How to Remove Mascara Without Makeup Remover

I won’t lie - I love mascara. It’s my favorite eye makeup. But anyone who wears mascara knows it is a huge pain to remove, and you’re almost always left with mascara residue.

It doesn’t have to be this challenging, though.

With the proper techniques and tricks, you can easily remove your eye makeup without hassle.

Want to know how? Then keep reading!

How to Remove Mascara Without Makeup Remover

Obviously, makeup removers will be the easiest way to sayonara to mascara - including waterproof mascara.

Makeup removers aren’t the only option, though. If you want to go with a “natural” or “less expensive” option, you have choices.

Below are the top five ways to remove mascara without makeup remover.

The best part is that you likely have one of these ingredients on hand!

1. Whole Milk (Great for Removing Mascara)

I’m sorry, but what?

I bet you didn’t think that the whole milk you used for your morning bowl of cereal could also be used as an effective way to remove eye makeup.

All you need to do is dip a cotton ball, cotton pad, or makeup pad into a bowl of whole milk.

Then, gently rub the mascara off. Rinse with warm water and enjoy a makeup-free face.

Best of all, the whole milk will add a decent amount of hydration, so you don’t have to worry about dehydrated and crusty eye skin by the end.

Tip: You can also use plain whole yogurt, but it can be a bit thick and unpleasant to smear on the lashes.

2. Oil (Best for Removing Waterproof Mascara)

Now, trying to remove waterproof mascara is going to be a bit trickier.

It won’t come off as easily - and it shouldn’t, considering that’s the whole point of wearing the waterproof variety.

Does this mean your waterproof makeup will stay on your face forever without using eye makeup remover?

No. It simply means you’ll need some type of oil to remove it.

Coconut oil, olive oil, and baby oil are all excellent options to remove waterproof mascara naturally.

It’s great for sensitive skin and delicate skin, too.

All you need to do is place the coconut oil, olive oil, or baby oil onto a cotton pad.

Keep in mind that coconut oil will need to be heated up in your fingertips for a few minutes, as this oil solidifies in cool temperatures.

Baby oil and olive oil can be used immediately.

Used the cotton pad soaked with oil to carefully rub off waterproof mascaras. Continue until there is no makeup residue left over.

Rinse generously with warm water or micellar water, as using pure oil can lead to an overly greasy and unpleasant residue.

Tip: You can mix a little aloe vera with natural oils for a genuinely soothing and exceptional experience. You can also use vegetable oil, too, but it’s not as highly regarded as the other oils.

3. Witch Hazel (Best for Light Eye Makeup)

Witch hazel can be used for those that don’t use a whole lot of mascara, as this product will not be able to remove waterproof or stubborn mascara.

To use witch hazel, simply apply a few drops onto a cotton swab. Gently massage the bottom lashes and upper lashes until you’re mascara-free.

You can use witch hazel to remove the rest of the makeup on your face, too.

Just make sure to rinse with warm water or wipe it off with baby wipes when you’re done.

4. Petroleum Jelly (Great for All Kinds of Mascara)

Can Vaseline remove waterproof mascara? What about regular mascara? Yes, and yes.

It’s the go-to regular and waterproof makeup remover. Honestly, is there anything that petroleum jelly can’t do?

Petroleum jelly is already (likely) a part of your day-to-day beauty routine, and now you can use it to remove all the mascara on your lashes.

To use petroleum jelly, grab a pea-sized amount with your fingers, massage it into the eye, and lash area.

Let it soak on your lashes for about five minutes before gently wiping with wet cotton pads. You may also consider using a little micellar water, as removing all of the jellies can be challenging.

5. Baby Wipes (Great for Regular Mascara)

Plenty of people use makeup wipes to remove makeup. They work like a charm!

However, a regular makeup wipe isn’t always the gentlest or the most cost-effective.

What’s the next best option? Baby wipes, of course!

Like baby lotions and baby shampoo, baby wipes are designed to be very gentle on the body, making them one of the best removal methods for regular mascara (not water-resistant varieties).

To remove mascara with a baby wipe, simply gently wipe the area until you successfully remove the mascara. It’s that simple!

FAQ

Can You Take Off Mascara with Water?

Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to remove makeup with just water. And, rough rubbing with a cotton pad, makeup pad, or cotton ball can lead to lash loss and other issues.

That said, it’s best to use your favorite store-bought remover, a makeup remover towel, or one of the other methods listed above.

Can Vaseline Take Off Mascara?

Vaseline is a top-notch makeup remover that is gentle on the lashes and surrounding skin.

It’s a cinch to use, and it’s pretty cheap.

To use Vaseline, simply massage a thin layer onto the lashes and surrounding skin. Allow it to sit for five minutes before wiping it off with a wet makeup pad.

You want to ensure the area is entirely free from Vaseline. Because Vaseline is thick, it can cause clogs if left on the site for too long.