I have tried several brands of eye make-up removers. Some brands were cheap, and some expensive. They all had one thing in common: if I got some of it in my eye, which is inevitable when removing make-up from eyes, it wasn’t pleasant. Some of them down-right stung, which seems odd when you consider what they were made for; the eyes! Using plain water doesn’t work, of course, and soap stings as well.
There is a solution to the problem, however, and the solution is not to go to the department store to purchase the most expensive bottle you can find. It is simply to make it yourself, using a product readily available at any grocery store, or may already be in your bathroom if you have a young child: Baby shampoo, or baby wash! (Amazon carries them as well, such as the one in this link.) Baby shampoo is made to be tear-free, and though not 100% neutral when in the eyes, at least it’s more gentle on eyes than anything else I’ve ever tried. It also works great for removing sticky mascara or other eye make-up. I have made my own for years now, and saved a lot of money. When I first heard about it, I jumped to the idea! It was brilliant! And I simply re-use my old Mary Kay eye make-up remover bottle, though any bottle will be fine. Air plane cosmetic bottles can often be found in sample sections of the store, and will probably work well for this use.
If you do try this recipe, I would really appreciate a quick comment with a star rating (option found immediately under each recipe). It helps me out tremendously! Thanks in advance!
This is what you need, plus water: (My bottle is not looking great anymore as I have used it so much, but it still works just fine.)
There is a squirt cap on my bottle that I remove, then put back on when the bottle is filled.
In this 4 oz (or so) bottle, I use two pump fulls, which for the pump on this bottle adds up to be just shy of 2 tsp worth. I fill the rest of the bottle with cold water, then tip the bottle upside down a few times to gently shake it up to mix.
Then you’ll want to test it (I used a little piece of paper towel). You don’t want to use so much soap that it suds up much on your cotton ball, because it gets in the eyes more easily that way. You just want it to be slippery enough to remove the make-up.
I put some mascara on my hand to check, or mostly just to show you:
Yup, it works!
And I have a bottle full of tear-free solution that works great, and cost me almost nothing! The pump bottle of baby wash cost me $2.50, (on sale from $2.63), from which you only need 2 tsp to make up an entire bottle. That’ll give me…ooo… about 90 bottles? At around 3 cents per bottle? I think that will last me a while… Yeah…
In comparison, one bottle, yes, ONE, of Mary Kay’s eye make-up remover, though this is a great product and looks very pretty, currently cost $15. I am VERY happy with baby wash for my eyes!
Editing to add: Some people have been wondering whether this solution works for waterproof mascara as well. Having no previous experience with waterproof mascara, I went to the store and purchased one to test. After putting it on my hand, and also wearing it on my eye lashes a couple of times, washing it off with my homemade remover, I came to a conclusion: It does not work very well in this diluted form. However, when I put straight baby shampoo on a wet cotton round, I was able to remove it without a problem. On my hand, I also tried regular liquid hand soap to have something to compare to, and found that this worked only slightly better than straight baby shampoo. And who wants to put regular hand soap on their eyes? In other words, for waterproof mascara, baby shampoo worked well in its concentrated form, but not as the diluted remover that works great for regular mascara.I hope that helps!
Homemade eye makeup remover is super easy and cheap when you use baby shampoo, and tear free! Please comment and rate this recipe if you try it; option is found immediately under the recipe. Thank you!!
- 4 fl.oz water (1/2 c or 8 Tbsp)
- 2 tsp baby shampoo (tear free)
- Mix together water and shampoo until well blended.
- Pour into small bottle.
- Use on cotton to remove eye make-up.
Amazing! I will definitely have to try that. 🙂
Glad to hear it!
I must say, this is an honestly, amazing idea! I have MANY allergies to certain foods and such that are also included in removes, body wash, soaps, etc. Baby shampoo is so great and to know I could use that on my skin (let alone my face) without a reaction is priceless! Thanks for the fabulous idea!
I’m so glad to know you have an alternative product to use now, if you tolerate baby shampoo! That’s great! I can’t remember who originally told me to try that, but I’ve loved it myself.
Olive oil works great too. You can always add a little castor oil to darken your lashed as well.
Thank you for the tips! That’s great to know!
Thanks so much for that idea! I’ve tried it and it works great!! Finally, my eyes don’t sting when removing eye make-up!
I’m so glad it works for you!
Does this work for waterproof mascaras, too?
I don’t know; I have never worn waterproof m., so I don’t know how they differ in removal. I would guess that it would work since the baby shampoo works like a soap / cleanser, but that’s only a guess.
If anyone does try it, please let us know how it worked!! 🙂
Works like a charm, I used another one with baby oil but this recipe is better
Thanks for sharing
Very good! Glad it worked for you!
Olive oil works very well also.
I have used baby wipes for years. I heard it on The View as one of Sherry’s make up tips. I use Huggies but I’m sure any would do. Probably not as cheap as this remover but I can pack them easily and dont have to use a mirror to clean my face. It’s pretty handy.
That does sound handy! Thanks for sharing that tip, it would be especially nice when traveling and if you need to bring wipes anyway. One less bottle to pack.
I add a little baby oil to this and it removes any kind of mascara.
Thank you for the tip!
Hi Terese, I going to give this a try because I don’t like how oily removers leave a greasy film in my eyes. I trying to use just organic products and thinking about to buy a good baby body wash. I know that those are more expensive but is work to buy the best that you can afford. I’ll let you know how it worked. I like how you designed your blog and the recipe box is awesome! For now, I’m giving you just three stars. I’ll be back to review it again.
OK, I hope it works well for you! I’m glad to hear you like my blog, please come back soon!
Thanks for sharing. I’m going to get it today and fill my empty bottle like you did.
Awesome!! Glad you found it helpful!
Thanks. I simply remove with olive oil. I also add a few drops of essential oil to my mascara – mostly, lavender oil. It helps my eyelashes stay healthy and grow longer )) Works well especially if to add a good nourishing serum to daily routine – for me it’s Cherish Lash. A great product.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!