Homemade Face Wash for Glowing Skin: 5 Easy DIY Recipes

Best for Dry Skin: Honey Aloe Face Wash
Best for Oily Skin: Tea Tree Aloe Face Wash
Best for Sensitive Skin: Oats Chamomile Face Wash
Best for Combination Skin: Green Tea Face Wash
Best for Mature Skin: Pomegranate Face Wash
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Homemade face wash for glowing skin can be an effective way to cleanse your skin without the harm of added harsh chemicals. DIY cleansers naturally sweep all the dirt and build-up on your face without drying or dehydrating it. Without the synthetic additives and toxic ingredients, they keep your skin hydrated and glowing. And the best part? You don’t have to spend a fortune to buy them.

However, if you are traumatized by the DIY recipes causing redness, irritation, or dryness, know that not every kitchen concoction deserves a place in your skincare routine. (Looking at you, lemon juice overload).

Here I am sharing five thoughtfully formulated homemade face washes with dermatologist-approved ingredients. They help clean your face and provide a natural glow while being gentle on your skin barrier.

Benefits of a Homemade Face Wash For Glowing Skin

Ingredient Control

This one is probably one of the biggest perks of a homemade cleanser. You have total control over what goes inside and can tailor it according to your skin type. It saves you hours of researching terms on and decoding ingredients on Google or IncI Decoder.

Does your skin hate heavy foam? Skip the foaming agents. Need to calm your skin? Add oats, honey, or green tea, whatever your skin prefers.  

No Harsh Chemicals

You can totally make a homemade face wash for glowing skin without harmful chemicals. Commercial cleansers may contain toxic surfactants, fragrance, alcohol, parabens, or formaldehyde-releasing agents. These additives strip your glow, damage the skin barrier, cause breakouts, and can contribute to long-term skin sensitivity.

Affordable

The heavy skincare marketing has convinced many of us that glowing skin is a luxury. And you have to pay a hefty amount to get clear, hydrated, and healthy skin.

But that is not necessarily true.

Many natural ingredients, such as honey and yogurt, provide glow-boosting properties and are easily available. When used correctly and according to your skin type, a DIY facial cleanser can be a cost-effective way to get clean, radiant skin.

Skin Benefits

DIY Face cleansers for glow can brighten dull skin, hydrate dry patches, reduce dark spots, calm redness, and improve texture. The key is to choose ingredients that support the skin barrier and target your skin concern.

Eco-Friendly

Apart from skin benefits, a homemade face wash is also kinder to the planet. With organic ingredients, biodegradable packaging, and reusable containers, you can help reduce plastic and chemical waste.

A homemade face wash for glowing skin will seamlessly fit your sustainable lifestyle.

How To Choose the Right Homemade Face Wash For Glowing Skin

Skin Type

Your skin type is the first thing to consider when formulating a DIY cleanser. If you have oily skin, lightweight ingredients like tea tree oil and clay can help control excess oil.  And for my dry-faced girlies, it is best to opt for hydrating ingredients, such as aloe vera and honey, to replenish moisture. Sensitive skin requires a clean and gentle product with calming ingredients such as oatmeal.

Another point to consider is texture and consistency. Heavy cream-based face washes can feel greasy on oily skin. Just like dry skin does not respond well to foaming or stripping formulas.

Season

As the season changes, our skincare routine should too. During summer, your skin requires lightweight, oil-controlling, and hydrating face cleansers. On the contrary, a winter skincare routine should include thick moisturizing creamy cleansers. Temperature, humidity, and wind exposure also play a role in how your skin behaves and what it requires.

How To Make A Homemade Face Wash for Glowing Skin

You need 4 major components to make a DIY face wash at home.

1) Surfactants: The Cleaner

Surfactants perform the main cleansing action. They help remove dirt and environmental pollutants from the skin’s surface. Common examples are castile soap, honey

2) Hydrator: The Moisture-Magnet

Hydrators are a component of diy cleanser that attract the moisture into the outer layer of the skin. They prevent your skin from the drying effects of surfactants. Examples are aloe vera, vegetable, and glycerine.

3. Natural Oils: The Nourishers (optional)

The carrier oils dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and sebum from your face while supporting your skin barrier. Examples are jojoba oil and almond oil.

4. Actives (optional): The Problem Solver

The actives are added to target a specific skin concern, such as acne, dullness, or hyperpigmentation. They should be used carefully, as an incorrect proportion can damage your skin barrier. Common examples are botanical extracts such as chamomile.

5 Homemade Face Washes For Glowing Skin

1. Honey Aloe Face Wash

Best for: Dry Skin

Ingredients

• Honey
• Aloe vera gel
• Avocado oil
• Vitamin E drops
• Airless pump bottle

Step-by-Step-Recipe

1. Sterilize the bottle by boiling it in water.
2. In a bowl, add honey and aloe vera, and mix until smooth.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil  and 10-12 drops of vitamin E and mix vigorously
4. Pour it into the pump bottle and store it in the fridge.

How To Use

1. Dampen your face with lukewarm water
2. Apply a dime-sized amount of cleanser to your face and gently massage in circular motion for 1 minute.
3. Wash your face, dry it, and apply a moisturizer to seal in hydration. To ensure maximum cleanliness, use it as a second cleanse after removing the stubborn makeup.

Note: Consult your doctor before using raw honey on your face if you have severe pollen allergies

Benefits
Honey works as a natural cleansing agent, helping lift impurities without stripping moisture. Its antimicrobial and gentle exfoliating properties make it the best facial cleanser for dry skin. Aloe vera is a natural humectant that draws moisture to help prevent a dry, dull complexion. Avocado oil not only dissolves sebum but also nourishes your rough, flaky skin. Lastly, Vitamin E fights against environmental stressors and prevents cell damage.

