Many of the commercially available cleansers are full of chemicals and artificial ingredients that can irritate the skin or cause other conditions. If these ingredients worry you, you can always wash your face with a natural cleanser. Look for brands that prefer natural ingredients over potentially harmful chemicals. You can also make cleansers and exfoliators at home. Once you have found the right product, you can implement new cleansing rituals by washing and exfoliating your face with natural ingredients.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Finding a Natural Cleanser
Step 1. Avoid potentially harmful ingredients
Facial cleansers often find ingredients that can irritate or dry out the skin. The safety of these products is still under discussion. Read your cleanser's ingredient list and avoid brands that use:
- Diethanolamine (DEA);
- Monoethanolamine (MEA);
- Triethanolamine (TEA);
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES);
- Triclosan.
Step 2. Pay attention to fragrances
Most fragrances contain phthalates, a group of chemicals often used to soften plastics and vinyl. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not yet have accurate data on the possible side effects of phthalates, so better avoid them. Although there is no scientific evidence for this, some people think it can interfere with puberty and decrease the number of sperm in semen. In addition, there are fragrances that contain endocrine disruptors. When you can, avoid buying cleaners that contain artificial fragrances or perfumes.
Step 3. Look for natural ingredients
Whether it's oils, cleansers, or wipes, you can usually find all-natural options. Look for products containing herbs, oils, and other plant-based ingredients. The ingredients that are at the top of the list are used in higher concentrations than those that are lower.
- Green tea has antioxidant properties and fights skin inflammation. Licorice also has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Witch hazel, peppermint, and tea tree oil are effective astringents for controlling sebum and acne.
- Aloe vera, cucumber and rose water are good for dry skin.
Step 4. Buy Castile soap
It is a traditional soap made from caustic soda and vegetable oils. It is devoid of many artificial ingredients found in most detergents. Liquid Castile Soap can be mixed with essential oils or natural ingredients such as honey, but it can also be used on its own.
Method 2 of 3: Make a Natural Homemade Cleanser
Step 1. Make a honey cleanser
Honey helps moisturize the skin while cleansing. Massage it into your face as if it were a normal cleanser and rinse it off. It can also be mixed with other ingredients.
- Squeeze lemon juice onto a tablespoon of honey to make an effective cleanser to brighten the complexion.
- Mix a tablespoon of honey with a tablespoon of milk to make an even more moisturizing cleanser.
- If you find that honey is not effective enough on its own, you can try mixing it with Castile soap.
Step 2. Make a cleansing water with an infusion of herbs
In a cup of boiling water, steep a teaspoon of dried herbs. Cover tightly and let it rest for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and let it cool before adding a tablespoon of powdered milk. Use the cleaner within 48 hours and store it in the fridge between uses. You can use different herbs depending on your skin's needs. Here are some examples:
- Peppermint oil for oily skin;
- Fennel seeds for dry skin;
- Rose petals for sensitive skin;
- Chamomile or green tea for inflamed or swollen skin
- White tea for mature skin.
Step 3. Massage the yogurt on your face
Neutral plain yogurt contains lactic acid, which gently exfoliates the skin. It is also effective for cleansing it. You can use yogurt alone or mix it with the juice of a lemon.
Step 4. Make a sugar scrub
Sugar scrubs help gently exfoliate the face by removing dead skin cells. Mix the ingredients in a clean bowl to create a thick paste and use it immediately. To make a good exfoliant, you can mix sugar with:
- Honey;
- Yogurt;
- Grapeseed oil.
Step 5. Massage an oatmeal mask on your face
If your face needs special care, you can make a mask by mixing ground oats, honey, and yogurt to form a thick paste. Massage it on your face and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off. It will leave the skin soft and smooth.
Method 3 of 3: Clean the Face
Step 1. Remove your make-up with an oil
Cleansing with oil helps remove makeup before washing your face with your usual cleanser. Massage the oil on your face. Rinse it or wipe it off with a damp sponge until all make-up residue is completely removed. To perform an oil cleanse you can use:
- Castor oil;
- Olive oil;
- Jojoba oil;
- Sweet almond oil;
- Coconut oil also has cleansing properties, but some people find that it causes blemishes to appear.
Step 2. Cleanse your face
Wet your skin with warm, but not hot, water. Massage the cleanser on your face and rinse it well. At this point, pat it dry with a clean towel.
Hot water can dry out your face and cause irritation
Step 3. Exfoliate your face with a scrub
The facial skin should be exfoliated once or twice a week using a scrub. Apply it to your face and massage it gently. Do not exert too much pressure, otherwise you risk damaging the skin. A light massage is enough.
Fruit puree is a great exfoliant, as some fruits contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which help fight the signs of skin aging. Mango, strawberries and pineapple are the most suitable fruits to perform a good exfoliation
Step 4. Apply a toner
The toner can remove the last residue of dirt and impurities from the face, preparing the skin for the application of the moisturizer. Soak a cotton pad in toner and wipe it over your face. You can use different types of natural tonics, including:
- Cucumber water;
- Rose water;
- Witch hazel.
Advice
- To thoroughly cleanse your facial skin, perform two steps: first massage an oil, then immediately apply a water-based cleanser to remove dirt, makeup, and other impurities.
- Wash your face twice a day for best results. You should also wash it after engaging in activities that cause intense sweating.
- Stopping repeatedly touching your face is one of the best ways to keep your skin clean.
- Always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with antibacterial soap before touching or washing your face.
- If you want to know natural solutions to treat a skin disorder, make an appointment with a dermatologist who specializes in naturopathy.
