How To Make DIY Makeup Remover Pads

If you wear makeup on a daily basis, you’ll likely know just how many cleansing goods us beauty-buffs get through each month. Thanks to the mounds of cosmetic wipes currently overflowing from my bathroom bin, I began to wonder how to make DIY makeup remover pads.

In fear of just how much makeup removing products were affecting my bank account, I started using homemade pads, predominently inspired by YouTuber I Am Vanessae's eco-friendly makeup remover tutorial. While Vanessa kept her DIY in a bottle, I also decided to take advice from Elle writer Victoria Dawson Hoff, who showed us how to combine makeup removing solution with cotton pads and eventually store them in a nifty little jar.

Made from household ingredients like Jojoba oil and witch hazel, the pads are a far more effective way to remove cosmetics, IMO. Unlike many store-bought cleansing wipes, where I might need to use four or five to remove heavy eye makeup or high-coverage foundation, I only need one of two of the homemade alternatives.

Plus, they’re suited for almost every skin type. Take the Jojoba oil component, for example. Packed with Vitamins A and E, it’s great for those who have dry skin and are in desperate need of hydration. It's also incredible for those with acne-prone skin, as it acts as an anti-inflammatory and can reduce redness and irritation.

All that said, here's how you can give it a go and make eco-friendly makeup remover pads yourself.

What You’ll Need

For this DIY, you'll need the following ingredients.

• Cotton Pads
• Jojoba Oil
• Witch Hazel
• Small Masonry Jar Or Dish
• Water
• Mixing Jug
• Spoon

1. Pour Warm Water Into Mixing Jug

First, pour warm water into a mixing jug (six to eight ounces or so). The water is going to act as a base ingredient for the makeup remover solution and help melt and combine the ingredients you'll be adding later on.

2. Spoon In Oil

Next, spoon in four tablespoons of jojoba oil. As oil and water separate, I found it’s best to do this gradually. Simply take a teaspoon and fill it with oil before mixing it into the water.

3. Add Witch Hazel

The next ingredient we're going to be adding is witch hazel. Pour in approximately two tablespoons of the product. This is going to help remove your makeup, as well as reduce the appearance of any blemishes.

4. Pour Solution In Storage Bowl Or Masonry Jar

The easiest and most effective way to store your makeup remover pads is in a masonry jar. But if you don’t have one, you can also use a small storage dish.

Add approximately four tablespoons of the solution to the bottom of the jar.

5. Press In Cotton Pads

Next, add four cotton pads stacked on top of the solution and press them down until they begin to absorb said solution.

6. Pour In More Solution

Now, add another four tablespoons on top.

7. Press In More Cotton Pads

And, again, press in four more cotton pads.

8. Continue The Process

Continue the process until the dish or masonry jar is full. As you stack more cotton pads on top of each other, they should absorb more of the makeup remover and begin to resemble store-bought products.

9. Store And Use When Needed

It's as easy as that! You now have eco-friendly makeup remover pads that can be used as and when you need them. If you're using a masonry jar, simply close the lid and store it in your bathroom. Alternatively, if you're storing them in a dish or bowl, just cover the top of it up with a wash cloth to keep them fresh.

As well as reducing the environmental damages of throwing away extreme amounts of makeup wipes, you'll hopefully appreciate some of the benefits closer to home (your bank balance, for instance). Cheaper than most store-bought cleansers and makeup removers, this homemade solution should save you a buck or two. That means you can spend less money on creams, gels, and oils and more money on new beauty splurges.

Images: Emma Matthews