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The beauty of making homemade products is found in the simplicity of the ingredients!
The simplest food ingredients usually create the most delicious meals. The same concept proves true when it comes to making homemade products. That’s why I often use the words five ingredients or easy to describe recipes posted on Live Simply. It’s not a Pinterest tactic; rather, a way to showcase how something that seems so complicated (like cooking a homemade dinner or making hand soap) is incredibly easy to take responsibility for at home.
Today’s DIY beauty product is super easy to make. So easy you’ll only need three ingredients, and zero fancy tools!
Before I share the recipe, let’s take a look at the simple ingredient list:
Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera is a common ingredient used to treat sunburns due to its soothing and antioxidant properties. Since we know aloe is great for the skin, why not add it to a daily face cleanser? If you’re interested in some of the benefits of aloe vera, this article from Mind Body Green is very insightful.
Raw Honey: Raw honey is simply honey that hasn’t been pasteurized. Due to the lack of pasteurization (heating), raw honey is naturally rich in antibacterial and probiotic properties. Honey is also gentle on sensitive skin, but tough enough to remove dirt and other impurities. If you can’t find raw honey in your area (although many stores/markets now sell raw honey, so take a look before dismissing this ingredient), pasteurized honey may be used.
Nourishing Oil: Finally, what would a good face cleanser be without a nourishing oil? Since oil dissolves oil, it’s only natural to add a nourishing oil to a homemade facial cleanser.
Homemade Honey and Aloe Facial Cleanser
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 TB extra virgin olive oil or jojoba, or sweet almond oil (optional)
Special Equipment:
- mason jar or storage container of choice
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients. That's it!
- This cleanser can be stored in a sealed jar (I use a Mason jar) or a soap dispenser. Either method works, it's completely up to you. If you're using a jar, I recommend using a spoon to scoop the cleanser into your hand to avoid introducing bacteria to the cleanser. Store the cleanser at room temperature for a couple of months. If you're using fresh aloe, store the cleanser in the fridge since the aloe may spoil quickly. I use a nourishing oil in this recipe, but you can still make a great cleanser without it (hence the optional clause).
To Use:
- Shake the cleanser. Apply a small amount of cleanser to our hand, then massage the cleanser on your face. Allow the cleanser to sit for about a minute total, just to absorb the wonderful qualities of the ingredients. Using a damp wipe, gently remove the cleanser, rinsing the wipe as needed.
Video
Notes
More DIYs You May Like:
I can’t wait to try it, but plz I don’t really understand d coconut aspect like, is it d water, or d squeeze one, or coconut oil plz help me out on it. Thanks
Hey Kemi, Are you asking about which kind of coconut oil, if you’re using coconut oil? If so, you’ll want to use virgin coconut oil, and just whisk it together with the other ingredients.
I can’t wait to try this. I’ve used honey on its own, and it’s so sticky, so I’d love to see how it is mixed 50/50 with aloe. I can’t use jojoba, but maybe hemp or pumpkin seed oil.
Hey Stuart, I hope you love it. I love the consistency of the aloe and honey mixed together. Another option might be olive oil.
the tip beware green aloe was timely, as it totally didnt even cross my mind….
Glad that was helpful :)!
Does any one know where in the drugstore i could find this? (like which area/ department/ what is it next to?) I can only find After Sun lotion with aloe….
Thanks
Hey Serendipity, Aloe is usually available in the beauty department, I believe. It may also be found near the topical ointments and such. Avoid the aloe that’s green (it contains artificial dye). Amazon is another good source for aloe vera.
I FOUND IT!!! 😀 it took ten different stores but i finally found pure aloe vera gel!!!
Ive been loving this recipe for days when i don’t wear any makeup (or only the homemade powder on your site). On days where i wear foundation and heavier makeup, I use this and store bought cleanser to super clean my skin.
This recipe feels like a shu uemura oil cleanser, but quite a bit less oily and lighter.
Thanks for the great recipe Kristin!
Hi there,
I was wondering if you could add a few drops of essential oil to this cleanser?
Thanks
Hey Kristy, Absolutely, that would be great!
Can you recommend some scents that would go well in this recipe?
Lavender, French Cypress, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Ylang-Ylang, Orange, Pine, Bergamot, and Sweet Basil are all good for the face.
Hey Clarissa, I think lavender is lovely, particularly when used in the evening before bed.
I had a couple of questions for you. Does this cleanser feel sticky on your face? Does it take off eye makeup?
Hey Holly, It will feel a bit sticky since there is honey in the mixture, but the aloe helps it glide on the skin and easily wash away. This won’t fully remove eye makeup like waterproof mascara, but it will help remove light eye makeup.
Is this what you use your Clarasonic Mia with or the honey face wash?
Hey Paula, Yes, this is what I use with my Mia. I apply the cleanser to my face and then use the Mia. I use a cloth to rinse my face after using the Mia.
