This powder face wash is a natural face cleaner made of “cleansing grains” and other beneficial ingredients that make this an amazing powder face cleanser.
I’ve been blessed with fairly trouble-free skin all my life. But this doesn’t mean I don’t stress about what I can use that’s best for my particular skin type. I know I need to take good care of it if I want to continue having clear, healthy skin.
Powder Face Wash?
A few years ago I was browsing the beauty aisle of my local health food store and stumbled on Cleansing Grains. It was just as it sounds, grains that were blended up with a few other ingredients to make a powdery facial cleanser. Honestly, it sounded to me like something hippies would use. But I had all the ingredients in my kitchen so I decided to do some experimenting when I got home.
When combined with a tiny bit of water, cleansing grains create a soothing paste to use as a homemade facial cleanser. It’s pretty fabulous. And it’s not just for hippies; lately, I’ve been seeing some of the high-end beauty brands advertising cleansing grains as a wonderful way to keep skin soft, healthy, and moisturized.
What’s wrong with using soap on your face?
Most facial washes are soap-based and strip the skin of its own beneficial oils. This can cause imbalances and underlying skin issues over time – dry skin gets drier and oily skin overcompensates by producing too much oil.
Cleansing grains are suitable for all skin types and gentle enough for daily use. The simple blend of clay, oats, and soothing botanicals will naturally cleanse, soothe, and soften skin. As you use cleansing grains you’ll notice an improved tone and texture in your skin as they help retain the balance of moisture and gently exfoliate.
Powder Face Cleanser for All Skin Types
Here is a rundown of the ingredients and their benefit/purpose in this powder face wash:
Oats – Cleansing, soothing, and moisturizing.
Clay – Helps tighten skin, absorbs/removes toxins, and makes skin smooth.
Almonds – A slight exfoliant that helps make skin smooth.
Dried Flowers – Rose, lavender, and calendula flowers were chosen for their healing, soothing, and moisturizing properties.
Lavender Essential Oil – Lavender is the most versatile oil and perfect for any skin type, including dry, sensitive, acne-prone, irritated and inflamed, or oily.
Powder Face Wash Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup whole oats
- ¼ cup bentonite clay, or kaolin clay for very sensitive skin (find clays here)
- 2 tablespoons almonds
- 1 tablespoon dried flowers – use one or a combination of the following: rose petals, lavender flowers, calendula flowers (where to find rose petals, lavender flowers, calendula flowers)
- 10 drops lavender essential oil (find it here)
Directions
- To begin making your powder face wash, grind oats, almonds, and dried flowers in a coffee/spice grinder until finely powdered. Sift through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any large pieces.
- In a glass or wooden bowl combine powdered mixture with clay and essential oil. Mix well with a wooden or plastic spoon. (Note: Clay loses some of its beneficial properties when it comes into contact with metal, so always choose non-metal bowls and utensils when mixing these cleansing grains.)
- Store in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid that is non-metal. A glass spice jar with shaker top works well. Label jar and store in a cool place.
To Use as a Daily Facial Cleanser
Combine about ½ – 1 teaspoon of powder face wash in the palm of your hand with several drops of water – enough to make a thin paste. (Any water introduced into the jar will cause grains to go bad – this is why a shaker top is perfect. You can also dip into grains with a clean, dry wooden or plastic scoop to extend the shelf life.) Massage onto wet skin (avoiding eyes), then rinse with water.
To Use as a Weekly Mask
For a mask, mix a few teaspoons of the powder face cleanser with a little water – enough to make a thick paste. Massage onto skin and leave for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water before the mask dries on your face.
For an extra treat, you can replace the water in this mask with pure aloe vera gel, flower water (aka hydrosol), honey, yogurt, milk, or herbal tea!
Have you ever used a powder face wash like this? If so, how did they work? Share with us in the comments section!
You may also be interested in our liquid homemade face wash recipe.
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Lonita says
I’m excited to try something new. I can’t find any thing from the store that helps my skin type. I’ve learned that if I can’t eat it it’s probably not good for you, will most of the time. I was wondering if diatomaceous earth would be ok to put on the face. I use it for natural dewormer. Its high in silica
Betsy Jabs says
Hi Lonita,
That’s a good question…I’m familiar with using DE for many things, but not as a beauty care product. If you do a little digging around and find an answer to this, please be sure to let us know what you find!
McDonna says
This is a really good article. I have been looking for information like this for natural skin care. The original Mary Kay facial mask was ground oatmeal that was mixed with egg whites or lemon juice, depending on whether one had dry or oily skin. (Yes, I am that old that I remember when it was cutting edge skin care out of the pink jar!)
Betsy Jabs says
Glad you found this useful! I find it so funny that great skin care is so simple, yet the cosmetics industry has made it so complicated over the years. 🙂
Anthony says
This is the best article I have ever read. Please send me articles like this. They can help someone somewhere a lot.
Ruth Lewis says
I have used just finely ground oatmeal mixed with water to make a thin paste as a face wash for years. It leaves my skin clean and moist. I am interested to try adding these other ingredients. thanks for the recipe.
Khady Thiam says
I haven’t used grains to exfoliate my skin before, but baking soda works well. I mix some with castile soap, and my skin feels so smooth afterward. It’s a lot better for the skin than store-bought cleansers. Great article!
Kelly says
I think it is important to know that this face wash may not be safe for pregnant and nursing moms as the clay container has a disclaimer that led occurs naturally in the product. The amount of lead can be argued as minimal, but still important to note.
poormuggle says
Should one add a couple drops GSE as a preservative? Seems like a good idea.
For nut allergy, how about pumpkin or sunflower seeds. If seeds are an issue, i would think leaving it out all together – and perhaps increasing the grains or herbs would be fine.
Betsy Jabs says
I wouldn’t add GSE to this since it’s not truly a natural product. (You can see more here: http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2010/1/27/the-truth-about-grapefruit-seed-extract.html)
Also, it’s just not necessary as long as no water is introduced to the cleansing grains.
Pumpkin or sunflower seeds would be great as a replacement for almonds!
romilla says
i have used oatmeal and basil powder
mixed with a little fatfree milk or water as facewash.
the same can be used as a mask. when using as mask add a little honey.
it work wonders for me.
Jordan says
Any suggestions for replacing the almonds? I’m looking for something non-nut due to allergies. Thanks! 🙂
Betsy Jabs says
Sure, you could grind up some flax seeds to replace the almonds!
Cheryl says
Fabulous! I’ve been looking for a gentle, natural facial scrub that won’t damage my sensitive skin. I have most of the ingredients in my home. Have to look for the dried flowers though as Mt. Rose Herbs is currently out of stock.
Betsy Jabs says
Oh nuts! Try the Bulk Herb Store online or your local health food store.
Amber says
Nice! I have all of this stuff so I’ll try it today. I love lavender!