Tired of over the counter facial wipes? Make your own

Makeup remover wipes are extremely convenient. After a long day, sometimes you just want to collapse into bed. You barely even have energy to take off your shoes, let alone your makeup. Or sometimes you are on the road and do not have access to a sink where you can wash the dust off your face. Facial wipes are unbeatable in their convenience.

Unfortunately, many commercial wipes may not be that effective in removing all traces of makeup. Some brands of wipes contain chemicals which are not good for your skin. Chemical cosmetic products have been linked by the medical community to conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, and compromised immunity.

Here are some of the ingredients in commercial wipes : Water, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic Triglyceride, PEG 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Hydroxymethlyglycinate, Citric Acid, Fragrance. A cosmetic chemist will tell you that not all of these ingredients are bad, but it is good to be aware of what you are putting on your skin.

How do you maximise on the convenience of wipes, without the negative effects? Make your own. I will share two recipes for wipes. One for disposable ones and another for reusable makeup wipes next week:

Disposable wipes

• a 500 ml sized container with a tight-fitting lid

• Cotton rounds (flat cotton pads)

• 1 tbsp pure aloe vera juice

• 1 tsp castile soap (from health food shops)

• 1 tsp coconut oil (or natural oil of your choice)

• 8-12 drops essential oil like lavender or frankincense

• Optional: 1 tsp Vitamin E oil or 6-8 drops rosemary essential oil as a preservative

Step one - To make

Combine everything except the cotton pads inside the container. Shake well or use an immersion blender to mix.

Step two – Add cotton pads

Stack the cotton pads in the jar, and shake well so that the mixture covers them.

Step three - Usage

Use to wipe your makeup off or cleanse your face anytime.

To make environmentally friendly re-usable wipes, the recipe is similar. The difference is that instead of cotton balls or cotton wool pads, you use thin washcloths or nappy liners.

The combination of oil, vegetable-based soap and water in the solution, is ideal for dissolving dirt and makeup without stripping your skin. Remember to always use a preservative (vitamin E oil or rosemary oil) with these wipes because otherwise water can house bacteria.

Once you have made your DIY wipes, use within two weeks or keep refrigerated if you intend to use for longer.