Most makeup is made with a base of oils. Using an oil to help break up and dissolve oil is an effective means of cleaning them from your skin.

Use the following recipes when you want to remove your (non-toxic) makeup and eye makeup. Look for cold-pressed and organic oils whenever possible.

Coconut oil will smooth and moisturize the gentle skin around your eyes making it the perfect choice for a safe and effective eye makeup remover. The other reason I love coconut oil is because it is one of the most effective oils for breaking up the water-resistant compounds in makeup. It’s one of my favorite solutions for people with sensitive skin who can’t tolerate the harsh chemicals in store-bought products.

Jojoba comes from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis plant and is a light oil that is safe for all skin types. It’s non-comedogenic which means it won’t clog your pores. The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties are perfect for supporting the natural health of your skin. It stimulates collagen synthesis and of course, we all love that!

Witch hazel is extracted from the bark and leaves of the North American Hamamelis virginiana shrub. A traditional and popular skin care remedy, its astringent and antioxidant properties are perfect for soothing inflammation, killing harmful bacteria in the skin that cause problems and minimizing cellular damage that leads to aging.

Recipe #1 For Eye Makeup Removal

This is as simple as putting a small amount of coconut oil on a cotton pad, close your eyes and apply until all makeup is removed. Wash face as usual.

Recipe #2 For Eye Makeup Removal

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons jojoba oil
• Filtered water

Mix the coconut and jojoba oils in a glass jar. When you’re ready to remove your eye makeup, place a small amount of the oil mixture into your palm. Add an equal amount of water and mix with your finger. Soak a cotton pad with the oil and water mixture and gently remove eye makeup. Follow with cleansing your face as usual.

Recipe #3 For Makeup Removal

• 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon witch hazel*
• 1 tablespoon filtered water

Place jojoba and coconut oil in a small glass jar and mix. Add witch hazel and water and stir to combine. Apply with a cotton pad to face and remove makeup. Follow with cleansing your face as usual. Use this up within three to five days. Homemade beauty products are natural and effective but lack the preservatives that commercially made products contain, leaving them vulnerable to contamination.

*Look for a high-quality witch hazel extract that contains just witch hazel and 14% alcohol, or an alcohol-free witch hazel without preservatives. I prefer not to use alcohol on my skin because it is too drying, but at this concentration combined with the other oils and water, it shouldn’t be a problem for most people.