DIY Makeup Remover (Stop Using Wipes – 2 Ingredient Natural Recipe)

A cheerful woman cares for her skin with a cotton pad, promoting healthy hygiene.

If you’re looking for a DIY natural makeup remover that actually works — even on waterproof mascara and long-wear foundation — you only need two ingredients sitting in your kitchen right now. This simple homemade makeup remover takes less than one minute to make, costs almost nothing, and leaves your skin softer than any store-bought wipe ever could.

The secret ingredient? Coconut oil. And once you understand why it works so brilliantly, you’ll never go back to disposable wipes again.

Why You Should Stop Using Makeup Wipes Today

Makeup wipes are one of those products that seem convenient but come with a surprisingly long list of downsides — for your skin and the environment.

Most conventional makeup wipes contain:

Artificial fragrance — often made up of dozens of undisclosed synthetic chemicals
Alcohols that strip and dry out your skin’s natural moisture barrier
Preservatives like phenoxyethanol and methylparaben to extend shelf life
Polyester fibres that don’t break down and contribute to landfill waste

They also don’t fully cleanse your skin. Many dermatologists note that wipes spread makeup around rather than removing it, leaving a film of residue, preservatives, and dissolved pigment on your face overnight. Over time this can contribute to congestion, irritation, and dullness.

This DIY natural makeup remover solves every one of those problems — with two ingredients.

Why Coconut Oil Is the Perfect Natural Makeup Remover

The reason coconut oil works so effectively as a natural makeup remover comes down to a simple chemistry principle: like dissolves like. Makeup — including mascara, foundation, and lipstick — is largely oil-based. Coconut oil, being a natural oil, binds to those oil-based pigments and lifts them cleanly away from your skin without scrubbing.

Beyond makeup removal, coconut oil also offers genuine skin benefits:

Lauric acid — a medium-chain fatty acid with natural antimicrobial properties
Vitamin E — a skin-protecting antioxidant that supports healthy skin cell function
Deep moisturising — coconut oil strengthens the skin barrier and reduces moisture loss
Anti-inflammatory — helps calm redness and irritation after makeup removal

The result is clean skin that feels nourished and soft — not tight, stripped, or irritated the way skin often feels after using conventional wipes.

What You Need for This DIY Makeup Remover

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons coconut oil (virgin, unrefined is best)
2 tablespoons filtered or boiled water

Optional extras:

A small glass jar or bottle for storage
Reusable cotton pads — link to Amazon (more eco-friendly than single-use)
A few drops of witch hazel for a lighter formula
1–2 drops of lavender essential oil for a calming effect

How to Make Your DIY Natural Makeup Remover — Step by Step

Place 2 tablespoons of coconut oil into a small clean glass jar or container.
Add 2 tablespoons of filtered water.
Stir or shake gently to combine. Note: oil and water will naturally separate — this is completely normal.
Before each use, give the jar a quick shake or stir to recombine.
Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Use within 3–4 weeks.

TIP: If your coconut oil is solid, leave the jar in a warm spot for a few minutes or place it in a bowl of warm water to soften before mixing.

How to Use This Homemade Makeup Remover

Shake or stir the mixture to recombine the oil and water.
Apply a small amount to a reusable cotton pad or a soft cloth.
Gently press the pad onto your closed eye and hold for 5 seconds to let the oil loosen mascara.
Wipe gently in a downward motion — no rubbing or scrubbing needed.
Continue across your face to remove foundation, blush, and lipstick.
Rinse your face with warm water or follow with your regular gentle cleanser.

Your skin will feel clean, soft, and hydrated — not greasy or stripped.

Does This Remove Waterproof Makeup?

Yes — and this is where coconut oil really shines. Waterproof mascara and long-wear foundations are specifically formulated to resist water, which is exactly why water-based cleansers and wipes struggle to remove them fully. Coconut oil’s fatty acids break down the waterproof polymers effectively, making removal effortless without tugging at your lashes or dragging your skin.

For heavy waterproof mascara, simply hold the coconut oil-soaked cotton pad against your lashes for 10 seconds before wiping. The mascara will slide off almost entirely on its own.

