There are a whole lot of different ideas about what make up removers work and which don’t out there, several of which include natural or homemade “do it yourself” make up removers that many people absolutely swear by. We’ll explore what works and what doesn’t work, or we’ll let you be the judge!
Homemade Eye Make Up Remover: Vaseline
For years many women (including grandmothers every where) have sworn by using Vaseline as an eye make up remover. The benefits? It’s easy to use, it doesn’t hurt your eyes, and it is very cheap. Not only that, but many experts claim that Vaseline is actually good for the skin around our eyes.
The downside? Vaseline can leave a really oily residue that sticks to both the eye skin and our eye lashes, a reason why using Vaseline as an eye make up remover may require another eye make up remover to be used to remove the Vaseline!
Store Bought Eye Make Up Remover: Chanel Precision Gentle Biophase Eye Makeup Remover
This is perhaps one of the most highly acclaimed store bought eye make up removers out there. Chanel is a fantastic and reputable brand that has been known to produce only the best cosmetics and facial products in its class. This make up remover won’t leave you stinging or feeling dry, and it can remove even the toughest eye makeup out there (like your favorite waterproof mascara!).
The downside is the cost. While this is an effective product, for $32 for a small 100ml container you may go through this rather quickly. If you do buy this product, save it for those heavy duty eye makeup days when you really need a stronger, more effective cleanser. Otherwise, just keep the eye make up remover in your cabinet.
Homemade Eye Make Up Remover: A “DIY” Formulation
Some of the easiest do-it-yourself makeup removers involve oils that you can find in your own home. Canola oil, extra virgin olive oil, and castor oil are all common picks, though it is more recommended that you use grape seed oil with a castor oil at a ratio of 2 to 1. The benefit to this eye make up remover is that you will likely never suffer any sort of skin irritation since it is natural, and it is extremely cost effective and easy to use. All you need are one or two oils and a cotton swab and you can remove your eye make up!
The drawback is that it is not as ‘clean’ as other store brought varieties. It is oil that you are applying directly to your face after all, so you may have some oily residue to deal with after you have taken off your make up. While the oils will help nourish your eye skin – which is a good thing – too much oil can be just a mess. If you do use an oil to remove your make up, use small amounts at a time and use more only when required.
All in all, the store bought formulas are faster and easier to use, and will most likely remove your eye make up faster. Bear in mind that the natural homemade eye make up removers contain fewer chemicals (if not none at all) and may actually be safer to use on the skin around your eyes. Try out different eye make up removers and see which suit you best.
