DIY Eye Makeup Remover (Natural Recipe & Simple Oil Options)

This DIY eye makeup remover recipe is gentle, simple to make, and works even on mascara and eyeliner. After trying several formulas, I developed one that removes makeup well without stinging or leaving a heavy oily residue. It's truly the best eye makeup remover that I've ever used.

In addition to that, I’m also sharing simple oil alternatives and the formulas I tested that didn’t work well and why.

Many store-bought removers contain fragrance, preservatives, and other ingredients some people prefer to avoid. If that's you, you'll love the simplicity of this formula, in addition to loving how well it works.

Why This DIY Eye Makeup Remover Works

This formula is a simple one, but it works extremely well, and here's why.

• oil dissolves eye makeup, including waterproof mascara. It also reduces the stinging that plain witch hazel can cause.
• witch hazel helps cut the greasy feel and residue from the oil
• vitamin E is optional for extra nourishment

This works so well that a natural-minded professional friend of mine—who is very particular about ingredients and demands performance from her products—told me this is the best eye makeup remover she has ever used. I always appreciate hearing that feedback, especially from someone like this.

How to Use This Eye Makeup Remover

• Shake well before using.
• Moisten cotton round or makeup pad with the mixture, or alternatively place some of the mixture on clean fingers, and wipe eyes gently until the makeup is loosened.
• Rinse eye area and entire face with warm water.
• Follow with water-based cleanser on face and eye area. If using a facial oil cleanser, you could do that first and then follow with a water-based cleanser for the double-cleansing method.

Simple Oils That Remove Eye Makeup

Some DIY makeup remover “recipes” online are simply a single ingredient, usually an oil, since oils dissolve makeup easily. Common examples include coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil for that purpose.

While I like facial oil cleansing because it removes makeup well, oils leave behind residue on eyelashes when used as an eye makeup remover. Even after washing once or twice, some oil can remain and cause the next day's makeup to run or smudge.

Note that coconut oil can be too heavy for some skin types and may contribute to clogged pores for some people.

Castor oil is sometimes recommended in DIY makeup remover recipes or eyelash blends because it’s very conditioning and is thought to help with hair growth. However, its heavy texture can make it harder to remove from lashes and the delicate eye area. Some people prefer to blend a small amount with lighter oils, but I still find it too difficult to remove and prefer lighter oils for this application.

Homemade Eye Makeup Remover Recipes I Tried

While developing this formula, I tried a variety of options. Here are the results:

• Witch hazel and oil: removed makeup but stung
• Water, vitamin E, and oil: too oily and separated too much
• Water, castile soap, and oil: stung and didn’t remove makeup well
• Olive oil and almond oil: effective but much too greasy
• Water and soap: stung and underperformed

Finally, after testing these options, I found that the above balanced oil-based remover with witch hazel was the perfect combination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use coconut oil to remove eye makeup?

Yes, you can, but it can clog pores for some people. It also will leave an oily residue that can be hard to remove completely.

Does this remove waterproof mascara?

Yes, it works really well for waterproof mascara. You might need to massage your eyes a bit longer to get it off, but it will work.

Will this sting?

The oil in the remover is a buffer for the stinging. If you experience any stinging at all, it should be very mild. Of course if you have any kind of reaction to this formula, stop using it immediately.

How long does homemade eye makeup remover last?

Due to the water in this formula, you should only make enough for 3-4 days. The vitamin E might help it last a bit longer as will storing it in the fridge. If you want to make a larger batch, you'll need to add a broad spectrum preservative.

Is homemade eye makeup remover cheaper?

Yes and this DIY version costs much less per ounce than store-bought eye makeup removers.

Prefer to Buy Instead?

If you’d rather not make your own eye makeup remover, here are a few brands I trust that have safer ingredients:

• Poofy Organic's Remover – Code WNM gets 10% off your first order.
• Rowe Casa's Remover – Code WNM gets 20% off your first order.

However, DIY options are far less expensive and allow you to control exactly what ingredients you’re using.

More Natural Beauty Recipes

Here are some more great homemade beauty products that are simple to make. I love all of these, and I think you will too.

• Homemade Jojoba Face Wash
• Homemade Foaming Soap
• Homemade Shea Butter Lotion
• 2 Ingredient Homemade Hairspray
• Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

What do you use to remove your eye makeup?

Photo Credits: Naomi Huzovicova