Many of you guys have been asking about gentle face cleansing
alternatives lately, so I just decided to write an article about it.
Here it is:
You probably know that most commercial cleansers contain surfactants
or emulsifiers - which is pretty much the same from a chemical point of
view. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), soap and even sugar tensides (a
common ingredient in many organic cleansers) strip the natural lipid
layer from the skin’s surface and destroy its protective barrier. In
other words, they are simply too harsh for sensitive skin types like
acne skin.
I think that‘s the reason why you are looking for a safe and
effective natural way to wash your face! The good news is that there are
lots of home remedies you can try! It’s fun to do your own “spa
treatment,” especially one that is beneficial! Not only are many of
the natural “cleansers“ mentioned below quite inexpensive compared to
most store bought stuff, they are also environmentally friendly, even
after they go down the drain (apart from the cotton pads, of course …)
However, none of these natural face wash methods will make your skin
feel as “squeaky“ clean as those surfactant-rich cleansing foams, creams
and gels from your local supermarket. And that‘s a positive point! If
your skin feels squeaky, your cleanser is probably too “strong” for you.
Many people think their skin is not clean enough after washing it the
natural way – but it is! I swear!
Acne or no acne, switching to a gentle, natural cleansing routine
means switching to something that it is NOT provoking inflammations and
something that will NOT leave your face feeling tight, dry or looking
flaky. You want something gentle for your skin, something that keeps it
hydrated and minimizes the amount of moisturizer you need to use.
A gentle cleansing routine won‘t cure your acne, eczema or other skin
problems like a magic potion, but you can improve your skin‘s condition
a lot by NOT slashing any more chemicals on it every single day. Treat
your skin as gently as you can and never rub, pull or tug your skin!
Above all you really don’t want to over-wash your face! It could be
making your skin worse. Once or twice a day is enough. To avoid
intolerances or even allergic reactions, always make a patch test on the
inside of your arm before you apply stuff to your face – even if
it‘s mild and natural stuff!
Okay, I hear you guys! I‘ll stop preaching and come to the point! These are the single cleansing methods:
Natural Cleansers
So you want your own individual look? Try a full body clay mask!
1. Clay
Clay draws toxins from the skin and can calm inflammations. You
cannot only use it as a face mask, but also as a daily face wash. There
are different types of clay: red, green or white clay, ghassoul (also
called rhassoul) or healing earth. You can mix clay with water or other
funny stuff like aloe vera gel, organic floral waters, organic full fat
yogurt, kefir or buttermilk. It‘s simple, just like cooking. Get
creative! However, please remember not to add too many different
ingredients all at once! Try only one thing at a time to find out
how your skin reacts to it. Apply the mixture to your face, leave it on
for just a few minutes, then rinse. Don‘t let it dry!!!
This cleansing method works especially well for oily or combination
skins, however depending on which color of clay you use, all skin types
can benefit.
oily skin:
ghassoul / rhassoul (moroccan lava clay), green clay, bentonite clay, kaolin clay or Fuller’s
Earth
sensitive skin:
white clay, red clay
dry skin:
red clay
dull, tired, or devitalized skin:
pink clay
If your skin tends to be dry, add a few drops of oil. To enhance
antibacterial properties, try to add a drop of lavender, tee tree or
laurel oil, a teaspoon of manuka honey or a splash of apple cider
vinegar.
You can use clay as a mask for body and hair as well! Ghassoul is a
fab hair wash alternative: applied as a mask, it strips the hair of
chemical build up and other residues, absorbs oiliness almost like a
sponge, makes your hair shine and adds volume! Don‘t massage it too much
into your hair to avoid split ends.
Don‘t try clay if you are allergic to nickel. Clay may contain traces of it.
2. Orris Root Powder
Orris root = Iris germanica, Iris florentina, Iris pallida
Orris root powder is really moisturizing, very gentle on the skin and
smells just like violets! Mix with water (or yogurt, aloe vera, floral
waters, … ) and apply in the same way as the clay mixtures.
You can use it as a tooth powder as well! It might be a good
alternative for those, who struggle with a severe intolerance or allergy
to fluoride, SLS or mint oil (in the past, it has indeed been used as a
toothpaste).
