dry or acne-prone skin
Shelf Life: Approximately 1-2 years
2-Ingredient DIY Makeup Remover
Equipment
- 4 oz bottle
Ingredients
- ¼ cup witch hazel extract
- ¼ cup olive oil (can substitute jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, or fractionated coconut oil )
- cotton pad (or reusable washcloth)
Instructions
To Make:
- Pour ingredients into a clean 4 ounce bottle.
To Use:
- Shake bottle, then pump the makeup remover onto a reusable washcloth, cotton pad or cotton ball. Wipe across your eyes and follow with the dry side of your cloth or cotton pad/ball. Follow with a cleanser or homemade face wash.
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Mention @mommypotamus or tag #mommypotamus!
Frequently Asked Questions
Because coconut oil is solid at room temperature, it will likely clump and mix unevenly with the witch hazel in this recipe. For that reason, I don’t recommend it.
According to Robert Tisserand, author of Essential Oil Safety, diluted essential oils may be used close to the eyes. However, he cautions that placing essential oils directly into the eye can “cause a chemical burn and may result in temporary blindness.” Personally, I prefer not to use essential oils in my makeup remover because it doesn’t add a substantial benefit and requires much more care to use.
Although I haven’t tried it personally, I’ve been told it will work if you place the cotton pads on your eyes and let the makeup remover soak in for about 15 seconds before wiping the mascara away.
Want More Easy DIY Skincare Recipes?
Hyaluronic Acid Serum Recipe – Ever wonder why baby skin is so plump and dewy? It’s due to hyaluronic acid – a naturally occurring polysaccharide that can absorb up to 1,000x’s its weight in water. Over time our bodies make less of it, but we can apply it topically as a serum to support hydration. It’s very, very easy to make.
Skin Repair Serum – This two-ingredient moisturizing serum contains cold-pressed rosehip seed oil, which researchers say promotes collagen production, helps to even skin tone and fade brown spots, and supports scar healing.
FREE Ebook: DIY Body Care Gifts Made Simple
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Then I’d love to give you a free copy of DIY Body Care Gifts Made Simple – my step-by-step guide to making gorgeous handcrafted gifts without stressing yourself out – as a gift for signing up for my newsletter. I’ll show you how to make vintage labels, luxurious lotion bars, lip balms, sugar scrubs, body sprays and more like a pro. Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll be redirected to the download page immediately!
Article Sources:
1. Environmental Working Group. Maybelline Expert Eyes 100% Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
2. Environmental Working Group. Neutrogena Extra Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads
G
Coconut oil is a miracle worker to remove waterproof make-up including waterproof mascara for those of us that find occasions when waterproof make-up is required. Just get some of the solidified organic virgin coconut oil on your fingers and rub them together to help turn the solid to a semi-liquid state. Rub in a gentle circular motion on your closed eyes, lashes and eye brows for approximately 30-60 seconds. Wipe away the excess with a tissue. The wash your face as usual. All traces of eye make-up will be gone leaving your eyelashes nicely moisturizer. You can also use coconut oil to clean your entire face as well moisturize your skin for those with dry skin.
Denise
Yup! that’s what I use, too. So easy.
Heidi
Does she also have sleep apnea? A lady I talked said she had restless leg syndrome and once she got a sleep apnea oxygen mask the restless leg syndrome went away. Worth a shot to investigate.
Debra
For the eye makeup remover could you use coconut oil instead of olive oil?
Heather
You could use fractionated coconut oil, which stays liquid at room temperature. Regular coconut oil is solid at room temp and would likely cause the mixture to be clumpy and difficult to dispense.
Min
The witch hazle you link has 14% alcohol. That is drying to the skin and will sting.
Elena Rock
You are doing a wonderful job. Keep going.
Valentina
1/4 witchhazel, 1/4oil, what’s the rest of 2/4? Thank you
Molly
What kind of olive oil do you use in this makeup remover?
Holly
Heather- you say “gluconic” acid? Please tell me that is a typo! Or look at the science of gluconic acid and face care! Like the damage, cancer warnings, what the EPA says about Gluconic Acid. I’m praying and thinking you meant Glycolic Acid! H U G E difference!
Natana Bitton
I am at my wit’s end! I told a friend of mine, who has a severe case of restless leg syndrome, all about your remedies, and she says she’s tried them all before,
and nothing works!
