• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Whole New Mom
  • Resources
  • About
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Recipes
  • Natural Remedies
  • Healthy Home
  • Wellness
  • Clean Beauty
    • Beautycounter
  • Gardening
  • Essential Oils

Home » The Best Homemade Eye Makeup Remover

The Best Homemade Eye Makeup Remover

by Adrienne 408 Comments Published September 17, 2012 Updated: Dec 30, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission. Learn more in our disclosure.
30.5Kshares
I tried a bunch of Homemade Eye Makeup Removers and this one worked the best – now improved even more! Ditch the toxins, save money, and make it yourself!

Ditch the toxins that are in most store bought eye makeup removers and make your own instead! I tried a bunch of Homemade Eye Makeup Remover formulas, and this one worked the best.

homemade eye makeup remover in a jar with cotton balls and tweezers

One of the best ways to get toxins out of your home is to make your own personal care products - like homemade lotion, toothpaste, hairspray, and more.

I set out this past week to try and figure out a good homemade eye makeup remover to share with all of you.

Little did I know that I'd have my work cut out for me.

There are a bunch of recipes out there on the internet touting to be great homemade eye makeup removers -- so which one was the best?

Or was there an even better option?

Bet you just can't wait to find out, right?

Now just to be clear, I don't wear a bunch of makeup.  In fact, I've been a real makeup minimalist most of my life.

I pretty much wear a little something under my eyes, some eyeliner (as natural as possible) and some mascara--and that's it.

So I don't have a lot of "stuff" to take off my face at the end of the day.

But I do need something that will take off mascara and eye liner.

I used to use a drugstore brand of remover, but when I finally read the label on that stuff I figured there had to be a better way.

Here's the not-so-nice list of ingredients I had been putting on my eyes:

Mineral Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Ceteth-20, Trihydroxystearin, Sorbic Acid, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Vanillin, Titanium Dioxide.

Ugh.

In fact, if you look at the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Rating on these ingredients, you will see that you really don't want to be putting this on your eyes (a rating of zero is the best that you can get. As the numbers go higher, the ingredient is most likely more problematic.

- mineral oil - (1-3):
- ceteth 20 (2):
- sorbic acid (3):
- methylparaben (4):
- titanium dioxide (1-3):

So for the past 2-3 years, I've been using straight jojoba oil as a "homemade eye makeup remover" -- nothing really to make there, though.   Just use it :-).  And I'd put a little water on afterwards and then do a quick swipe with some toilet tissue.

But it was really just too oily and I was using a lot of jojoba.  It's not crazy expensive, but I really wanted to find something that worked just as well and wasn't such a mess.

Also, you know when you're putting on mascara and you miss?

Well, when I'd try to clean up that stray mess with straight jojoba oil I'd end up with an oily mess on my face.  Not good when you're trying to get out the door quickly.

So...I perused the internet, came up with a bunch of homemade eye makeup remover recipes to try, and got to work.

First of all, a number of the recipes were "no go's" from the start.

Like ones that contained:

  • Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
  • Johnson and Johnson's Baby Wash
  • or other chemically ingredients like that :-(.

'Cause we're trying to get rid of the chemical junk and not just save money, remember?

I came up with a list of 6 Eye Makeup Remover Recipes to Try.

Here are the results of each one ...and at the end I'll share which one was the winner.

Homemade Eye Makeup Remover Formula Trials

Before I share the different homemade eye makeup removers that I tried, I should say that yes, I did try plain old coconut oil.

I love coconut oil for so many things, but coconut oil and my skin don't seem to get along well. It doesn't seem to sink in to my skin, I feel like I can't get it off of my eyes after removing makeup, and it tends to cause breakouts for me.

There are a few skincare products with some form of coconut oil in them that don't cause breakouts for me, but overall I don't like using it on my face.

So there--a few readers have commented about how much they like using coconut oil for an eye makeup remover, but I just don't.

Sorry.

So these are the different homemade eye makeup remover formulas (without coconut oil) that I tried.

Recipe #1 - 50/50 Witch Hazel & Oil

- 1/4 cup witch hazel (alcohol free preferred)
- 1/4 cup oil (organic almond oil, jojoba oil, and organic olive oil are all decent choices)

Note (please be careful in choosing an olive oil since many are counterfeit. This Olive Oil has been shown in tests to be real olive oil.)

This one was the first recipe I tried.  My initial thought upon mixing it up was, "Isn't this going to sting my eyes?"

The first time I tried it, it didn't.

The second time--stinging.  Not good.

Recipe #2 - Water, Vitamin E Capsules & Oil

Honestly, I didn't try this one.  My reason?  Seemed like a good recipe, but it's basically just water and oil with a little added nutrition for your eyes.  And since we don't take Vitamin E currently (maybe we should??) I felt I couldn't justify having myself or my readers purchase vitamin E oil just for making eye makeup remover.

Recipe #3 - Water, Castile Soap, & Olive Oil

- 1 cup water
- 1/4 tsp castile soap
- 1 tsp organic olive oil

This one plain stung and didn't work well.  I had to rub at my eyes several times to get my makeup off (and I'm not wearing waterproof mascara anymore).  So this is a no-go for the delicate eye area.

