Homemade makeup remover wipes are an easy and inexpensive way to clean the facial skin, using all natural ingredients. If you want to learn how to make your own DIY face makeup remover, there are step-by-step instructions below!
I have tried a lot of homemade makeup removers. My go-to is generally the Oil Cleansing Method, but sometimes I am admittedly lazy, and want to be able to remove my makeup while watching tv on the couch.
You feel me, right?
I find that makeup remover wipes are highly convenient for such times, and will occasionally find myself buying them at the store. But there are two things that bother me when buying makeup remover wipes: they’re expensive, and they contain unnecessary chemicals that dry out my facial skin.
(Not trying to call out any specific companies here, but one “ultra-calming” makeup remover I’ve tried contains isononyl isononanoate, pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, cetyl ethylhexanoate, and 20 more ingredients. In a makeup remover. It’s crazy!)
A few years ago, it occurred to me that I could make my own homemade makeup remover wipes!
Table of Contents
Cleaning up your Beauty Routine
There are a couple natural ingredients I already use to help remove stubborn eye makeup, so I decided to mix them up with a little water, pour them over some paper towels, and use them as a homemade makeup remover.
I feel like I’ve discovered some great diy beauty products before, and this is one of the better ones!
This makeup remover DIY works wonderfully, too! These homemade makeup remover wipes leave my skin feeling clean, moisturized, and radiant. That’s a win-win-win.
Oh, and they only take about 2 minutes to make a batch that’ll last you a month. And the cost is only around a dollar.
If you are currently wasting your money at the store to buy these, stop. Stop right now. Get these ingredients, and make these at home. I can’t think of a reason why you won’t love these. Seriously.
How to Make Homemade Makeup Remover Wipes
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 15 paper towel sheets, cut in half
- 2 cup of distilled water
- 1-3 tbsp olive oil or fractionated coconut oil
- 1 tbsp witch hazel (found in the medicine section or your market, for around $1)
- 25 drops essential oil of choice (lavender and tea tree oil are my favorites)
- A quart-size mason jar
Instructions:
Cut 15 sheets of paper towels in half, then fold them into small squares and stack them into a large, clean mason jar (a wide-mouthed jar may result in fewer frustrations… speaking from experience).
Combine water, olive oil, witch hazel and essential oils (if using), and vigorously stir with a fork or a whisk to try and get the water and oil combined.
Immediately pour mixture over the paper towels.
Secure our jar with a lid, and shake vigorously to get all of the paper towels soaked.
How To Use Your Homemade Makeup Remover Wipes
When you’re ready to remove your makeup, grab a paper towel and gently rub away the makeup.
Return the lid on the jar, so the solution doesn’t dry out.
These work great as a DIY eye makeup remover! Just make sure you don’t get any of the solution in your eye if you’re using essential oils in the solution.
How Long Do They Last?
The makeup remover should stay good for up to a month, but I would discard and start fresh a fresh batch each month.
Can you use Reusable Wipes?
I have had a few people ask about reusable wipes, and they do work well! I’ve tried reusable baby wipes and found they fit well in the bottles, are effective at removing makeup, and are easily washed.
I don’t believe the solution will stay good for quite as long with the reusable wipes. If you try reusable wipes, I would recommend changing out the solution every 7 – 10 days.
What are Good Essential Oils for the Skin?
I love using lavender essential oil or tea tree essential oil in this recipe.
Lavender essential oil has antibacterial properties that can kill the acne-causing bacteria on your skin. It is also an anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce redness or irritated skin.
Tea tree essential oil has antiseptic properties that can help combat oily skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce irritation and itchy skin.
Some other good essential oils are:
- Frankincense essential oil – great for reducing signs of aging
- German chamomile essential oil – great for dry skin
- Geranium essential oil – helps reduce acne and fade scars
- Peppermint essential oil – helps fight blackheads
To learn more, check out essential oils for skin.
