When you want to know what’s in a food item, it’s easy enough to simply check the list of ingredients on the package. You may already be in the habit of checking your food for unhealthy or potentially harmful ingredients, but how much thoughts do you put into choosing skincare products? If you’re still selecting skincare products based on fragrance or buzz words on the label, you could be unwittingly hurting your skin.
While the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates cosmetics to some degree, not all FDA-approved ingredients are good for your skin. In fact, some of them can be very irritating or even damaging to your skin.
If you’re using store-bought face wash, for example, you might be exposing your skin to chemical additives, synthetic fragrance, and other ingredients that can compromize your skin’s natural moisture barrier. When this protective barrier is damaged, it opens the door to irritation and can leave skin feeling dry and itchy.
There’s no shortage of fragrance-free face washes and products formulated for dry or sensitive skin, but you’ll pay a premium for natural ingredients. Making your own homemade face wash might be a cheaper (and safer) alternative.
In this post, you’ll learn about the top 5 harmful ingredients commonly found in store bought face wash and why you should avoid them. You’ll also learn about the benefits of making your own homemade face wash and receive 5 simple DIY recipes.
5 Harmful Ingredients to Avoid in Face Wash
Food labels are pretty easy to decipher. If you want to know what’s in the product, just check the list of ingredients. To determine the food’s nutritional value or caloric content, review the nutrition facts. You may also be able to to find information about how the product is made or where the ingredients are sourced by reading the label. Skincare product labels contain similar information but it takes a little bit of practice to learn how to decipher it.
What makes it even more challenging is the fact that many of the ingredients used in skincare products are unfamiliar to the average person. Plus, the names of some ingredients don’t always make it obvious whether the ingredients is helpful or harmful. For example, stearyl alcohol sounds scary – like something that might dry out your skin – but it’s actually a skin-friendly ingredient that helps keep water and oil from separating. It even has emollient properties which may help keep your skin moisturized.
It’s wise to read the label when purchasing any new skincare product but it’s especially important for face wash. Not only do you want to make sure that the product contains ingredients that will cleanse your skin, but you want to check for potentially harmful additives that might damage it.
Here are 5 harmful ingredients to avoid in a face wash:
1| Synthetic Fragrance
There’s no harm in wanting your face wash to smell good but be careful about choosing a product that uses synthetic fragrance. It usually appears on the ingredients list simply as “fragrance” but just because it seems harmless doesn’t mean it is.
The fragrances used in commercial skincare products can come from any number of different chemicals. Many of the chemical used as synthetic fragrances have been linked to negative health effects like allergies, asthma, and headaches. They’re also often stabilized with a group of chemicals called phthalates which have been linked to reproductive issues and birth defects in animal studies.
Just remember that fragrance doesn’t make your face wash more effective – it just makes it smell good. The more heavily perfumed a face wash is, the more likely it is to irritate or dry out your skin, so opt for fragrance-free products instead.
2| Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Nothing makes your skin feel cleaner than a good foaming cleanser. Unfortunately, the ingredient many commercial face washes use to create that foam is a harsh ingredient called sodium lauryl sulfate. It’s the same ingredient use in car washes and engine degreasers, so that should tell how good it is for your skin.
Sodium lauryl sulfate may leave your skin feel squeaky clean, but it can also leave it feeling dry. This is because it strips the skin of its natural oils – the oils that form a protective barrier against moisture loss. Not only can sodium lauryl sulfate dry out your skin, but many people are allergic to this ingredient and may experience negative skin reactions.
3| Parabens
Many commercial skincare products contain preservatives to extend their shelf life. Parabens are a type of preservative frequently used in skincare products to help prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus that might cause the product to spoil. While the FDA doesn’t currently regulate the use of parabens in cosmetics and skincare products, research suggest a link between these chemical and negative health effects.
There is a great deal of debate regarding the safety of parabens. Some argue that there are no known dangers associated with exposure to these chemicals while others suggest that excessive exposure to parabens may cause breast cancer. Though more scientific study is required to determine the safety of this ingredient, it’s wise to exercise caution with parabens – especially if you have sensitive skin and don’t know how it will react.
4| Mineral Oil and Petrolatum
Because facial cleansers tend to strip the skin of its natural oils, many manufacturers add hydrating ingredients to their products in the form of oil. While oil can add moisture to the skin, there is a big problem associated with the oils used in commercial face washes.
Adding too much oil (or certain types of oil) can clog the pores and lead to breakouts. Your skin can only absorb so much oil and any excess can sit on the surface of the skin, leading to clogged pores and creating a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.
Many commercial face washes use oils derived from mineral oil or petroleum. These oils are cheap and they have a long shelf-life, but they really aren’t recommended for individuals with oil or acne-prone skin. To identify these oils in face wash and other skincare products, look for ingredients like propylene glycol, mineral oil, butylene glycol, petrolatum, or paraffin.
