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Simple Homemade Eye Makeup Remover {A Picture Tutorial}

Simple Homemade Eye Makeup Remover {A Picture Tutorial}

by Andrea
Simple Homemade Eye Makeup Remover {A Picture Tutorial} 2
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Gather the ingredients:
-1 cup distilled water
-1/4 teaspoon Dr. Bronner’s unscented baby-mild liquid castile soap
-1 teaspoon olive oil

Simple Homemade Eye Makeup Remover {A Picture Tutorial}

Combine water, castile soap, and olive oil in a glass jar.

Simple Homemade Eye Makeup Remover {A Picture Tutorial}

Give jar a little shake.

Simple Homemade Eye Makeup Remover {A Picture Tutorial}

Apply solution to cotton ball and remove makeup as you normally would.Simple Homemade Eye Makeup Remover {A Picture Tutorial}

Admire the amazing results.

Simple Homemade Eye Makeup Remover {A Picture Tutorial}

Store on the bathroom counter.

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Category: Natural Living

About Andrea

Frugally Sustainable is a resource for all things natural, frugal, and sustainable. If you like DIY and are bit “crunchy”, this site is for you!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elsa

    October 30, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Love this! I buy clinique eye make up remover because it's the only one that has ever seemed to work. It's expensive though! I will have to give this a try.

    • merilee

      March 18, 2013 at 1:01 PM

      @Elsa, Did you try this & did it work? do tell please

      • MrsIngram

        March 29, 2013 at 6:55 PM

        I’ve been using this every night for over a year now! I love it.

        • gail

          June 4, 2013 at 12:09 PM

          does the castile soap sting?

          • MrsIngram

            August 15, 2013 at 5:42 PM

            No, the Castile soap is very gentle and there is such a small amount it does not sting if you get it in your eyes.

      • Shellie

        May 4, 2013 at 12:18 AM

        This works amazing. Ill never ever go back to store bought. I’ve been using this about 6 months. If you haven’t tried this, you are missing out. Hands down the BEST Pinterest discovery yet. 🙂

  2. Extraordinary Ordinary Life

    October 30, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    I love this too! I will be making it tomorrow.

  3. Not Just Another Jennifer

    October 31, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Yay! You may also want to check out Crunchy Betty – she rocks! Found you from Simple Organic's link up.

  4. Rebecca

    November 2, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    Wonderful! I've been meaning to buy more eye make-up remover. Going to try this first. Thanks for sharing!

  5. Kyra @ caramelpotatoes.com

    November 3, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    What a great way to save big bucks! Thanks

    New follower via It's a Keeper Thursday. Come by for a visit. I know you'll find something delicious!

  6. April @ The 21st Century Housewife

    November 3, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    What a great idea! Thank you for sharing this wonderful tutorial with the Gallery of Favorites. I hope you will join us and share a post again tomorrow.

  7. Carrie

    November 6, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    I can't wait to make this! I would be absolutely delighted if you would link it up to Spa{ahhh} Sundaze! (http://www.projectpossessed.com/spaahhh-sundaze/spaahhh-sundaze-116/)
    Your newest follower!

  8. {nifty thrifty things}

    November 6, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    What a great idea! Thank you for linking up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week! I featured you at today's party! 🙂
    xoxo,
    Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things}

  9. c.w.frosting

    November 7, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    Great recipe! Definitely going to try!

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

  10. Cathy @My 1929 Charmer

    November 13, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    will be trying it, i pay big prices for natural products at whole foods, so this is great!

  11. Nicole @ Simple Organic

    November 24, 2011 at 3:05 AM

    Thanks for linking up with Simple Organic. This is a great idea– I usually use jojoba oil but I'm always interested new homemade personal care product recipes. 🙂

  12. Rhiannon

    December 27, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    This is perfect! New follower who found you today, can u tell me how long this recipe should keep for?

  13. Andrea

    December 27, 2011 at 4:24 AM

    @Rhiannon I'm so happy you found me:) This recipe should keep for a year.

  14. Rhiannon

    December 29, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Wow, thats ages! Thanks heaps, out to buy some of the ingredients!

