A couple of weeks ago, after publishing the DIY Honey Face Wash, a Live Simply reader commented, “Do you think this could be incorporated into DIY face wipes? Maybe not even disposable ones, but a jar of cloths that I washed regularly. I have gone to bed in make-up a few nights because I was just too tired.” Immediately my head began spinning with DIY possibilities.
What a brilliant idea!
For this reason and so many more, I love each and every one of you. You’re the reason Live Simply is such an amazing community of like-minded people looking to simplify the often complex world of real food and natural living.
Reusable wipes are not a new thing here at Live Simply. Two of my favorite DIYs are the reusable floor and surface wipes. Both are super easy to make and leave my home sparkling clean (which is no small task with two dogs, two kids, one husband, and eight chickens).
While many people feel overwhelmed with the idea of making homemade cleaners, I’ve found both reusable cleaning recipes require less time and effort to make and use than ordering and/or going to the store for a bottle of cleaner. Plus the savings are quite significant.
When a homemade product is super simple to maintain and packs major cleaning power, I’m much more likely to incorporate the product into a long-term lifestyle. That’s why you will never find complicated homemade products here at Live Simply. Who’s got time for that? Not this gal. Simple is the name of the game around here.
DIY Facial Wipes are the epitome of a simple beauty routine. Baby washcloths are used to make the wipes extra soft, durable, reusable, and affordable. I spent $3.99 for a pack of four washcloths at Target. A simple cleansing solution is then poured over the washcloths. This solution is created by only using four natural ingredients. Let’s take a look..
H2O. Because this solution sits on the counter for weeks, I recommend using distilled or boiled water to keep bacteria from growing.
Witch Hazel. Witch hazel is a well-known, natural astringent that’s used to remove excess oil from the skin. Witch hazel is also known for the treatment of acne.
Nourishing Oil. Since oil dissolves oil, it’s only natural to add a nourishing oil to a homemade facial cleansing recipe.
Castile Soap. One of my favorite multi-purpose DIY ingredients. Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap with easy to recognize ingredients. I use castile soap for everything from homemade laundry detergent to body wash and hand soap. I recommend using either the Baby Mild Castile Soap or Tea Tree Castile Soap for facial cleansing.
The creation of homemade facial wipes came at just the right time. Last weekend our family enjoyed a mini-vacation. We spent one night at a hotel and the following day at Disney World. I didn’t want to pack all of our personal care items for a 12 hour overnight vacation. Instead of packing a face wash or oil bottle, I grabbed two reusable facial cleansing wipes and placed them in a snack-size baggie. The facial wipes were the perfect travel solution!
If you travel frequently, these wipes will dramatically reduce the weight and volume of your suitcase. Trust me, I have first-hand experience. My only caution is to skip the castile soap if you don’t have access to water during your travels.
Even if traveling (let alone getting out of the house to go to the grocery store once a week) isn’t your thing right now, DIY Homemade Facial Wipes are an affordable time-saver for removing make-up at the end of the day, or facial cleansing without the need for an actual bottle of soap.
DIY Homemade Reusable Facial Cleansing Wipes
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup distilled water boiled water will also work
- 1/2 cup witch hazel
- 1 TB jojoba oil or other nourishing oils: almond, avocado, olive, apricot, argan
- 1 TB castile soap Baby Mild or Tea Tree
- 7-10 washcloths
- 1 glass storage jar I found the jar pictured at Target
Instructions
- Place the baby washcloths in the storage jar. Set aside.
- In a medium-size bowl, combine the distilled water, witch hazel, nourishing oil, and castile soap.
- Pour the liquid solution into the storage jar, covering the baby washcloths with the solution. Press the washcloths down into the liquid.
Notes
When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly.
More DIYs You May Like:
I usually never read the whole narrative, but you are a fabulous writer!
Thank you for the lovely DIY!
I am new to your site, but am experienced with diy natural products. I think this is such a great idea and cannot wait to try it out! I love your site and will let you know how mine turned out 😉
Awesome, Sandi! Thank you :).
I have made these for my 8 and 10 year old girls and they just love it! (I do too!). I am having trouble with the oil separating quite a bit from the rest of the ingredients. Is there anything I can do to lessen this?
Hey Tiffany, I’m glad you all are enjoying the face wipes! There’s not much you can do about the oil since an emulsifier isn’t used–separation is common for natural products like this. If possible, shake the jar before using. The only other option is to skip the oil next time.
Does the solution for facial wipes HAVE to be stored in a glass container? I know sometimes plastic isn’t recommended but this will be going into a teen bathroom. Thank u
Hey Dee, You could put it in plastic, especially since the wipes and solution will be changed fairly often. Generally, my concern is with anything stored for a while.
Wow! I just tried it, it works so amazingly and is so much cheaper than the ones at stores thank you for this quick diy……..??
Hey Zainab, Awesome! I’m so glad you’re enjoying them.
Hi, I’m loving your website, just found this recipe. Is it ok to top the jar up with a bit more water, the mixture doesn’t seem to cover my wash cloths, but I don’t want to weaken the mixture and take away the good effects. Thanks.
Hey Renee, Yes, you can do that! Thank you!
What size jar do you use? Would a quart size mason jar be big enough?
Hey Amber, A quart size jar will definitely work! My jar is slightly smaller than a quart-size jar.
