Greener Living

Eco-Friendly Makeup Removal

It’s embarrassing to admit this, but I didn’t start washing my makeup off at night until I was well into my 20s. It was one of those healthy habits I didn’t learn in adolescence, so I had to find out the hard way what happens when I go to bed with a grimy face. My skin was always some level of broken out, which led me to assume I just had bad genes.

It wasn’t that I never tried to get in the habit, but a lengthy night time regimen of washing, rinsing, and moisturizing just never became a regular ritual for me. I’d do it faithfully for a month or two then fall right back into my old routine of falling asleep with the day’s makeup still on my face.

Finding out about makeup remover wipes changed my life. Would it be better to do a thorough cleanse each night? Absolutely, but that’s way too much maintenance for a girl like me. Simply removing my makeup with a non-oily, mildly sudsy wipe has kept my skin (and conscience) clear for years now. Let’s not mess with what works. Mkay?

But there was one thing about my routine that had been nagging at me for a while—the wipes were disposable. I’d made efforts to cut down on my family’s footprint in many other areas such as reusable grocery bags and cloth diapers, but I knew that my little disposable wipes were also making a significant contribution to landfills. If I use over 300 wipes a year—a conservative estimate—that’s over 1,000 wipes every few years, and over 12,000 by the time I’m 70! Not to mention the cost that adds up.

Disposable makeup remover wipes are a convenience the planet cannot afford.

The switch to reusable wipes was long overdue, and I ran out of reasons to keep putting it off when Bummis sent me a pack of their Eye Makeup Remover Pads to try out.

This was also a good opportunity for me to go a little more natural with my makeup remover solution as well, so I decided to make my own simple recipe. I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks now, and it’s the perfect balance for me: slightly sudsy and not too oily.

Keep in mind everyone’s skin is different, but I’ve included my recipe if you’d like to try it out for yourself.


Sam’s Homemade Makeup Remover Solution:


Just measure, mix, and pour into a spray bottle. My bottle holds about half a cup, but this recipe can be easily doubled or halved to fit your container.

I made the mistake of trying to create wet wipes the first time by pouring the liquid over the pads and sealing them in a jar. It mildewed in less than a week, so I recommend shaking and spraying the solution onto dry wipes as you need them to avoid this.

The pads are about three inches in diameter, and they’re made of a thick, dimply organic cotton that’s gentle on your sensitive eye area but also lifts makeup and grime easily. I use one pad, back and front, on my whole face, and it gets the job done.

Each package comes with 7 wipes—enough for one week—and when you’re ready to clean them you can zip them up in the included mesh bag and toss it in the washer and dryer with a regular load of laundry.

The Eye Makeup Remover Pads are part of Bummis’ Eco-Femme line of reusable women’s products. They care about sustainability, and their business practices are proof of their commitment to a greener and more equitable future. All Bummis products are made in Canada with fabrics sourced in North America.

These high quality pads combined with my DIY makeup remover solution have helped me get one step closer to a smaller personal footprint. I also get to keep on being my low-maintenance self and still maintain clear skin. If you’re hooked on disposable wipes filled with unpronounceable chemicals like I was, hopefully this will give you the motivation you need to make the switch as well.

Bummis’ Eye Makeup Remover Pads are available at Boutique Bummis for $14.95. Connect with Bummis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Disclosure: I received a sample item for review. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ. This post contains affiliate links. This West Coast Mommy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I will receive a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you. This income helps pay for the operating costs of my website – thank you for your support!


SamanthaSamantha Levang is a contributor at This West Coast Mommy, specializing in cloth diaper and baby item reviews. She lives in Washington state with her husband, toddler son, Brooks, and new baby girl, Riley. Between diaper changes and loads of laundry, she enjoys landscape photography and the never-ending process of home decorating.

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