This simple, natural face wash made with goat milk soap is easy to whip up, inexpensive, and nourishing for all skin types!
Goat milk soap has been part of my chemical-free skincare routine for quite some time now, and I am SO thankful to be done with commercial cleansers. Not only did they cause my skin to break out, but they were so expensive!
Just one small bottle of natural skin cleanser would be $7-8, and that’s on sale with a coupon!
Quality goat milk soap is a few bucks less, AND it really lasts a long time. Just one bar can last over 3 months! It is also great for those who have:
- Oily skin
- Sensitive skin
- Dry skin
- Acne-prone skin
- Combination skin
That’s why it was the obvious choice to make a natural face wash at home.
THE BEST FACIAL CLEANSER
Goat’s milk soap is hands down the best facial cleanser. I love it because it’s:
- Frugal. It’s cheaper than other natural cleansing face wash options.
- Simple. There’s no need to add a long list of fancy ingredients or fragrances, and no harsh chemicals are involved.
- Nourishing. No matter your skin type, goat’s milk soap is a great choice!
- Scent-free…or not! You can leave it fragrance-free and just smell clean and fresh, or add essential oils for a lightly scented homemade cleanser.
The only downside to goat milk soap is that it comes in a bar. When I’m in the shower, bar soap is just fine. It stays on a little drying rack when it’s not in use, and it’s really easy to get a good lather.
Washing my face at the sink with bar soap is a different story. Prying the soap off the counter, trying to avoid getting my pajama sleeves wet, doing a weird elbows-in-the-air dance…it’s not a fun process.
I don’t know if there’s any solution to the wet pajama sleeve issue. But today, I can offer a simple tutorial for turning your favorite bar soap into a homemade face cleanser, thus eliminating the stuck-to-the-counter-forever bar soap.
HOMEMADE NATURAL FACE CLEANSER SUPPLIES
To make facial cleanser at home, you need two natural ingredients and just a few supplies.
- Goat Milk Bar Soap. This is my brand recommendation, and here’s why I recommend goat milk soap.
- Filtered Water. To make the natural cleanser a liquid instead of a bar. Using filtered water or distilled water helps prevent bacteria and mineral buildup.
- Cheese Grater. To get the bar soap into tiny pieces.
- Saucepan. Not the small one, and not the big one – pick one in the middle.
- Storage Container with a Pump. I recommend reusing what you already have – mine previously held hand soap.
- Small Funnel. Or use a measuring glass with a pouring spout.
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- SOAP35 saves 5% on orders that are $35 or more
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HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE NATURAL FACE WASH
Follow these simple instructions to make your own gentle cleanser.
Step 1. Using a cheese grater, grate soap until you have approximately ¼ cup of soap shavings (semi-packed – you don’t want them loose, but not jam-packed either). This will be approximately ⅙ of the bar.
Step 2. In a medium saucepan, combine the water and soap shavings.
Step 3. Heat the soap and water over low heat until the soap is dissolved, for approximately 5 minutes.
Step 4. Allow the dissolved soap to slowly cool to room temperature. This could take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the temperature of your home.
Step 5. As the mixture cools, it will turn gelatinous and reduce in volume. Pick up the pan by the handle and gently swirl the mixture until it loosens a bit and thins.
Alternatively, you can use a spoon to stir the mixture, or even an immersion blender to puree the mixture into a very smooth soap.
Note: The more rigorously you stir the mixture, the more bubbles you will get. Swirling the pan results in the least amount of bubbles (seen below). Using an immersion blender will result in the most bubbles.
Bubbles won’t affect the cleansing ability of the soap, but they are difficult to pour and take up more room in a dispenser, allowing less room for the actual soap. The bubbles will slowly go away, taking a few hours to a few days to revert back to soap.
Until then, you might need an extra pump of soap in order to get enough liquid to adequately lather when you wash.
Step 6. When the soap is cooled, use either a funnel or a measuring cup with a pouring spout to pour the soap into a container.
I typically use this amount of natural face wash in two to four weeks. Then it’s time to mix up another batch!
HOMEMADE FACIAL CLEANSER TIPS
- Many homemade facial cleanser formulas suggest adding glycerin to help achieve that silky smooth texture we’ve grown accustomed to in liquid soap. Handmade soap already contains a small amount of glycerin, and I didn’t find that this homemade face wash needed any additional silkiness.
- If you’re starting with unscented soap, you can add a few drops of essential oils**. Lavender essential oil would be a great addition, as would frankincense.
- Follow up your natural face wash with skincare products like Face Serum with Essential Oils or Tinted Moisturizer.
**Note: I really like Plant Therapy essential oils. You can find their shop here.
NATURAL FACIAL CLEANSER FAQS
How can I wash my face without soap?