Quick note: Some essential oils have phototoxic properties, which means if you have the oil on your skin and are exposed to the sun or UV rays, it can cause first to third degree burns. I’ve seen it happen to my sister-in-law and it looks really painful! Check this list to learn which essential oils have phototoxic properties.
Don’t Want to Make Them?
Sometimes the idea of DIY is more fun than actually doing it! If you want all natural, safe, and effective makeup remover wipes without having to make them, these one-step makeup remover wipes are my favorite.
Printable Recipe
In case you want to print out this recipe to hang on your fridge or share with a friend, here is a printable recipe for you!
DIY Makeup Remover Wipes
Easy diy makeup remover wipes using all natural ingredients.
Ingredients
- 15 paper towel sheets cut in half
- 2 cups water
- 1 - 3 tbsp olive oil if you have dry skin, use more. Oily skin, use less
- 1 tbsp witch hazel found in the medicine section or your market, for around $1
- 25 drops essential oil
- A large mason jar with a lid
Instructions
-
Cut 15 sheets of paper towels in half, then fold them into small squares and stack them into a large, clean mason jar.
-
Combine water, olive oil, witch hazel and essential oils (if using), and vigorously stir with a fork or a whisk to try and get the water and oil combined.
-
Immediately pour mixture over the paper towels, secure jar with a lid, and shake the jar to get all of the paper towels soaked. Once the paper towels are wet, pour out most of the remaining liquid in the jar, and secure the lid.
More DIY Beauty Ideas
If you enjoy DIY beauty products make with all natural ingredients, here are some other great recipes you’ll love!
I made this recipe and found that 2 cups of water was way too much and 25 drops of essential oils also way too much. 1 cup would’ve been sufficient. I ended up throwing away most of the water at the end.
Can extra virgin olive oil be used in place of olive oil?
Yep!
The problem becomes when you use a water-base (glycerine, rose water, Aloa Vera, distilled water, etc.) ingredient, you open up contamination with bacteria AND mold. The second problem comes because most of the time bacteria and mold spores are not noticeable by the human eye right away. Things like essential oils and vitamin E oil ARE NOT preservatives. The ONLY way is to add some level of preservative to your DIY mixture. I add 4% (by total weight) of Leucidal Liquid SF (made from fermented radishes – so VERY natural) to be SURE not to have bacteria or mold.
This is an awesome recipe.
Thank you for sharing this recipe… I love them my skin feels so soft after using them I mixed both tea tree oil and lavender on my first batch smells incredible.
So glad you’re enjoying them!!
This is an awesome recipe. Much better than store bought!
Can I use normal coconut oil instead of fractionated coconut oil??
Hi Itzel – I haven’t tried using regular coconut oil — my thought is it would solidify in the solution at room temperature, and it wouldn’t evenly disperse. The advantage of fractionated coconut oil is that it’s liquid. Hope that helps.
How long can we preserve the water?
Unfortunately, witch hazel is not up for grabs in my place 🙁 Is there a substitute?
Hi Paladugu –
You can make this without witch hazel. The addition of witch hazel provides a natural astringent, but you will still get a clean face without adding it.
hope that helps!
Andrea
Can I add aloe Vera gel in this recipe
How long does this stay as in what’s the shelf life. ….
Hi Ratasha –
This stays good for about a month. You could probably be fine keeping it for 6 weeks, but then I would recommend making a new batch.
Andrea
Hi I just wanted to know can you use cotton balls to soak or cotton square pieces
Hi Ratasha – yes, absolutely!
I have tried many makeup remover recipes and found them to be very drying especially in eye area. I also have sensitive skin so I have to be careful what I use. I made reusable wipes with cotton put in solution. It works great I am on week 2 no rashes no drying and it takes all makeup off!! Even waterproof mascara! Thank you!!