Depending on where you live, orris root powder might be difficult to
find. You can try to browse online shops selling herbs or ask in a
pharmacy for it.
3. Chickpea Flour
If you have very oily skin, chickpea flour might be good for you! Mix
with water, floral waters, yoghurt, … and apply in the same way as clay
or orris root powder.
You can buy it in most Asian or health food stores!
4. Organic Full-Fat Yogurt, Curd, Kefir or Buttermilk
Yogurt,
curd, kefir and buttermilk are the most natural surfactant-free
alternatives to cleansing milk you can probably ever get your hands on!
It‘s not just emulsified fat and water: Lactic acid harmonizes with your
skin’s acidity, dissolves lipids and helps to remove dead skin cells.
If possible, use organic (non-pasteurized) milk products. Massage
gently into your skin, avoid the eye area and leave on for a few
minutes. Then rinse.
As a general rule of thumb, yoghurt and curd are a little more gentle
to the skin than kefir and buttermilk. Especially buttermilk might be
too strong for very sensitive skin types due to its high amount of
lactic acid. For the same reason, it‘s a great exfoliator!
5. Cotton Pad and Oil
Apply just a few drops of oil (jojoba, olive, argan, almond, apricot
kernel, evening primrose, …) on a moistened cotton pad and gently wipe
across your face without rubbing. Splash with water afterwards.
If you aren‘t sure which oil could be great for your skin type, read
the oils article first.
6. Mashed Fruit or Vegetables as a Cleanser or Face Mask
This
is no recipe idea! Fact is that papaya pulp, mashed avocados,
cucumbers, mangos or bananas are fantastic skin cleansers. Fresh fruit
contains enzymes which will remove dead skin cells, clear pores and
resolve excess oil. I think most recipes below are too complicated to
become an every day solution, but you can still consider them as a mask
or treatment every once in a while! Be careful though, not every skin
type can deal with fruit acid. Make a patch test first!
A few ideas:
Oily skin / Combination skin:
- Cucumber juice works extremely well as a skin cleanser. Due to its
cooling effect it helps to soothe and soften the skin. Apply some
cucumber juice mixed with raw organic milk onto your face. Use a cotton
pad!
- Papaya fruit is a rich source of nutrients such as carotenoids,
vitamin C, B vitamins, enzymes and minerals. Papaya pulp also contains a
variety of phytochemicals, including polyphenols: Massage your face
very gently with a papaya slice or mix papaya pulp with raw organic
honey or rose water and apply it as a face mask for 15-20 minutes.
- Lemon juice is a natural exfoliant, skin brightener and
anti-infective, whereas the starch from (sweet) potatoes will absorb
excess oil: Boil some sweet (or white) potatoes, mash them, let them
cool down and add a few drops of lemon into the mixture. Squeeze a
real lemon! Do not use any ready-bought lemon juice gunk! Apply, leave
on for 20 minutes, then rinse off with water.
- Mix some lemon juice (from a real lemon) with raw organic (or
manuka) honey and cinnamon. For some, it works extremely well to fade
hyper-pigmentation marks. Leave on for half an hour, then rinse.
- Bananas are rich in vitamin A, B and E and a good source of iron,
magnesium and potassium. A fresh mashed banana facial can be great for
your skin!
- Mangos can have a nice effect on your skin as well. Mangos are rich
in vitamin-A and rich in antioxidants. Use in the same way as papaya!
Dry skin:
- Packed with healthy fats and phytonutrients, avocados and olives
offer remarkable benefits for dry skin: Mix avocado pulp with olive oil
to make a paste. Rinse off after 20 minutes.
7. The Oil-Cleansing-Method
I‘m not a big fan of the oil-cleansing-method. For me it wasn’t
great, to say the least. The first time I tried this method, I ended up
with cystic acne. It was too harsh on my skin because of rubbing too
much, because of using the wrong or too much oil and because of the very
hot water. That‘s why I don’t think it‘s suitable for sensitive or
inflamed acne skin, so please be careful!