Is This DIY Makeup Remover Safe for All Skin Types?

Dry or Normal Skin

Coconut oil is ideal for dry skin types. The moisturising fatty acids replenish what cleansing removes, leaving skin balanced and soft.

Sensitive Skin

Use coconut oil on its own without the water — and skip the essential oil additions. Virgin, unrefined coconut oil is generally very well tolerated by sensitive skin.

Oily or Acne-Prone Skin

This is worth a mention. Coconut oil has a comedogenic rating of 4 out of 5, meaning it has some potential to clog pores for those who are prone to breakouts. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, use this as a pre-cleanse only — apply, wipe off thoroughly, then follow immediately with your regular foaming or gel cleanser to remove all traces of oil. Do a patch test first.

Combination Skin

Use this remover on your eyes and dry areas. Follow with a separate gentle cleanser on your T-zone if you’re concerned about congestion.

Variations — Customise Your Makeup Remover

For Sensitive or Baby Skin — Pure Coconut Oil

Skip the water entirely and use pure coconut oil. It’s gentle enough for the most sensitive skin and perfectly safe around the eye area.

For a Lighter Feel — Add Witch Hazel

Replace the water with witch hazel for a formula that feels lighter and less oily on the skin. Witch hazel is naturally astringent and helps close pores after cleansing — great for combination skin types.

For a Relaxing Evening Ritual — Add Lavender

Add 1–2 drops of lavender essential oil to your mixture. Lavender is naturally calming, anti-inflammatory, and beautifully fragrant. It turns your makeup removal into a small moment of self-care at the end of the day.

For Extra Cleansing Power — Add a Drop of Castile Soap

If you wear heavy coverage or SPF, add a single drop of liquid castile soap to help emulsify the oil and water together and give extra cleansing power.

Benefits of Switching to This DIY Natural Makeup Remover

Zero synthetic chemicals — you know every single ingredient
Costs a fraction of store-bought removers — a jar of coconut oil lasts months
Reduces waste — pair with reusable cotton pads and eliminate single-use wipes entirely
Multi-purpose — leftover coconut oil doubles as a lip balm, cuticle oil, or hair mask
Effective on all makeup including waterproof formulas
Leaves skin genuinely soft and moisturised

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use olive oil instead of coconut oil?

Yes — olive oil also works well as a natural makeup remover and is a great option for very dry skin. It has a heavier texture than coconut oil and a distinct scent, but it’s equally effective at dissolving makeup and has been used in cleansing since ancient times.

How long does homemade makeup remover last?

This mixture is best used within 3–4 weeks when stored at room temperature. Because water is included and there are no preservatives, bacteria can potentially grow over time. If you prefer a longer shelf life, use pure coconut oil without water — it will last for months.

Is this safe to use around the eyes?

Yes — coconut oil is safe for use around the eye area and is one of the gentlest natural options for removing eye makeup. Avoid getting it directly in your eyes, but a small amount on the lash line or lid is generally well tolerated.

Can I use this to remove mascara?

Absolutely — this is one of coconut oil’s best uses. It removes both regular and waterproof mascara beautifully without tugging on delicate lashes. For best results, press the cotton pad gently against your lashes and hold for a few seconds before wiping downward.

Will coconut oil clog my pores?

For most skin types, coconut oil used as a cleanser (applied and rinsed off) does not cause breakouts. The key is to rinse thoroughly. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, always follow with a gentle foaming cleanser to remove all traces.

One Small Swap That Changes Everything

Switching to a DIY natural makeup remover was one of the first changes made on the low-tox living journey here at Home and Haven Living. It seems small. But small swaps compound — this one led to a DIY lip balm, then a natural deodorant, then a homemade household cleaner.

If you’re just starting out, this is the perfect first step. It’s easy, it works, and it costs almost nothing.

Ready to keep going? Here are some other simple swaps to try next:

Save this post to Pinterest so you always have this recipe on hand — and share it with someone who needs to ditch the wipes! 🌿

Check out our FREE lox tox living guide.