5| Alcohol
As previously mentioned, not all alcohols are bad for your skin but some of them can have a moisture-robbing impact. Denatured alcohols are one of the primary culprits. Alcohol is often used in skincare products as a solvent to help dissolve other ingredients and spread them more evenly throughout the product. They can also enhance the ability of other ingredients to penetrate the skin and can make certain products thinner or more liquid.
Where alcohol can be problematic in skincare products is when it’s used as an astringent. And astringent is an ingredient that constricts the tissues – especially tissues like skin that excrete oil. The problem with certain alcohols is that they can dry out the skin too much which may lead to irritation. Avoid ingredients like ethanol, methanol, ethyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol in face wash.
Why Homemade Face Wash is Better Than Store-Bought
By now it should be clear that commercial skincare products can be pretty problematic when they’re made with harmful ingredients. Face wash is a product most people use everyday – sometimes twice a day – so it’s especially important to choose wisely.
Homemade face face wash might be a preferable alternative to store-bought if you’re concerned about dry skin. Because many commercial face washes contain foaming agents, alcohol, or synthetic fragrances, they can strip the skin of its natural oil and worsen dryness. As your skin loses moisture, it because irritated and may start to itch and flake.
When you make your own face you have complete control over the ingredients that go into it. You can customize it according to your skin type as well.
For example, a commercial face wash made with thick or oil-based ingredients might contribute to pore clogging in oily skin and lead to breakouts. A homemade face wash for oily and acne-prone skin might use castile soap instead of foaming agents like sodium lauryl sulfate. A face wash that contains astringents or synthetic fragrance might make matters worse for dry or irritated skin. A fragrance-free homemade face wash made with hydrating ingredients like coconut oil or honey can deliver much-needed moisture.
Quite simply, homemade face washes are often cleaner and gentler than store-bought. If you like, you can make yours using organic ingredients to make them even more skin-friendly.
10 Ingredients to Include in Homemade Face Wash
A homemade face wash is only as good as the ingredients you put into it. Before choosing a recipe, take the time to learn about some of the best ingredients for DIY cleansers. When you know what each ingredients does, you can select the best combination for your skin type.
Here are 10 of the best ingredients for homemade face wash:
1| Castile Soap – This is a great alternative to chemical foaming agents and it will give your skin a thorough cleanse without causing irritation.
2| Coconut Oil – Packed with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), coconut oil is great for hydration but it also offers natural antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits.
3| Essential Oils – Pure essential oils can give your face wash a hydrating boost but they’re also a great, natural way to add fragrance with just a few drops.
4| Aloe Vera – This ingredient is perfect for irritated or sensitive skin because it has soothing and cooling properties – it also contains antioxidants which promote healing.
5| Oats – Ground oats are perfect for exfoliating cleansers to give your skin a gentle scrub without causing irritation.
6| Powdered Rice – Similar to ground oats, powdered rice is a gentle exfoliant for dry and sensitive skin.
7| Honey – Though it can be sticky, honey is a very gentle and effective cleanser for all skin types – it also has natural antibacterial properties.
8| Clay – Typically used in cleansing masks rather than face washes, clays like kaolin and bentonite clay helps absorb surface oil and can unclog pores.
9| Activated Charcoal – Like clay, activated charcoal is great for oily and acne-prone skin because it helps absorb excess oil and unclog pores.
10| Milk – The lactic acid in milk helps gently exfoliate the skin while the proteins and fat in it help moisturize the skin.
5 DIY Face Wash Recipes
Making your homemade face wash is pretty straightforward one you know what ingredients to use. Depending on your skin type and the benefits you hope to gain, you can combine the ingredients from the previous section in many different ways.
To get started with DIY face wash, try one of the recipes below.
1| Castile & Chamomile Face Wash
For a simple DIY face wash, all you really need is liquid castile soap. In this recipe, however, the addition of chamomile tea gives your face wash an antioxidant boost. Antioxidants are great for anti-aging because they help accelerate cell renewal but they may also help protect the skin against oxidative damage from environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution.
INGREDIENTS
- Chamomile tea bag
- 6 ounces hot water
- 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 5 to 10 drops essential oil (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Steep a chamomile tea bag in 6 ounces of hot water for 5 minutes.
- Pour 1/4 cup of the chamomile tea into a small bowl and cool to room temperature.
- Stir in the liquid castile soap and oilve oil – stir slowly so the soap doesn’t foam.
- Add the essential oils, if using, and stir carefully to combine.
- Transfer the soap to a small, clean bottle and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
TIPS: Some of the best essential oils to include in DIY face wash are tea tree oil, frankincense oil, germanium oil, and citrus oils. Tea tree oil has moisturizing and purifying properties, so it’s a great choice for oily and acne-prone skin. Frankincense oil helps even skin tone and geranium oil can boost radiance. Citrus oils like grapefruit and orange have an uplifting and invigorating scent but are also great for oily skin.
2| Tea Tree Oil Face Wash
Not only is tree oil a natural purifying agent, but it offers strong antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it the perfect ingredient in a DIY face wash for acne-prone skin and for skin that is irritated by inflammatory skin conditions like eczema.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
- 10 drops pure tea tree oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine the water and liquid castile soap in a small bowl.
