How to Clean Your Face Naturally

Many store-bought cleansers are filled with chemicals and artificial ingredients that can irritate skin or cause other health issues. If you are worried about these ingredients, you can always clean your face with a natural face wash. Search for brands that use natural ingredients over potentially harmful chemicals. You can also make your own cleansers and scrubs at home. Once you have found the right cleanser, you can establish a cleaning routine by properly cleansing and exfoliating your face with natural ingredients.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Finding a Natural Cleanser

1
Avoid potentially harmful ingredients. There are certain ingredients commonly found in facial cleansers that can irritate or dry out skin. The safety of some of these products is still debated. Read the ingredients label of your face wash, and avoid brands that use:
- Diethanolamine (DEA)
- Monoethanolamine (MEA)
- Triethanolamine (TEA)
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
- Triclosan^{[1]XResearch source}
Most fragrances contain phthalates, which are a group of chemicals that are often used to soften plastic and vinyl. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not know very much about the potential side effects of phthalates, so it is best to avoid them. While no scientific evidence supports this, some people even think phthalates may interfere with puberty and decrease sperm count.^{[2]XResearch source} Additionally, other fragrances might include hormone disrupters.^{[3]XResearch source} Whenever possible, avoid buying cleansers that use artificial fragrances or perfumes.
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3
Search for natural ingredients. Whether you are using an oil cleanser, face wash, or cleansing wipes, you can usually find an option that uses natural ingredients. Look for face wash that contains herbs, oils, and other plant-based products. Ingredients towards the top of the list are used in higher proportions than ingredients lower in the list.
- Green tea has antioxidant properties and reduces inflammation in the skin.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source} Licorice also has anti-inflammatory qualities.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Witch hazel, peppermint, and tea tree are astringents that can help control oil and acne.
- Aloe, cucumber, and rosewater are good for dry skin.
Castile soap is a traditional soap that is made with lye and vegetable oils. It lacks many of the unnatural ingredients found in most cleansers. Liquid castile soap can be mixed with essential oils or natural ingredients like honey, or it can be used on its own.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Your Own Natural Cleansers

1
Make a honey cleanser. Honey will help moisturize your face while it cleans. Spread the honey on your face as you would a normal cleanser, and wash off afterwards. Honey is also great mixed with other ingredients.
- Squeeze lemon juice into one tablespoon of honey for a cleanser that will brighten your complexion.
- Mix one tablespoon of honey with one tablespoon of milk for an extra moisturizing cleanser.
- If honey on its own doesn’t clean well enough for you, you might try mixing it with Castile soap.
2
Infuse herbs to make a cleansing water. Steep one teaspoon of dried herbs in one cup of boiling water. Cover it tightly, and let it sit for fifteen minutes. Strain the mixture, and let it cool before adding one tablespoon of powdered milk. Use this cleanser within 48 hours, and refrigerate it between uses. Depending on your skin needs, you can use different herbs, such as:
- Peppermint for oily skin
- Fennel seed for dry skin
- Rose petals for sensitive skin
- Chamomile or green tea for inflamed or puffy skin
- White tea for aged skin^{[6]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
Plain, unflavored yogurt contains lactic acid, which is a mild exfoliant. It is also effective at cleaning your skin. You can use plain yogurt, or you can mix it with the juice of one lemon.^{[7]XResearch source}
4
Use sugar to make a scrub. Sugar scrubs can help gently exfoliate your face by scrubbing away dead skin. Mix the ingredients together in a clean bowl to create a thick paste, and use immediately. For a good scrub, you can mix sugar with:
- Honey
- Yogurt
- Grapeseed oil^{[8]XResearch source}
If your face needs some extra care, you can make a face mask by mixing ground oatmeal with honey and yogurt until it forms a thick paste. Spread it on your face and wait for twenty minutes before rinsing it off. It will leave your skin soft and clean.^{[9]XResearch source}
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleansing Your Face

1
Remove makeup with oil. Oil cleansing can help remove makeup before you wash your face with regular cleanser. Rub the oil over your face. Rinse or wipe off the oil with a damp washcloth until all of your makeup is gone. To do an oil cleanse, you can use:
- Castor oil
- Olive oil
- Jojoba oil
- Sweet almond oil^{[10]XResearch source}
- Coconut oil can be used as an oil cleanser, but some people may find that it causes them to break out.
2
Cleanse. Wet your face with warm, but not hot, water. Spread the cleanser on your face, and rinse off completely. Once you have rinsed off all of the cleanser, pat your face dry with a clean towel.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Hot water can dry out your face and cause irritation.
3
Exfoliate your face with a scrub. Once or twice a week, you should exfoliate your face using a scrub. Apply the scrub to your face, and gently massage it into your skin. Do not apply too much pressure or else you can damage your skin.^{[12]XExpert SourceMohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified DermatologistExpert Interview. 26 March 2020.} A light touch is all you need.
- Fruit puree makes a great exfoliant because some fruits contain an acid called alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), which can help reduce the signs of aging.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source} Mango, strawberry, and pineapple make the best scrubs.^{[14]XResearch source}
4
Apply a toner. Toner can remove the last remaining dirt and impurities on your face while prepping your skin for your moisturizers.^{[15]XExpert SourceMohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified DermatologistExpert Interview. 26 March 2020.} Douse a cotton pad in the toner, and wipe it across your face. There are many different natural toners that you can use, including:
- Cucumber water
- Rosewater^{[16]XResearch source}
- Witch hazel^{[17]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
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Expert Q&A

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Question
What are the benefits of toner?
Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.
Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Answer
Toner will remove the last remaining impurities on your face, leaving your skin clean. It also prepares your skin for moisturizer.
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Tips

Double-cleanse by washing your face with an oil cleanser and then a water-based cleanser immediately after to remove dirt, makeup, and other impurities on your skin.^{[18]XResearch source}
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Wash your face twice a day for best results. You should also cleanse after you’ve been sweating.
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One of the best ways to keep your skin clean is to stop touching your face throughout the day.
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Warnings

When making your own natural cleansers, apply the cleanser to a small area first to find out whether or not you’re allergic to any of the ingredients it contains.
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