She went to her regular doctor, at my urging, and got teferreals to three specialists, but she won’t go: she thinks no one can help her! Help!
D
probably needs magnesium
probably 85% of people are deficient
Linda Halbert
I use coconut oil to remove my mascara. It moisturizes my eyes too, all night. The mascara just melts away. I love it!
Carmalene
I use an H2O at home face cleaning cloth to remove makeup and clean face my. I just use water and it takes all my makeup off it’s better than any makeup remover I’ve ever used. It’s amazing takes off waterproof mascara too.
Rachel DuBois
I will totally try this! Question: does it work well with the facial oil cleansing method? I’ve been using that to remove my makeup but I find I have to do the whole process twice when I’m wearing makeup. This seems easier and perhaps better than just using oil alone to remove makeup. Thanks as always!
Heather
Yes, it definitely works well with oil cleansing 🙂
Elysia
So it’s ok to use alcohol on your eyes?? Would think that would irritating…
Kath
No, you will burn your eyes. Where does is say to do that?
Sometimes we just need to use common scene.
Claudia
how do you wash the make up removals? Mine after several uses are not properly cleaned anymore (the oil is there …)
Olga
I use almond oil for eye makeup remover. Can we use witch hazel oil instead of the extract which contains alcohol? If yes, mix it with another oil (olive or almond) and in what proportion or just use the witch hazel oil? Thanks!!
Micelle
LOok for thayers on amazon! Great witch hazel product with no alcohol and it has aloe, vit. e, and rose water! I love how it works and when a receipe calls for witch hazel I use this!! It’s the bees knees! ???
N Ellis
Interesting recipe! I love how this remover contains olive oil as it helps in replenishing moisture of the skin. Will definitely try making one for myself!
Anna
Have you tried this with castor oil? Would that work? I know castor oil can be good for growing lashes and just wonder if you have tried that.
Cheryl
I use castor oil. Works well and so good for face, brows and lashes. Even good to put some inside your nostrils to keep viruses away
Carol L
For my mascara, which is not waterproof, I have been using a blend of both bhringraj and amla oils to remove my eye makeup: they are used extensively in India. I thought about it, and thought that I have never seen an Indian woman with thin, fine hair; they all have shiny, thick hair! I use this on my eyebrows as well, as they have faded and are very sparse, and I NEVER tweezed them. I have noted that a spot on one brow, having been scarred and devoid of brow hair is actually filling in a bit.
I then use my normal homemade facial serum on the rest of my face. I’m 66 and have been told I look much younger.
I used to use only vitamin E oil; that was in my 20’s. Then heard that much Vitamin E is soy, not good for our hormones, so I stopped in my 40’s-50’s. Then coconut oil, which, for me, eventually began drying my skin out, so stopped using it. I used unrefined shea butter for awhile, (I don’t mind the smell)…but then went back to my homemade facial serum and then found the Bhringraj and Amla oils and began using them about 2-3 months ago. I remove eye makeup with them and apply again at night. I just use equal parts of both oils, you can find both organic oils on Amazon.
Kavita Mevada
Good article. Homemade Eye Makeup Remover is easy to make at home with a few ingredients and is the perfect alternative to pricey commercial products.
Kavita Mevada
Homemade Eye Makeup Remover is easy to make at home with a few ingredients and is the perfect alternative to pricey commercial products.
Fatema Tuz Johora
Water and oil do not combine as I know then how witch hazel water and olive oil combine ?
Donna
Shake bottle well before you use it to temporarily mix. The witch hazel and oil will combine long enough to blend and use.
Cheryl
I use castor oil to remove makeup and clean my skin and then gently use a warm washcloth to to remove makeup. Works great and keeps my skin clear. Also helps my eyebrows and eyelashes to grow!
michele
I have been using Sweet Almond Oil and Witch Hazel for over a year now. It’s amazing that it works so well! In fact, if I have any mascara smudges below my eyes, I simply use a little witch hazel to clean it off. Wonderful, clean, nourishing and natural. Thanks Heidi for all your wonderful recipes, hacks, etc.
Connie
Looked at witch Hazel extract label and said to avoid contact with eyes! So maybe this recipe is not good for mascara/eye makeup remover.
michele
oh! lol! I’ve been using for years and have not had any issues. It does not go in the eye. Just a few drops mixed with my sweet almond oil works perfectly fine.