Thank you Kristin for all of your great recipes and tips!
I have a question about distilled water. I have a gallon jug that I bought to use with these types of recipes, but it has been sitting on the counter for several months, as I usually only need a cup at a time. Do you think that this is ok, or do you know if affects the way they bacteria could grow?
Hey Elizabeth, I’m not 100% sure, but if it’s been sealed and properly handled (not dipping hands or dirty in the water), then I think it should be fine.
REALLY like your site! I’m just getting into this & have been reading lots of different sites, keep ending back on yours & comparing your info-I like the way you think & share info. I have used a mixture of 1 part apple cider vinegar & 3 parts water on a cotton pad to clean my face for over 30 years, I’m 66 and still have people comment on my complexion, so I guess it has worked pretty well for me! You have a beautiful family! Thanks for all your wonderful information.
Hey Jo Ann, Thank you so much for the sweet compliment. I’m honored that you keep ending up back at Live Simply :). That’s so awesome about your skincare routine. I love that you’ve been using such simple ingredients, and the results have been so fantastic! What a great testimony to using simply, pure ingredients.
Hi, I always enjoy your diy blogs. I have one question about this recipe.
Is there something I could use as a substitute for the witch hazel? In my country it’s almost impossible to come by.
Hey Conny, Hmmm, you could add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar instead of the witch hazel. It will have a vinegar scent.
I just made this after finding the perfect glass jar for a bargain at a garage sale today, and they’re wonderful! It made my skin feel so soft. Just one question, when you reuse cloths more than once, do you just rinse it and then put it back in the jar to resoak? Thank you so much!
Awesome, Bryna! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the wipes. If I’m wearing makeup, then I’d only use the wipe once before washing it in the washing machine (with a load of laundry). If I’m not wearing makeup, then I’d rinse the wipe and place it back in the jar, reusing it a couple of times.
Just made this, the witch hazel is a little strong smelling for me even after adding sweet orange essential oil. Any suggestions on calming that sent down? On the super positive note, I just used the solution with my round hemp and cotton scrubbie, and MY SKIN FEELS FABULOUS, and is soft as a baby’s skin.
Hey Bianca, That’s so great. You could try adding water to dilute the witch hazel, or adding another EO (like lavender) to help mute the scent.
Hi Kristin! Few questions:
1. Do you recommend using the cotton facial cleansing muslin cloths you use to wipe off your aloe and honey cleanser for these reusable facial cleansing wipes?
2. If not, where do you get your baby washcloths?
3. Is grapeseed oil considered a nourishing oil that can be used in this recipe?
Thanks so much! Love your blog!
Hey Susie, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the blog! I think the muslin cloths would work great. They are thin (which is why I love them for washing my face), so you’ll probably need to wring them out a bit before using them (when used in this solution). That said, I’ve mainly used baby washcloths for this recipe. I found the washcloths at Target, in the baby aisle. Grapeseed oil is a fantastic nourishing oil. Aura Cacia makes a grapeseed oil that I’ve used for skincare purposes.
Awesome! Thank you so much for responding so quickly. Have a great weekend!
HI Kristin! I just came across this post, and I’m looking forward to trying it! One question I have… am I supposed to wring out the liquid first before wiping on my face, or use it as is (i.e. wet and soaked with liquid)?
Thanks!
Hey Eileen, I generally wring out the liquid first, and then use the wipe. The wipe should be moist, but not dripping wet :).
Hello, I’m new here 🙂 I wanted to know how many times you can use these before you should wash them? Thanks 🙂
Hey Mary, The number of times you can reuse the wipes will depend on if you wear makeup, etc. Since I used these wipes to clean my face and remove makeup, I only used each wipe a couple of time before washing.
Wondering if I could add a drop or two of lavender essential oil to this for a nightly routine?
I think that would be lovely, Marrin! Great idea!
Hi there! Can additional oils be added if I don’t have tea tree castle soap?
Hey Laura, You could use tea tree essential oil in the recipe, just a few drops. Or use a different variety of castile soap. The tea tree version is just an option :).
Kristin,
Awesome site. What a wonderful idea. I will try this. Thanks for sharing. Have learned loads from all your DIY items. You are truly are a blessing. No matter your age, your DIY items works for all ages. My new to go DIY site. Love it.
Thank you so much, Ana! I’m so glad you’re enjoying Live Simply!
Thank you so much for this recipe! I have very oily skin and love how smooth, soft, and CLEAN my face feels when I use these wipes. Every product I have purchased left my skin either very oily or very dry and irritated, especially after continued use. No such problems with these! I bought a couple dozens cloths and just keep a small trash can near the sink to toss them into until laundry day.
That’s so great, Theresa! I’m so glad the facial wipes are working so well for you. Thank you for sharing :)!
I saw the suggestion of using a Tea Tree castile soap. While reading on Tea Tree oil I found several mentions not to consume because it can have hallucinatory affects and also stomach cramping. Since in a face wipe all ingredients would be absorbed into the skin at some degree, would it be safe to have Tea Tree oil or scented soap in a face wash?
Hey Leah, I wouldn’t ingest tea tree essential oil (or any essential oil, unless under the care of a practitioner), but using tea tree on the skin in appropriate amounts is deemed safe. It’s actually one of the few oils some people apply neat (undiluted) and is very beneficial.