Sometimes I’ll whip up a batch of disinfecting reusable wipes for cleaning with. I decided to experiment with making something similar for my facial routine. These DIY face wipes may become one of your new favorite skincare products to remove makeup or just freshen up!
DIY Face Wipes
It’s rumored that makeup remover wipes and disposable facial cleansing wipes can take about 100 years to decompose. This is because over 90% of disposable wipes are made out of plastic. That’s bad news for our landfill problem. And that’s not even mentioning the toxic chemicals and preservatives in wipes and other beauty products.
The disposable wipes market is expected to reach over 8 billion in sales by 2027. Yes, that’s billion with a capital B. Many of us have become addicted to the convenience of makeup remover pads and wipes. The good news is you can make your own easy DIY makeup remover wipes!
The Issue With Wipes
There are several different ways to make your own DIY face wipes. Some tutorials use paper towels, cotton pads, or baby washcloths. Paper towels aren’t my first choice because they’re not the most sustainable option. Plus there are the chemicals used to bleach and make them. It’s much easier now to find healthier, unbleached paper towels now. However, they can get pricey.
Cotton pads can be a good option but I recommend going with organic. Many cotton farmers use largely undisclosed pesticides, insecticides, and other chemicals. So we don’t really know what’s on non-organic cotton. Disposable cotton rounds are still a single-use product. But the upside is that they won’t sit in a landfill for 100-plus years. Here are some organic cotton rounds if you prefer a disposable option.
Baby washcloths are another common recommendation for DIY wipes. They’re compact and soft, but they’re often made with synthetic fabrics. Aka plastic. These plastic fabrics pollute the water supply, so they’re not something I recommend.
The Best DIY Face Wipes
So what do I use for homemade makeup remover wipes? There are still plenty of good options. Flannel, cotton terrycloth, and organic cotton are all good choices. You can use upcycled receiving blankets, cut-up cotton T-shirts, or even new reusable baby wipes.
Here’s an easy tutorial for how to make your own professional-looking fabric wipes. If you’re a no-sew kind of person then try these pre-made organic reusable cotton wipes. Or just cut up some flannel and T-shirts you have lying around.
DIY Wipe Ingredients
These wipes are pretty similar to my baby wipes recipe. In fact, I’ve used those on my face plenty of times before! This version though has some added ingredients that are great for moisturizing and cleansing different skin types. Whether you have sensitive skin, dry skin, or struggle with breakouts they’re customizable.
They start with natural ingredients like distilled water, witch hazel, aloe vera, and essential oils. Castile soap helps make it great as a face wash substitute. Then I add a liquid oil for smooth application and extra moisture. Olive oil, avocado oil, and fractionated coconut oil are all good options.
The witch hazel acts as a toner so it’s astringent for oily skin. If you have super dry skin you’ll probably want to reduce or skip the witch hazel. Aloe vera is soothing and moisturizing and I love using it in skincare recipes.
Essential Oils
These are optional, but they add a nice scent and extra skin benefits. You’ll also get the mental and emotional health benefits when you breathe them in. Here are a few different options for your DIY face wipes:
- Tea Tree Oil – Helps with acne-prone skin and reduces inflammation
- Frankincense – Good for mature skin, blemished skin, and all around great for the face
- Helichrysum – irritated skin, eczema, dermatitis
- Lavender – soothes inflammation and irritation, generally good for any skin issue
- Geranium – Acne, dermatitis, eczema, balances oil production
- Patchouli – Acne, dermatitis, eczema, chapped skin, mature skin, oily skin
- Virginia Cedarwood – Oily skin, acne, dermatitis
- Roman Chamomile – Dermatitis, inflamed skin, damaged skin
There are more choices than these of course, but the above list will give you a good start. Just be sure to choose skin-friendly essential oils! Essential oils like lemon, lime, and bergamot can cause skin burns if used before sun exposure so I recommend not using these.
If you’re using these to remove eye makeup, omit the essential oils.
5 from 4 votes
DIY Face Wipes
These easy DIY face wipes are great for cleansing the skin, removing makeup, or a quick refresh.
Prep Time3minutes mins
Total Time3minutes mins
Yield: 8 ounces
Author: Katie Wells
Equipment
- 8 ounce glass spray bottle
- Reusable fabric wipes (or cotton rounds)
Materials
- 1 cup distilled water
- 2 tsp aloe vera gel
- 2 tsp witch hazel
- ¼ tsp castile soap (or less if desired)
- 1 tsp olive oil (or almond, avocado, fractionated coconut oil, etc.)
- 15-20 drops essential oils (optional)
Instructions
- Add the oil, aloe vera, witch hazel, and essential oils to the bottom of a glass spray bottle and mix to combine.
- Add the castile soap.
- Last, add the water just until the bottle is almost full. If you’re using a 16-ounce spray bottle then fill it halfway full.
- Shake and spray the mixture on your cloth wipes right before use.
- Store the mixture in the fridge and use within 1-2 weeks.
Notes
Want a disposable option? Fill an 8-ounce glass jar or mason jar with cotton rounds. Mix the face wipe solution ingredients together and pour over the cotton rounds. Use within 1-2 weeks and store in a cool place, preferably the fridge.