I’ve used coconut butter as a makeup remover for about six months now. Some nights it felt like magic. Other nights… not so much. I tried two kinds: a jar of Kopari Coconut Melt, and a pantry-style coconut butter I grabbed from a health store one rushed night. I also tested RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream on eye days. So yeah, I’ve had oil on my face more times than I can count.
If you want the long-form, play-by-play version of my slippery adventures, you can peek at my full coconut butter makeup remover journal.
You know what? It’s simple—scoop, melt, wipe. But it isn’t foolproof. Curious about the science of oils dissolving stubborn makeup pigments? This concise guide explains the lipophilic magic without the jargon.
How I actually use it
- I scoop a pea-size amount with clean fingers. If I’m wearing long-wear foundation, I use a grape-size.
- I rub it between my hands till it melts.
- I massage my face for about 45 seconds, gentle circles.
- I press a warm, damp washcloth on my face for 10 seconds. Then I wipe.
- I always follow with a gentle cleanser—lately CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser—so my skin doesn’t feel greasy.
If I skip that second wash, I get tiny bumps on my chin. Every time.
While it sounds counter-intuitive, lauric acid in coconut oil is also touted for its antibacterial punch against acne-causing bacteria; this overview from Healthline breaks down the current research and caveats.
The night that sold me
My cousin’s wedding went late. Full glam. I wore waterproof mascara (Maybelline Lash Sensational), winged liner, matte red lipstick (MAC Ruby Woo), and sunscreen under it all. I was tired, sticky, and ready for bed. The coconut butter melted the lipstick first. Mascara slid next. The liner took a bit of massaging, but it lifted off my lashes in little inky smudges.
If your lids complain about every mascara on the planet, my notes on eye-makeup picks for sensitive eyes might save you some stinging.
I did a warm cloth, then my gentle cleanser. No raccoon eyes when I woke up. My skin felt soft—like I’d used a rich night cream.
What I loved
- It crushes heavy makeup. Halloween face paint? Gone in two minutes. Glitter gel from a school spirit day? It loosened and slid off with a cloth. No tugging.
- My skin felt baby-soft in winter. No tight cheeks. Zero dry flakes around my nose or brows.
- It smells faintly sweet, like a beach day, but not loud.
- A jar lasts a long time. Even the small RMS tub took me many weeks.
What bugged me
- It can clog pores. On my T-zone, I got tiny white bumps if I didn’t double cleanse. My forehead is fussy.
- It can sting if it gets in your eyes. Not a burn, but a foggy, oily film. I had to blink it out, which is annoying at 11 p.m.
- Lash extensions? Don’t. Oil breaks the glue. My friend lost a chunk. We both learned fast.
- Summer heat turns it soupy. The jar leaked once in my weekender bag. Coconut-scented jeans are not cute.
- Pantry coconut butter (the kind with ground coconut meat) can feel grainy. It still removed makeup, but I had to massage longer and it left a heavier film.
Curious why some skins love coconut while others erupt? This Byrdie explainer on whether coconut oil clogs pores pulls together derm opinions and comedogenic ratings so you can decide if it’s worth the gamble.
Strange little things no one told me
- If your bathroom is cold, it can get hard and weirdly chunky. Warm it in your hands—be patient.
- If you wear contacts, take them out first. The oil film will make your lenses cloudy.
- It won’t “rinse clean” like some fancy balms. You need a cloth or a second wash. Non-negotiable.
Real test days
- Gym day mascara: I wore waterproof because I sweat like a kid at recess. The coconut butter broke it down fast, but I had to wipe twice under my eyes. No tugging though.
- Sunscreen-only beach day: It took off thick, water-resistant sunscreen better than micellar water. No rubbing my cheeks raw.
- Long shoot day at work: I had on long-wear foundation and powder. It melted off smooth, but I saw a tiny chin breakout two days later when I got lazy and skipped the second cleanse.
If you’re breakout-prone like me, my running list of acne-safe makeup that didn’t nuke my face might come in handy.
How it compares
- Micellar water: cleaner feel, but it struggles with waterproof mascara. Lots of cotton rounds. Lots of swiping.
- Traditional cleansing balms (like Clinique Take The Day Off): less greasy feel, rinses easier, but pricier. Also fewer bumps for me.
- Makeup wipes: fast in a pinch, but rough on skin. They never get all the mascara.
On a related note, if you’ve ever wondered what ditching talc could do for your skin, I chronicled a full month without it right here.
Little tricks that helped
- Work it into lashes with the pads of your fingers, not your nails.
- Use a soft microfiber cloth; it grabs the oil and pigment better.
- For acne-prone skin, use a gentle gel cleanser right after. No waiting. Washcloth, then cleanser.
- If the jar melts, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes to reset.
Who should try it—and who should skip
- Dry or normal skin: Yes, especially in fall and winter. It’s like a cozy blanket.
- Heavy makeup users: Yes. It saves time and stress.
- Oily or acne-prone skin: Maybe. Patch test. Double cleanse. Watch your pores.
- Lash extension folks: Skip it.
- Super sensitive eyes: Use with care or keep it off the waterline.
Expecting? I have a separate cheat sheet of pregnancy-safe makeup favorites if you’re trying to keep ingredients extra gentle.
One quick money note
The “beauty” jars cost more. The pantry jar costs less but feels heavier and smells more coconut-y. I liked Kopari for face days, pantry jar for sunscreen on body days. RMS is a small, easy travel size, but it still melts in heat—wrap it.
My final take
Coconut butter makeup remover is cozy and strong. It melts tough makeup with kindness. But it needs a partner cleanse, and it can be messy. I keep a jar for big makeup days and dry winter weeks. On my acne weeks, I switch to a balm that rinses cleaner.
Soft, freshly cleansed skin always perks up my confidence—especially before I hop into a late-night flirty chat. If you’re curious about turning that post-cleanup glow into playful Kik conversations, this Kik sex community can connect you with open-minded adults and handy safety tips for steamy, anonymous chatting.
And if you ever find yourself cruising through Oregon and want to parlay that same glow into a real-world rendezvous, the curated classifieds at Tryst Salem list verified local connections and practical meet-up tips, making it easy to set something up safely and skip the endless swiping.
Would I buy again? Yes—but not as my only remover. It’s my soft, sweet backup for when I want my face to feel like Sunday morning.