Recipe #4 - Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Almond Oil

- 4 Tbsp EVOO
- 3 Tbsp almond oil

Well, this one I really didn't have to try either since it's basically just the same as my current method - straight oil.  Just with different oils.

I love these oils but I need something different to take the makeup off my eyes without too much greasiness.

Recipe #5 - Water, Castille Soap, and Oil

- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 Tbsp castille soap
- 1/8 tsp oil

This one, again, didn't really work and stung somewhat.  Stinging and my eyes just don't go together.  And well, if something doesn't work--it just ummm...doesn't work.

Recipe #6 - Water & Soap

- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tsp soap (I used castille soap)

Stinging.  Again.  And not good results.

So.. what's a gal to do when these are the results she gets?

Well, here's what happened.  I came up with a winner that works like a charm and doesn't sting:

May I humbly present to you, the Best Homemade Eye Makeup Remover?

What I wanted was the:

- removing power of the oils
- some added ingredients to make it less oily and easier to remove
- clean ingredients
- works even for waterproof mascara (for whenever you really need to wear it -- e.g. swimming, events where you expect to be sobbing, etc.)
- no stinging

Here it is (drum roll please...)

homemade eye makeup remover with jar of cotton balls and tweezers

Approximate cost (at time of publishing post):

Even if you buy a more expensive oil like jojoba, you can make this chemical-nasty-free eye makeup remover for:

- Jojoba oil - About $2.25 for 1 oz
- Witch Hazel - About $1.62 for 1 oz
- Water - let's call that "free" for 1 oz, OK :-)?

Total:  $3.87 for 3 oz. which is $1.29 per ounce (not including vitamin E)

And if you use olive oil instead, my EVOO from Costco costs about $.17 per ounce.

Then your total is:  $1.79 for 3 oz, which is $.60 per ounce.

Compare that to one chemical-laden brand I was using - $4.99-ish for 2 fl oz.

I'd much rather the pure stuff!

This will even take off waterproof mascara, but you do have to work it in a little more and for a little longer.  On a side note, I've heard that waterproof mascara can lead to lashes falling out and apparently the loss is sometimes permanent.  I don't know if that's true or not, but I seem to have fewer lashes than when I was younger and I used to use waterproof mascara all. the. time.  Sigh.

I so hope you like this as much as I do.

Update 3/17: WARNING.  Unless you are going to add a broad spectrum preservative to this lotion, please plan to use this within 3-4 days and store in the refrigerator.

Homemade Eye Makeup Remover

Makes about 1/3 cup

You Will Need

2 Tbsp witch hazel
2 Tbsp oil of choice (like jojoba oil, organic almond oil, etc.)
2 Tbsp water (please use filtered water -- see how to make your water safe)
Small Glass Jar with lid like this one or this one
Organic Cotton Rounds or organic makeup remover pads (I recommend the rounds since eye makeup will tend to be hard to wash off of the pads)

Directions

1.  Add all ingredients to your container / dispenser

2.  Shake well before using.

3.  Moisten Cotton Round or Makeup Pad with the mixture, or alternatively you could place some of the mixture on clean fingers-- then wipe eyes gently.

TIPS:

To clean up stray makeup on face, put a small amount on fingers or dip cotton swab in mixture and clean up stray marks.

When washing face, make sure to get some cleaner on your eye area if you wish to remove any remaining oily residue.

UPDATE:  The witch hazel in this product will help a bit with bacterial growth, but please for now only make enough to use within 3-4 days and store this in the fridge.  If it seems bad, use common sense and don't wipe it on your eyes :-).

Other Non-Toxic Eye Makeup Remover Options

Don't feel like making your own Eye Makeup Remover?

This Instant Eye Makeup Remover from Beautycounter is so great! No toxins and removes eye makeup effortlessly. I think it might be the best store bought remove that I have ever used (and it's large bottle too so it's a decent value).

I've tried others, but they don't work as well, or else they work well, but they STING!!!  (Just tried a new one this past week and man. Not going to use that one anymore!!)

Beautycounter Eye Makeup Remover

This Baby Oil from Beautycounter is also super convenient as an Eye Makeup Remover plus it has no harmful additives like most Baby Oils on the market.

The pump dispenses just the right amount each time with no oil running all over the place onto your hands and your countertop, etc.

Side note: If you're looking for good non toxic eye makeup, my favorite mascara is Beautycounter's and I love their eye pencils too. "Just right" color without a heavy look. And the mascara doesn't smudge (and that's saying a lot for me--The "Queen" of Smudge.)  I personally have never found eye shadows that I like until I found Beautycounter's.  I'm a "winter" in terms of the colors that look good on me, and their Slipper / Slate combo in just lovely. Not overdone at all!

Interested in other DIY natural home / personal items?  How about....

- Homemade Jojoba Face Wash
- Amazing No-Streak Glass Cleaner
- Easiest Baby Wipes
- Homemade Foaming Soap
- Easy Natural Dishwasher Rinse Aid

What eye makeup remover do you use?

