Many soaps and facial cleansers contain chemicals that can be harsh on the skin. They may even upset the balance of natural oils on the face and aggravate certain skin conditions! 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. Here are a couple of methods you can use to clean your face naturally without soap:
MILK
Gently massaging milk onto your face is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells and hydrate the skin. Make sure to use raw whole milk for best results. This natural cleanser also helps to soothe skin irritations and heal wounds! You can simply use the milk alone or try mixing it with a little bit of lemon juice or crushed papaya. Make sure to rinse your face.
SUGAR
Sugar can also gently exfoliate and cleanse your skin, just make sure to use a finely ground sugar that won’t be too abrasive for your face.
How to use: Combine sugar with a small amount of water or oil to make a paste. You could also use coconut or olive oil because you get the moisturizing benefits at the same time. If you have oily skin, you may also use aloe vera. Gently massage into your face then rinse.
PAPAYA
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.
How to use: 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.
OATMEAL
Oatmeal makes a great natural cleanser due to the saponins contained in it. This chemical is known for it’s excellent cleansing properties, and is often found in shampoos and detergents for it’s rich lathering abilities.
How to use: To make an oatmeal paste to cleanse your face, grind 1-2 tablespoons of whole oats and mix it with a little bit of water and any oil of your choice. Rub the paste gently onto the face and then rinse. You can even combine oatmeal, milk, and honey to make this cleansing paste.
HONEY
Honey is a natural humectant that draws moisture from the air, leaving your face dewy and soft. Plus raw honey has amazing healing properties that soothe irritated skin and reduce redness.
How to use: You can combine 1/2 cup of honey with 1-2 tablespoons of castile soap for a foaming gel cleanser.
COCONUT OIL
Put about a teaspoon of coconut oil into the palm of your hand. Warm the oil up in your hands by rubbing your hands back and forth and gently massage the oil into your face using small, circular strokes for at least 1 minute. Rinse a washcloth under very warm water, wring out the excess water, and let the cloth sit on your face for 30 seconds. Gently wipe the oil from your face. Admire your clean and moisturized face in the mirror!