Struggle with oily or dry skin? My homemade cleansing balm is here to help. Branded cleansers can contain a range of ingredients like soaps and chemicals that can disturb your skin’s natural balance. This can lead to problems with over or under production of sebum leading to oily/dry skin.
Introducing my homemade cleansing balm- a way to cleanse your skin without disrupting its natural balance. Made with all natural ingredients that leave the skin cleansed, nourished and soft.
My DIY face/ makeup cleansing balm is gentle on the skin while still being a great option for those looking to remove stubborn makeup, sunscreen or other products.
Known as the oil cleansing method, this DIY face cleansing balm works by dissolving the excess oils on your skin. The clay and beeswax also work as natural exfoliants; a benefit over liquid oil cleansers.
My DIY oil cleansing balm can be used on all skin types, from dry to oily skin. However, if you have acne prone skin you may want to try a recipe without shea butter and coconut oil.
How to make a facial cleansing balm recipe? It’s surprisingly easy and it could save you money. Below, I cover all the reasons to make your own cleansing balm, why the ingredients are so good for your skin and exactly how to make and use your new cleansing balm.
So, let’s begin and make a homemade cleansing balm!
What Is A Homemade Cleansing Balm?
Homemade cleansing balms are made from all natural ingredients that gently cleanse the skin without stripping the skin or disturbing the skin’s natural oil barrier.
This cleansing balm is made from a combination of oils and other natural ingredients unlike many branded cleansers that are water/soap based and often contain harsh chemicals that can disturb the skin’s natural oil production.
PinIt could seem strange to cleanse with oils at first. However, cleansing balm works by dissolving the excessive facial oils with the oils and other ingredients in the balm. Cleansers that are soap based can strip your skin of their natural oils and leave the skin unbalanced, leading to problems like dry/oily skin.
A facial cleansing balm is a great way to cleanse your skin without disturbing your skin’s natural oil balance, they also leave your skin feeling soothed and moisturised. This cleanser can also be used to remove makeup, sunscreen and other debris.
Cleansing Balm Vs Cleansing Oil
The main difference between a cleansing balm and a cleansing oil is that a cleansing balm is a solidified form of an oil cleanser, with additional ingredients that add additional benefits to the cleanser.
A cleansing oil is made simply from a combination of oils whereas a cleansing balm includes additional ingredients like clay and beeswax. These ingredients help to solidify the cleansing balm but they also hold additional benefits for the skin.
Using a cleansing balm can be a good way to get the necessary amount of product without overdoing it. However, others find cleansing oils easier to apply.
Both are great at cleansing the skin. This cleansing balm has the benefit that it will exfoliate and provide more emollient qualities than cleansing oil will. It is really up to you. I personally enjoy using both.
If you want to learn how to make your own cleansing oil click here.
Why Make A Facial Cleansing Balm Recipe?
There are plenty of reasons to make your own homemade cleansing balm DIY. I have listed some of mine below!
It’s All Natural And Chemical Free
Cleansing balms are made with natural ingredients and no chemicals. They are gentle on the skin, do not cause irritation.
By making your own, you know exactly what you are putting on your skin without worry.
It’s Moisturising And Nourishing
This cleansing balm is totally nourishing and moisturising for your skin while still being an effective cleanser.
It will leave your skin feeling fresh, soft and supple.
It’s High Quality At Lower Cost
When you make your own DIY cleansing balm you can purchase high quality ingredients at a lower price than you can purchase the same natural ingredients in branded skincare.
It Has Customisable Ingredients
You can customise your cleansing balm to suit a variety of needs for your skin. You have the option to choose from a range of ingredients that your skin personally benefits from.
PinIt’s Fun
Creating your own cleansing balm is a creative and fun process and super rewarding once you are ready to use it.
It Cleans Your Skin Gently But Effectively
This balm will cleanse the skin and remove makeup effectively without stripping the skin or leaving it dry and tight.
Ingredients For The Best DIY Cleansing Balm Recipe
One of the best things about this easy natural cleansing balm recipe is that you can customise it to what you want. While I recommend you keep the main ingredient types the same, you can switch sunflower oil to any other oil you like. For example, avocado oil or safflower oil. You can also switch the shea butter for another butter or beeswax for another wax.
Also, if you are looking for a DIY cleansing balm without coconut oil, you can remove the coconut oil and simply add more sunflower oil.
eBay and Amazon Australia are quick and easy places to buy ingredients and all the gear you need. Below, I direct you to the best place to buy each ingredient or you can click here to buy now on Amazon or here for eBay. This is how I buy all of these ingredients.
Sunflower Oil
PinSunflower oil is a type of carrier oil that can be used by all skin types as it is non comedogenic, light and super absorbent. Sunflower oil is high in linoleic and oleic acids; essential fatty acids that your skin loves.
It’s a good source of vitamin E and antioxidants that are great for your skin. Sunflower oil on the skin is moisturising, softening and totally nourishing. It also has emollient properties which help your skin to attract and retain moisture, keeping it hydrated.
When purchasing sunflower oil, ensure you are purchasing the unrefined, cold pressed version rather than the refined cooking type of sunflower oil.
As mentioned above, you could switch sunflower oil to another carrier oil if you prefer like almond oil, avocado oil or more.
Click here to buy sunflower oil now.
Coconut Oil
PinA favourite amongst those who use it, myself included, it is an all natural product that is totally nourishing and seriously versatile. It is also handy in cleansing balm.
Coconut oil contains an essential fatty acid called lauric acid, which has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal qualities which help in keeping the skin free from infections.
The vitamin E and proteins in coconut oil provide hydration and healing, it is good for aiding the repair of damaged skin.
Click here to buy coconut oil now.
