3 All-Natural Makeup Removers That Melt Makeup Away & Strengthen Your Skin

You might not think twice about makeup remover. Perhaps you have a staple you've used since your very first swipe of mascara, a familiar brand you toss into your shopping cart without so much as a peek at the label. But allow us to declare: If you make it a point to avoid harsh ingredients in makeup, you should be just as mindful of the ingredients that remove it all at the end of the day.

Traditional makeup removers can be rather irritating to the skin—many come laden with alcohols and harsh surfactants that can strip the skin dry and cause inflammation. Add some physical rubbing to the mix (like, say, with a traditional makeup wipe), and it can be ultra abrasive.

Especially around the eye area: That delicate skin is already thinner than the rest of your face, so all that tugging and swiping can lead to irritation, even wrinkles down the line. 

Allow us to bring you on board the oil-cleansing bandwagon: Oil dissolves oil, so not only can it melt off the most stubborn, waterproof makeup (which is typically oil-based), but it can actually remove any excess sebum on your skin, as well as daily dirt and grime. Massaging in an oil can also protect the natural lipid layer of your skin, so it's essentially feeding your skin barrier rather than stripping it down. 

In terms of which oils to use, the ball's in your court here. Some oils to note are jojoba oil (it closely mimics the skin's natural sebum), rosehip oil, and sunflower seed oil, but there are tons of others to throw into the mix—some market options even blend together several types of oils for optimal fatty acid and antioxidant content. Coconut oil is great, too, although it does have the potential to clog pores for some acne-prone individuals. 

Is there anything this plant can’t do? Bring home an aloe plant, and you'll have a hydrating face mask, a moisturizer, a scalp treatment for irritated follicles, even a primer before applying foundation. And, yes, it works just as well to wash off said foundation when the day is done. 

It's super gentle—it won't irritate delicate skin around your eyes—and it's a great alternative to oil-based removers (you know, if the thought of cleansing with oil still skeeves you out). 

OK, it didn't technically spring from the earth, but micellar water surely deserves a place among natural makeup removers. The soft, purified solution is able to dissolve both oil- and water-based products without the use of harsh surfactants, and it's incredibly gentle for even sensitive skin. "As a dermatologist, I consider it safe, so unless you've ever had a bad reaction to a brand of micellar water, it is rated as safe for all skin types," board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD, has told us. 

In terms of removing makeup, there are a couple of avenues to follow here: Either use it as an allover rinse, or squeeze the solution onto a cotton round to target specific areas. If you do choose to cleanse with micellar water, just be sure to follow up with a proper cleanser afterward. As Ciraldo notes, "You can use it before your facial cleanser since it will remove [makeup, dirt, and the like] gently and effectively, but remember, it doesn't include other actives like anti-pollution, marine or peptides actives that can add additional benefits to skin."