Everyone is buzzing about the best organic makeup remover! And, one of the buzziest buzz words around right now is “organic.” Everything from clothing to candy can carry the label, but what exactly does it mean and should you care about finding the best organic makeup remover?
Why Organic Makeup Remover Is Important
The word “organic” is a little bit confusing, especially when it comes to cosmetics. Cosmetics are generally regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s their job to ensure the safety of cosmetics. However, the FDA doesn’t even recognize “organic” as a distinction.
For organics, the FDA passes the buck to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In order for a project to receive their organic certification, the product must be 95 percent free of nasty synthetic stuff like pesticides, dyes, and any other additives. Some products don’t have the USDA certification, but are nonetheless labeled “organic.” They must be at least 70 percent organic.
While the jury is out on whether organic food is better than conventionally grown, it’s comforting to know exactly what is going on your skin, especially when you’re removing all the toxins of the day. In other words, when it comes to makeup removers, the closer to nature, the better.
What Are the Best Organic Makeup Removers?
It depends on your priorities and your budget. If you want luxurious ingredients and lovely scents, there are many options. If you prefer to do it yourself, there’s that too.
Five Best Luxury Organic Makeup Removers
The best news about makeup removers is that you don’t have to go broke to treat yourself to the very best ingredients. While the luxury options aren’t as inexpensive as the DIY options, organic luxury is surprisingly affordable.
1. ORGANYS
Organys Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover Face Wash
- Looking for a new cleansing oil? Or switching from a foam to an oil cleanser? Organys Oil…
- Organys Cleansing Oil completely dissolves & removes makeup and sunscreen. Deeply cleanses…
- Oils produced by your skin & residue from skincare products naturally dissolve in oil. Our…
At 4.5 stars on Amazon, LAVO looks like it would feel wonderful. The ingredients include safflower oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, lavender oil, rosemary leaf oil, chamomile and vitamin C. According to the description, LAVO easily melts away even stage makeup. Your smoky eyes have met their match and your skin will thank you. At just $18.99 for a bottle that lasts about three months, it’s a bargain.
2. Burt’s Bees
Burt’s Bees Eye Makeup Remover Pads, 35 Count
- MOITURIZING PADS: Formulated with kiwi extract, these eye makeup remover pads cleanse and…
- EFFECTIVE CLEANSER: Burt’s Bees makeup remover pads reach all corners of the eye – perfect…
- DERMATOLOGIST TESTED: Nurture your skin with 99.5% natural makeup remover that has been…
La Foglia’s eye makeup remover has just one ingredient, lavender. Not only does it remove every speck of eye makeup, the soothing scent helps you relax at night. Unlike many other makeup removers, La Foglia is solid and comes inside a metal tin. At $34.00, it’s a bit more pricey than some of the alternatives, but the reviews are 5 stars, across the board.
3. Julep
Julep Bare Face Hydrating Cleansing Oil and Makeup Remover, Face Wash…
- In a consumer use study, 91 percent of participants agreed bare face cleansing oil leaves…
- 94 percent reported there was no oily residue after using bare face
- 97 percent agreed bare face cleansing oil did not irritate skin
Just the name Julep evokes long, slow summer days. Despite the name, Julep doesn’t contain mint, but its exotic list of ingredients includes rosehip seed oil, green coffee bean oil, and Malvaceae lipid extract. Not only does Julep leave your skin clean and smooth, it helps fight aging. Studies have shown that it really works and Amazon reviewers agree.
4. Nature Lush
The Best Natural Eye & Face Makeup Remover – Oil Free – Rich Vitamins…
- ALL NATURAL EYE MAKEUP REMOVER: Gently removes eye & face makeup, eye shadows, mascara and…
- RICH VITAMINS: Vitamins and natural ingredients provides for anti-aging benefits, improves…
- SAFE PRODUCT: All Natural means no adverse reaction to skin and gentle enough for use…
The vast majority of makeup removers are made from oils. While most of the oils are relatively irritant free and quickly absorbed, some people are sensitive to oils of all kinds. That’s where Nature Lush comes in. It’s completely oil-free and it leaves your skin with no residue whatsoever. $26.45 gets you a three month supply.
