No Makeup Remover No Problem: How To Remove Makeup Without Makeup Remover

We’ve all been there. It’s late. You need to take your makeup off (plus all of the dirt and germs from the day), but you don’t have any makeup remover. SOS!

In these moments it’s tempting to just go to bed with your makeup on, but you know you'll hate how your skin looks and feels the next day—dry, dirty, lifeless, and featuring raccoon eyes that have been rubbed all over your pillow throughout the night. 

Fear not! Our team at Alleyoop has researched the best ways to remove your makeup without makeup remover. (Yes, even that stubborn waterproof mascara.) With a bit of patience and a couple of extra minutes before bed, you'll have a clean, makeup-free face ready for some shut-eye! 

Read on for our ultimate guide to help you remove every last bit of your makeup without makeup remover.

Tips for Removing Your Makeup Without Makeup Remover  

1. Be Gentle. 

The skin around our eyes is the most delicate skin on our body, so always take your time and be gentle when it comes to taking off your makeup. If you’ve adequately rinsed your skin and gently taken your makeup off your skin should be smooth and clean, not irritated or red.

Be careful not to scrub your face hard, but instead gently make circular motions around your face and eyes to remove your makeup and any oil or bacteria that may have accumulated throughout the day. 

2. Always Cleanse a Second Time When Wearing Makeup  

When you don’t have any makeup remover on hand it’s important to use your regular face cleanser twice. The first cleanse will remove your foundation, powders, and anything else your skin has come in contact with during the day. The second cleanse will deep clean your pores and allow your skin to breathe overnight.

3. Use Steam Heat To Remove Any Excess Makeup and Clear Your Pores 

Using either steam from the shower, or by simply filling your sink with hot water and hovering your face over it, you can achieve a deeper cleanse. Steam also helps to remove any lingering makeup or residue from the day and open up your pores to eliminate any accumulated germs.

How Do You Remove Makeup Without Makeup Remover?  

So, now we know to be gentle when removing our makeup without any makeup remover. But what do we use to actually do it? There are several different options depending on what you have on hand. (And don’t worry if you don’t have any of these items listed. More on that later.)

To ensure a clean, makeup-free face for bedtime, try one of the following alternatives for removing your makeup without the use of makeup remover.

Micellar Water 

Now a popular go-to for double cleansing, micellar water helps remove stubborn makeup and waterproof formulas without wipes. It can also be used as a simple cleanse when you can’t get to a sink, or just refuse to get out of bed. 

Coconut Oil  

Coconut oil has gained a significant amount of popularity throughout the last few years, and for a good reason! Its ability to remove makeup from your face without the use of harsh products is second to none. This is a great option for stubborn eye makeup. Simply massage it onto your face in gentle circular motions and then rinse thoroughly.  

Aloe Vera  

Aloe vera has many beneficial uses around the home, but easy and efficient makeup removal is at the top of the list. If you have an aloe vera plant hanging out around the house, simply dab some aloe on your face and gently massage it into the skin. (Be careful around the eyes!) Then softly rinse the aloe vera thoroughly off of your face for a clean, refreshing feeling. 

Olive Oil 

Olive oil is another excellent option for removing your makeup without the use of traditional makeup removers. Plus, it’s another product you probably already have in your kitchen. Simply take a few drops of oil and apply it onto your skin. After massaging it all over your face, wipe off the excess with a cotton round or washcloth, then be sure to thoroughly rinse your face.

Pro tip: A little olive oil goes a long way. You’ll want to wash your face really well with your regular cleanser and warm water after putting olive oil on your face, because it can leave a bit of a film on your skin. 

Baby Oil 

Baby oil is best used in moderation on the skin and only on the eyes. It’s possible to use it on the rest of the face, but can quickly dry out the skin. To remove makeup with baby oil, simply dampen a cotton round or cotton pad with a small amount of oil and wipe makeup from your eyes in an outward direction. Be sure to rinse your eyes well with warm water after all makeup is removed.

Lip Balm 

Are you having trouble removing your lipstick, particularly the darker shades? One of the best tricks for removing troublesome lipstick at the end of the day is to apply lip balm. Simply apply your go-to lip balm and then rub your lips into a tissue. If you're working with a darker, more stubborn shade, you might have to repeat this once or twice.

What About Removing Waterproof Mascara Without Makeup Remover?  

Yes. You can absolutely remove waterproof mascara without makeup remover. It may take some time and patience, but it’s possible.  

Any of the above techniques should work when removing your waterproof mascara; the only difference may be that you have to soak your eyes for a little longer with whatever method you choose, or repeat the process a second time. 

Can You Use Water to Remove Makeup? 

Absolutely! You can always turn to plain water to remove your makeup (including your eye makeup). It'll take longer, and you might not get as smooth and clean of a finish if you don’t use some kind of oil or cleanser, but it will come off.

Simply use a washcloth or cotton round and wet it with warm water. Tenderly press on your eyes to loosen your eye makeup, and then rinse. Repeat this process until you feel you've removed as much makeup as possible.

Then, gently press your warm washcloth onto the rest of your skin, opening up your pores and loosening any foundation and blush from the day. Another option is to use a cleansing mitt like our About Face double-sided cleansing mitt to cleanse and exfoliate your skin.

For a gentle cleanse, you can use the micro-fiber side, and for a deeper cleanse (after you’ve removed your first layer of makeup), you can use the exfoliating side. Our mitts are eco-friendly and compact, making them easy for traveling or a life on the go. 

Can You Use Regular Soap and Water?  

You may! If you don't have any cleanser in sight, you can always use plain soap and water. Of course, be gentle around the eyes and use water directly on your eyelid to remove your eye makeup. That being said, your cleanser is the best way to remove the makeup, dirt, and grime from the day. It’s best to cleanse twice (unless your cleanser instructions suggest otherwise) to remove your makeup and cleanse your pores. 

One of the best products to help remove makeup is our clean slate all-in-one cleansing stick. It’s compact and TSA-friendly, so it’s ready for any adventure when you are! It's also formulated for all skin types (even sensitive skin).

Our cleansing stick consists of moisturizing spinach leaf extract and a powerful antioxidant green tea leaf extract. Parsley extract also helps decrease inflammation and redness, which is perfect for removing your stubborn makeup without the redness often associated with makeup remover. 

If these tips have you questioning how many products you really need in your arsenal, it might be time to clear the clutter once and for all! Take our Quiz to get a personalized bundle of compact, time-saving products to help get you on your way. 

Your Dream Clean Team 

To effectively remove your makeup without makeup remover, remember to always be gentle on your skin, especially around the eye area. If you have coconut oil, aloe vera, olive oil, baby oil, or lip balm, you can achieve a clean, fresh face for the night.

However, if you’re looking for an easy (and effective) way to remove makeup and deep cleanse dirt and buildup, take a swipe with our Day Away Duo. This easy-to-use mitt and cleansing stick duo is all you need for a quick, deep cleanse.

Join #alleyooptroop to share your story! 

Sources: 

How to Remove Makeup Without Wipes - Beauty | Cosmopolitan

How to Remove Makeup: 7 Tips to Get Every Last Bit Off | Glamour 

How to Remove Your Makeup: 7 Tips From Cosmetics Experts | Allure