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I did this poll last month and multiple readers asked how to take off makeup without make up wipes or DIY makeup remover options!
This was a great question and something I definitely wanted to share with everyone. I have showed a few of these tips on instagram before, and everyone has enjoyed them!
It has been probably 10 years or more since I’ve used makeup wipes to take off my makeup. I used them because it was so convenient, but it always left my skin feeling dry, red, and burning. I always struggle with dermatitis and eczema on my eye area, and the wipes exasperated it.
So, over the years I have come up with different ways to take off my makeup without makeup wipes, and now I have a few simple things I like.
Let’s get started!
How to take off makeup without makeup wipes
Before You Start:
Before you use any of the methods in this post, I highly recommend getting a good quality microfiber cloth for your face. I use these and love them! Microfiber is beneficial alone for skin, but combined with some of the methods below, it will work even better!
Coconut Oil
One of the most simple methods for makeup removal is plain coconut oil. Coconut oil is very gentle on the skin with a soft texture, so it does a great job with makeup removal.
If you recall this post from last year, coconut oil has so many topical benefits for your skin. It is an anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and can soothe irritation. The lauric acid in coconut oil makes it great for removing makeup from skin (see my little photo bomber below 😉 ).
Here is how to use it for makeup removal:
- Gently rub the coconut oil over your face in small circular motions.
- Wipe face off with a warm damp microfiber cloth.
- Wash face normally, or rinse with water.
Grapeseed Oil
I keep a bottle of grapeseed oil in my bathroom and use it anytime I shower to remove makeup. Grapeseed oil has a totally different texture than coconut oil. It is thicker, like an olive oil, so I prefer to use it before hoping into a shower. This way I can remove all the residue. Although this oil is thicker, it is a very mild oil, so most people can use it even if you tend to get breakouts. One of the best benefits of grapeseed oil is the vitamin E content. This is one of the reasons it is an ingredient in our DIY eye mask. You can use any type of grapseed oil for makeup removal like the kind you cook with!
Here is how to use it:
- Rub grapeseed oil all over your face making sure to get all the areas where makeup is.
- In the shower, wash face or exfoliate like normal. I like to exfoliate at this point because it will remove any oil residue.
Jojoba Oil
The last oil I like to use for makeup removal is jojoba oil. Jojoba is very mild, thin, and gentle, so people with acne prone skin can use this. In fact, jojoba is one of the most common oils in skincare because of how gentle it is, but also a great moisturizer. It isn’t irritating, so you can use this for removing eye makeup really well.
Here is how to use it:
- Rub the jojoba oil all over your face. It is a thinner oil, so it takes a little more rubbing to get makeup off.
- Wipe face with a warm damp microfiber cloth.
- Wash face normally, or rinse with water.
A tip about oils!
You might think oils will break you out if you use them like this, but they won’t! These three oils are very common for removing makeup and are also key ingredients in many store-bought oil based cleansers. The key is to wash the oil off.
If you have acne prone skin, just make sure to test first, but most people I know with acne prone skin do well with these oils.
Cold Cream Cleanser
I have talked about this before, but this is always my go to for removing makeup. My skin does really well with it, and this cream always removes all the makeup. It is an old-fashioned skin tip that still works! It is really the only store-bought combination I use.
What about micellar water?
I don’t like to use micellar water. Most of the ones on the market today are full of extra ingredients. True micellar water is very expensive and hard to find! I will be doing a FULL post on this soon because many readers have been asking for it. Keep a look out!
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Hi Alexis… Love the background of Amelia when you were showing the coconut oil. Such a cuties – almost 1 year old! Great info about makeup removers. I have used Cetaphil cleanser and/or Vaseline petroleum jelly. I thought I read that you’ve used almond oil as a remover, too? Or am I imagining that. A long time ago you recommended almond oil as a moisturizer… I’m loving that and avocado oil for my dry skin! Feels so good! I use the NOW brand that you recommended… I get the big bottles and refill the little ones on my counter top. LOVE!
Almond oil is one of my favorite oils for moisturizing. It’s so good around the eyes! You can use it to remove makeup also, but it is a little thick, so it can be harder to remove. Some people have allergies to it, so it isn’t as all-purpose as the jojoba or grape seed. But it’s always my go to for dry skin 🙂
Such great tips
Thank you!
Very interesting & informative. I have never used oil on my face. I have sensitive skin so maybe jajoba oil would work well. Do you have an opinion on Argon Oil?
Jojoba is usually really good for sensitive skin or people who have breakouts! Argon is a really good oil too, it is great for moisturizing. I like to use it occasionally, but it has caused me to breakout if I use it too often.
Cold cream? I have used cold cream all my life, so did my mom and her mom. Works great but I was told it is made from petroleum bad things (I don’t really remember) and not truly natural. Are the ingredients in cold cream bad for your skin? I’ve just begun using coconut oil to remove makeup and vitamin E oil for moisturizing. It is working really well with my rosacea (damn that menopause!)
It contains mineral oil….there are mixed reviews about mineral oil based products, however they get the job done and gentle on sensitive skin. Products for babies also contain it because it doesn’t irritate the skin. I am not sure if you saw this post, are all chemicals bad? I go into detail on using chemicals in the home and for skin. It is a good read 🙂 Coconut oil and vitamin E are both great for that!!