DIY Makeup Remover with Witch Hazel - Dr. Axe

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Homemade Makeup Remover

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DIY makeup remover - Dr. Axe

Sometimes it’s easy to get lazy about removing makeup. Research shows that using natural remedies on the face can help slow down the aging process. While it’s best to use herb-based makeup as part of a natural skin care routine, making sure that you remove any makeup you choose to use is important to having healthy, youthful skin due to the free radicals that attach themselves to our exposed skin daily.

Free radicals cause the breakdown of healthy collagen, which is a huge factor in aging. If that’s not enough, makeup can clog the pores while you sleep, which can develop into acne. And acne can be unsightly, annoying and cause scarring. Because of this, it is really critical to make sure the skin is clear of these damaging free radicals before you head off to bed!

Now that I have helped you understand why this important, let’s delve into making a homemade makeup remover that will both save you money and save years off your age!

How to Make Your Own Makeup Remover

This may be one of the easiest recipes you will create since it contains just four ingredients. This can be used before going to bed, followed by a great evening moisturizer for dry skin. This homemade makeup remover helps prevent the signs of aging, too! For this recipe, it’s best to make it right in the container that you want to use, such as small glass bottles and jars.

Let’s start by putting the witch hazel into the container. Look for witch hazel without alcohol since alcohol dries the skin. Witch hazel is very gentle to the skin, operates as a strong antioxidant and prevents cellular damage, and works as an astringent and kills bacteria that lives within the pores of the skin.

Next, add the jojoba oil and olive oil. Jojoba oil is a great oil to use on your face and is great for your skin. Not only can it remove your makeup, it’s hypoallergenic and removes any bacteria from your face as you use it. This powerful little oil also stimulates collagen synthesis, which will naturally slow down the aging process.

Olive oil does way more than make a salad dressing. Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and helps keep your skin feeling supple while calming irritation. It eliminates dryness and is really beneficial in removing mascara, dissolving it so that it easily slides right off your eyelashes without irritation. It is a perfect choice as part of your daily beauty routine in this makeup remover.

Now, add the water to the container, place the lid on it and shake it to blend it well. You now have the best homemade makeup remover within your reach!

To use, shake the container each time prior to application. Then, using a cotton ball or pad, wipe the face, gently using the makeup remover until all makeup has been removed. You want to avoid getting it in the eyes. Follow up with my homemade anti-aging serum that will awaken you with a glowing, youthful face the next morning.

This DIY makeup remover should last two to three months on the shelf. Place in the refrigerator to further extend its shelf life.

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DIY makeup remover

DIY Makeup Remover Recipe


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  • Author: Kyra Oliver
  • Total Time: 3 min
  • Yield: 30 applications 1x

Description

This may be one of the easiest DIY recipes you will create since it contains just four ingredients. You can use it to clean your skin at night before going to bed (followed by a great evening moisturizer).


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 tablespoons witch hazel
  • 2 tablespoons of pure jojoba oil
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons purified water

Instructions

  1. Use a small glass bottle and jar.
  2. Let’s start by putting the witch hazel into the container.
  3. Next, add the jojoba and olive oil.
  4. Now, add the water to the container, place the lid on it and shake it to blend it well.
  5. To use, shake the container each time prior to application. Then, using a cotton ball or pad, wipe the face gently using the makeup remover until all makeup has been removed.

Notes

In humid environments, you may not need to follow with a moisturizer. But if your environment is dry and/or your skin is too (!), then use a good moisturizer afterwards. You may want to try our moisturizer for dry skin or moisturizer for oily skin.

  • Method: Mixing

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40 Comments

    • Myushi on

      You can get witch hazel and virgin olive oil from Walmart. jojoba oil from etsy that’s where I got it all at least.
      And purified water is easy to get just search it up

      Reply
  1. Christy on

    Can you please clarify if the witch hazel in this recipe refers to the extract or something like Thayers Alcohol Free Witch Hazel with Aloe (or other ingredient)? Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Aly Mason on

    I’ve made my own makeup remover for awhile now, and I still use it most of the time, but I was noticing that my skin was getting softer but didn’t feel as clean. So I started incorporating Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser into my routine a few times a week. Some nights I’ll use my diy makeup remover like the one above, love jojoba oil, and on nights that I’ve worn more makeup than usual, I’ll use the albolene to make sure I’m truly getting it all off for a super deep clean

    Reply
  3. Alyssa h on

    This works very well. I was def impressed. Much better than any commercial cleanser. I added Castile soap and sweet orange essential oil along with vitamin e then poured over Cotton pads in a glass jar. So convenient!

    Reply
  4. JT on

    Which witch hazel does Dr. Axe recommend? Where can I buy the recommended witch hazel, there are a only about a trillion to choose from!?!? I am overwhelmed and confused with the types, and additives etc… Thanks!!!

    Reply
    • Michelle on

      Keep it simple and safe. Just use Jojoba oil and vitamin E. I wouldn’t add any water in this blend as it will not blend (water and oil separate unless you have an emulsifier). Also, once you have water mixed, you will also need to preserve it.

      Reply
      • Niki on

        You are so right Michelle. Emulsifiers – oil and water do not mix. Preservative needed as well b/c of the water.
        Store in fridge as it will go bad quickly in a moist environment like a bathroom.

  5. sj on

    straight up olive or coconut or jojoba oil does the job just perfectly without the need of witch hazel which can be very drying

    Reply
    • Stella on

      I buy mine from Walmart in the lotion/shaving cream isle. It is usually on the bottom shelf, but make sure you get Non alcohol. Also Whole Foods or a Co-Op store will have it.
      Hope this helps

      Reply

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