9 Simple, Natural Ways To Remove Makeup

Just as you apply makeup every morning, you need to remove it every night to give your skin the ability to breathe and repair itself. Do you know that you don’t have to spend all that money on makeup removers packed with chemicals?

Making your own couldn’t be easier – sometimes you only need one ingredient! You won’t forget to take off your eye shadow and eyeliner with one of these simple, natural makeup removers.

9 Natural Makeup Removers

You can also combine these into two steps, depending on your skin. For example, you could use a pure oil to massage and dissolve away makeup, then swipe with something like milk or witch hazel on a cotton round.

Taking the time to massage is also super relaxing for your skin and ensures any excess sebum is gently washed away. Moreover, it stimulates your lymphatics to drain away toxins and promote circulation to help support nightly renewal processes.

Oils are a great natural way to dissolve makeup, but they need a little help getting off your skin since they won’t rinse away easily. Taking a two-step approach is also the best way to ensure that your skin is totally clean and ready for bed—remember, sleeping in makeup is one of the worst things you can do for your skin! 

1. Coconut oil

The easiest way to remove makeup? Using coconut oil! The wonder ingredient impresses through simplicity. You don’t need anything else to remove even waterproof makeup!

This is excellent for when you’re traveling and don’t want to carry tons of beauty products with you since coconut oil has dozens of uses. Find out how here. If you are prone to breakouts, keep coconut oil to removing eye makeup as it is comedonal for the acne-prone areas.

2. Olive oil

Isn’t it cool that you already have makeup remover in your pantry? Use hydrating olive oil to remove impurities, and mix it with the pleasant perfume of rose water. Perfect for dry or sensitive skin.

3. Aloe vera

You know about the miraculous benefits of this plant, so include it in your evening routine. We liked Michelle Phan‘s recipe, which mixes aloe water with olive oil.

4. Witch hazel

Not just a makeup remover, witch hazel improves your skin by clearing acne and locking in moisture. Pair it with tea tree oil following our recipe or use lemon essential oil, as described here. This one is better for your skin and not your eyes!

5. Cucumber juice

Refreshing and cooling, perfect for oily skin, cucumber juice will help remove makeup and brighten dull skin.

6. Shea butter

A cleansing balm can remove makeup and excess sebum without stripping your pores. Warm up a small amount of this balm with shea butter, coconut oil and olive oil, gently massage it onto your face, and watch makeup melt away.

7. Jojoba oil

This light oil soothes and protects the skin, while also removing impurities and makeup. Pair it with almond oil to remove makeup from the sensitive area of your eyes.

8. Honey

Mixed with baking soda, it becomes a powerful, yet gentle on the skin as a gently exfoliating and hydrating makeup remover. Find out more here.

9. Milk

Swap the store bought face milk for actual milk to clean your face and remove makeup naturally! Raw milk on a cotton disc and you’re done! Your brighter skin will thank you for it!

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.