I’ve been playing around with makeup recently and since this is sort of a new thing I’ve been doing lately (I sort of stopped wearing makeup for a few years), I find myself needing a way to get it off my face. It’s kind of a problem for me because I hate store bought makeup removers because they are often filled with harsh chemicals and tend to have a strong fragrance. I’ve been doing the OCM (oil cleansing method) for some time now and normally it does a great job cleansing my face, but since I’ve been experimenting a little with skincare I decided to try something new. Soap, of course, would be an obvious choice to remove make-up, but for me, it strips my skin and is a bit too harsh for my liking.
However, when I DO use soap on my face, I prefer to use African Black Soap. It’s all natural and contains gentle and nourishing ingredients like shea and cocoa butter. It’s pure, simple, effective, and non-drying. It may look like a clump of dirt but I promise it will remove your makeup and get things nice and clean. African Black Soap is also really great for acne prone skin because of its gentle cleansing properties.
Exfoliating Make-Up Remover Recipe
African Black Soap
This soap is the BEST soap for acne sufferers! It’s super gentle, non-drying, cleansing, and effective. It helps heal skin ailments like acne, eczema, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, and soothes dry dehydrated skin.
African black soap is made with antioxidant-rich ingredients that are cured in the sun before they are added to a kettle of various nourishing oils. The resulting soap then dries in the sun for two weeks before it’s broken into smaller pieces for use.
It is known for its ability to tone the skin and improve its texture over time while also healing old acne scars and hyperpigmentation.
This is the brand of African Black Soap that I use.
Moroccan Rhassoul Clay
I wanted to spruce things up a little bit to make things more interesting so I decided to add two of my favorite facial clays to the mix.
Moroccan rhassoul clay is the BEST clay to use for removing blackheads and other sticky impurities in your pores because it sucks the moisture out of them. This makes them much easier to exfoliate away. Moroccan rhassoul clay is very exfoliating on its own and will smooth a dull complexion if you massage your face after wetting it. You can read more about Rhassoul Clay here. You can buy Rhassoul Clay here.
French Green Clay
French Green Clay is really nice to use for oily skin types so I made sure to add it to this recipe. It’s also great for soothing the skin, reducing redness and of course, warding off acne breakouts. I love the oil sucking and pore closing power of French green clay.
You can read more about French Green Clay here. You can buy French Green Clay here.
Baking Soda
I added baking soda to the mix to create extra exfoliation. You can omit this ingredient if you don’t want an “exfoliating make-up remover”. It will work great without it! Also, if you plan on using this makeup remover around the eyes, I don’t recommend adding the baking soda.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil is known for its healing and anti-bacterial properties. If you have acne prone skin, this is the perfect essential oil to use for reducing breakouts.
Loving Preparation – Exfoliating Make-up Remover
- Chop up a small piece off your bar of African Black Soap
. You will need 1 TB.
- Measure out 1 TB each of the Rhassoul Clay
. (you can sub ANY clay for this recipe)
- Measure out 1 tsp of baking soda
(omit this ingredient if you want to use this on the eye area)
- Put all of the DRY ingredients into a coffee grinder
and pulse a few times
- Dump the contents into a small mason jar
- Next, add 5 drops of tea tree essential oil and mix thoroughly
- A small piece of African Black Soap
- 1TB Moroccan Rhassoul Clay
- 1TB French Green Clay
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Chop up a small piece off your bar of African Black Soap. You will need 1 TB.
- Measure out 1 TB each of the Rhassoul Clay and the French Green Clay. (you can sub ANY clay for this recipe)
- Measure out 1 tsp of baking soda
- Put all of the DRY ingredients into a coffee grinder and pulse a few times
- Dump the contents into a small mason jar
- Add the 5 drops of essential oil and mix thoroughly
- Take 1/2 a tsp or less in your hand and add a few drops of water at a time to make it easy to “lather”. I’m quoting this because this stuff really DOESN’T lather much at all. This is normal!
- Spread the remover over your face and gently massage it in. You will feel the exfoliating properties working to remove your make-up easily and effectively.
- Since this make-up remover is exfoliating, be very careful around the eye area if you plan on using it for removing eyeliner and mascara. It does work, but you need to be gentle!
- You can use this as often as you wear make-up.
How to Use The Exfoliating Make-Up Remover
Take 1/2 a tsp or less in your hand and add a few drops of water at a time to make it easy to “lather”. I’m quoting this because this stuff really DOESN’T lather much at all. This is normal!
Spread the remover over your face and gently massage it in. You will feel the exfoliating properties working to remove your make-up easily and effectively.
Since this makeup remover is exfoliating, be very careful around the eye area if you plan on using it for removing eyeliner and mascara. It does work, but you need to be VERY gentle!
You can use this as often as you wear make-up.
Follow up with a spritz of rose water
Works like a charm!
Have you ever made an exfoliating make-up remover? How did it turn out? Please share in the comments below!
You may also enjoy reading:
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Green Tea Tree Face Mask
Rejuvenating Matcha and Rose Face Mask
Homemade Skin Brightening Mask
Simple Fruit Masks for Beautiful Skin
Simple Oatmeal Face Mask for Oily Skin
5 DIY Face Mask Recipes Using Essential Oils
Thanks for offering such good content
Now that your wearing makeup occasionally I’m curious what kind your using.
I too recently returned to wearing some makeup and I am experimenting with different brands that are safe.
Thank you for all your very useful and thoughtful posts on natural skincare and recipes!
Hi Colette!
I’ve been experimenting with the brands Mineral Fusion, Gabriel, and Zuzu. You can find these at any Wholefoods Market store. So far I have liked Zuzu best because it has more color choices for different skin tones. None of them have broke me out which is a plus! I have been playing with the idea of making my own make-up so when I figure out a nice formula I’ll post about it =)
I’m so happy to hear that you find my site useful for you! Thank you!
xoxo Tash