DIY Eye Makeup Remover (Natural Recipe & Simple Oil Options)
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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
Homemade Eye Makeup Remover
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons witch hazel
- 2 tablespoons oil of choice
- 2 tablespoons water
- small glass jar with lid like this one or this one
- organic cotton rounds or pads
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to your container/dispenser.
- Shake well before using.
- Moisten cotton round or makeup pad with the mixture, or alternatively you can place some of the mixture on clean fingers, and then wipe eyes gently until all of the makeup is loosened.
- Rinse your eyes with warm water.
- Follow with water-based facial cleanser and your regular skincare routine.
Notes
- To clean up stray eye makeup on face that might remain after using this remover, put a small amount on fingers or dip cotton swab in the mixture to clean up those marks.
- When washing your face after using the remover, you will likely want to wash your eye area as well to remove any residue.
- When using this remover for waterproof mascara, you will likely need to lightly massage it in a little bit more than you will for regular mascara.
- SHELF LIFE: The witch hazel in this product will help a bit with bacterial growth, but you should only make enough to use within 3-4 days and store this in the fridge. If it smells off, discard. You need a broad spectrum preservative in this to keep it for a longer period of time.
- I prefer using disposable cotton balls or rounds because eye makeup is difficult to wash off of washable pads.
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
also, what is your opinion about micellar water?
Hi again – What are you wondering about regarding it?
Just wondering what your opinion is about it, no judgment. I like your article.
Are there hidden bad chemicals in it one should worry about??
Hi again. Got it. It would depend on the brand. Do you have one in mind?
I have used Neutrogena. light blue bottle, says oil free eye makeup remover
Hi again – were you wanting my thoughts on this? I know we were talking about micellar water so I’m a little confused now. Just let me know :).
may i ask, why refrigerate the witch hazel & jojoba oil? both these products are not refrigerated by themselves?
Hi Jan – there’s water in the formula. I might try to redo the recipe at some point but that’s why. Hope it works well for you!
You do know that literally everything, except for energy and subatomic particles, is a chemical? Because you keep talking about “removing chemicals”, which means you have fallen for the scare tactics hook, line, and sinker. Water is a chemical. Oxygen is a chemical. Glucose is a chemical. Salt is a chemical. You are full of chemicals because guess what? All of those are found in the body and are necessary for life.
You people hear the word “chemical” and think bad because you listen to scaremongers, but they (and now you) have no idea what you’re talking about.
Hey there “Someone” – if you had used a real email instead of the fake one, you could see my response that would then allow you to be “educated”.
Yes, I am aware that everything is made up of chemicals. Pretty much. Technically the word chemical in this case should be replaced by “synthetic chemical” and I just did that. I just have a lot to manage on my site and that was missed.
I haven’t fallen for any scare tactics. You are ignoring the obvious that many synthetic chemicals are a problem and you’re extrapolating from a typical misstatement that I don’t know what I’m talking about.
I do.
Hello. Thanks for doing the due diligence on this topic. I will definitely try this recipe out for sure! Been using Burt’s Bees makeup wipes but have been noticing diminished eye sight day after use. Yea! I did want to add that I have a Soy allergy & I have found information that tells of ALL Vitamin E in USA is in fact Soy derived sadly enough. Blessings to you for going above & beyond. ;o)
Hi there! I hope you like it! 2 thoughts about your soy situation.
1) I did find this one that’s soy free and there are more (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3j9PicP.
2) Typically “derived” means that there’s very little of the original substance in the derived product. You would have to ask the manufacturer, but I work with Amare and they have ingredients grown in milk that has on dairy component in the final product. I know this topic pretty well due to my oldest having life threatening food allergies.
Hope that helps!
Thank you for sharing your research! My research brought your reasearch and we care for the same healthy, non-toxic, natural and minimal way of living.
I am also writing to you to suggest a way to preserve the mix without preservative and without needing to refrigerate it: I got a 4L of distilled water at our drugstore, for only $1.60.
Cheers!
Marie
Ottawa, Canada
Hello there. Thanks! You could try something like vitamin E or rosemary or some other natural preservative. I don’t currently have recommendations for amounts, however.
Thanks so much for this information!
You are so welcome!