I am a huge fan of those packages of make-up remover wipes. However, I am NOT a fan of the price. (I also dislike that the brand I use, Neutrogena, is one of the most expensive, and the packages only have 26 wipes in them. Come on Neutrogena, you couldn't add a few more wipes so I have enough for a whole month?? I digress...) After reading numerous pages on Pinterest, and DIY blogs, I decided to make my own. So no, this is not an original idea, but I did make a few tweaks, and I have combined different recipes to make a batch that I really like. But you can experiment on your own to make what works for you.
Here is what you need:
-An airtight container big enough to hold half a roll of paper towels.
-A roll of select-a size paper towels (any brand will work).
-A large, SHARP knife (not serrated!).
-4 cups of water (filtered or spring water is best, try not to use tap or city water).
-1 1/2 tbs coconut oil (I use the refined kind, because it seems to mix better).
-2 pumps of your favorite liquid face wash. (I have also read that baby wash will work).
-7-8 drops of Tea Tree Oil
I use mostly Neutrogena products, because they have always been the best on my sensitive skin, but you can use whatever brand you normally use. (I am hoping to start moving away from commercial products as much as I can.)
The most expensive part of this whole project was the container that I bought. (About $15.00) But it will last a long time, and after a few batches it will have paid for itself. Tea Tree Oil is also a bit expensive, but a bottle will go really far, and it has so many household uses, you really can't go wrong! Coconut oil is about $6-10 depending on brand, and how much you buy. But it will last a long time, and you can use it for all sorts of things, including cooking!
Once you have all the items you need, use your big knife {BE CAREFULL!!} to cut the paper towel roll in half. It is a little tricky, but even if the cut side is a little rough, it is not a big deal. (Just use a pair of scissors to cut off any loose bits that are hanging off.)
Put one half in the container, cut side down. (Stash the other half away for the next batch, or you can make a second batch and keep one in the bathroom, and one in the bedroom. I don't like to make more than one batch at a time because they can go bad if not used in a few months. But if there are multiple people using them, or if you go through them really fast you can probably do two batches at once. **Or maybe consider making a batch as a gift for someone! Just be sure to include the recipe so they can make more in the future.)
Put your 4 cups of water in a microwave safe bowl, and measure out your ingredients. The coconut oil is a bit lumpy/ paste-like, so just do the best that you can to measure it. It doesn't have to be exact.
Once you have added 1 1/2 tbs of coconut oil, 2 pumps of face wash, and 7-8 drops of Tea Tree Oil,
stick the bowl in the microwave, and heat the mixture 30 seconds at a time until the coconut oil is all melted, stirring with a fork each time. Once the coconut oil it melted, mix it very well with the fork, or use a whisk.
(I add the Tea Tree Oil because it is a natural anti-microbial. It will keep your wipes from spoiling too fast, and it will also help to kill bacteria on your skin, which as you probably know... is a major contributor to breakouts!)
Pour the mixture over the paper towels. (Make sure you do this over a sink, because it can get to be messy if you spill any.
Put the lid on the container. (Smush it down if you have to. The paper towels once wet, will pack down easily.) Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Grab the cardboard part of the paper towel roll, and pull it out. (It should come out pretty easy at this point. If it doesn't, put the lid back on a let it sit for a while longer. )
This is what it will look like!
Find the end of the paper towel roll in the center and pull it up. VOILA! Now you have your very first batch of homemade make-up remover face wipes. I usually let them soak for about a day, that allows them to soak up as much of the mix as they are going to soak up. I dump the extra solution off so that they don't drip when I take them out at night. But you could probably fold a few paper towels and put them in a Ziploc bag, and use the leftover solution to make a travel version of these! (I bet if you kept them in the refrigerator, they would keep for a very long time.)
I have found that I prefer to use a more oily make-up remover on a cotton ball to take off mascara first, (recipe to come soon!) and then use the wipes to clean my whole face. No need to rinse, just moisturize and then go to bed. You can add more oil to the mixture if you want to use it to get off mascara, especially the waterproof kind, but I would recommend rinsing your face afterwords to avoid clogging your pores.
As with any homemade recipe, experiment! Try new things to figure out what works best for you!
** You can use Extra Virgin Olive Oil instead of Coconut Oil. EVOO has the same pH as our skin's natural oil does, so it is always a good choice. I just happen to prefer the coconut oil because it makes my skin feel so soft.
**I have also seen that you can make baby wipes instead with baby oil, and baby wash. They would make a great baby shower gift!