  15. Melissa

    January 4, 2012 at 5:22 AM

    This recipe looks great! I really want to try this, and while I don’t have the mild baby type of Dr. Bronner’s castile soap, I do have some of the lavender stuff. Would this work as well? Or would it be irritating do you think?

    • susan

      July 17, 2013 at 5:51 AM

      It may burn. The baby mild stuff is supposed to be a no more tears formula like J&J baby shampoo is.The baby mild castile is available on Amazon.

  16. No Sarah

    January 6, 2012 at 6:43 AM

    Love this idea! I am wondering if you happen to know whether all the Dr. Bronner’s castille soaps contain aloe vera? Or is it just the baby one? I have ultra sensitive skin and react to aloe on the face.

    • No Sarah

      January 6, 2012 at 7:15 AM

      Oops- asked too soon 🙂 It appears there are 2 baby mild varieties, and the basic one doesn’t have aloe. Looking forward to giving this a try!

  17. Priscilla

    January 15, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    If you use coconut oil do you melt it first or use as a solid ?

    • Andrea

      January 17, 2012 at 9:49 AM

      You may have trouble with using coconut oil in this recipe, especially in the winter when it’s colder in the house. It may not stay in a liquid form. You could try it though:)

  18. Amber

    January 17, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    Does this recipe remove waterproof eye makeup? I can’t seem to find one that does!

    • Sheri

      March 18, 2013 at 2:25 PM

      I just tried this with waterproof mascara, and had no luck. I did use it all over my skin to remove my foundation though, since I wash my face with raw honey and like to have a clean sweep before that.

      I used to work for LUSH Cosmetics and got attached to one of their products called “Ultrabland” (http://www.lushusa.com/Ultrabland/02749,en_US,pd.html) that worked great for my waterproof mascara. You just have to make sure to remove it with a near-hot washcloth (as hot as you can stand) since it is basically like an oil cleansing method. I made a body butter awhile back, and as I realized I didn’t have any makeup remover with me the other night, I realized that my body butter ingredients were similar in effect to LUSH’s Ultrabland… wouldn’t you know it– worked like a charm!

      Here’s the recipe: Ultimate Body Butter

      1/4 cup grated cocoa butter
      1 Tablespoon coconut oil (softened, not melted)
      2 Tablespoons light sesame oil
      1 Tablespoon avocado oil
      1 Tablespoon grated beeswax (or pellets/pastilles)
      20-25 drops essential oils of choice (optional)

      Place all of the ingredients in a heat-resistant container. On the stove top in a water bath/double boiler or microwave, SLOWLY melt all of the ingredients over LOW heat. Stir well and pour into a clean container, letting the mixture cool completely and set, or let set for about 10 minutes in the fridge and whip to a fluffy consistency using an electric mixer. Yields about 4 ounces.

      • Sheri

        March 18, 2013 at 2:29 PM

        Forgot to mention that if using essential oils to add them after the taking the pan off the heat.

        • Erica

          June 4, 2013 at 11:50 AM

          I wouldn’t use essential oils near the eyes. They can be irritating. Have you used e.o.s on eyes before?

      • Victoria McMackin

        March 20, 2013 at 12:16 AM

        I have been using the cream version of vitamin E to remove waterproof mascara. Works wonders 🙂

    • jen

      March 20, 2013 at 3:37 PM

      Straight up coconut oil works well for the waterproof stuff.

      Just wipe on, wipe off.

    • casey

      July 16, 2013 at 5:36 PM

      I found using straight mineral oil (found in drugstores), rinsed off, followed by witchhazel as a toner works for getting off water/sweat/-proof mascara and eyeliner…

  19. A.E. Wiggs

    February 23, 2012 at 8:26 AM

    Amazing!!! I don’t really like to use traditional eye make-up remover because it is so clingy on my skin that it tends to make my make-up smudge the next day even after washing. Actually I avoid it unless I just can’t scrub off my make-up any other way. But I gave this one a shot because it was so simple (I used apricot kernel oil because I had it). Really my goal was just to build courage in order to try making the facesoap. But I fell in love. I let my sister-in-law try it when she was staying with me after a wedding. She is also in love. She said she’s never used an eye make-up remover that actually removed every trace of make-up quite like yours does. And it’s so cheap! So, hats off Andrea & thanks!

