Gentle low-chemical/natural makeup remover?

[AnyDream]

Does anyone use a good low-chemical or nature makeup remover?

I want something that's ok to use to remove mascara and gentle on the skin with no chemical nasties.

[Ladylove]

I know people who use olive oil or I think Jojoba oil.

[Ladylove]

Oh I personally love the Aesop cleansing oil.

[LionsandBears]

Coconut oil/butter. Always have some in the bathroom. Brilliant stuff. It can also be a moisturiser & deodorant. It's the best make-up remover I've found. Especially good for mascara.

[buffy1]

I know people who use olive oil or I think Jojoba oil.

Oh I personally love the Aesop cleansing oil.

Seconded. Oils are great, especially to break down eye makeup.

[AnyDream]

Hmmm, hadn't thought about using an oil but it makes perfect sense.

Does it get in your eyes at all?

L&B, where does one get coconut oil/butter from?

[LionsandBears]

I usually buy it at a health food shop. You can also cook with it. I get 2 - one for the bathroom, one for the kitchen. It melts at about 30degrees I think. It can seem expensive as a cooking oil, but compared to the prices of moisturisers, it's cheap as chips It can melt and solidify over & over without going rancid, which is why it's better than many oils. Nut oils go rancid over time.

I think olive oil is supposed to be good too. I've never tried it outside the kitchen.

You also dont need much. About a teaspoon or less for makeup removal. Depending on how thick you apply your makeup

And here's a TMI hint for free: if you ever have a sore bot bot, just apply a bit of coconut butter and it fixes everything. Even hemorrhoids.

Sometimes, I think all we need to solve most problems are coconut butter, baking soda, apple cider vinegar &/or epsom salts.

[Gigi]

are these oils, "essential oils"? or a few drops of essential oil, in a "carrier oil" (like with oilburners).

i know where to buy coconut milk and cream from (for cooking), but yeh, where do you get the oil/butter from?

good question MD, my eyes are reacting to eye makeup (and removers) too, so i'm glad you posted this topic.

[LionsandBears]

I don't add essential oils. Just straight coconut oil. You could add essential oils, but I don't know enough about that to put something on my face.

Google it. Coconut butter is the bomb. Antibacterial, antifungal, gentle on the skin. It doesn't feel greasy to me, but I have dry skin. It looks a bit like white wax when it's solid and it comes in a jar. You can also buy online. I try to get the organic stuff.

It's great to cook with too -very healthy.

As part of my trying to be all natural, I figure if I wouldn't eat it, why would I put it on my skin? Our skin absorbs more than we can through our mouth.

[Lillypilly]

I endorse the coconut oil suggestions. If you want to buy online, iherb are great.

Or the other great products are MooGoo cleansing oils. They're fabulous too.

[Ladylove]

Marydean the trick to using oils as makeup removers is (for me at least) to apply the oil to dry skin, massage for a while then remove with a warm to hot damp washcloth. Not uncomfortably hot but warm enough to help emulsify the oil. Then you might cleanse again with a gentle milk or cream cleanser or just wipe away any residual oil with a toner or something like rosewater or nothing at all- just make sure your washcloth removes the oil and grime thoroughly.

[meow]

Sometimes, I think all we need to solve most problems are coconut butter, baking soda, apple cider vinegar &/or epsom salts.

I you!

I really needed this as my eye make up remover just ran out and I don't want to replace it. Fab- I'll grab the coconut butter from the kitchen! And buy more

[PumpkinZulu]

I am a huge fan of coconut oil. I use it as a moisturiser, makeup remover and to cook. As L&B said, it melts and solidifies over and over without going off. I bought it in a big 3 litre bottle and pour it into an old moisturiser tub, so I can scoop it out if it solidifies. Pro tip if you want really good quality (and often organic) coconut oil without the markup...instead of buying online, check out your local Indian area (if you're living in a city). DH and I lived in footscray for 2 years where there is a large Indian population, so we shopped at the markets and local grocers, and they sold it everywhere

[Sopdet]

My mum swore by witchhazel

[AnyDream]

Sop, I'm a huge witchhazel fan too, but it's got alcohol in it so I'm not game to put it near my eyes.

[buffy1]

Yes, definitely be careful using witch hazel around the eyes and if you have sensitive or dry skin - it's very drying.

[Sopdet]

Sop, I'm a huge witchhazel fan too, but it's got alcohol in it so I'm not game to put it near my eyes.

The stuff Mum used to get didn't have alcohol in it, she used to make it herself, not using alcohol distillation.

I used to use the alcohol based stuff around my eyes all the time, only thing that would get my waterproof mascara off properly. Never had a problem with it being too drying.

[Charlotte91]

Dude -- Baby wipes.

Best. Thing. Ever. Removes mascara, eye liner, everything. I've been using them for years.