You could say I’ve always been a skincare fanatic. I started using anti-wrinkle creams in my early twenties because I was concerned about getting wrinkles, and have always kept up with the latest skincare products. I also felt that good skin was important so I never skimped on my products and spent lots of money on skincare lines like Clinique, Estee Lauder, and Philosophy. This all changed this past year as I’ve taken a more natural, as well as frugal, strategy on my skincare routine and started making my own products. I’ve been really happy with the results, so I thought I’d share my life-changing DIY Charcoal Facial Cleanser recipe with you today.
A few years ago, I was excited to receive a gift card for my birthday, and quickly booked a facial at a local salon. I had been having issues with my skin because it was going through a transition. My dry skin had become very oily and I wasn’t sure what to do next. The lady told me my skin was congested, so she did a treatment and some extractions on my skin. Next, she suggested I try a line of products created for acne-prone skin, so after some research I took her advice and bought the trial kit.
I can not express to you in words what a HUGE mistake this was for me. The products zapped all moisture from my skin, so my skin reacted by producing more oil, which resulted into a big oily mess. It took me a while to figure out the cause because everyone told me my skin was purging itself. This was devastating for me, and I tried everything I could to clear up my skin. Even the BB cream I was using just trapped oil in all day, so when I washed my face at night it felt like an oil slick. That’s when I started doing some research.
I decided to try a more natural approach to my skincare routine. This was a big adjustment for me since I was used to doing chemical peels and slathering on AHA lotions, but I’m so glad I made the change. It took a few weeks, but my skin cleared up tremendously. I now wash my face morning and night with homemade cleansers, followed with a homemade toner, and I moisturize with grapeseed oil. I will tell you more about these on the blog later, but today I’m focusing on my favorite. It’s an easy DIY charcoal facial cleanser made with coconut oil. This cleanser is supposed to be similar to Lush’s Coalface Cleanser, but since I haven’t tried it I can not support that claim. I just know that it works for me!
For this cleanser you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of Organic Coconut Oil
- 6 Activated Charcoal Capsules or 1 1/2 tsp of Activated Charcoal Powder
- 2 Tablespoons of Pure Baking Soda
- 5 Drops of Lavender Oil
- 5 Drops of Rosemary Oil
Directions:
The first step is to break open the charcoal tablets. This can be messy because the power spreads easily, so be careful! I gently pulled the capsules apart with my fingers and emptied them into a small container. You can find activated charcoal at health stores or pharmacies like The Vitamin Shoppe. Charcoal has been known to purge the skin of impurities and helps clear up blemishes.
Next, mix the coconut oil, baking soda, and charcoal powder together in a small bowl. It is best for the coconut oil to be in a liquid state before mixing. Do you know the benefits of coconut oil for your skin? It is super hydrating and is also great at removing makeup. The baking soda in the recipe acts as a mild exfoliant.
Now, add the essential oils and mix well. Once everything is mixed up properly, pour it into a container of your choice.
This DIY charcoal facial cleanser works on the oil cleansing method, so don’t be scared if your skin is oily. This will actually help it! To use, just use a warm, wet washcloth to moisten your face. Next, massage a small amount all over your skin. Don’t worry, this removes makeup, too! I leave mine on for a few minutes, just so it seeps in and really gets to work. Then use your washcloth to remove the cleanser from your skin. This will leave your skin moisturized, so you can stop here if you’d like. I usually use a toner and moisturize afterward since I’m obsessed with skincare…remember?
So far I’ve been really happy with the results of this cleanser. Now I just get the normal monthly hormonal breakouts, but they are very minimal compared to what I was used to! I hope you’ve enjoyed this post, and will consider trying a natural skincare routine. Do some research like I did, and I guarantee you’ll think twice about using some of your current products after looking at their ingredients. If you decide to give this DIY charcoal facial cleanser a try, let me know your thoughts. I always love to hear from my readers. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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