How to Make a Coconut Oil Makeup Remover

If coconut oil isn’t already in your pantry, it should be. The ingredient is endlessly useful. It’s a heart-healthy substitute for butter in your baked goods and the magical mainstay behind all sorts of DIY beauty and skin care recipes. But our favorite way to use it? To make coconut oil makeup remover!

With a jar of coconut oil and a handful of other natural ingredients, you’re a few steps from whipping, mixing and packaging your very own custom line of skincare must-haves. (Psst! To protect your skin, this coconut oil moisturizer is a good bet.)

Can I use coconut oil as a makeup remover?

Yes! In fact, one of the easiest ways to bring coconut oil into your daily beauty regimen is with this simple makeup remover. (Psst…This one has the highest ratings on Amazon.)

To see if you like it (and to assess how your skin will respond), start with a basic recipe like the one below. If it turns out to be your DIY beauty dream, go all in with these other coconut oil beauty boosters!

How do I make a coconut oil makeup remover?

Here’s what you need:

• ¼ cup coconut oil (I used Sprouts Refined Organic Coconut Oil)
• ¼ cup olive oil (I used Carlini Olive Oil, found at Aldi)
• 1 small lidded jar

Step 1: Mix ingredients

Scoop out ¼ cup of solid coconut oil into a small bowl. Rub the coconut in your hands to help loosen it. Using either a whisk or handheld electric mixer, whip the coconut oil until it becomes fluffy (1 to 2 minutes). Add in ¼ cup olive oil and repeat until mixture is thoroughly combined (another 1 to 2 minutes). Add contents to a lidded jar. It will be runny.

Step 2: Apply to face

Apply a small, even layer to face. (Makeup pads are perfect for this.) To remove eye makeup, including eyeliner and mascara, use a cotton swab to apply a thin layer on eyelids. Use a soft, warm washcloth to gently massage makeup remover into skin. Rinse and moisturize, following your normal skincare routine.

Can coconut oil be used under makeup?

Yes—sort of. It depends on the type of foundation you use. We recommend trying it out on a leisurely Saturday morning—or any other day when before-lunch plans are optional. That’s because, with some skin types and foundation formulas, the liquified coconut oil can lead to runny-looking makeup. In other cases, coconut oil underneath makeup is an effective primer that can help your makeup last longer. There’s only one way to find out, right?

While you’re DIY experimenting, remember that you can make good use of every last drop of that coconut oil, even around the house. From polishing furniture to conditioning your cutting board, that modestly priced jar of coconut oil can be put to limitless use. Enjoy!

More DIY Beauty Tips & Recipes

• Avocado Face Mask
• Olive Oil Hair Mask
• 8 Ways to Boost Your Beauty Routine with Coconut Oil

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