  20. hcooks

    April 3, 2012 at 6:18 PM

    I tried this a few weeks back and I love it!!!!! It takes it all off and is gentle on my eyes. I will never buy eye makeup remover.

    • Andrea

      April 3, 2012 at 8:32 PM

      It’s truly is such a simple, but super effective recipe! We love it in our house too 🙂 I’m so happy you found the recipe useful.

  21. KarinSDCA

    April 23, 2012 at 5:30 PM

    I have these ingredients and am excited to give it a try. Thanks!!!

    I use the oil-cleansing method to remove makeup, but it is time-consuming. Very gentle and effective, though. I prefer to wash my face with honey and your eye makeup remover will mesh with that nicely. 🙂

  22. Jen

    May 6, 2012 at 7:00 PM

    I just tried this today but I did not have the baby-mild soap, I only had Dr. Bronners tea tree one. It worked wonderfully! I love that it didn’t sting my eyes and it cleaned all of my mascara off really easily. This recipe is a keeper. Love that it’s just pennies per recipe to make!

  23. NanaBop

    May 26, 2012 at 12:32 PM

    I make mine with coconut oil,water and Johnson’s Baby shampoo. It works great!

    • Erica

      June 4, 2013 at 11:52 AM

      I have heard of using baby shampoo, but I don’t want all the nasty ingredients. I think using the castile soap might be better? When I use coconut oil (which is my facial moisturizer, too) to remove eye makeup, it makes my vision all blurry.

  24. andrea

    May 26, 2012 at 2:29 PM

    or you can use coconut oil. works great.

  25. Kathie

    May 27, 2012 at 6:12 PM

    This recipe was perfect, thank you!

  26. Mandy

    June 20, 2012 at 3:15 PM

    Throwing away my Neutrogena remover as I type this. Never going back! So exciting!

  27. MJ

    July 1, 2012 at 1:17 AM

    I made this tonight, used it and then made the following adjustments.
    Because I use waterproof mascara, I needed something a little more effective.
    I added an extra measure of both the soap and the oil. When using, I hold the soaked
    cotton to my closed eye for about 15 seconds before wiping. It works better, but is still
    a challenge to get off without rubbing my eyes red. I’m going to try it for a week or so to
    see how it goes:) Thanks for the recipe!

  28. Shana

    July 5, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    Looking forward to giving this a try in the near future. The store bought ones I have tried burn my eyes. I generally use Mally eye makeup remover, but at it’s price can’t afford it. I’ll definitely be making this.

  29. [email protected]

    July 29, 2012 at 4:39 AM

    2 questions:
    Does one have to use distilled water, or is purified, filtered water fine?
    Is regular castile soap fine, or must it be the baby-mild version?

  30. Claire

    July 30, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    I have begun just using ordinary coconut oil as makeup remover. I just dip a bit of the cotton in the oil, make sure it’s evenly distributed and then carefully wipe my eyes clean.
    Works perfectly and in addition, coconut oil helps reduce wrinkles 🙂

    • Claire

      July 30, 2012 at 8:29 AM

      Oh… And basically I use coconut oil for everything, as a full body moisturizer after shower, a bit for shine in my hair etc… 🙂

      • Norma

        September 19, 2013 at 2:13 AM

        Do you have any recipes? I just bought a 54 ounce can and its just sitting there.

  31. Kendra

    July 30, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    Love this! I can’t wait to try! Make up remover is so expensive and has a lot of not so great ingredients! This is much simpler and I know what I am putting near my eyes!

  32. Jill

    August 19, 2012 at 1:43 AM

    Hi do you think I could use sunflower oil?

  33. Pam @Mommacan

    August 26, 2012 at 3:22 PM

    Another excellent find browsing pinterest!

    Can’t wait to give it a try.

    Pam

  34. kim

    September 24, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    So you are suppposed to take off your eye makeup?

  35. Shellie

    November 22, 2012 at 10:14 PM

    Did this tonight and it was amazing. Took off all my make up plus cleaned all the oil and grime off from the day as well. My face feels clean and amazing. Thank you so much. Namaste.