Shea Butter
PinStruggle with dry skin? Shea butter could be the product for you. It is full of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and fatty acids that soothe, soften and moisturise your skin.
Shea butter is very easy to apply to the skin and places a protective barrier on your skin that helps the skin to retain and attract moisture.
Shea butter also has anti-inflammatory properties which means it is a great product to have on hand for times when any rashes, peeling or rough patches of skin arise.
If you have oily skin however, it isn’t always suggested to use shea butter on your skin as it does have the potential to clog your pores.
I personally enjoy using shea butter on my skin everyday as it provides a rich, smooth consistency and provides many benefits for my dry skin.
If you would prefer, you could switch shea butter with mango butter or cocoa butter.
Click here to buy shea butter now.
Beeswax
PinIn this recipe, beeswax is used to help solidify the cleansing balm. However, there are a heap of benefits of beeswax cosmetically and medicinally.
Beeswax works as a natural exfoliant, humectant and an emollient that draws moisture to the skin and seals it in. It can be used in the healing of abrasions to provide a barrier against bacteria entering. It soothes, calms and hydrates your skin, can repair skin damage, and so much more.
Beeswax also holds antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can be helpful for those with conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
You can vary the amount of beeswax in this recipe to make your beeswax cleansing balm either softer or harder depending on your preference. If you like in a hotter climate, it can make sense to add a little more to stop it melting.
If you want to make an oil cleansing balm recipe without beeswax or you’re looking for a vegan option, you can switch beeswax to candelilla wax.
Click here to buy beeswax now.
Green French Clay
PinGreen french clay is a natural exfoliant that is great at removing skin impurities, tightening pores, toning skin and reducing inflammation. It can increase blood flow to the skin and leaves the skin moisturised and soft.
It is super absorbent and has soothing qualities that can help with minor rashes on the skin.
Though it is a natural exfoliant, it does so without being abrasive and without leaving the skin stinging or tight. It is also great for detoxifying the skin, being effective at drawing the impurities out of the skin.
You can switch this to other types of clay if you would prefer.
Click here to buy green french clay now.
Lavender Essential Oil
PinLavender oil has a heap of benefits for your skin. It is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, fungicidal, antiseptic and more. It can be used on all skin types. However, overuse can cause dermatitis.
This awesome oil can be used for healing scars, cuts, rashes, burns and bites and soothing allergies such as psoriasis and eczema. It also has the ability to promote skin cell growth, a great choice for mature or aging skin.
If you have acne prone skin, lavender oil may be a good choice of essential oil for you as it can unclog your pores and kill bacteria living on the skin. You can also use it for smoothing and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks.
Lavender oil can ease joint pain, muscular aches and inflammation. Other great benefits include reducing stress, depression, anxiety and insomnia.
It’s important you don’t use more than 2% essential oils in this recipe. At the moment, it is 1% so you can double it if you love a stronger scent. If you are looking for the best cleansing balm for sensitive skin, you may want to remove any essential oil.
You could also switch this for any other essential oil that is safe for your skin. So if you want a rose cleansing balm DIY, simply switch this oil for rose essential oil.
Click here to buy lavender essential oil on eBay now.
How To Make Your Own Cleansing Balm
When it comes to how to make cleansing balm, it’s very easy! Once you have your ingredients, a place to put your end product and a double boiler (on eBay), you are set to go!
And, in fact, the double boiler isn’t necessary. You could use a regular pan of water with a heat-safe bowl on top, so you can melt your ingredients instead.
Once the main ingredients have melted, you can add the clay, cool a little and then, add the lavender essential oil. Simply pour it into your container and you’re done!
I recommend you use an aluminum jar for your end product. It looks great! I buy mine on eBay here.
My recipe below is only for about 25mL, so if you want to make more, simply double the ingredients below. You won’t be sorry you did!
PinI recommend you weigh all your ingredients – it’s the easiest way to get the quantities right. You can find the scales I use here.
Green Lavender Cleansing Balm Recipe
Create this DIY cleansing balm quickly and easily for a fabulous experience for your face
Ingredients
- 9.75g Sunflower Oil
- 6g Coconut Oil
- 5g Shea Butter
- 2g Beeswax
- 2g Green French Clay
- 0.25g Lavender Essential Oil
- Double Boiler (or you can use a regular pan of water with a heat-safe bowl on top)
- Aluminum Jar
Instructions
- Have all ingredients weighed and ready to go
- Have the aluminum jar ready with lid off
- Set up your double boiler or pan and heat-safe bowl with water on a low heat
- Add the sunflower oil, coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax
- Stir gently until everything is melted and well mixed. This usually takes a few minutes
- Add the green french clay and mix
- Turn off the heat and allow to cool a little (but not solidify) while still stirring
- Mix in the lavender essential oil
- Pour it into your alumium jar
- Let your new cleansing balm completely cool. You can carefully move it to the fridge to speed this up
Notes
I am only making a small amount of cleansing balm in this recipe. If you want to make more, you can double or triple the ingredients. The main thing to ensure is that you never use more than 2% essential oils.
It's not essential to store this in an aluminum jar as pictured. I think this style of container works well and looks great.
How To Use Face Cleansing Balm
Using your face cleansing balm is super simple and easy and it works great at removing stubborn makeup.
- Simply rub some cleansing balm onto your fingers and rub between your hands
2. Massage over your face for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
3. Wipe off with a dampened cloth or you can rinse clean.
Final Words
I hope you have enjoyed this guide to making your own homemade cleansing balm. It is totally worth the small amount of effort it takes for the outcome. A luxurious and high quality, all natural and nourishing cleansing balm that I personally love to use.
I’d love to hear your homemade cleansing balm reviews.
Want to make more great balms? Try our body balm here. You could also try our cleansing oil here which is also great or find all our DIY skincare recipes here.
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