Creating Everyday Facial Cleansers From Natural Ingredients

For many people, detergent based cleansers, or even natural soaps, can be too harsh to use as facial cleansers.  Healthy skin depends on a delicate balance of nutrition, exfoliation, and moisture.  Often, detergent based cleansers that include sulfates or sodiums, strip too much moisture from the skin, upsetting its natural harmony.  If your skin is sensitive, dry, or acne prone, you may want to consider switching to a simpler cleanser.  With just a few simple ingredients, you can create an all natural formulation to cleanse, exfoliate, and refresh your skin on a daily basis.

My favorite type of cleanser is made with dry ingredients, and wetted at the time of use.  This makes it easy to store, safe to keep on your shelf, and simple to use.  Start your recipe with a mild exfoliant.  My favorites are Oat Flour, Adzuki Bean Powder, and Almond Flour.  These ingredients will gently cleanse and scrub away dead skin cells.  You can also include an additive to match your skin care needs.  Milk Powder will amp up the exfoliation value by including lactic acid.  Honey can be added for antiseptic properties, or Kaolin Clay can be included to help draw excess oil.  The powder phase can be further enhanced with Powdered Extracts, or Powdered Herbs if you like, but really, all you need is one mild exfoliant to get started.

Next, compose your wetting agent.  For the simplest formula, try using plain water.  Hydrosols are also excellent wetting agents.  Choose one that suits your skin to further customize your cleanser.  Other great wetting ingredients are plain yogurt, milk, or tea.

Store your wetting agent separately from your powdered ingredients.  When it is time to wash your face, combine just a small amount of each, forming a single serving of smooth paste.  Gently massage the paste onto moistened skin in a circular motion.  Rinse, and follow with a toner and moisturizer.  By, the way, Hydrosols also make great toners.  Consider using the same Hydrosol as a wetting agent and toner to minimize your collection of beauty ingredients.

Here are some basic recipes using the information that we’ve discussed here.  I’ve categorized them by skin type for ease of use.

All Skin Types:

• 1/4 cup Oat Flour
• 1 tablespoon Honey Powder
• 1 tablespoon Milk Powder
• 1 tablespoon White Kaolin Clay
• Wetting Agent: Rose Hydrosol

Oily Skin:

• 1/4 cup Adzuki Bean Powder
• 1 tablespoon Yellow Kaolin Clay
• 1 tablespoon Neem Powder
• 1 tablespoon Honey Powder
• Wetting Agent: Lemon Balm Hydrosol

Dry / Sensitive Skin:

• 1/4 cup Oat Flour
• 1 tablespoon Honey Powder
• 1 tablespoon Milk Powder
• Wetting Agent: Yarrow Hydrosol

Combination Skin (Dry, Sensitive & Acne Prone)

• 1/4 cup Oat Flour
• 1 tablespoon Honey Powder
• 1 tablespoon Milk Powder
• 1 tablespoon Neem Powder
• Wetting Agent: Lavandula Hydrosol