Photo Credits: Naomi Huzovicova
30.5Kshares
Struggling to Eat Healthy?
Get My 5 Secrets to Make Healthy Eating EASIER
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Join our subscribers who get content directly to their inbox.
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing! Please check your inbox for an email from me!

Come join our Healthy Living Community on Facebook

Join our Facebook Group

Related Posts

diy christmas gifts - homemade scrub, lip scrub, lip balm, and lotion bar
Easy Frugal Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas
Lice Treatment Spray
DIY Lice Prevention & Treatment Spray That REALLY Works!
I've tried all kinds of acne treatments, but this zinc oxide really worked! Here's a great Homemade Acne Treatment & find out why I wore sunscreen at night!
DIY Acne Cream aka Why I Wore Sunscreen At Night

About Adrienne

Adrienne Urban is the Founder and Owner of Whole New Mom. She has a background in research, journalism, insurance, employee benefits, financial markets, frugal living, and nutrition. Seeking a better life for herself and her family, she uses research and consults with many physicians and other practitioners to find solutions to the variety of issues they have dealt with including life-threatening food allergies and thyroid and adrenal concerns. WholeNewMom.com is the result of her experiences and knowledge gained throughout the process. Posts are reviewed and verified by the Whole New Mom team.

Previous Post: « Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette--5 Ways
Next Post: Homemade Celery Salt (and how to use it) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




     

  1. Kelsy

    July 21, 2020 at 6:58 am

    Using distilled water might help a bit with shelf life too ^_^

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      July 21, 2020 at 8:52 pm

      That might help - great idea!

      Reply
  2. Abby

    May 25, 2020 at 11:11 pm

    How long does this normally take? Can I do it when I wake up then leave or does it take a long time?

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      May 28, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      You mean to make it or to use it?

      Reply
  3. Grace

    December 01, 2019 at 1:33 pm

    Hi! So how do you normally store jojoba oil and witch hazel then? Do they go in the fridge? Or only when also combined together and with water?

    Reply
    • Grace

      December 01, 2019 at 1:38 pm

      What if you just kept them all three seperate in the counter? And then combined when you wanted to use?

      Reply
      • Adrienne

        December 01, 2019 at 3:23 pm

        You could do that!

        Reply
    • Adrienne

      December 01, 2019 at 3:23 pm

      Those can be stored on the shelf--oil will go rancid faster than witch hazel typically. It depends on the type of oil and storage and also the type of witch hazel b/c there are different versions.

      Reply
  4. alias

    November 13, 2019 at 7:51 pm

    We can also make it a lot less complicated and just put a couple of drops of oil onto a moistened cotton pad, squish the pad a bit to make the oil mix with water in and proceed. No need to mix anything and worry about bacteria growth. Boom.

    Reply
    • Adrienne

      November 13, 2019 at 8:11 pm

      Yes, that can work as well but this formula cleans better without the oily residue. What you are recommending is very similar to just putting oil on your wet eye (so that's even more simple :))--which I have found didn't work well for me. Thanks for reading and hope that explains things a little better. Hopefully I will be able to get some good preservative info in the post at some point.

      Reply
« Older Comments
Please note: these comments do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of Whole New Mom.

Primary Sidebar

adrienne author of whole new mom blog

Welcome! I'm Adrienne, and I'm here to show you that Healthy Living Doesn't Have to Be Hard! Here, you'll find basically everything you need to make healthy living doable--healthy & easy flexible recipes, tips for clean beauty and a natural home, essential oils, beginner gardening tips, and more. Learn more about me here.

Struggling to Eat Healthy?Get My FREE EASIER Healthy Eating Tips!
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Join our subscribers who get content directly to their inbox.
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing! Check your inbox for your guide!

POPULAR POSTS

healthy fudge on white parchment paper with knife in background

Adaptogenic Phat Fudge Remake

Need a delicious, quick and healthy meal? Try this Easy Baked Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe. They taste like you spent a TON of time in the kitchen, but they come together in a flash. Grain & Egg Free (with AIP and THM:S options) and they freeze well too!

Easy Baked Chicken Nuggets {gluten free with paleo option}

This Egg Roll in a Bowl has all of the great flavor of Egg Rolls, but it's an Easy One Pan Meal without the grain wrapper!

Egg Roll in a Bowl - low carb, whole30, keto, paleo, AIP

gluten free chili mac in white bowl with spoon

Gluten-free Chili Mac (dairy-free & keto option)

<script>

Disclaimer

Cookie Policy

HTML Sitemap

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2021 Whole New Mom on the Foodie Pro Theme

30.5Kshares
  • 1.1K
x
Get My Easier Healthy Eating Guide
No spam here (ick!). You can unsubscribe anytime (no hard feelings!)
Invalid email address
Welcome! Check your email for your Guide!
x
Struggling to Eat Healthy?
Try My EASY Healthy Eating Tips!
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Join our subscribers who get content directly to their inbox.
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.