  36. M

    December 25, 2012 at 2:47 PM

    I love this! It was so simple to make and it works as well as any store-bought eye makeup remover. I will never buy eye makeup remover again. Thank you for sharing this recipe.

  37. Jemma

    February 13, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    I am very excited about all of your recipes and definitly want to try them myself! I was just wondering how I go about distilling water at home? Or can I buy it?
    Thank you for your help!!
    Jemma

  38. annmarie

    March 18, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    where can you buy Dr. Bronner’s unscented baby-mild liquid castile soap

    • Pamela

      March 18, 2013 at 12:47 PM

      Amazon.com for Dr. Bronner’s unscented baby-mild liquid castile soap

    • Shauna Green

      April 7, 2013 at 7:11 PM

      You can also buy Dr. Bronner’s products at http://www.vitacost.com. I can send anyone a referral a link if I have your email and you’ll get a discount code for $10 off a $30 purchase, and I’ll get a $10 coupon as well! Then anyone you send the link to who names you as a referral will get you another $10 coupon once they order. Right now if you spend $25 on Dr. Bronner’s products and/or any vitacost brand name product, you get free shipping. Please email me if anyone’s interested in the referral!

      • Collene Tucker

        April 15, 2013 at 8:17 AM

        Shauna,
        Could you please send me a referral like to this vitacost.com. I would love to be able to get coupons for this website to be able to purchase the castile soap. Thank you so very much.

      • LaToya

        April 26, 2013 at 5:37 AM

        Can you send a coupon to me. E-mail is [email protected]

      • Wendi Ezzes

        July 16, 2013 at 4:28 PM

        I use vitacost alot and would love to order the dr bonners and give you the credit too.
        My email is : [email protected]

  39. Jennifer

    March 18, 2013 at 12:48 PM

    I don’t buy eye make-up remover anymore. For almost 2 years now, I’ve been using my own home made make-up remover consisting of just water and baby oil which I put in a former eye make-up remover bottle.
    1 small bottle
    fill with water (tap water will do)
    squirts some baby oil inside
    Shake each time you need it
    Use cotton balls
    Then wash your face with any of your facial cleansers
    Use face towels to clean your whole face.
    Very effective for me. <3

    • nicole

      March 18, 2013 at 1:07 PM

      haha i scrolled up to my comment and yours was right above mine…i didnt read more than the first couple comments before commenting, so im glad im not the only one who think baby oil is easier than this 🙂

  40. nicole

    March 18, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    why not just use some baby oil on a cotton ball? it always works for me, and baby oil is less expensive than all of these ingredients….

  41. Tara

    March 18, 2013 at 1:35 PM

    I have always used babyoil…It’s what my mom used and it’s awesome…I get mine at the dollar store…How much cheaper can you get?!…But sounds like it’s working so cudos to you…

    • MrsIngram

      March 29, 2013 at 7:01 PM

      This is not only about ease and cheapness of ingredients but about using natural and/or organic products. With this recipe, you know every ingredient that you’re putting on your face. Unlike using baby oil!

  42. lisa

    March 18, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    I use waterproof mascara and the only thing I use to remove it is organic EVOO 1st cold pressed….works perfect every time!

  43. Chery

    March 18, 2013 at 4:02 PM

    for those using baby oil, it is made from Mineral oil which is a petrochemical product, very harmful for your skin and you

  44. Sara

    March 18, 2013 at 10:51 PM

    Is it possible to use Extra Virgin Olive Oil? or should it be regular olive oil? Thanks!

    • lisa

      March 20, 2013 at 5:06 PM

      Sara, I just want to use the purest form of olive oil. It has so many uses. Don’t be scared off by the organic part….you can purchase a 16.9 ounce bottle for under $10.00 and that is a whole lot cheaper than any of the makeup removers out there on the market. I hope this helps you. Have a great day.

  45. mamanina

    March 20, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    try using rose water instead of regular water.

  46. Amanda

    March 21, 2013 at 8:01 AM

    I scaled this down (a lot!) And love it. I have very sensitive skin and this has worked very well for me. It’s not expensive at all (mind you I always havethese simple ingredients, but for someone who doesn’t keep these things on hand I can understand the ‘expensive’ comments above). Thank you for sharing your recipe!!