If, after all, you are still longing to try it, grab your favorite
oil and apply some of it on your dry face in a circular motion. Use your
fingertips. To avoid irritation, massage your skin in the most gentle
way possible – or not at all, especially in the most inflamed
areas. Massaging with oil can be very stressful for your skin and might
spread acne bacteria all over your face. Just let the oil soak for about
20-30 minutes. Excess sebum will be removed anyhow and even some
impurities might pop out. You don‘t even have to use olive and castor
oil as described in most online articles. Castor oil might remove too
much natural sebum from your skin, so your skin might produce even more
sebum to protect itself. Try jojoba, hemp or grape seed oil, if you have
oily skin. For dry skin, macadamia, canola or olive oil should work
fine. Then, instead of using a very hot wet cloth to remove the excess
oil, use a warm one pressing it gently on your face without rubbing.
Repeat a few times. Don‘t use microfiber cloths, but only soft muslin or
cotton cloths.
8. Baking Soda
Dilute
a pinch of baking soda in A LOT OF water and splash your face with it.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water afterwards. Don‘t use too much baking
soda and never let the baking-soda-water dry on your skin! The granules
are kind of abrasive when dry.
By the way, the naturally occurring chemical compound sodium
bicarbonate (baking soda = NaHCO3 = sodium, hydrogen, carbon and oxygen)
can clean anything from your face to your pans and pots to your whole
household. Give it a try!
9. Raw Organic Honey
Raw organic honey is an extremely mild cleanser with antibacterial
and moisturizing benefits! Simply apply, leave on for a few minutes up
to half an hour, rinse. Be careful with your hair!
For Experts:
10. Self-Made All-in-One Cleansing Milk, Moisturizer and Body Lotion
Making
your own natural skin care is a fabulous way to take care of yourself,
save money and have fun all at the same time. Moreover, you can avoid
harmful chemicals and other substances your skin might be reacting to
and still have the advantages of a creamy and moisturizing product!
All you need is a good oil, some water and a little bit of liquid
lecithin. Lecithin is an emulsifier which is naturally occurring in egg
yolks and oils (avocado oil contains a lot of it) and is really kind to
the skin. Even my own crazy skin gets along with it, although it
easily freaks out with any other emulsifier. You can buy it in some
online shops.
basic recipe:
- 0.7 oz (20 ml) organic floral water (use it as it is!) or aloe vera
gel (use it as it is!) or mineral water (boiled and cooled down)
or distilled water (if you find boiling water is too much work!)
- ca. 1 scoop liquid lecithin (you don‘t have to be too precise with this)
- 0.35 oz (10 ml) cold-pressed organic oil (jojoba, grape seed, apricot kernel … ) or an oil mix
You can vary the amount of oil according to your skin type: 20% – 40% work quite well.
Sterilize a 1oz (30ml) glass bottle and any other type of equipment
you might need (measuring utensils, spoons etc.). If you don‘t want to
sterilize them with alcohol, boil them in a pot of water for at least
half an hour and let them dry properly. Pour the ingredients into the
bottle, put on the lid, shake, and it‘s done! If the oil and water
components should separate after a while, just shake the flask all over
again to re-mix. If that does not help, add another few drops of
lecithin. You can also add a drop of your favorite essential oil, such
as lavender, manuka, chamomile, neroli, jasmine and so on.
Prepare only very small amounts, store in the fridge and use within
two weeks (otherwise you‘ll have to use alcohol or preservatives).
If you suffer from very dry patches you could try to add a pinch/drop
of ectoin, allantoin, d- panthenol or lactic acid
(online-shop/pharmacy).
Natural Toners
Many people take the 3 steps of cleansing, toning and moisturizing as
a rule to be set in stone. In my opinion the benefits of “toning“ as it
is generally – and commercially - understood are questionable, but here
are some very gentle alternatives for those who like to have another
refreshing kick right after cleansing!
11. Water
Yes, water! I‘m not kidding! Chlorine or limescale are a common cause
of itchy, red, dry and flaky skin. So if your tap water happens to be
very limy, try to use mineral, filtered (or at least boiled) water to
splash your face. This might make a huge difference for some people!
And, of course, water is a very natural and genuine toner! Guaranteed
without perfume, essential oils and other unnecessary accessories.
