A natural makeup remover so healthy you could eat it? We’re in favor!
With so many toxic and chemical-laden beauty products out there, we fully support the movement towards clean makeup—and ways to remove makeup.
For this list we searched for brands who offer non-toxic, cruelty-free ingredients, prioritize ethical sourcing and use low impact packaging. And we’ve popped in a DIY homemade makeup remover option right at the end.
Want a deeper look at brand’s sustainability credentials? Us too!
We’ll be moving to a new Brand Rating System that will assess brands against 22 different criteria, from climate action to transparency and ethics. Our explainer has all the details.
Keep a look out for makeup remover brands that have been rated against this criteria – they’ll show up in the list below as they’re rated.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. We explain this further in our Terms of Use.
The Best Natural Makeup Removers
Alpyn Beauty offers wildcrafted botanicals in their clean makeup removers from the mountains of Wyoming.
For luxurious and low-impact cleansing options, we can highly recommend all of Activist’s refillable cleansing gels and oils, which we find are gentle and nourishing even for our sensitive skin.
100% Pure’s facial cleansing balms unclog your pores while helping unclog the chemical overload on our planet with a formula strong enough to remove waterproof mascara. We’ve tested it and love how nourishing and moisturizing it is.
Index: Non-Toxic Makeup Removers
- Activist Skincare Jump to brand
- Alpyn Beauty Jump to brand
- One Love Organics Jump to brand
- 100% Pure Jump to brand
- Eu’Genia Jump to brand
- Ethique Jump to brand
- Plant Makeup Jump to brand
- Homemade DIY Natural Makeup Remover Jump to brand
Activist Skincare
Circular
All or some products are circular in nature - such that no part of the product needs to end up in landfill at the end of its life
Cruelty-free
Products are not test on animals at any stage in their production.
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Handcrafted
Products have been made by hand, typically by an artisan or group of artisans.
Locally Made
Products are made local to the brand's headquarters.
Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxic
Refillable
Product packaging can be refilled with more product, either at a physical store or via a return program.
Take Back Program
Brand offers a take back program for their products and responsibly manages returned items.
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their products
Woman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.
Zero Waste
Products are made with a low or zero waste approach where ideally no or limited waste is created throughout the production process or at the end of life.
1% for the planet
Leaping Bunny
1% for the planet
Certified Environmental Giving — Businesses give 1% of their annual sales directly to vetted environmental partners.Activist Skincare’s Makeup Remover
If you have dry, sensitive, or acne prone skin, we’d suggest Activist Skincare’s decadent and refillable Sea to Skin Cleansing Gel.
It’s the ideal natural and non-toxic makeup remover formulated with grapeseed oil, cucumber extract, and blue spirulina.
It can also be left on for ten minutes as a face mask for a total skin reset.
The Deep Moisture Cleansing Balm and Botanical Cleansing Oil are two safe makeup remover options we’d also suggest giving a try.
About Activist Skincare
As the name suggests, Activist Skincare is an activist in the sustainability space.
Aside from utilizing natural and clinically-proven botanicals—which do not include lanolin, silicone, sulfates, mineral oil, parabens, or phthalates—all product is housed is glass.
Something we really love about this brand is that you can opt for their low-impact refill packets (a smaller carbon footprint compared to glass) which are TSA/travel friendly, and they can be shipped in a flat envelope without padding protection.
These are recyclable through Activist or TerraCycle too.
The brand donates 5% of their revenue to fund environmental activism, through Rainforest Trust, Earthjustice, the Environmental Defense Fund, and 1% for the Planet.
My Personal Review of Activist’s Sea To Skin Cleansing Gel:
“I’ve tried a few of Activist’s cleansers, but the Sea To Skin Cleansing Gel is hands down my fave. It makes washing my face actually enjoyable. The “soft, decadent cleanser” really feels like a treat for my skin. Plus, it’s a makeup remover and moisturizer all in one, so it’s my new go-to for nighttime pampering”.
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Alpyn Beauty
Alpyn Beauty has not been rated.