  47. Paula

    March 21, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    I became allergic to the recommended makeup remover when I used it to remove long-lasting lipstick. My lips became swollen and the skin cracked and peeled. Even washing my face vigorously was enough to get the hives-like reaction. Once I started using just olive oil to remove all my makeup this no longer happened; olive oil alone removes everything I use, even waterproof mascara, at least it does for me. Plus my skin is very happy.

  48. Donna

    March 22, 2013 at 12:37 PM

    I was excited to try this but when researching the castile soap there was a warning on the bottle to keep out of your eyes. So now I am worried about trying it. Any suggestions or comments on this? Thanks.

  49. Heather

    April 2, 2013 at 4:47 AM

    I just tried this yesterday. Wow. What a great end product. I have been reacting to nearly everything that goes on my eyes latey. Thanks so much. I also used the Castille soap on my face with hot cloths as instructed on the bottle. Lovely

  50. Cathy

    April 8, 2013 at 8:42 PM

    I’ve been using this for 2 weeks now and it works great! And I made it for pennies, can’t believe I’ve been paying so much for the toxic store-bought stuff. It leaves my eye area nice and soft. I saturate a cotton ball and place it on my eyelid for about 20 to 30 seconds and then wipe off. I also found that applying it directly to my eyelid from the bottle while in the shower works great too. A lot less rubbing. I will only make a cup at a time but what is the shelf life of this stuff for safety measures?

  51. Phyllis

    April 24, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    I been using this easy and natural make-up remover for years and it removed water-proof make-up with ease. You will need just two ingredients witch hazel and jojoba oil or EVOO. I use a travel size container with a flip top. I put 8 part witch hazel and 2 part oil and shake to mix ingredients and apply to cotton pad/ball and remove make-up. No sting of the eye at all.

  52. Trish F

    April 27, 2013 at 4:49 PM

    I just use either olive oil (EVOO because that is all I have in my house) or coconut oil. This works great and I always have one or the other on hand at all times anyway.
    I used to use vaseline (ick) until I became older and wiser as to what I put on my skin.

  53. Nancy

    May 20, 2013 at 7:16 PM

    What I found surprising is how hard to find and expensive the castile soap is. I could not find the unscented anywhere in my area so had to choose between peppermint and lavender. I hope that does not make a difference. But it was expensive for a large bottle that you only need a tsp or so from. But if it works and I like it I should be set for life now with the big bottle LOL.

  54. Bridget

    June 1, 2013 at 1:04 PM

    I’m sorry if you’ve already said this, but I couldn’t find the amount of water that you need to add to make the solution. Also where can I find the castile soap, I’m having a hard time finding it. Thanks! I’m really excited to try this out. 🙂

    • Lacy

      August 15, 2013 at 10:59 AM

      Target sells it.

  55. Dee

    June 4, 2013 at 4:40 PM

    Does it work on waterproof mascara?

  56. Erica

    July 4, 2013 at 8:40 PM

    I made this today and used it and I love it so much…mine suds up a lot does anyone else have this problem? What could I do to avoid it? I didn’t shake it it suds up before I even gently shook it.

  57. Lacy

    August 15, 2013 at 10:58 AM

    Awesome idea for a natural, cheaper make-up remover. Lotion also works for removing make-up! Just put it on and wipe it off- no scrubbing!

  58. KITTY

    September 13, 2013 at 8:28 AM

    I thought when mixing water & oil you would need a perservative?

  59. RENEE

    September 13, 2013 at 6:23 PM

    We older hippie ladies used to use castile soap for bathing and washing our hair in the river so we wouldn’t hurt the water. We didn’t wear eye makeup. LOL

  60. Amanda

    September 17, 2013 at 5:18 PM

    I was curious where you buy one of the items. I have the water and the olive oil but not the other.

  61. Robin Cali

    November 22, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    I have combo skin that is more oily during the summer and more dry during the winter, and I find Citrus Clear’s Sensitive Wash works great for me year round. The Citrus Clear Sensitive works well to dissolve my makeup and clean my skin. I use it in conjunction with their moisturizer since its light. With those two products, my skin has never been better!

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