Natural Soap Alternatives

When you think of cleansing your face, you probably think of soap and water. After all you are just trying to get it clean, right? Well soap may be the old standard for simple cleansing, but it is not your best choice. Plain soap can be harsh and drying even on oily skin. It cleans away the dirt but in the process strips away all natural oils and disrupts the ph balance of the skin.

Today there are plenty of non-soap alternatives on the market. You also have the option to use a natural cleanser you make at home. There are various natural ingredients that can be used in place of soap for effective, mild cleansing of the skin. Yogurt is good for cleansing and keeping the skin soft. Oatmeal makes a nice mild cleanser with a little scrubbing action.

Natural cleansing choices are:

Oatmeal – You like it on the breakfast table but it is also good in the bathroom as a gentle cleanser. It can be used by all skin types but can be especially good for dry and / or sensitive skin types. To use, grind whole oats in a blender or food processor until you have a fine powder. Combine oat powder with a small amount of water to make a paste. Massage mixture into skin with a washcloth or fingers. Add ½ a cup of ground oats to your bath water for a soothing .treat.

Honey – known for being a skin beautifier since the time of the Egyptians, honey makes an excellent cleanser for your face. You can use it alone or add a little milk for dryer skin types and a little lemon juice for oily skin types. To use, just massage in to skin as you would any liquid cleanser and rinse well.

Sugar – Not that good for you if you eat too much, but a sugar paste makes a nice gentle facial and all over body scrub. It is not drying so it is good all skin types. For your face, mix 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar with a small amount of water to form a paste. Massage sugar paste in to skin with your fingertips or a washcloth. Adjust the amount of sugar if making a body scrub.

Milk – Milk is great for your skin inside and out. Drinking milk provides protein and natural fats needed for strong, healthy skin. Milk also contains lactic acid. Lactic acid exfoliates and detoxifies your skin leaving it smooth and soft. Other dairy products such as yogurt and sour cream can be used as a cleanser. There are many recipes for dairy cleansers, but one of our favorites is mixing ¼ cup of aloe vera gel with 2 tablespoons fresh whole milk. This will yield more than one use, so make sure to store the remainder in the refrigerator because it will spoil. To use, pour a small amount into your hand, and gently massage into your skin. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry.

Now that you know the basics for natural cleansers, here are a few more of our favorite recipes:

Honey Facial Cleanser –

2 tablespoons of Castile liquid soap

¼ cup of rose or distilled water

¼ cup of honey

Gently mix ingredients together to avoid foaming. Pour into a clean pump container. To use, pour a small amount into your hand, and gently massage into your skin. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry.

Cleansing Yogurt – Good for dry skin – moisturizes and restores skin’s ph balance.

½ cup of plain yogurt

1 tablespoon of sunflower or any light oil

1 ½ teaspoons of fresh lemon juice

Combine all ingredients and store in refrigerator. To use, pour a small amount into your hand, and gently massage into your skin. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry.

Olive Oil Facial Cleanser – moisturizes and cleanses skin.

1 teaspoon Castile liquid soap

2 tablespoons of water

2 tablespoons of honey

½ cup of olive oil

Combine all ingredients by hand or in a blender until smooth. Store in a jar with a tight fitting lid. To use, pour a small amount into your hand, and gently massage into your skin. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry.