Commercial make-up removers can be full of nasty ingredients. I don’t want those on my face, and I certainly don’t want them near my eyes! That’s why I make my own make-up remover (which does not include essential oils, as those should not be used near eyes).

Some other reasons I choose to DIY are:

You know exactly what’s going into the product because you’re making it yourself!
It’s cheaper in the long run
It’s more environmentally friendly than one-use make-up wipes
Many of the ingredients pull double duty – both removing make-up and toning/moisturizing

Alcohol & Oil Free Make-Up Remover

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp alcohol-free witch hazel
2 Tbsp jojoba oil
1 Tbsp aloe vera gel (optional)
Empty pump bottle
Funnel (may need depending on size of opening on bottle)

Instructions:

Combine witch hazel and jojoba oil and pour into bottle
At the end of the day, shake up the bottle (witch hazel & oil will separate naturally)
Pump a few squirts onto a soft facecloth or reusable cotton round and remove make-up by rubbing gently in a circular motion over face

WHY alcohol-free witch hazel? – Regular witch hazel naturally contains 14% alcohol, which can be drying to skin (and ironically also make oily skin oiler) and can actually be pro-aging. Alcohol-free witch hazel (although *technically* not actual witch hazel), still provides the astringent and antioxidant qualities of witch hazel that make it great for removing bacteria, oil, dirt, and make-up.

Be more mindful of what you are putting onto your body. So many skincare products contain hidden toxins that can really disrupt your body. Making the switch to natural skincare isn't easy, but it's so worth it! And making some of your own products makes it affordable too. — Purchase here.

WHY jojoba oil? – Jojoba oil, which is technically a liquid wax (hence the “oil free” part of the title of this recipe), effectively removes dirt, bacteria, and make-up as it moisturizes skin. It is noncomedogenic (doesn’t clog pores) and closely resembles skin’s natural sebum (a waxy substance that skin glands naturally secrete), so it can actually help prevent excess build up of oil by tricking your skin! So NO WORRIES about this making your skin more oily!