For a thorough wash, you can wash your face with this natural facial cleanser recipe. For a quick wash, you can use a warm washcloth and massage your face, however that may not get all the impurities off, especially if you wear make up. You can also use yogurt, raw honey, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice to get the dirt off. Cleansing oils like coconut oil, avocado oil, and castor oil are great oil cleansers too.
Is it better to wash your face with your hands or a towel?
When using a towel to wash your face for exfoliation, you need to use a new one after each use. You can also use your hands. I’d say it’s a personal preference.
Does natural face wash separate?
You may find that the DIY facial cleanser separates into layers after sitting for a while, since there are no emulsifiers added to keep it mixed. Gently tip the bottle over in your hands a few times to remix it before using.
Why should you wash your face in the morning?
According to Good Housekeeping, you should wash your face in the morning shortly after you wake up, since bacteria accumulate while you are resting at night.
MORE NATURAL SKINCARE RECIPES
- Natural Makeup Remover
- Homemade Tinted Moisturizer
- Detox Face Mask with Charcoal and Clay
- Homemade Shaving Cream
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This simple, natural face wash made with goat milk soap is easy to whip up, inexpensive, and nourishing for all skin types!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 container 1x
- Category: Skincare & Beauty
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 bar of your favorite goat milk soap (my brand recommendation)
- 1 ½ cups filtered water
Equipment
- cheese grater
- 1 medium saucepan (not the small one, and not the big one – pick one in the middle)
- storage container with a pump (I recommend re-using what you already have)
- small funnel or a measuring glass with a pouring spout
Instructions
1. Using a cheese grater, grate soap until you have approximately ¼ cup of soap shavings. This will be approximately ⅙ of the bar.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine water and soap shavings.
3. Heat soap and water over low heat until the soap is dissolved, for approximately 5 minutes.
4. Allow the dissolved soap to slowly cool to room temperature. This could take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the temperature of your home.
5. As the mixture cools, it will turn gelatinous and reduce in volume. Pick up the pan by the handle and gently swirl the mixture until it loosens a bit and thins. Alternatively, you can use a spoon to stir the mixture, or even an immersion blender to puree the mixture into a very smooth soap.
6. When the soap is cooled, use either a funnel or a measuring cup with a pouring spout to pour the soap into a container.
Notes
The more rigorously you stir the mixture, the more bubbles you will get. Swirling the pan results in the least amount of bubbles (seen below). Using an immersion blender will result in the most bubbles. Bubbles won’t affect the cleansing ability of the soap, but they are difficult to pour and take up more room in a dispenser allowing less room for the actual soap. The bubbles will slowly go away, taking a few hours to a few days to revert back to soap. Until then, you might need an extra pump of soap in order to get enough liquid to adequately lather when you wash.
Hello! Can this facial wash be put into a foaming style dispenser? Thanks!
I haven’t tried it, but I would say yes, it would just need to be diluted with water like any other liquid soap. Most foaming soap dispensers have lines that show how much soap then water to put in.
Hello, can I use dehydrated goats milk for the DIY facial cleanser?
Hi Daniella,
We have only used goat’s milk soap for this recipe, and not goat’s milk. If you try that, let us know how it comes out! 🙂
Where can I find facial moisturizer and wrinkle creams?
Hello Marcela!
I would suggest this post for more info as well. https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/diy-homemade-face-lotion-bar-plus-a-review-of-the-natural-skincare-books-in-the-uhl-bundle/
Hope this helps. 🙂
Hi there!
I followed the recipe but unfortunately when the mixture cooled down, it was still “liquidy”. I reheated it and added more soap shavings, but the same thing happened. It’s literally like colored water. Please help! What am I doing wrong?!
Hi Isabelle! Did you start with goat milk soap from Bend Soap Company?
Hello i have made this and mine separated after a time. It was ok at first using but then the water and soap separated.
This will happen since there’s no artificial emulsifier. I’ve found that gently tipping it over in my hand a few times (like shaking, but gently!) every now and then will fix it.
I am planning to make your Liquid Goats Milk Soap. I was just on the Bend Soap Company website. Amazing operation and the quality is what I’m looking for. Thank you for your recommendation. However, just for information, the Shredded Goats Milk Soap by the pound is now $17.95 and the 7 oz. bath size is $9.95.
I appreciate the update Susan!
Hi.. I am impressed a lot on ur home made face wash. I would like to prepare too. Could you please let me know about water measurement… waiting for your response.
Thank you
Hi! I was wondering if I could do this technique with African Black Soap? I
I’m no sure Tiana, I’ve never tried that soap before!
I made this and put it into a pump container thing and it become all like gelatin, how can I fix it?
Alina – does it pump at all? Mine is definitely thick, but it still pumps… If it doesn’t, put it back in a pot, bring it to medium heat and add more water until it’s your desired texture.
Hi! I am interested in making this soap and wondering how it would do if I added witch hazel for acne? What are your thoughts? I am making felted face washing pads out of alpaca fiber and this liquid soap seems like it would be a perfect pairing.
