Make-up remover wipes are so convenient to have! But, did you know that they can take up to 100 years to degrade!!! Unfortunately, all the packaging, ingredients, and the wipe themselves left a nasty footprint on our environment.
Never fair, there is a super easy and more sustainable way you can still get the same convenience. Only a few simple ingredients and 5 minutes are needed, and you can easily customise this to suit the needs of your skin year round.
In this blog you will find:
1. Ingredient information and benefits
2. The recipe
3. Link to my YouTube video tutorial
1. Ingredient information and benefits
GLYCERIN
Not a glamorous sounding ingredient, but it packs a mighty punch in the moisturising department. It helps to keep skin moist and hydrated by slowing down the evaporation of water. But that's not all! Here are its other benefits:
This moisture barrier also provides protection against environment pollutants from entering pores
Not only provides moistures, but helps to strengthens the skins natural ability to retain moisture
Softens skin
Helps skin to look younger
Aids in the resiliency of skin
Transports hydration to the upper layers of skin
Non-allergenic
Can be used on all skin types
Helps to heal eczema, psoriasis and other skin issues
Treats acne and its scaring
There are three types of glycerine on the market, plant-derived, animal-derived and synthetic. We definitely want to go for the plant-derived version.
VITAMIN E OIL
Vitamin E oil is very popular in skincare, and for good reason! This oil is renowned for its anti-aging properties, but also boasts many more beneficial properties for the skin.
It is recommended that this oil be used when mixed with other ingredients, and is generally not the best option if you have supersensitive, oily, or acne-prone skin.
Here are the key benefits of using this oil topically:
· helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
· can block free radicals (free radicals have been linked to premature aging)
· replenish lipids
· anti-inflammatory
· hydrating
· can reduce effects of psoriasis
Skin is more than just what we put on the surface. So, to get even more Vitamin E and nourish your body from the inside out, try adding the following foods into your diet:
• olive oil
• sweet potatoes
• avocados
• almonds
CASTILE SOAP
This is such a great product to have on hand for multiple purposes such as DIY hand wash and DIY dishwashing liquid.
Castile soap is derived from vegetables, and is natural and non-toxic. It has been used in the
Mediterranean for ever and is traditionally made from olive oil in the Spanish Castile region (hence its name). Nowadays, coconut, hemp, castor, almond, walnut and avocado oils can be used to produce Castile soap through a process called saponification. These oils give it its lathering properties.
Why should it be included in makeup-remover wipes? Well, simple really, it's the main ingredient that does the cleaning :) Aside from that, it does have some properties that make it beneficial, gentle, and safe to use on all skin types:
naturally hydrating
helps to ease eczema and psoriasis
doesn't clog pores
provides a balanced pH level for all skin types
removes dirt
antibacterial
Castile soap can be found as both a liquid and a solid bar. As with any ingredient you use, it is important to ensure you are using something that is pure and of good quality.
COCONUT OIL
Perhaps one of the best all-rounders when it comes to beauty, and definitely a favourite ingredient of mine to use in DIY products.
It contains nourishing fatty acids and provides so many benefits. But, how do you know what coconut oil is the safest, healthiest, and most beneficial to get? There are three key words to look for:
• unrefined
• cold-pressed
• certified organic
Coconut oil can be used on its own as a make-up remover (it is amazing at getting rid of waterproof mascara), hair oil, face and body moisturiser, and to get rid of toxins when used for oil pulling.
Why is it so good?
• It’s moisturising
• Contains lauric acid which has antibacterial properties
• It contains anti-inflammatory properties
• It is antimicrobial (fights fungus e.g. yeast infection, eczema, or ringworm)
• Contains linoleic acid (vitamin F) which helps retain moisture
• Increases collagen production, thanks to the lauric acid
• Can lighten dark patches
Things to consider:
• Coconut oil is not necessarily the best oil to use on oily and acne-prone skin. See recommended oils for different skin types (pg...)
• If you have a compromised immune system and/or have been on antibiotics, it is also not recommended that you use coconut oil.
It can be known to clog pores for some people and actually cause acne and blackheads.
3. THE RECIPE
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon glycerine
1/2 teaspoon natural vitamin E oil (you can omit if you have oily or acne-prone skin)
1 tablespoon organic castile liquid soap
3 tablespoons fractionated coconut oil
2 cups distilled water (important to extend shelf life of product)
10 drops lavender essential oil (leave out, or substitute with an essential oil of your choice)
Reusable/disposable cotton pads
Method:
· Add the glycerine, castile liquid soap, fractionated coconut oil, distilled water and vitamin E oil to a glass mixing bowl. Stir to combine well.
· Then add the lavender essential oil, or other essential oil of choice, to the mixture. Mix well.
· Stack half a wide glass jar with cotton pads.
· Pour the mixture over the cotton pads that are in the glass jar until extra liquid starts sitting at the bottom of the jar.
• Add more cotton pads, and do the same.
• If using disposable cotton pads, you don't want there to be too much liquid sitting in the bottom of the jar. That may mean the cotton pads are too wet and may be break apart whten you try to use them.
· Seal the glass jar tightly and store in a dark cool place. The mixture should last for a few weeks.
Watch the following YouTube video to see me make this xx
Happy DIY'ing xx
