Quick outline
- My skin and goals
- Three DIY face washes I actually used
- Real results: week by week notes
- What I’d keep, what I’d skip
- Tips that saved my face barrier
- Final take
My skin, my rules (well, sort of)
I’ve got combo skin. My T-zone gets shiny by lunch, but my cheeks act dry—especially in winter. I get tiny whiteheads on my chin if a product is too heavy. I run in the mornings, and I live in a place with hard water. So I wanted a face wash that felt clean, not tight.
I told myself I’d try homemade for one month. No fancy spa tools. Just a kitchen scale, a spoon, and a few squeeze bottles.
For the full photo diary and precise ratios I logged, you can peek at the 30-day breakdown I shared on Service Center Team.
Here’s the thing: I thought DIY would be a sticky mess. And yes, one thing was sticky. But a couple recipes really surprised me.
The three DIY face washes I actually used
I rotated these depending on the day and weather. Not perfect science, but it felt real. If you’re on the hunt for even more ideas, this comprehensive guide on natural cleansers breaks down DIY face wash recipes by skin type so you can match a formula to oily, dry, or combination skin.
1) Gentle Foaming Castile Wash (daily go-to)
- In a 200 ml foaming pump:
- 1 tbsp Dr. Bronner’s unscented castile soap
- 1 tsp vegetable glycerin
- 180 ml distilled water
- 1 tsp aloe vera juice (food grade)
- Shake gently.
How it felt: soft foam, not squeaky. No strong smell. Rinsed clean even after sunscreen (yes, even the homemade kind I tested). My husband tried it on his beard and said, “Not harsh. No itch.” Small win.
That comment sent me down a rabbit hole about DIY hair cleansers, and I later found a clarifying shampoo recipe that actually works.
What went wrong once: I used tap water. It went cloudy in a week and smelled off. I tossed it. Distilled water only—learned fast.
Best for: sweaty days, makeup days, or after a run.
2) Honey + Aloe Cleanser (morning chill)
- In a squeeze bottle:
- 2 tbsp raw honey (local clover)
- 1 tbsp aloe vera gel (no dyes)
- 1 tsp jojoba oil (optional for dry spots)
How it felt: warm, a bit sticky at first, then it thinned with water. My skin didn’t feel stripped. No burning. I massaged it on damp skin for 60 seconds. Turns out the combo’s soothing effect isn’t just anecdotal—this article on the benefits of honey and aloe vera in skincare highlights their moisturizing and antibacterial punch.
Odd perk: It calmed my red nose after a windy day. I don’t love sticky, but I loved the finish.
Best for: winter mornings or travel when your skin freaks out.
3) Oat + Yogurt “Reset” Cleanser (twice a week)
- In a small bowl:
- 1 tbsp very fine oat flour (I blitz rolled oats)
- 1 tbsp plain yogurt (full fat)
- 1 tsp brewed green tea (cooled)
How it felt: creamy, cool, a tiny bit scrubby if I rushed. I let it sit 1 minute and rinsed. Skin looked soft and felt bouncy. I wouldn’t use this daily—it can be too much.
Warning from my face: if you leave it on too long, it tingles. Not scary, just don’t wander off to fold laundry like I did.
Mini trials that didn’t win the week
- Rice water cleanser: Pretty at first, then it smelled weird after two days. Also, my cheeks felt tight. I let it go.
- Apple cider vinegar toner after washing: Even diluted 1:10 with water, it made my chin cranky. A small cluster of bumps popped up by Friday. I stopped and they calmed down.
You know what? Simple was safer for me.
Real results: week by week
- Week 1: One tiny whitehead near my lip—might’ve been sunscreen, not the wash. The foaming castile held up after runs. No tight cheeks.
- Week 2: Swapped morning wash to honey + aloe. My redness eased. My niece borrowed it and said, “It smells like tea.” It didn’t, but I’ll take the compliment.
- Week 3: Tried oat + yogurt after a dusty hike. Skin looked smooth. I skipped it the next day to avoid overdoing it. If only my scalp felt as fresh—DIY scalp scrubs are a whole other adventure.
- Week 4: Cold snap. I added 1 drop more glycerin to the foaming wash. Felt better. No flakes around my nose.
I did get one random jawline pimple after we went out for hot wings. I’m not blaming the cleanser for that one.
What I’d keep and why
-
Keep: Gentle Foaming Castile Wash
It’s basic, cheap, and steady. Removes sunscreen without drama. -
Keep: Honey + Aloe
Great when my face feels stressed. Low scent, nice slip. -
Use less: Oat + Yogurt
Lovely, but treat it like a soft mask—not a daily wash. -
Skip: Daily ACV anything
My barrier said no. Yours might too.
The messy bits nobody mentions
- Bottles matter. A foaming pump makes castile feel fancy and stops me from over-pouring.
- If you need a step-by-step visual on how to sanitize bottles and pumps before mixing, the tutorial over at Service Center Team is clear and beginner-friendly.
- Distilled water kept mixes fresher. I tossed any batch after 2 weeks just to be safe.
- Essential oils? I tried 1 drop of tea tree once. My eyes watered. Never again for cleansers.
- Patch test: I dabbed new stuff on my jawline at night. If it didn’t itch or redden by morning, I used it.
Little pro-ish tips that helped me
- Remove makeup first with a tiny bit of sweet almond oil, then wash. Less rubbing, fewer clogged pores.
- Rinse with lukewarm water. Hot water made my cheeks mad.
- Moisturize right away. I used a plain ceramide cream after washing. Simple stacks well with DIY.
Cost and time, because I count both
- Castile mix: costs very little per bottle and takes 1 minute. Lasts about 2 weeks.
- Honey + aloe: costs more, but you use less. Takes 30 seconds to mix.
- Oat + yogurt: costs pennies; takes 2 minutes; feels spa-like without the bill.
I did spend one Saturday cleaning paste off my sink. Worth it? Mostly.
Speaking of affordable indulgences, once I’d nailed my skincare basics I started looking for other little luxuries that make a night-in feel like a full spa session. A multifunctional personal massager like the Tryst Aurora by Doc Johnson — check it out here — comes with body-safe silicone, multiple vibration modes, and a flexible design that can turn a simple self-care evening into a head-to-toe relaxation ritual.
If budgeting for skincare feels like its own sport and you’ve ever joked about letting a generous partner sponsor your next beauty haul, you might get a kick out of How to Find a Sugar Daddy—the guide breaks down where to meet potential benefactors, how to manage expectations, and the safety steps to follow if you decide someone else can foot the bill for your self-care experiments.
Who this might help
- Folks with combo or normal skin who want gentle daily washing.
- Dry skin friends in winter who need a soft morning cleanse.
- Teens who want simple, non-perfume stuff (my niece liked the foam best).
If you have lots of acne or skin conditions, a dermatologist can steer you better. DIY isn’t a cure. It’s just a kinder wash.
Final take
I went in thinking DIY face wash would be a sticky headache. I came out with two keepers I’ll make again: the foaming castile for everyday, and the honey gel for calm mornings. They’re simple, steady, and kind to my skin barrier. Not magic—just solid.
Would I buy a store cleanser again? Sure. But now I’ve got easy backups that actually work. And honestly, that feels pretty good.