12. Aloe Vera
Aloe
vera is an excellent choice, if you want to tone and hydrate your skin
at the same time. Add one or two drops of oil to it to keep the moisture
inside your skin! Aloe vera speeds the healing process and acts as an
anti inflammatory to calm down your skin. It is also a must have home
first aid remedy: apply to burns, slow healing wounds, grazes, bites and
stings!
However, aloe vera products available in health food stores are not
always equal in quality. Be sure that the aloe vera gel you purchase is
organic and certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC).
This label guarantees that your aloe vera gel is naturally rich in
active polysaccharides and free from all kinds of skin-irritating stuff
like pesticides and so on.
Nevertheless, make a patch test first, if you have never tried aloe vera before! Some people are allergic to it.
13. Organic Herbal Distillates / Floral Waters
Organic floral waters, also called hydrosols, are very kind on the
skin (at least if you are not allergic to a specific flower or plant)
and help to regenerate the skin‘s natural acid mantle after cleansing.
There are lots of different choices: rose water, hamamelis water, orange
blossom water, lavender water, chamomile water, thyme water,
sandalwood water …
Floral waters are traditionally used in Ayurveda for toning the skin.
Produced at high temperatures, they are somewhat acidic (with a pH
between 5-6) and tend to inhibit bacterial growth. They are not however
sterile, but a fresh product, just like food, and should be kept
refrigerated. Always buy floral waters in a spray bottle (because of
the same reason). Spray liberally over face and body after cleansing as a
toner or throughout the day to refresh and hydrate your skin.
However, be careful to choose the right type of floral water! Many
hydrosols on the market are just water with a small amount of essential
oils added and are some kind of a cheat! Make sure to choose a floral
water made from a distillation as this extraction method retains the
properties of the plant. Have a look at the Latin (or INCI) name. True
floral waters will be listed as one ingredient, e.g. ‘rosa damascena
distillate‘ or ‘rosa damascena water‘ for example (rose water). Water
and essential oil blends are listed as two separate ingredients (e.g.
aqua, rosa damascena oil). Never use floral waters containing alcohol,
as they will dry out your skin.
14. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple
cider vinegar is a natural disinfectant with antibacterial properties.
However, raw, natural, unfiltered and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
has some kind of “sediment,” called the “mother”, in it. Don’t be scared
– that strange substance is good stuff and contains all the skin
benefits! Go for it!
Apple cider vinegar should always be diluted with some water so that
it is much gentler on the skin! You can use it straight as a spot
treatment though. To use it as a toner, mix one part apple cider vinegar
with 8-10 parts (mineral) water and apply it on a cotton pad.
Natural Face Washes and Makeup
Personally, I do not wear a lot of makeup. Just a few dips of
concealer (usually a mineral concealer) and some mascara every once in a
while when I want to get all dolled up, but not on an everyday basis.
To get makeup off, the cotton-pad-and-oil method works really well.
It‘s simple, but effective! Manuka honey mixed with oil (equal parts) is
another great cleansing option, especially if you want to remove
makeup. Even a yoghurt-clay-mix might do the trick, but you should leave
it on as a mask for at least 10 minutes before washing it off.
Ghassoul has an enormous cleansing strength and works almost like a
sponge absorbing oil, dirt and bacteria at the same time.
Tracy did a nice video about how to remove makeup the natural way:
What Can You Use for A Natural Makeup Remover?
Upshot
You see, there are many great options out there if you want to cleanse your skin using all natural ingredients!
So, in the end, which cleansing method is the best one? The truth is
there is no single, perfect cleansing method. It is a case of trial and
error to find the right method that really suits you. On the other hand,
confusing as it is, you should never experiment too many different ways
to cleanse your face at the same time! I know it‘s tempting! I know! We
all are impatient and want to see immediate results. I‘m not different.
However, your skin needs time to adapt and does not like to be
confronted with too many different substances - even natural ones – at
frequent intervals. So please don‘t overload it!
That‘s all. I hope that helps! Take care, lovelies!
What does your typical face-wash-ritual look like? Have you ever
tried one of the above mentioned methods? Please let us know what your
experiences have been so far! Let‘s talk about any kind of
face-cleansing-stuff you are using, chemicals or natural stuff, and how
you get along with it!