I’m not sure Denell – I’ve never added witch hazel before!
Have you ever tried using Bend Soaps oatmeal honey soap this way? Would it be possible with the oats in it??
Hi Lorac! I haven’t tested that particular scent – we use that one only in the tub. 🙂 It might be possible with the oats, but I’d personally use a different bar, just in case.
Do you think this would work equally as well as a liquid hand soap? Thank you!!
Yes it will Rebecca!
Hi Tiffany, I can see that you do not use any preservative, but preparing with water.
I have read that it could be damaging for our skin and health because of the possibility of bacterias and moho growing.
Could you tell me please your experience?.
I already have made 2 diy recipes with just few water and/or aloe vera gel, and in my experience they both got damage in one week!.
On the other hand, sadely in my town (Ecuador, South America) it is not possible to find a natural preservative :(. Then, I am looking for an alternative to continue making my own natural cosmetics. I hope you can help me, thanks.
Hi! Have you tried distilled water or water you brought to a Boil? You have no bacteria or microbes in these two kinds of Waters.
Swing K Farm in Oklahoma sell goat milk products. You can find them at http://swingingkfarm.com. They are very nice people. Meet them at the Farmer’s Market in Oklahoma.
Sorry for the English, I guess it’s too early in the morning. “sells goat milk products” and “Met them ….”
I make cold process soap and noticed your comment about an immersion blender causing the most bubbles. Try the soap maker’s trick :)…”burp” the blender by tapping it on the bottom of the container to release the air bubbles (they will come to the top) and then try blending. I bet you will get much better results :).
Just as I suspected…the goat milk soap from Bend Soap contains coconut oil, which is highly comedogenic (pore clogging).
https://www.beneficialbotanicals.com/facts-figures/comedogenic-rating.html
Van – everyone’s skin reacts differently to different ingredients. Some people may have issues with coconut oil, but I have used it exclusively as a moisturizer for almost 3 years now and it – along with Bend Soap Company’s soap – has helped to HEAL my acne-prone skin! Oddly, argan oil is listed as a 0 on your list, as “will not clog pores,” and it made my skin break out horribly after trying it for a few weeks.
If you react to coconut oil, then don’t use it. But bear in mind that not everyone’s skin is created equal. 🙂
Tooling around on this site being a natural product junkie, I naturally found myself reading comments checking others’ experiences with this soap. I’ve been using essential oils and carrier oils for years but I don’t have much experience with milk soaps. For the sake of expanding my natural product game I believe I’ll be making this to use as the second step of my two-step cleanse. As far as oils breaking out the skin… Uh-uh. I use oils to cleanse my skin. I use oils to moisturize my skin. Masks? Haha… I’ve got an oil blend for that. I’ve been using oils as the foundation of both my cleansing and cosmetic (yep, make-up) regimen for a couple of years now and my skin has never been better. There’s actually a long list of oils that are wonderful for the skin and do not cause my skin (or those that use the same oils and recipes made from those oils) to breakout including hemp, coconut avacado, argan, primrose, jojoba, rosehip, almond, apricot kernel, carrot seed, grapeseed (closely mimics skin’s natural oils), tamanu, rapeseed, even olive oil and freaking castor oil. Now, skin may go through an adjustment perioid. But this myth that oil is thge enemy of healthy, gloiwing, flawless skin is a lie perpetuated to sell expensive products laden with synthetic compounds and chemicals. Don’t be fooled.
Hey! I love your DIY recipes! Could I use this soap for the lady parts as well or what would you recommend instead? I moved here only recently and I am not satisfied with the ingredients in the feminine wash but using only water is neither something I wanna do on a regular basis. Do you have any recommendations? Thank you
Hello there! Where to begin… congrats on all of your work! I’ m a 22 year old with hormonal acne and hormonal issues altogeher, lol! I come from Greece and being a really low budget student I was so happy to come across your site! I just wanted to ask… if I manage to get my hands on it… do you think it would be ok to use any kind of dairy milk soap on my face? My dermatologist has suggested I cut back on dairy as the hormones in milk might cause more trouble. Please excuse my ignorance… I m really trying to find something effective and safe. P.S. a lot of people here in Greece seem to be super excited about donkey milk soaps and creams etc… have you tried that?
Hormones in milk…are you referring to added hormones or naturally occurring? If you’re referring to added hormones, then you should be able to use an organic milk.
Van – it’s illegal to add hormones to dairy milk. The only hormones that are present are the naturally occurring ones.
It might be illegal to add Hormones but all animals except maybe organic ones get hormone shots to grow quickly and produce more meat and milk. If you buy non organic you definitely also absorb the grow- Hormones and other nasty stuff. Your skin only needs a few seconds to absorb the stuff you put on your skin and bring it to your bloodstream. Hormones as well.