Simple Facial Cleanser

Simple but sophisticated homemade facial cleansers are easy, cheap and effective.

The legendary beauty Cleopatra’s famed milk baths made her skin soft and supple because milk contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs).
AHAs such as those found in milk, lemon juice, vinegar, blackberries, grapes, oranges, tomatoes and apple juice exfoliate the skin by dissolving the glue that holds dead skin cells together.

They cleanse the top layer of skin, allowing the body’s natural emollient oils to reach the surface cells and help moisturize and relieve dryness. They help cleanse oily skin and remove blackheads.

AHA chemical peels of between 20 and 70 percent acidity are
available from some doctors, but they are so strong they can leave scars, and the FDA believes that these strong peels could expose the skin to an increased risk of sunburn.

The ingredients I mention here, such as organic apple cider
vinegar, contain an all-natural AHA that you can use at home (avoid the eyes), have 7 percent acidity and are a safe and sure way to get the benefit of fruit acids without danger
to the skin (although even at this low level, you should be aware of the increased risk of sunburn).

The benefits of homemade fruit acids become evident as soon as you start using them;
your skin starts feeling soft and smooth. To my skin’s great benefit I squeeze a lemon once a week and keep its juice in the refrigerator. In the morning, I dab some of the juice on my fingers and pat it onto my face, leave it on for 10
minutes or so and then rinse.

Read more: Beauty, Skin Care

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Mary B.

12:20PM PST on Jan 26, 2012

I like the cleanser from Exfoliating Minerals, it has a lot of fruit AHA's in it and it does a great job at removing my makeup and doesn't leave any residue, I use it in conjunction with Clarisonic brush at night, together, they rock !

send a green star

Jocelyn S.

7:14AM PDT on Jun 21, 2011

My favorite good for you cleanser is by Raw Essentials! I hate putting ingredients on my body that I can't even pronounce and Raw Essentials is made with all Raw ingredients!

Vijaya D.

9:55PM PDT on Jun 10, 2011

how to live chemical free???

Sondra H.

11:27PM PDT on Oct 6, 2010

I got an awesome recipe for home-made facial mask.It is meant for sensitive skin and its purpose is to noticablly softer skin and it is said to renew surface cells and helps blotchy skin.
-Chop & process/blend Papaya
- 2 tablespoons Oatmeal
- 2 Egg whites
Pat mixture on face carefully.Wait 10 min.Spoon off.Wash with warm washcloth.
I used it tonight on myself, as well as my teenager and her friend. I found it quite refreshing.I saw noticable diference with blotches on my face, just after one use. I was told to use this mask twice a month to remove dead skin cells. I recommend it. Hope you find it beneficial as well.

NO EMAILS P.

12:46AM PDT on Aug 25, 2010

thanks for post

Hanan W.

9:00AM PDT on Aug 24, 2010

I think these are great suggestions. I have heard, however, that when you use a peel natural or chemical, it should be done at night if possible and the following day you should take measures to avoid sun exposure, if possible.

Paula P.

9:09AM PDT on Jul 22, 2010

I have used the Made from Earth Green Tea Cleanser since I was a teenager, when my mom bought it for me. Over the years I've tried many, many other cleansers and I always come back to the one from Made from Earth. So, now it is the only one I ever buy.

You can use it two different ways, either by massaging it over your face and then wiping it off with tissue or a wahcloth or rinsing it off with water. It is gentle on my dry sensitive skin and leaves it feeling soft and moisturized. It also removes my makeup, including eyeliner, mascara (unless it's waterproof), eye shadow, concealer, and face powder, with no irritation. It is very reasonably priced and a bottle lasts me a long time, usually at least 3 months.

I have recommended it to many people who comment on how great my skin looks and feels. I can't say enough good things about Made from Earth - so glad I found it!