- Stir gently to combine without causing the soap to foam.
- Add the tea tree oil and stir slowly until well incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture carefully to an empy foaming face wash bottle.
TIPS: Tea tree oil has a woody, earthy fragrance which you may find appealing. If you want to change the aroma of your DIY face wash, however, you can add a few drops of another essential oil. Bright fragrances like bergamot, grapefruit, and lemon essential oil complement tea tree oil well. You can also try floral fragrances like lavender and rose woody fragrances like spruce, eucalyptus, or cypress.
3| Honey and Oatmeal Face Wash
Whether your skin is oily or just in need of a deep cleanse, this exfoliating face wash is perfect. Powdered oats act as a scrub to polish away dead skin cells without irritating skin and honey helps combat excess oil.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 10 drops pure tea tree oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the oats in a food processor and pulse into an almost-fine powder.
- Transfer the powdered oats to a clean glass jar.
- Add the honey, nutmeg, and essential oils then stir well to combine.
- Cover the jar with a lid and store in a cool location for up to 2 weeks.
TIPS: To use this face wash, wet your face then apply onto the skin, rubbing in gentle circular motions for about 60 seconds. Rinse clean with lukewarm water and pat the skin dry.
4| Activated Charcoal Face Wash
This homemade face wash is ideal or clarifying oily and acne-prone skin. The activated charcoal draws oil and impurities out of the pores while the coconut oil helps keep the skin from drying out. You can find activated charcoal capsules at your local health food store.
INNGREDIENTS
- 5 capsules activated charcoal (about 1-2 tablespoons)
- 1 cup organic coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
INGREDIENTS
- Empty the activated charcoal capsules into a small bowl.
- Stir in the coconut oil and baking soda until well combined.
- Store the mixture in a clean jar with a lid.
TIPS: To apply this face wash, wet the skin and use about a quarter-sized amount. Rub the face wash into your skin in gentle circular motions for about 60 seconds then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
5| Foaming Honey Face Wash
Ideal for oily skin, this foaming face wash is just what you need to cleanse your skin without causing dryness or irritation. Liquid castile soap is askin-friendly, foaming cleanser that helps remove surface oil and the antibacterial properties of honey help prevent breakouts. Just be sure to use raw, unpasturized honey to gain the maximum benefit.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup distilled water
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil
- 12 drops pure essential oil
- 8-ounce glass jar
INSTRUCTIONS
- Pour the water into an 8-ounce jar.
- Slowly stir in the honey, liquid castile soap, and avocado oil – do not shake or stir too vigorously or the mixture will foam.
- Add the essential oil a few drops at a time, stirring slowly.
TIPS: You can store this cleanser in a glass jar with a lid or you can pour it into an empty foaming cleanser bottle. For added moisture, try swapping out the water for coconut water or rose water. To give your face wash an exfoliating benefit, add a pinch of baking soda once or twice a week.
BONUS: DIY Cleansing Wipes
When you don’t have the time or energy to do a full cleanse, a cleansing wipe (also known as a makeup wipe) is a quick alternative. Dermatologists typically don’t recommend using makeup wipes as your primary cleanser simply because their effectiveness is limited. You might also end up pushing makeup and other impurities deeper into your skin or simply spreading it around on your face instead of removing it completely.
The best way to use cleaning wipes is as the first stage in a double cleansing routine. Cleansing wipes are great for removing makeup before you go in for a deeper cleanse with one of the homemade face wash recipes above.
INGREDIENTS
- 15 half-sheet paper towels
- 2 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoons witch hazel
- 25 drops pure essential oil
- Large mason jar with lid
INSTRUCTIONS
- Stack the paper towels and cut them in half into squares.
- Fold each square in half twice to form smaller, layered squares.
- Packed the folded paper towels into a large mason jar.
- Combine the water, olive oil, witch hazel, and essential oils in a bowl.
- Whisk vigorously to combine the ingredients then immediately pour into the jar.
- Add the lid then shake the jar to soak the paper towels.
- Pour out any excess liquid then secure the lid to seal the jar.
Conclusion
Many people forget that what you put on your skin is just as important as what you put in your body. If you want to optimize your health, you should not only be careful about the food you eat but be mindful about the products you use as well.
Healthy, hydrated, and glowing skin isn’t impossible to attain. A simple daily routine of cleansing and moisturizing goes a long way, tough once or twice weekly exfoliation is important too. If you really want your skin to look and feel its best, however, take the time to carefully select the products you use to cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate your skin. As is true for food, skincare products can contain harmful ingredients that might damage or dry out your skin.
Face wash is one of the worst culprits! Form synthetic fragrances to chemical additives, store-bought face wash can be very problematic for your skin.
The good news is you don’t have to start spending a fortune on boutique skincare products just to keep your skin clean and healthy. In fact, you may not have to purchase anything at all. You might already have the ingredients you need to make your own homemade face wash!
If you’re ready to clean up your skincare game, ditch that store-bought face wash and try one of the DIY recipes included in this article.
