Perhaps the most infamous of the homemade face washes, and the first one I was introduced to, is the Oil Cleansing Method. This method consists of washing your face with oil (typically olive or castor) and sometimes a blend of essential oils. I
t seems counter-intuitive (you want me to clean my skin with oil?!), but for many people, this face wash is simple and works wonderfully for their skin.
The oil cleansing method (OCM) has been wonderful for my skin type (dry), because it cleans and purifies my skin, without stripping my skin of its natural oils. My skin, which was habitually dry, has never looked healthier than when I use the OCM as a homemade face wash.
But I know the OCM isn’t for everyone. I have friends who have tried it, and it just didn’t work for their skin type. But not to fear, you don’t have to revert back to the chemical-laden commercial washes if the OCM doesn’t work for you!
There are plenty of other homemade face wash recipes to pick from, which combine simple and natural ingredients to give your skin the best nutrients it needs to keep your face shining brightly.
Table of Contents
Homemade Face Wash
Homemade Face Wash with Castile & Chamomile
- 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
- 1/4 cup chamomile tea (brewed)
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- 5 – 10 drops of essential oils (optional)
Combine ingredients in a small bowl, and transfer into a small bottle. Use as you would any facial wash. Keep up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, then make a new batch.
Tea Tree Oil Homemade Face Wash
- 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
- 1 cup of distilled water
- 10 drops of tea tree oil
Combine ingredients in a small bowl, and transfer into a pump bottle (may work best with a foaming bottle).
I use tea tree oil in almost all of my face washes, because it is an antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory (source). This may be especially beneficial for skin types that are prone to acne, irritation and redness. (Note: always dilute tea tree oil in a carrier oil before applying directly to the skin).
Honey and Oatmeal Homemade Face Wash
- 1/2 cup of uncooked oats
- 2 tbsp honey (raw and local is best)
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops tea tree oil
In a food processor, process the oatmeal until almost a fine powder. Combine with the rest of the ingredients, and keep in a clean container with a lid. (This should stay good for about 2 weeks). Rub gently into face, using circular motions, for 1 minute, then rinse clean.
If you need a little more grit and scrubbing power with your homemade face wash, this is a good recipe, because there is a slight abrasiveness with the oats.
Activated Charcoal Homemade Face Wash
- 1 cup organic coconut oil
- 1 – 2 tbsp activated charcoal (about 5 capsules worth)
- 1 tbsp baking soda
Combine the ingredients in a bowl, and store in a clean container with a lid (this should stay good for several months). When ready to use, spoon out a quarter-sized glob, and rub into skin for 1 minute. Rinse with warm water, and pat dry.
Coconut oil is amazing for the skin, and I have been a huge fan of activated charcoal for homemade teeth whitening. Activated charcoal is also known for absorbing toxins and poisons, and carrying them out of the body, so it makes sense that it could absorb and remove unwanted toxins from the face.
Homemade Face Wash with Honey
- 1/4 cup vegetable glycerine
- 1 tbsp honey (raw and local is best)
- 1 tbsp liquid castile soap
Combine ingredients together in a small bowl, and transfer to a small bottle. Use as you would any other face wash.
This is a great face wash for cleansing and moisturizing for daily use.
Once your skin is clean, check out these 13 simple exfoliating face scrubs, and these homemade facial masks!
Best Face Washes to Buy
I know sometimes the idea of DIY is more fun than actually creating a homemade product, so if you are looking for natural, healthy, and gentle facial cleansers that you can pick up and use, these are my favorite:
- Probulin Probiotic Facial Cleansing Gel – great for any skin type, and free from all the bad stuff, like GMOs, sulfates, glycol, paraben, and phthalate.
- insta natural Vitamin C Face Wash – if you have trouble with acne, this is an especially great cleaner, but it works for all skin types.
How well does the Activated Charcoal mask work? And how many oz does it make? on a rate or 1-10 how well does it clean?? btw LOVE your stuff!!!
Hello, if im making the tea tree facewash, how long will that stay good for?
Hi Leah,
It should last up to 3 months –
Great recipes! How long does this recipe lasts?
Tea Tree Oil Homemade Face Wash
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
1 cup of distilled water
10 drops of tea tree oil
Hi,
I think I want to try face wash with honey first. If face wash with honey won’t work with my face then I’ll try the other and so on :). I really want to make a homemade face wash and now I have the recipes because of this blog. It will be easy for me now to make a homemade face wash.
its so healthy and good resepe
i love your recipes
Very awesome manner thank you too much Andrea please continue your tutorial posts 🙂
Hi! You noted that the tea tree oil must be diluted with a carrier oil before applying to the skin in the Tea Tree Oil Face Wash recipe. How much carrier oil must be used before mixing all the ingredients?
Hi Sheliah – you generally want to keep a 1 – 2% dilution when using essential oils, which is 1 – 2 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil. Here is a lot more info on it, and a handy chart, if you want to check it out: http://www.mommypotamus.com/essential-oil-dilution-chart-guidelines/
how long does the tea tree stay?
As long as you don’t get water into the container, it should last 6 months or longer.
I have been doing the face wash with honey and just love it! Thank you so much for the recipe Andrea.
What carrier oil would you recommend to dilute the tea tree oil?
I usually use fractionated coconut oil or olive oil, but you can really use any oil that you prefer!
LOVE the tea tree oil face wash. It is amazing. No more spending $6 at Trader Joe’s for their spa tea tree face wash! I use peppermint Castile and it’s so refreshing. Thank you for these great recipes.
Yeah.ocm always do the great job.it help to cure my teenage acne.I used this method since 3 yrs and I love using this method.I used cstor oil andsunflower oil and tea tree ,lavender eo. I still use morning cleanser ponds activated carbon.
Which w0uld you suggest for sensitive skin?
Hi Juliet,
If you have sensitive skin, I would try the honey and oatmeal face wash, but leave out the tea tree oil at first, to see how your face responds to the face wash.
I was wondering what kind of essential oils would you recommend for the first recipe homemade face wash? I have the Young Living.
Hi Tatyana,
I usually go with lavender and tea tree oil, but geranium and rosemary may be good choices as well, depending on your skin type.
Looks delicious