There's no shortage of makeup removers in the market; and because the choice can be overwhelming, we scoured the Internet for the best makeup removers, religiously pouring over reviews and generally ending up dismissing products because of the plethora of cons associated with them. Turns out makeup removers are filled with a lot more not-so-great-for-skin chemicals than we assumed, and have been known to cause skin irritation and even acne. 

Unfortunately, it's not something you can do without. After all, makeup removers are a must for makeup wearers and we couldn't stress its importance enough. Not removing your makeup means the cosmetics, dirt and impurities on your skin could lead to accumulation of bacteria, irritation, allergies, besides stretching your pores and causing your skin to age more rapidly. It can cause your eyelashes to become brittle and fall out. In extension, removing makeup reduces your risk of developing pimples, blackheads and most importantly, let's your skin breathe! 

While makeup remover wipes may seem like a convenient option in light of all this, they aren't that great for you either. Wipes will basically remove product from the surface of your skin, which obviously isn't sufficient. At all. They also cause skin dryness and irritation over continued use. So in the case you do use wipes, use it only as a first step and follow it up with a cleanser. 

So with all this in mind, we did a bit of digging and asking around and found what we think are pretty great alternatives to makeup removers found in stores. Turns out, you don't have to look further than your own home for the most cost effective and skin friendly products! 

Olive Oil 

You've probably heard this one before, and for good reason. Many folks swear by olive oil for removing makeup. This gentle alternative is especially great for removing stubborn eye makeup products. Besides, olive oil not only has many healing properties, but is also known for containing softening agents. Rub the olive oil all over your face and wipe with a cloth gently to remove makeup. 

Baby Oil 

A lot of people usually keep baby oil around because of its many uses. This, like olive oil, also removes heavy makeup such as mascara. Pour some baby oil on a cotton ball and wipe off makeup. 

Milk 

Readily available is almost all homes, milk has a soothing effect on skin that is dry or sensitive. It also keeps your skin soft and smooth. As with olive oil, dip a ball of cotton into milk and gently remove makeup. Wash your face with lukewarm water afterwards. Apparently yogurt works just as well. Who knew? Apart from being a natural makeup remover, it also works as a natural exfoliator by eliminating dead cells from your skin. 

Petroleum Jelly 

Petroleum jelly is pretty useful for removing waterproof makeup. Use only a small amount to remove makeup. Petroleum jelly is also great for dry lips. This option does have a downside tho - it's very thick and can clog your pores. So do make sure you wash your face with cleanser after. 

Bonus Tip 

Soak a washcloth in hot water, let it cool for a few seconds, and put it over your face. This will cause your pores to open up and remove any excess dirt leftover on your skin. You may do this step after removing makeup. 

By Rihaab Mowlana