Use food – not soap – on your face!

When it comes to holistic skin care, ditch the soap and instead raid your kitchen cabinets. I prefer to avoid all types of soap on my face, even “gentle” options like castile soap, because these can strip the skin and disrupt the oil balance. If it suds, it’s out! This may seem counterintuitive coming from someone with oily, acne-prone skin but my skin has thanked me for the change.

In the evenings, I use the Oil Cleansing Method, described here, to remove makeup and deep-cleanse my pores. In the morning, I use the Honey Cleansing Method, described here, to gently cleanse my face without stripping it.

I’ve also incorporated this facial cleansing powder into my routine in the mornings – I alternate between the honey cleansing and this powder.  You won’t believe the silky, gentle cleanser created with oatmeal! It leaves my skin soft and clean. Even better, it costs only pennies per use.

Soothing Facial Cleanser Ingredients

Ground oats – The primary ingredient is freshly ground oats, which you can make in a spice grinder, coffee grinder or Magic Bullet. It turns into a silky powder that feels milky and smooth on the skin. Alternatively, you can use oat flour if you have that on hand. The oat powder gently removes impurities but will not damage the skin like scrubs and exfoliants. Oat powder absorbs excess oil without stripping the skin and it also lends a milky texture to the facial cleansing powder when activated with water.

Bentonite clay – Gentle and purifying, bentonite clay helps draw toxins from the skin. It cleanses without disrupting the acid mantle of the skin.

Chamomile – Chamomile soothes and calms all skin types, but it is especially helpful for dry or irritated skin. The most accessible form of chamomile is an organic chamomile tea bag! Simply empty the contents of the tea bag into the spice/coffee grinder with a teaspoon of oats to create a chamomile powder. Alternatively, you can substitute chamomile essential oil as described in the recipe below.

How to use the Facial Cleanser

This facial cleanser recipe creates a facial cleansing powder. It will not remove makeup, so either use this in the morning or first remove any makeup. I recommend my DIY Makeup Remover for that!

To use the cleansing powder, moisten your face with warm water. Put about 1/2  to 1 teaspoon of the facial cleanser into your palm, and add a few drops of water to moisten it and create a paste. Gently massage it on your face, the rinse. I have had no problems whatsoever with the oat powder clogging my sink drain, but you can run hot water down your skin for a few seconds to help prevent any potential problems.