DIY Cleansing Balm
I have a confession: I love everything about skincare except for the whole washing your face at night thing. Don’t get me wrong—I know it’s good for me, my skin, my discipline, but there have been many a night where I just can’t bring myself to get out of bed and get er done. So this is my real confession: I have a stash of makeup removing wipes in my bedside table. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Now before you call the skincare police on me. Just know that I am actively trying to change this behavior. And I know: my first mistake is getting in bed WITH a dirty face. But we are taking baby steps here people.
This is my long-winded way of telling you that I have. most likely, changed this habit for the better after discovering cleansing balms. Instead of feeling like a second rate car wash every night, with a cleansing balm, I felt like I was getting a mini spa treatment with the warm muslin washcloth and gentle scent. My skin was finally feeling more adult too—it’s like that day when you finally switch to real supplements instead of Flinstone vitamins. You did it. You’re kind of an adult now.
My favorite cleansing balm has to be Beauty Counter’s, and while I am happy to pay a higher price for cleaner beauty, I was curious to see if I could make my own balm and how effective it would be.
What the heck is oil cleansing?
Cleansing balm uses the theory of like dissolves like. It’s a simple chemistry lesson, but most bacteria cells have a lipid (fat) exterior, which means when you apply a bunch of fat (oil/butters from cleansing balm) the lipid membrane begins to dissolve. By massaging the balm into your skin and then letting it sit for a minute and rinsing with a warm to hot muslin cloth you are wiping away the grime without stripping your skin every night with harsh surfactants.
The Recipe:
So without further ado, here is the DIY Cleansing Balm recipe I used, and to my wallet’s delight, not only was it effective, the recipe(s) I combined used a lot of ingredients I already had on hand!
What You’ll Need:
2 tbsp Shea Butter
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp cocoa butter
2 tbsp vitamin e oil
4 drops bergamot essential oil
4 drop geranium essential oil
2 glass jars for storage— you can save old jars or I like these.
1 heat safe glass jar (like a Ball jar), bowl or Pyrex
Combine the shea butter, coconut oil and cocoa butter in the heat safe jar. Use the jar as a double boiler and place into a small pan filled with 2 cups of water. Gently bring the water to boil with jar in water. Stir frequently to help melt the oil and butters.
Once fully melted, gently remove jar with a pot holder from the water and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in vitamin E oil and essential oils.
Once everything is combined, pour the combination into 2 waiting jars. Allow to cool either at room temp or in the fridge. Depending on the season and the temp in your home, the cleansing balm may not harden all the way (coconut oil melts at 72 degrees). I like setting mine in the fridge just to make sure that it sets while fully mixed up.
That’s it! You did it!
FYI these measurements are pretty small—meaning that if you’re going to the trouble to make this and have a few extra jars. I’d double the recipe. That way you won’t have to make it every month!
Another note: this balm makes a great…wait for it…balm! You don’t have to always rinse it off. I put this on my chapped lips, cheeks—you name it.
Yet another note: I know I’ve said this before but ALWAYS check your skin’s reaction with essential oils before using them—especially on your face. Everyone is different! And on that final note please know that the essential oils I used are merely a suggestion, lavender, frankincense, clary sage are all amazing for your skin too. I wouldn’t recommend any warming oils like cinnamon or peppermint (technically a cooling oil), but I think you get what I’m saying.
Happy Cleansing!