Homemade Facial Cleanser with Avocado Oil & Honey

I'm really excited to share my homemade facial cleanser recipe with you. Like many, I have acne-prone skin (which fluctuates with hormones) and winter-eczema on my face. However, since using a combo my homemade facial cleanser with avocado oil & honey, and lavender face moisturizer, my hormonal pimples, and eczema have drastically diminished!I've really had great results with this combo, and I sincerely hope someone else can benefit from this too. Using three simple ingredients, avocado oil, honey and castile soap, I've concocted a homemade, facial cleanser that has changed my life. Many people are going to think that I'm a total wacko for using the ingredients that I do, but trust me on this, there is a method to my madness. If you've heard of, or done research on, the oil cleansing method, then you may not think I'm crazy for washing my face with oil.

“The basic concept of this skin care and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores."

I think the oil cleansing method is a fantastic concept; it has become very popular and is showing great results. However, although I like the idea of cleansing with oil, the official "oil cleansing method" itself is just not for me. I prefer the facial cleanser that I've concocted, which still cleanses with oil, but is simpler and quicker (I never leave myself much time in the day for personal grooming). I use avocado oil in this cleanser because of it's external benefits.

Avocado Oil 

• Avocado oil penetrates the skin better than most plant oils. It penetrates through the epidermis and into the dermis layer of our skin, leaving it hydrated and smooth.
• Avocado oil is high in vitamins A, B, C, E and K, anti-oxidants, proteins and unsaturated fats, all of which are good for your skin.
• “Acne patients have also been shown to have low levels of linoleic acid in their skin surface lipids.” (1) Adding oils high linoleic acid to the skin balances the surface lipids and decreases the number of breakouts (2). Avocado oil does contain linoleic acid, however if you have more severe acne-prone skin, I would recommend using organic, grape seed oil which is much higher in linoleic acid.
• Avocado oil contains monsaturated fats, providing an SPF between 4-15.
• Avocado oil is high in sterolins (plant fat), which are extremely moisturizing, and known to reduce signs of aging, extreme dry skin, eczema, sun damage, and blemishes.

Castille Soap

Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap, is a concentrated, liquid soap, that's eco-friendly, fair trade, non-GMO and incredibly versatile! It contains "no harsh chemicals, additives, colorants, sudsing agents or other ingredients, just pure derivatives from plant sources."I use it in everything from household cleaners to shampoo. If you haven't yet jumped on the castile soap train, well, jump on it!I like organic, castille soap in this cleanser because it adds a light suds which I enjoy, and have grown accustomed to, in a face wash. Keep in mind, a little goes a long way!

Honey

And last, but definitely not least, honey! While researching honey as an ingredient for this cleanser, I learned some incredible things about it that I just can't pass up noting:

• Honey has been used to treat infected wounds and burns for thousands of years, dating back to Egyptian times (remember Cleopatra's honey and milk bath...she was actaully on to something.)
•  Honey has incredible antibacterial properties, and studies have shown that it is even capable of killing strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and viruses!
• Honey produces antimicrobial properties because most types of honey generate H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide) when diluted (1).
•  According to this article,"honey is hygroscopic, which means that it can draw moisture out of the environment and dehydrate bacteria, and its high sugar content and low level pH can also prevent the microbes from growth."
• Manuka honey contains the highest antibacterial properties, and is often sold as "medical grade." {buy here}

So now you can see why I'm excited to use it in my facial cleanser--it contains natural antibacterial properties which are ideal for acne prone skin, and unlike most commercial facial cleansers and detergents, won't strip away your natural oils.

It's important to buy raw, unpasteurized honey, and preferably from a local source. Pasteurization kills beneficial bacteria and natural enzymes in order to prolong shelf life, and won't have the same antibacterial properties as raw honey.

*Check out some Honey Face Mask recipes HERE.

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup Avocado Oil (use Organic Grape Seed Oil for more severe acne prone skin)
• 3 Tbsp Honey (raw and unpasteurized, and as always, preferably local)
• 2 Tbsp Organic Castile Soap 

Method

1. Whisk all ingredients together until they're fully combined. This may take a couple minutes.
2. Transfer to a small squeeze or pump bottle {buy here}.

How to Wash Your Face (as if you don't already know)

1. Hold a hot wash cloth over your face for a couple minutes to open up your pours.
2. Pour a quarter size amount of the cleanser in your hands and massage thoroughly into your skin (about 1 min.)
3. Rinse with warm water and gently pat your skin to dry.
4. Apply homemade moisturizer  immediately.

**Note: I find it best to do this before bed in order to remove the impurities and make-up from the day. In the morning just wipe your face gently with a wet cloth. This works as a great make-up remover**

DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT??

No worries, I sell a safe, sustainable cleanser in my Modern Hippie Shop!