2. Tea Tree Aloe Face Wash

Best for: Oily Skin

Ingredients

• Castile soap 2 tablespoons
• Aloe Vera Gel 2 tablespoons
• Vegetable Glycerine 1 tablespoon
• Tea tree oil 4 drops
• Rose water 3 tablespoons
• Foaming pump bottle

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Mix aloe vera gel and rose water in a bowl until they are nicely  combined
2. Add vegetable glycerin and stir until evenly blended.
3. Next, add 4 drops of tea tree oil.
4. Slowly add the castile soap last and gently mix to avoid aggressive bubbles.
5. Pour the mixture into the pump bottle using a funnel. Leave about half an inch of space at the top for shaking.
6. Refrigerate and use within 7-10 days.

How to use

1. Dampen your face.
2. Dispense a small amount into your hand and gently massage onto your face for 30-40 seconds.
3. Focus on the oily areas: T-zone, chin, and nose
4. Rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, and moisturize

Note: You can adjust the measurement depending on how your skin responds. But make sure to dilute castile soap to balance its alkaline pH.

Benefits
Castile soap is a plant-based soap made from olive, coconut oil, or other plant oils, rather than synthetic detergents. It removes all the sebum and pore-clogging oils from your face. Castile soap can be drying and can lead to rebound oiliness, so it is balanced with aloe vera and glycerine. Aloe vera has soothing and hydrating effects, while glycerin retains moisture to prevent dry skin. Rose water has antioxidant properties and also tones the skin. Tea tree oil fights pimple-causing bacteria and inflammation.

3. Oats Chamomile Face Wash

Best For: Sensitive Skin

Ingredients

• Strained oat water 2 tablespoons
• Pure aloe vera gel 3 tablespoons
• Honey 1 tablespoon
• Chamomile tea 2 tablespoons

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Soak 2 tablespoons of rolled oats in warm water for 20-30 minutes. Strain the oats using a sieve or muslin cloth. Measure 4 tablespoons of oat water.
2. Brew a strong cup of chamomile tea. Let it cool and strain. Measure 2 tablespoons
3. Mix aloe vera gel and honey in a bowl until smooth
4. Add chamomile tea and stir
5. Slowly add the oat water and mix to combine everything
6. Transfer it into a clean pump bottle
7. Refrigerate and use within 10 days.

How To Use

1. Shake gently before each use.
2. Pump 1–2 pumps onto damp hands.
3. Massage onto a damp face for 30 seconds.
4. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Note: Skip chamomile if you are allergic to ragweed or similar plants.

Benefits
Oat soothes irritation and supports your skin’s natural barrier, and aloe vera hydrates and calms skin. Chamomile reduces redness, and honey gently cleanses, making this a perfect homemade face wash for glowing skin, suitable for sensitive skin.

4. Green Tea Face Wash

Best For: Combination Skin

Ingredients

• Brewed Green Tea 2 tablespoons
• Aloe vera gel 4 tablespoons
• Glycerin 1/2 teaspoon
• Raw honey 1 teaspoon
• Rose water 1 teaspoon (optional for fragrance)

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Brew a cup of green tea and let it completely cool. Strain and measure 3 tablespoons
2. In a bowl, add honey and aloe vera and mix
3. Add glycerine and mix gently to combine
4. Pour in the green tea and gently mix until blended
5. Transfer to the pump bottle using a funnel.
6. Refrigerate and use within 7 days

Note:
You can adjust the consistency by increasing or decreasing the aloe according to your liking. If your T-zone is very oily, apply a clay mask 1-2 times a week on the nose, chin, and around the forehead.

How To Use
This homemade face wash for glowing skin works best when used as a gentle morning cleanser or a second cleanse after removing makeup.

• Take 1-2 pumps and massage onto a damp face for a minute, focusing on oily areas.
• Wash with lukewarm water and pat dry
• Moisturize.

Benefits
Green tea helps control oil in the T-zone, aloe hydrates without being greasy, honey gently cleanses, and rose water tones and balances skin. This combination creates an effective homemade face wash for glowing skin that works well for people with combination skin.

5. Pomegranate Face Wash

Best For: Mature/Aging Skin

Ingredients

• Castile Soap: 2 teaspoons
• Pomegranate Seed Oil 2 teaspoon
• Honey 1 tablespoon
• Aloe vera gel 2 tablespoons
• Rose water 1-2 teaspoons (optional)

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. In a bowl, mix honey and aloe vera gel.
2. Add pomegranate seed oil
3. Slowly mix in Castile soap and rose water. Stir gently to prevent bubbles.
4. Pour in the pump bottle
5. Refrigerate and use within 10 days. Shake gently before each use.

How To Use

1. Massage 1-2 pumps on a damp face for a minute
2. Wash with lukewarm water
3. Pat dry and apply moisturizer.

Benefits
This Pomegranate face wash is a gentle option to bring a youthful glow to mature skin. Pomegranate seed oil has anti-aging properties due to the presence of punicic acid, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. Aloe vera hydrates skin while honey gently cleanses and exfoliates. Diluted castile soap will mildly lather and wash away dirt, without stripping moisture.

Tips For Using a Homemade Face Wash For Glowing Skin

• Pach test before using a DIY face wash or any DIY recipe for face/skin. Do not use if there is any redness or itching.
• Make small batches only. It can be risky to keep a homemade face cleanser for too long because it lacks any chemical preservatives.
• Refrigerate the product to help slow down microbial growth
• Use an airless pump bottle instead of a jar. Dipping fingers into jars can introduce bacteria and contaminate the product.
• Discard immediately  if  color, smell, or texture changes
• Shake well before use. The natural ingredients could settle down without a chemical emulsifier.
• Sterilize the bottle and utensils before preparing the batch.

FAQs