5. Gabriel Organics
Gabriel Cosmetics, Makeup Remover Sea Fennel Gentle, 3.3 Ounce
- Gabriel Organics Sea Fennel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover is an extremely mild liquid designed…
- Aloe Vera Extract soothes tired, sore eyes and diffuses redness and puffiness.
Our highest rated pick is also our least expensive. At just $14.34, Gabriel Organics makeup remover’s mix of sea fennel and chamomile takes it all off. It even helps soothe puffy, sore and tired eyes.
Five Best DIY Organic Makeup Removers
We’ll let you in on a little secret about removing makeup, in a pinch, any good organic oil will do it. While you certainly don’t want motor oil anywhere near your face, and you might want to avoid petroleum products in general, your own kitchen has everything you need.
1. Coconut oil
Garden of Life Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil – Unrefined Cold…
- RAW COCONUT OIL: Our unrefined coconut oils are not hydrogenated, bleached, refined, or…
- ORGANIC COCONUT OIL: USDA Certified Organic, Non GMO Project Verified, RAW, Certified…
- EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL: This pure coconut oil dietary supplement is an excellent source…
If you don’t have this wonder oil in your kitchen (and in your bathroom), you should. Coconut oil is great for cooking and for removing even the most stubborn makeup. The added bonus, or for some, the downside, is that it smells like coconut. Coconut also has anti-fungal properties, so if you’re prone to skin rashes, treat yourself. For about $6.00, you can you’ll have enough coconut oil to last your for months.
2. Almond oil
Almond Oil; Sweet Almond Oil for Skin or Almond Oil for Hair, The…
- FAST-ABSORBING & NON-GREASY SWEET ALMOND OIL – Sweet almond oil for skin (aka aceite de…
- NATURAL BODY OIL FOR SOFT SKIN & IMPROVED COMPLEXION – If you’re looking for an almond…
- SWEET ALMOND CARRIER OIL PERFECT FOR DIY BEAUTY BLENDS – Pure almond oil makes the perfect…
Almond oil’s smooth feel and delicate scent make it a perfect addition to your nighttime routine. All you need is a cotton ball and a few drops, and your skin will be makeup free within seconds. A bottle should last at least a couple of months.
3. Jojoba oil
Jojoba Oil, USDA Certified Organic, 100% Pure, Cold Pressed,…
- USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC JOJOBA OIL – Kate Blanc’s Organic Cold Pressed Jojoba Oil (Aceite…
- GLOWING FACE AND HAIR – Perfect as a daily moisturizer or treatment for skin, hair and…
- STIMULATE HAIR GROWTH – Grow longer and thicker hair in a quick, natural way, while also…
Jojoba oil isn’t quite as well known as coconut or almond oil, but it should be. Not only does jojoba do a brilliant job of removing makeup, it stimulates hair growth, reduces stretch marks, repairs hair and helps soothe inflammation.
4. Olive oil
Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 67.62 Ounce
- Produce from Italian-grown Olives
- First Cold Pressed
It’s already in your kitchen, so you might as well use it. Olive oil is both an effective makeup remover and it helps soothe irritated skin. Be careful of using too much, though, or you might end up smelling like a Mediterranean restaurant (not that there’s anything wrong with that). You can play with the smell by adding some of your favorite organic essential oils, like lavender.
5. Witch hazel
Mountain Falls Witch Hazel Astringent Facial Cleanser, 16 Fluid Ounce…
- Cleanse and refresh skin
- Relieve minor irritation from insect bites, sunburn, or minor cuts and scrapes
- Tone and condition skin
If you suffer from oily skin, witch hazel is a natural, oil-free makeup remover that also acts as a toner. A bottle that will last for months. If you can tolerate a little oil, a few drops of your favorite essential oil will add a lovely aroma.