Olive Oil As Makeup Remover (yes really)

A few years ago, I was staying over at a friend’s house and asked to borrow her makeup remover. She said no problem, but just so you know, it’s olive oil. I was sceptical, but if it worked for her, then I thought why not try it. Safe to say I have never looked back, here’s why.

First of all, it works really well (even on waterproof mascara). As well, if not better than any removers I have bought in the past. Secondly, the savings. Makeup remover can be expensive, especially for effective ones. I don’t wear a lot of make up, but I would have to buy a few bottles a year. The best thing about using olive oil, is how little of it you need. In early 2015 I bought a 500ml bottle of organic extra virgin olive oil (about £3) and filled up an empty travel shampoo bottle with about a third of it, and kept the rest for cooking. I finished the bottle in the kitchen in a matter of months, but I have NEVER had to refill the little bottle in the bathroom, and I’m still going with it. I may have to finally buy a new bottle mid 2017. And last but not least, the environmental impact. Olive oil is natural product, you can buy it organic, and you know exactly what’s in it. I have no idea what was in my old makeup remover. There have been studies on whether they are dangerous for you skin, but I’m not finding much on whether the chemicals used are bad for the environment, so until then, might as well play it safe with olive oil. There is also less packaging involved as I buy one big bottle of olive oil that’ll last me years, instead of a little plastic bottle every few months, or worse, packs and packs of wet wipes. To make it even cheaper and environmentally friendly, I use reusable pads that I stick in with my washing.

The only downside I can think of (and I’m really digging here), is I remember at first finding the smell of olive oil strange when taking my make up off. But I either got used to it, or because it’s been the same olive oil sat in the bathroom the smell has gone. Either way, I very quickly didn’t notice it anymore.

So here’s how to use it: put a few drops of olive oil on your fingers, rub your makeup with it, then wipe with a reusable pad. If I’m wearing more makeup than usual I might do this twice. And that’s it! You can wash your face as normal after, but as I use so little I don’t tend to need to.

Chances are, you have some in your cupboard, so try it when you next take your makeup off!