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Years ago I would’ve paid any amount of money for a product that could quickly, comfortably, and completely remove all of my eye makeup. Waking up with even the tiniest bit of leftover mascara or eyeliner that had melted comfortably into my under eyes was a nightmare. And somehow, I could never make the raccoon look work for me.
I wasn’t impressed with conventional eye makeup remover, so naturally, I decided it was time to DIY my way back to a clean, fresh, raccoon-free face.
The Dangers of Conventional Eye Makeup Remover
As with all of my other conventional makeup and skincare products, I checked out some of the labels and ingredients lists on the eye makeup removers in my makeup bag and was horrified.
Toxic irritants I found in these products include:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – SLS is a preservative found in many conventional hygiene and beauty products. It’s a known irritant that can disrupt skins oil-hydration balance and may spark acne flareups.
- Parabens – According to the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, longer chain parabens like propyl and butylparaben and their branched counterparts, isopropyl, and isobutyl parabens, may disrupt the endocrine system and cause reproductive and developmental disorders.
- “Fragrance” – Research from Environmental Working Group and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found an average of 14 chemicals that can be used to create what’s listed as “fragrance” in eye makeup remover and other cosmetics.
I’m sorry, but I don’t need the cleanser to smell good, I need it to work and to not cause a biohazardous buildup of toxins in my cells. Thanks.
These ingredients are so unnecessary especially in an eye makeup remover when you can just make your own with simple and safe ingredients.
Homemade Eye Makeup Remover Recipes
So, to keep it clean and keep it cute, here are homemade eye makeup remover recipes that will dissolve mascara, eyeshadow, liner, and anything else glittery and glam on your eyes.
*Note – I link to From Nature with Love for my product recommendations (unless the product is unavailable there). I choose to support small, independent businesses rather than giant corporations.
Recipe #1
- ½ cup Witch Hazel
- ½ cup Almond oil
Store this recipe in a bottle that can be shaken before applied. These will leave your eyes makeup-free and moisturized. If the skin around your eyes is sensitive or if you’ve been wearing heavy makeup all day, this simple formula will destress your skin, fight inflammation, even tone and tighten any sign of crows feet.
Additionally, this recipe is great for warding off pesky sties. The skin-friendly oil of your choice will break down the makeup and make it easy to wipe away.
Recipe #2
- 1 cup water
- ¼ tsp Castile soap
- 2 tsp Almond oil
Because of the soap in this recipe, you’ll want to keep your eyes closed and rinse your face as soon as you’re done removing the eye makeup. This one is particularly good if you’re wearing products as tough as water-proof mascara. But if you have super sensitive eyes, maybe go for one of the other recipes
Recipe #3
- 5 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 4 Tbsp Almond oil
If you don’t have time to mess around, this double-oil slips eye makeup right off. And you won’t have to worry about greasiness. The combination of evoo and almond oil is skin-friendly.
If you don’t want to wash it off with your cleansing routine, it comfortably moisturizes the skin around your eyes without irritation. Great for sensitive eyes that don’t like cleansers or intense rubbing.
Recipe #4
- 2 Tbsp Jojoba oil
- ¼ cup Witch Hazel
- 2 Tbsp water
This may be my favorite homemade eye makeup remover recipe. It’s gentle, dissolves makeup instantly, soothes, and treats my skin well, doesn’t require much rubbing, and I don’t have to worry about getting soap in my eyes. These others are great, but this is definitely my go-to.
Recipe #5
- ½ cup of extra virgin coconut oil
- 1 vitamin E capsule
- 3-4 drops of lavender essential oil
This recipe is a little more luxurious than the others. It works just as well at removing makeup but gives your eyes a little extra spa treatment.
The vitamin E helps with antiaging, lavender is cooling, and coconut oil depuffs and cleanses on the nooks and crannies. There’s just something a little extra special in this recipe that your eyes will thank you for.
Recipe #6
- 2 Tbsp Rosewater
- 2 Tbsp Jojoba or Almond oil
Remove makeup and stress with this recipe. It’s great for sensitive skin, hydrating, toning, and doesn’t leave your eyes greasy or smudged.
Recipe #7
- 1 oz. avocado butter
- 1 oz. kokum butter
- ½ tsp aloe vera gel
- ½ Tbsp grapeseed oil
- 5 pellets emulsifying wax
If you prefer to work with a solid, balm-like makeup remover, this is for you. Melt the ingredients in a double boiler, store in the fridge to solidify, and you have a beautiful luscious eye makeup remover that applies best with hands.
How to Use Eye Makeup Remover
Put your homemade eye makeup remover recipes to good use with these techniques.
- The Q-tip method allows you to wipe close to the lash lines. It’s great if you have lash extensions. Good for sensitive skin. And perfect for cleaning up any leftover makeup after the initial cleanse. Simply dip a Q-tip into your mixture and remove eye makeup. May require 2-3 Q-tips.
- Use your hands. When applying a recipe that’s oil-based, your hands help warm the oil. In a gentle circular motion rub your eyes. You may find the makeup goes everywhere, that’s because the oil broke it down. It just needs to be washed away with a soft, wet cloth or you can go right into your cleansing skin care routine.
- All of these recipes are suitable to be applied to your eyes how you normally would use. For most of us, that’s pouring a bit onto a cotton pad and going to town.
With these recipes, you’ll be able to cleanse some of the most sensitive skin on your body with confidence.
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