8 Household Products that Are Natural Makeup Removers
Updated: Mar. 20, 2023
Traditional wipes and makeup removers may contain harsh ingredients that can strip skin of the natural oils it needs to stay hydrated. Cut out the chemicals—and save some cash—by removing makeup with these common household items.
Natural makeup remover: honey and baking soda
A combination of honey and baking soda makes a great cleansing and exfoliating makeup remover. “When these two items are blended together, the mixture not only removes face makeup but can also exfoliate and help with blackheads,” says dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD, owner of Skinfluence in New York City. NOTE: This method is not to be used in the eye area, as it can irritate delicate membranes.
Natural makeup remover: baby oil
Baby oil is one of the first go-to household items women use to remove makeup. Put a few squirts on a cotton ball, pad, or tissue to swiftly remove stubborn eye makeup, including mascara. Wipe with a tissue to remove all traces of the oil. Don’t miss more ingenous uses for baby oil around the house.
Natural makeup remover: milk
“Milk, which is rich in calcium and vitamins, is extremely nourishing but also very cleansing for the skin, and has been used for centuries throughout the world,” says Geoffrey Rodriguez, makeup artist and beauty guru from Los Angeles, California. Dr. Peredo advises soaking a cotton ball in milk and running it over your eye, then rinsing with warm water. “This is a great way to gently remove eye makeup,” she says.
Natural makeup remover: yogurt
Go one step further in the dairy aisle and reach for plain Greek yogurt. “Yogurt is rich in probiotics, and also incredibly nourishing to skin,” Rodriguez says. Take a small scoop, about a tablespoon, and spread it all over your face and eye area. Use a warm washcloth to remove it—along with your makeup.
Natural makeup remover: avocado
Dip into the fridge or your countertop fruit bowl for an avocado. “Scoop out the pulp of the avocado to get to the oil that’s just above the skin,” Dr. Peredo says. Avocados also make a great mask or scrub, according to Rodriguez. Just add some coffee grounds or sugar plus a splash of lemon juice, and your skin will look fresh and radiant. Check out the other homemade face mask recipes that will inpsire you to skip the spa.
Natural makeup remover: coconut or olive oil
“Coconut oil is amazing for removing heavier makeup, including all day lipcolor, and is extremely conditioning and hydrating for the skin as well,” Rodriguez says. It’s also great for all skin types and very gentle, with incredible healing properties. “Because of its oil base, coconut oil is very successful at breaking down waterproof makeup,” says Becky Bjorklund, a licensed esthetician and makeup artist with SM Makeup Inc, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Olive oil is also great for melting stubborn makeup.
Natural makeup remover: microfiber towel
If you’re fresh out of remover and all these natural stand-ins, you could have some luck with a washcloth. “Microfiber towels are great and could also be used alone with warm water to remove makeup,” Bjorklund says. Follow up with a cleanser to ensure that all makeup and dirt is removed. Don’t miss the face-washing mistakes you don’t realize you’re making.
Natural makeup remover: cucumbers
“Cucumbers mashed into a paste (perhaps mixed with some yogurt) are extremely calming and great for removing eye makeup,” Rodriguez says. Lindsey Cummins, CEO of the social polling app Winq, reports that some 60 percent of their users have used cucumber to remove makeup successfully. By the way—if you accidentally get makeup on your clothes, don’t panic. Learning how to get makeup out of clothes is a breeze!