Alpyn Beauty’s Makeup Remover
Plant-based and sustainably sourced, Alpyn Beauty wildcrafts and sustainably harvests the botanicals and plants for all their products from its base in Jackson, Wyoming.
The brand’s Juneberry and Collagen Hydrating Cream Cleanser is loved by people of all ages and skin types for its cooling, hydrating, and exfoliating features.
We find it’s strong enough to remove waterproof makeup, it also softens and smooths. We’d suggest applying it to wet or dry skin, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Vegan, cruelty-free, ethically sourced, zero palm oil, and packaged in a refillable or recyclable glass jar.
About Alpyn Beauty
Female-founded by former clinical skincare professional Kendra, Alpyn is a beauty apothecary that blends science and nature to formulate sustainable beauty products from wild plants and naturally-derived clinical actives.
All ingredients are sustainably harvested through circular harvesting.
The brand is Leaping Bunny Certified, Plastic Neutral certified via rePurpose, and a member of Pact Collective Recycling.
Not only a part of 1% For the Planet, they also donate a portion of every purchase to nearby Grand Teton National Park, helping rewild 1000+ acres so far.
One Love Organics
One Love Organics has not been rated.
About One Love Organics’ Oil Makeup Remover
As One Love Organics’ #1 best selling item, Botanical B Enzyme Cleansing Oil removes makeup and impurities, plus it restores facial pH balance and supports the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Suitable for all skin types, ingredients include botanical B complex of papaya, pumpkin and sunflower oils that cleanse without stripping the skin of its own oils—meaning it also serves as a face moisturizer.
The papain and papaya enzymes have an exfoliating feature, which leaves skin radiant and feeling one love for their skincare routine.
About One Love Organics
One Love was started by Suzanne, who combines her family’s passion for pharmacology with her own passion for aromatherapy and herbology. The result is a beauty brand that truly cares about the healing power of plants and the powerful force of love.
With its own ECOCERT-certified organic laboratory in the state of Georgia, OLO ensures its certified natural and organic products meet the highest quality and environmental standards.
Beyond their ECOCERT certification, OLO is also PETA cruelty-free, and a Green America certified-Gold business.
Palm products used are RSPO-certified and packaging is in a glass bottle with a plastic pump.
100% Pure
100% Pure has not been rated.
100% Pure’s Makeup Remover
Avocado oil and matcha extract are the primary ingredients in 100% Pure’s natural eye makeup remover.
The antioxidant-rich formula in their oil-based Matcha Cleansing Balm also contains shea butter and coconut oil for more moisturizing, reinforcing, and protective qualities.
All you have to do is rub the natural makeup remover between your hands before massaging it directly onto dry skin. Wipe away the cleanser with a towel soaked in warm water and rinse.
About 100% Pure
100% Pure is one of the better non-toxic makeup brands owing to the fact that their ingredients are free of toxic ingredients, FD&C colorants, heavy metal dyes, animal sourcing, and cruelty.
All of the natural beauty products are biodegradable, non-toxic, and shipped in recyclable boxes with biodegradable packing peanuts made from corn starch.
Our Personal Review Of 100% Pure’s Matcha Cleansing Balm:
“I’ve tried the Matcha Cleansing Balm and can confirm it cleanses, softens, and reduces skin irritation. More than that, however, it stays on the skin after washing up to serve as an all-in-one moisturizer. I like to use it at bedtime so that my skin can soak up all that hydration overnight, and I wake up with soft, non-greasy skin that’s ready for the new day”.
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head Of Content
Eu’Genia
Eu’Genia has not been rated.
Eu’Genia’s Makeup Remover
Eu’Genia is nuts for shea nuts, which is (unsurprisingly) the main ingredient in their Unscented Shea Butter.
Combined with Moringa and Baobab oils, this product soothes skin and doesn’t clog pores.
Simply massage into your face and wipe with a damp or dry cloth to remove all dirt and makeup from your face.
If you have sensitive eyes, just be sure to avoid the essential oil scented varieties.
About Eu’Genia
It’s an ethical family shea dynasty for Eu’Genia, whose founders are a Harvard MBA graduate and her mother, who used to be President of the Global Shea Alliance.
