If you’ve read my post on 13 harmful ingredients to avoid in cosmetics, you can understand why I am trying to make the switch over to making all my own cosmetics. I scared myself in my research about what cosmetics are made out of. Now that I know, I have a goal to know every ingredient in my cosmetics and try to make instead of buy whenever possible.
So, one of the first things I needed to make was a face wash. I found this recipe on One Good Thing by Jillee and I loved it immediately. Anything with 3 ingredients or less, especially if one of those ingredients is honey, is okay by me.
All you need for this face wash is honey, vegetable glycerin, and liquid castile soap. I recommend using a local raw organic honey if possible because they are the best quality and will be best for your skin.
Honey is full of antioxidants and it is antibacterial so it can help fight and prevent acne. Both honey and vegetable glycerin are humectants, which means they attracts moisture to the skin. Castile soap is made of plant oils and is free of the harsh cleaners and detergents in most soaps you can buy in the store. Not all soaps labeled “castile soap” are made solely of plant oils, so make sure to check the label before you buy.
If you have trouble finding vegetable glycerin or castile soap, they are easy to find on amazon. I use this vegetable glycerin and this castile soap.
Here is the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 cup vegetable glycerin
- 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
Instructions
- mix ingredients together and place in desired container
- apply to face in a circular motion and massage into face for at least 30 seconds before rinsing face with warm water
One of the complaints that people sometimes have about homemade facial cleaners is that they don’t lather- but this one does! Just see the picture!
Also- I expected it to feel sticky because the honey and vegetable glycerin both have somewhat sticky textures. It does not feel sticky at all! It feels like any other face wash I have used before. And it smells like honey- plus!
This face wash will probably take a long time to expire- honey never expires and castile soap and vegetable glycerin both take years to expire- but if it starts to smell weird or have a strange texture make sure not to use it.
One of the things I want to try in the future is adding a little lemon essential oil to combat oil. I will probably try that in the summer when my skin gets it’s oiliest and I will update this post and let you all know how it goes!
Let me know if you like switching to this face wash and how it goes for you!
PATTI says
Susie! Gracie is especially concerned about her face (age 13 now!!!) She has few pimples although she thinks she does – just bumps especially on her forehead. Do you think that this natural cleanser will take all that away for her?
Aunt Patti
Susie says
Hi Patti,
I can’t say whether or not it can help her with acne because everyone’s skin is different. Honey helps some people with acne- but it depends on a lot of factors (especially hormones at her age!). All I can say is that there are definitely less toxins in this cleanser than most that you can buy from a store.
Celeste says
I actually found a recipe for this face wash a couple weeks ago and finally made it last week. I have to say, I love it. I have extremely sensitives skin and have always had a problem finding something that wouldn’t burn or irritate my skin.
The first time I used it, like you, I thought it would be sticky but it was actually very soothing and after removing it, my skin felt really nice.
Now, I just need to find a moisturizer.
Becky says
Does this fash wash remove make-up????
Susie says
Yes! I wouldn’t recommend trying it to remove eye makeup- I don’t know how your eyes would handle it. But it will remove makeup from your face :)
sally says
Is it possible to use coconut derived glycerin?
Susie says
Absolutely!
B says
Hi Susie! I just made my first batch and I’m so excited to try it! I found your blog looking for a way to make my own glycolic cleanser so I will be experimenting with that but I’m super pleased with the result of the regular recipe so thanks! I love the procrastination as career philosophy too–wish I’d known that when I graduated from high school!
Katie Hanczaryk says
Hey! I was looking for a simple cleanser base recipe so thanks! I added ginseng and peppermint essential oil to give my face an extra special glow, and to wake me up in the morning! I think you can really tailor this cleanser to your skin-
Melaleuca for acne
Lavender for redness
Wild orange for glow , etc!
Thanks
Lisa says
I just made this tonight and I love it!!!! I’m trying to go natural instead of the harsh chemicals and I love honey and Vitamin E oil so when I came to this and I saw the homemade honey face wash I just had to try. It turned out great. It made two bottles (one big) and I tried it; LOVE IT!.I’m sticking to this. Thank you!
Susie says
Yay! I always love getting comments like this. I’m so glad you like it. I actually use it as a body wash too. It’s great.
Leslie says
Do you think there is anything I could substitute for the castille soap? It makes my skin burn. Thank you!
Susie says
Soapwort extract would be a great replacement
Mima says
Hi Susie, thank you for the recipe. This is amazing! By the way, I am curious, how much is the yield of this mixture? About 150 ml perhaps? And how long does it last if you use it twice daily? Thanks.
Susie says
Hi Mima! I believe the recipe made about 3 ounces. I suppose it depends on how much you use- I would guess a month if you use it twice daily.