DIY Facial Cleaner (All Natural, Of Course!)

If you read my post on Monday then you know I have started using alternative natural things for my acne. (VISIT HERE TO READ ABOUT MY NATURAL ALTERNATIVE TO ACNE TREATMENT. But hurry back here or we’ll miss you!) A little over a year and a half ago I even started making my own facial cleanser. It worked great and it was almost all natural but not ALL natural.

Some of you may wonder why Kristy and I are so “BIG” into ALL natural. Well, quite simply, it’s natural. If I can avoid it, then I will not put foreign chemicals in or on my body unless there is no alternative. God gave us so many plants (and animals) that provide means to heal and nourish our body. This is something that has become VERY real to me in the last year or so as my body has problems with accepting all the chemicals and fragrances in shampoos and soaps.

Wait a minute. Stop right there. I can hear what you are thinking. (Yes, I have that ability.)

Do not be one of those who tell me you do not have time to make it. Please?

Most of the homemade things I make (deodorant, hand soap, furniture polish, etc) take all of maybe 5 minutes. We all have 5 minutes. And USUALLY what you make in those 5 minutes will last you months. My deodorant usually lasts me 6 months. My furniture polish recipe lasts me probably close to a year.

So there. No “I don’t have time” here, people!! ;)

Back to my almost natural cleaner.... It was natural except it had 1 1/2 tablespoons of “natural” baby wash which when I looked at the bottle said “98.9% natural”. I am not sure of the 19 ingredients which was the 1.1% NOT natural.

After using it for a quite a while and liking it but still not 100% happy with the 1.1% unnatural ingredients, I decided to start researching and find a 100% ALL natural makeup removed THAT WORKED. You know, one that removes all that mascara and powder. I am trying to transition ALL my bath and body and household cleaners to natural ingredients and homemade if I can. (That way I know it really is natural and I can control what is in it. It is usually cheaper too!)

My researching and developing of a recipe got moved up when one of my friends said on Facebook she was in need of new facial cleaner that was gluten free. I told her that I was going to be sharing a recipe for one in the coming month and she said, “Hurry! My poor face hates the stuff I’m using now.” (Hi Amanda!)

Asking my friend and two other friends how they would describe their skin type - oily or normal to dry - I adjusted my recipes specifically for those skin types an gave them all plus my teenage daughter samples to try. I asked them to use it nightly to remove their makeup suggesting they possibly put it in a squirt bottle (you can get those plastic ones in the food supply section at Wal-Mart for 99 cents that are like these) and use cotton balls to apply it or put cotton pads in the jar (like thesebut also available cheaper at Wal-Mart). I also asked them to tell me the HONEST truth of their opinions in a week or two.

Oily Skin Facial Cleanser
1/4 cup distilled water
1/4 cup witch hazel
1/8 cup castor oil
1/8 cup jojoba oil
5 drops melaleuca essential oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil

Dry to Normal Skin Facial Cleanser
1/4 cup distilled water
1/4 cup witch hazel
1/8 cup grapeseed oil
1/8 cup jojoba oil
5 drops melaleuca essential oil
7 drops lavender essential oil

Mix all ingredients together in a bottle or jar. Apply daily to remove makeup either using cotton balls or putting cotton pads in the jar (mix ingredients before putting in the pads). Shake before using if in a bottle; the water and oils do separate.

Printable recipe here

This is the jojoba oil I recommend. I found castor oil at Wal-Mart in the laxative section but they have it on Amazon, of course. Just use regular, plain witch hazel found with the rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. I have heard there is unscented so if it is still all natural and not much more, then I would go with it.

So what did my friends think? Is that what you’re wondering?;)

Wellllll, it’s time to gush. I was pumped to hear all of them LOVED it. As in this much:

“I absolutely love the facial wash you gave me to use! I have been applying it with a cotton ball and it is very gentle on my skin. I use it to remove my eye makeup and I love the fact it doesn't take much to get it ALL OFF and I don't have to worry about it stinging my eyes!

The oils in the cleaner leave me skin feeling soft, I don't even use a moisturizer with it. I just massage in the oils into my skin. My skin looks healthier and feels good.”

And this one:

“At first I was mixed because I felt like it was messy. It always dripped on my counter and it made greasy swirls, and I felt like I had too much oil on my face if I did it during the day, but when I put the cotton pads in I liked it much better! It is so easy I've actually been using it morning AND evening which I usually don't do. Sometimes in the morning I will have a little residual mascara below my eyes, but it wipes off easily. I do like that it is moisturizing. I haven't been using any other moisturizer.”

Last one:

“I LOVED the way your cleanser made my face feel. I never felt like there was a residue left over after I rinsed. But I was afraid of how oily it felt in my hands. My face is so oily that I have to take blotting tissues to my T zone after lunch because there is so much shine. However, I did notice less oil on my face mid-day after using yours.”

One friend had already asked for the recipe to make more because she was running out. This time she tried it in a foaming dispenser and it’s working well for her. She did add some castile soap to help it foam but said she isn't sure she likes it added because it seems to be drying her skin too much. She is going to play around some more. Another friend wanted to either the recipe to make more for herself and her teenage daughter or offered to buy it from me.

(I noticed when copying and pasting their quotes that they all used CAPS in parts of their review which I LOVE because I like to do it too. ;) Ha ha! Love my buds!)

My reason for the different oils and essential oils has to do with a lot of reading I did. It may sound counterproductive to put oils on your skin, but it really works because these oils are rich in antioxidants and antibacterial properties. Many of the facial washes/cleansers on the market strip your skin of all the sebum. Often this causes your skin to go into emergency mode to produce more. Oil dissolves oil and the castor oil acts as the cleaner carrying away the dirt, makeup, impurities, etc while the other oils are nourishing (jojoba, grapeseed, sweet almond, sunflower seed, apricot kernel, avocado - all these act differently for different skin types). You can even play around with the ratios of oils to find what works best for you.

Notes:
*Use washcloths that have not been washed with fabric softener.
*If you have sensitive skin using microcloths to clean your face may work best as they are less harsh than washcloths.
*Leave your face alone as much as possible – no excessive washing or touching.
*Diet has a LOT to do with your outbreaks. Dairy, sugar, alcohol, and other foods can cause blemishes.
*Sunscreens built into make-up can cause you to breakout. Try buying makeup with the added sunscreen. Health problems because of a lack of Vitamin D is a lot more prevalent than skin problems caused by not wearing a makeup with sunscreen. (Of course avoid prolong periods of time in the sun without protection of a safe zinc oxide sunscreen or a wide-brimmed hat. Zinc oxide sunscreens are a physical barrier instead of a chemical barrier like most sunscreens which gets into your whole body with use.)
*Try washing your face in the morning with oatmeal or raw honey for a gentle exfoliate cleaner.

If you have any questions then please ask! Sharing is caring so please share with family and friends. ;) Let me know if you try it.