The brand sources the highest quality natural makeup remover ingredients from Ghana, providing holistic skin healing with “nature’s wonderbalm”.
Eu’Genia also aims to empower, with fair wages and better opportunities for their all-female workforce in Ghana. They do this by returning 15% of their profits to their workers via an education fund.
All products are sold in recyclable and tin packaging.
Ethique
Ethique has not been rated.
Ethique’s Makeup Remover
Ethique’s all-natural facial cleanser for removing makeup, the Bliss Bar, is as dreamy as it is creamy.
Sustainably sourced and all-natural, it contains no soap, added fragrances, or essential oils within its environmentally-friendly solid little bar.
We love the luxurious blend of creamed coconut butter and kaolin clay, which makes for a handy combo to remove dirt and makeup without stripping your natural pH and oils.
To remove makeup, simply wet the bar, lather and rinse.
As one of the best non-toxic eye makeup removers, it’s 100% cruelty-free, palm oil free, vegan, and thoughtfully packaged in compostable packaging.
About Ethique
For more than a decade, New Zealand-based Ethique has been on a mission to rid the planet of plastic waste.
This Certified B Corp is also dedicated to carbon neutrality and sources ingredients through direct and fair trade.
As an impressive skincare brand, Ethique plants trees and provides ongoing support to organizations whose values align with their passions for environmental protection and animal welfare.
Some organizations include Oxfam, Coral Vita, and Wildlife Warriors.
Plant Makeup
Plant Makeup has not been rated.
Plant Makeup’s Makeup Removers
If you love all things whimsical and botanical, check out Plant Makeup’s natural beauty products—and their all-natural formulas to take it off at the end of day.
If you struggle with dry skin, their Herbal Cleansing Oil is especially protective and moisturizing.
This olive oil makeup remover includes calendula, chamomile, lavender, and rosemary, all grown sustainably by Plant Makeup’s founder, Jes.
For a deeper, non-oil based cleanse, try the Pore Hug facial mist. Its gently astringent properties are the result of invigorating florals and herbs like lilacs, yarrow, and calendula.
About Plant Makeup
Art-project-meets-apothecary, Plant Makeup is one of the most creative eco-friendly makeup brands we’ve encountered, which is why it’s also one of our favorites.
Created by artist, visionary, musician, and goddess of all things green, all products are made by hand and sold in recycled packaging that is artfully designed by Jes herself.
Only recycled and compostable materials are used for shipping, everything is created small-batch style, and all formulas are non-GMO, organic, fair trade, palm-oil free, local and/or sustainably sourced.
Most items are vegan, though some contain honey or beeswax.
Homemade DIY Natural Makeup Remover
Still wondering, “What can I use instead of makeup remover?”
You can probably find the answer in your pantry (i.e. DIY makeup remover).
Pure plant and nut-based oils are excellent for the skin by hydrating and restoring the it’s natural barrier, they’re found abundantly (and affordably!) at your local supermarket, bulk store, or refill shop.
If you’re looking for the most affordable cleansing oil recipe, these are the best oils for removing makeup:
- sweet almond oil
- avocado oil
- hemp oil
- organic jojoba oil
- extra virgin olive oil
- rosehip oil
- argan oil
And then just wipe away with your own homemade makeup remover pads. For waterproof mascara, you may need to allow the oil to sit for a few minutes.
Alternatively, if you prefer something a little more moisturizing give this DIY makeup remover cream a try. Or if you have acne-prone skin or oily skin, here’s our oil-free homemade makeup remover recipe.
Molly Willows is a Thailand-based writer for sustainability and purpose-driven publications and brands. She has a BA in Philosophy from the University of King’s College and an MA in Anthropology from Freie Universität Berlin. With a strong background in TV and advertising, she’s held top-tier roles such as Director and Executive Producer. Really, Molly loves being a semi-nomadic writer most of all. Today, she happily spends her days writing, researching, teaching yoga, meditating, and attempting to surf. Molly’s words are published by Huffington Post and The Guardian, and some of her previous film projects can be seen on Hulu, Apple TV, or at the iconic Onassis Stegi in Athens.