Hi Kristin, I’ve been using your other honey face wash for a few months and I love it! I’m just about to run out of my current batch and I decided to try this one next. I was wondering if you think this recipe would work in a foaming dispenser? That’s what I’ve been using for the other face wash (and it’s been working wonderfully), but this seems like it would be thicker. Thanks!
Hey Lacey, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the face wash! I think you could put this cleanser in a pump dispenser, but you’ll need to add water and Castile soap. So maybe use the honey face wash recipe and add aloe.
G’day Kristin, thanks for the great recipes.
Do you use this on wet skin?
Is hemp oil a suitable oil for this face wash?
Hey Tony, I’ve used this on wet and dry skin, but normally I wet my face and then apply the cleanser. I haven’t tried hemp oil, so I’m not sure how it will work on your skin or in this recipe.
I LOVE this recipe! I added a touch of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and use this as a mask every morning instead of washing my face. The dry mixture still leaves your face easily movable so you won’t have issues talking, smiling, or eating.
Note: My skin is extremely dry due to being on Clavaris (Accutane) and with this amazing recipe I have zero flaking or dry patches. Thank you Kristin, you are amazing!
That’s sooooo awesome, Sabrina!!! I’m so incredibly happy for you!
I’ve been using this for 3 months and my face is sooo soft. I love this stuff and feel good about what I’m putting on and in my body! Thank you!
That’s awesome, Sarah! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the cleanser :).
What do you use for a moisturizer?
Hey Megan, For the past few months I’ve been using an oil moisturizer. Here’s more information about using oil as a moisturizer: https://livesimply.me/2016/01/16/homemade-easy-argan-and-rosehip-oil-moisturizer/.
Thanks, Kristen, for this recipe! It saved my face. I used a couple anti-aging serums that ruined my moisture barrier and this repaired my dry, red face. Brilliant. I’m going to use for body wash next (sans castile). Thanks, again. 🙂
That’s so great, Gina! I’m so happy to hear the cleanser is working so well for you!
This cleanser leaves my face feeling greasy. Would you recommend adding some Castile soap or would it not work as well if that is added? Thank you
Hey Wendy, You definitely could add castile soap…it may help :).
I was wondering would it make a difference if I were to use aloe vera juice instead or aloe vera gel?
Hey Tahira, The cleanser will probably be very watery and may need to be refrigerated. Other than those differences, your skin will still benefit from the aloe.
Hi there, i have been using this wash, and the toner recipe for 2 weeks. I am getting quite a lot of little whiteheads, and i was wondering if this is to be expected? Or maybe this isn’t right for me?
Hey Sarah, If you’re breaking out after using a new product, it’s best to discontinue use. Maybe try just using one product to determine if there’s a specific product/ingredient that’s disagreeing your skin–like an elimination diet but for the skin. Another aspect to think about is changes in diet. When I consume too much dairy, my face always breaks out really bad.
Thanks
Hello. I. Love. Homemade soap. I. Follow. The instructions. Feel like is a litte running how I get a litre more. Think. But. I. Love it. Thanks. I. Want to. Make. More. For. Christmas for gifts
Hey Maria, The consistency will depend on your honey. The cleanser should be thick, like a gel. There’s really nothing you can add to this cleanser to create a thicker consistency.
Just to clarify, do u need to refrigerate it if u use the Aloe you recommend? That is real aloe, but not considered “fresh” aloe right? Thanks!
Correct, Sarah. The aloe sold in health and “drug” stores, although it’s real, contains natural preservatives. Freshly-cut and squeezed aloe doesn’t contain any additional ingredients to keep it preserved.
I will be trying this very soon! I wonder which oil do you think would be best for acne prone skin?
Thanks
Sandy
Hey Sandy, For acne-prone skin, I really like jojoba oil.
Could you incorporate lemon or orange into this?
Hey Sely, Do you mean lemon or orange essential oil?
No like actual orange fruit
Hey Sely, I wouldn’t recommend that. It will go bad within a day or two.
This is an awesome recipe! Would adding Vit E or a little tea tree oil provide the necessary preservative to keep the aloe fresh longer without refrigerating?
Thank you
Hey Dawn, Thank you! Vitamin E will keep the oil from going rancid, but won’t preserve the aloe. And I’m not sure if tea tree would provide enough preservative “action.” I found this tutorial: http://www.chocolatehairvanillacare.com/2012/07/preserving-and-storing-harvested-aloe.html. It looks like vitamin C may act as a preservative for fresh aloe.
Hello! I have hyperpigmentated skin and heard frankincense oil works best. Would I be able to substitute the jojoba oil for this? Thank you!
Hey Yaritza, You could add a few drops, but an essential oil isn’t the same as jojoba oil.
Ok good to know. Could you please explain to me the difference? Are essential oils not food for your face?
Yaritza,
Nourishing oils, also known as Carrier Oils since they are used to dilute and “carry” essential oils, are base oils used in balms, lotions, moisturizers, and cleansers. Essential oils are very potent. Essential oils are basically concentrated oils derived from plants. They are very, very potent so they need to be diluted (unlike carrier oils).