Shannon – yay! I am so glad that a modified version of this worked so well for you! I have extremely sensitive and dry skin, and it responds really well to this solution, too.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Paper towels seem to harsh and abrasive. What would be an alternative such as a dry baby wipe but I’m not sure if those are available. Any suggestions? thank you
Hi Leslie,
You get get some fabric and cut out squares, making a more environmentally-friendly and softer wipes.
I made my own. They are 3″ x 3″, top is flannel and bottom is terry cloth. I just serged the edges. Use them and launder with regular towels.
That is awesome Vicki – I am going to try that on my next batch!
Is witch hazel drying to the eyes?
Hi Sonya! I assume you are talkig about the skin around the eye? Eyes should always be closed when using the wipes around them. That being said, Witch Hazel is a natural astringent, so it is a tad drying, but I haven’t experienced any dryness or tightness from using these wipes. The olive oil is quite moisturizing, and I find my skin feels remarkably wonderful after using these.
If the mixture of oils is put in an atomizer and sprayed on the towel at the time of make-up … It would be a good alternative
I cant wait to make these! I also love the way they look in the had. GENIUS!
What if I only have which hazel with alcohol in it? Will this work for the first month’s batch until I can go to town to buy the aloe one? Thank you!
Hi Sierra,
You could try it, but the alcohol will probably dry out your skin. You could probably just skip the witch hazel until you were able to get some, and that would be fine.
Andrea
To the person who asked for an alternative to Witch hazel because of their acne prone skin type…. Witch hazel is perfect for acne! It reduces the inflammation & redness, while gently cleaning your skin. Just buy the alcohol free kind & it typically has aloe Vera infused with it.
These look great, can’t wait to try them!
Is there any alternative to witch hazel
As i have acne prone n oijy skin
I have heard Aloe Vera Gel is a decent substitute for witch hazel, and have used that in some other homemade recipes, but haven’t tried it in this particular recipe.
Do they mould?
Tracey,
I have kept them for a month, and they did not mold. I change my solution every month and wash my hands before grabbing the wipes, and make sure to secure the lid after I’m done.
Lovely product. Can you refrigerate and save the water after you finish making the wipes or do you just toss?
I usually toss it, because germs can fester after so long.
Hello! I was wondering if these are just for eye makeup or can you use these for removing foundation too? Also I have very sensitive skin, and I was wondering, will the olive oil make me break out?
I use them for my whole face! I wash my face with olive oil, as well, and it is great for my skin (also sensitive). You may try just a small portion of the skin for a few days and see how it reacts, before using it on your whole face, just in case.
I love using oil on my face! I bet if you used distilled water the wipes might store for even longer 🙂
Yes – that is a great idea, Karen!
I’ll be making these. I spend $30 a month on mine from Rodan and Fields. I have an empty diaper wipe box style container that I saved. Thank you for the inspiration!
With 2 teen daughters and myself, we go through quite a lot of makeup removing wipes. I’m so excited to be able to make our own now (and save money, too).
Hi Andrea, I would like to know how long can I use that homemade remover wipe?
Hi Thinn,
One batch should last you a month, but I would clean the jar and make a fresh batch every month.
What is the witch hazel for? Would it be as effective without? That’s the only ingredient I don’t already have on hand.
Hi Mia,
I have found that witch hazel helps remove makeup, and is also a great toner. But, olive oil does a great job removing makeup as well, so give it a shot without the witch hazel, and it could very well be sufficient for what you’re needing.
If you need a little more uumph in the cleaning, you could always add a splash of witch hazel after your next trip to the market 🙂
awesome! That’s what I will do! Thanks!
Would it be more economical to use squares of cotton material that could be washed and reused instead of paper towels?
I prefer to reuse and reduce excess waste. Just a thought.
Yes, you can certainly try that!
OMG! Thanks! I am making some of this today!!! lol
This has been a major budget saver. And even cut through my cosplay and stage makeup!
Enough thanks cannot be given.
Hi Draven – thanks so much for sharing your experience! I am thrilled they are working for you 🙂