Tried Of Using Chemicals On Your Face? Go *Au Naturale* With These Homemade Face Washes Instead!
A face wash is the most basic, yet most essential aspect of a good skincare routine. It doesn’t matter whether your skincare involves more steps than the great wall of China or just a simple cleanse, tone and moisturise routine--if you aren’t using the right cleanser, you won’t see results. And while there are a plethora of face cleaners available in the market, what’s better than going natural and making one at home? Not only will it be great for your skin, but you can also find most of the ingredients in your kitchen, and your wallet will thank you!
Depending on your skin type, these are some homemade face washes you can easily make at home for cleaner, healthier skin!
Homemade Face Washes For Dry Skin
Coconut Oil
This is possibly the best and most convenient cleaner for dry skin. If you're wearing makeup, the thick texture of the oil will take it all off in just one swipe. Given its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, it's also a great face cleaner in general, and will keep your face clean and hydrated. To replace your face wash with coconut oil:
Step 1: Lightly heat up the oil in a small bowl so that it is lukewarm
Step 2: Soak a cotton ball in the oil and slowly swipe it across your face
Step 3: Now, using your fingers, massage your face with the warm oil for about 2-3 minutes
Step 4: Use a warm, steamed towel of lightly wipe off your face
Honey And Egg White
Honey has natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal cleansing agent. Egg whites, on the other hand, and meant to refine your pores and tighten your skin. So naturally, a mix of the two would make a great natural face wash! Here's what you need to do:
Step 1: Crack an egg and separate the yolk from the white
Step 2: Add two tablespoons of honey to the white and mix the two together
Step 3: Apply the mixture to your face and let it dry off
Step 4: Rinse it off with warm water and pat your face dry
Oatmeal, Honey And Lemon
You'll notice that oatmeal is a common ingredient in face masks because it has natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known to suck out all the oil and grime from your pores, making them clean and fresh. Lemon has anti-bacterial and brightening properties, while honey is anti-inflammatory and soothing. Together, they make a powerhouse of a face wash. USe them this way:
Step 1: In a bowl, squeeze the juice of one lemon, add two tablespoons of honey and two of oatmeal
Step 2: You can now choose to mix them in a blender for a smooth paste or just give them a whisk if you like the grainy texture of the oatmeal
Step 3: Apply the mixture on your face and let it dry.
Step 4: Rinse it off with warm water and since lemon makes your skin sun-sensitive, follow it up with sunscreen if you're using this in the morning.
Natural Face Washes For Oily Skin
Teatree oil And Aloe Vera
Since most people with oily skin are prone to acne, using tea-tree oil to clean your face is a great option because of its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Not only does it calm redness, swelling, and inflammation, it is also known to reduce acne scars, leaving you with flawless, blemish-free skin. Aloe vera, on the other hand, is widely popular owing to its anti-inflammatory, cooling and soothing properties--just the thing you need in a face wash after a long day! Here's how you can use the two ingredients together:
Step 1: Cut open the leaf of an aloe vera plant and scoop out the gel
Step 2: In a blender, add the aloe chunks with around 10 drops of tea-tree oil and blend to a smooth paste
Step 3: Leave the paste on your face for 3-4 minutes
Step 4: Rinse the paste off with warm water and pat dry your face
Baking Soda And Rose Water
Baking soda is an excellent cleaner for your face because it can unclog your pores, remove dirt and oils from your skin, and even prevent acne. You could normally mix the powder with water, but for *extra* benefits, we recommend replacing water with rose water, owing to its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe skin, remove excess oil, maintain the skin's pH balance, clean pores and tone the skin. Here's how you can use the powerhouse of a mixture:
Step 1: Use a 2:1 ratio of baking soda and rose water to make your paste, so if you're using two tablespoons of baking soda, mix it with one tablespoon of rose water
Step 2: Whisk the two ingredients together till you get a smooth paste
Step 3: Apply the paste to your face and massage it gently for a minute or two
Step 4: Rinse off the paste with warm water, and since it is drying, immediately follow it up with a good moisturiser
Fuller's Earth And Lemon Juice
Fuller's earth aka Multani Mitti is a household beauty miracle item in India! My daadi introduced me to this magical clay (cliche, I know) when I was young, and I've never looked back! What makes it so magical? It absorbs excess oil, fights acne, reduces scarring, improves skin elasticity, removes dead skin as well as blackheads and whiteheads. Lemon juice acts as a brightening agent with anti-bacterial properties, so try mixing the two together for an 'oldie but goldie' face cleanse!
Step 1: Mix the fuller's earth and lemon juice in a 2:1 ratio
Step 2: Whisk the two together till it makes a smooth paste
Step 3: Apply the paste on your face for 10 minutes
Step 4: Rinse it off with lukewarm water
Natural Face Washes For Combination Skin
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, a versatile ingredient, is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, owing to a compound called acetic acid. This makes it a great cleanser, clearing your face of dirt and debris, and is also great for wrinkles, acne or sunburns. The easiest way to use it is by itself--just rinse your face with it once you've removed all your makeup. If you prefer a thicker paste, follow these steps:
Step 1: Crack an egg white in a bowl and add some honey and two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in it
Step 2: Whisk the ingredients together till you get a smooth paste
Step 3: Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 3-4 minutes
Step 4: Rinse it off with lukewarm water
Honey And Lemon
This is a basic, fuss-free cleanser, but it totally does the trick. The anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and soothing properties of honey combined with the brightening and acidic properties of lemon is a powerhouse for your skin! Here's how you can use it:
Step 1: Mix two teaspoons of honey and two teaspoons of lemon juice in a bowl
Step 2: Whisk them together till you get a smooth mixture
Step 3: Apply the mixture to your face and let it dry off.
Step 4: Wash your face with lukewarm water, and follow it up with sunscreen if you're using the mixture in the morning.
Besan And Milk
Besan or ground floor is created by grinding dried chickpeas into a powder. It's been a staple in ancient India beauty books because it's rich in zinc that fights acne, its alkalizing properties keep the pH levels of your skin balanced and its clay-like texture sucks out excess dirt and oil from your pores. Raw milk, on the other hand, is rich in B-vitamins, alpha hydroxy acids, calcium and other potent antioxidants, which makes for a powerful nourishing agent for your skin. Use the two together by:
Step 1: Mix besan and milk in a 2:1 ratio into a bowl
Step 2: Whisk the ingredients together, and add more milk to get the consistency of your choice
Step 3: Apply the mixture on your face and let it dry
Step 4: Wash it off with lukewarm water and carry on with the rest of your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should you replace your facewash with a homemade one?
Look, we get it. Store-bought face washes are utterly convenient and easy-to-use. However, most of them are also loaded with harmful chemicals that might be doing more harm than good to your skin in the long run. If you feel like your skin is already ultra-sensitive, we'd recommend making the switch to natural, homemade cleaners. Your skin will thank you for it!
How often should I make a natural facewash?
Since homemade face washes have natural ingredients, it means they also come with an expiry date. While the best idea would be to make a fresh one every day, if you don't have the time, we'd recommend making a fresh batch every 3 days. And remember to ALWAYS keep the mixture in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator!
So are you going to make the switch to homemade face washes? We've certainly been convinced!
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