If you are concerned about lathering your face with chemicals every night you are not alone. There seems to be some sort of movement toward using natural alternatives and some people are even reporting that they are more effective than their chemical counterparts.
We looked at 35 of the most popular natural face wash products on the market worldwide and compared their natural credentials, their short and long term use, their ingredients for any use of known harmful chemicals, and their field rating to find the Best Natural Face Wash product for every day use.
Starting with number 5. . .
#5
Block Island Organics – Purifying Facial Cleanser
Cost: $21.99 + Shipping
Best for: Dry, normal, sensitive, oily, or combination skin
Rating: 4.4/5
Testimonials:
Good foam, gentle and natural – love the non-residue, refreshed feeling after cleaning with this!
Perfect mild face wash for my mature combination skin
I like that it is natural and does not have harsh …
Summary: Another great product from Block Island Organics. This face wash provided a light foam through a vegetable foaming agent derived from potato and coconut oil. We found this to be a very gentle face wash that is great for normal skin.
More info: www.blockislandorganics.com
#4
Christina Moss Naturals – Organic Facial Wash
Cost: $21.00 + Shipping
Best for: Sensitive, combination skin
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Testimonials:
Face hasn’t looked this clear in 6 years
Cleans face with little amount of product
Perfect mild face wash for my mature combination skin
Summary: CMN’s face wash is great for acne issues, it won’t dry your skin our like other washes on the market. A good gentle cleanser that doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals.
More info: christinamossnaturals.com
#3
Thursday Plantation – Tea Tree Face Wash Foam
Cost: $15.99 + Shipping
Best for: Dry, normal, sensitive, oily, or combination skin
Rating: 4.5/5
Testimonials:
So gentle, yet effective. Makes a difference in …
This is great stuff and I highly recommend for all skin types
My gynocologist said it was good that the dosing instructions were on labelled
Summary: We loved TP’s Face Wash Foam which we found to be less drying than other tea tree type products. The great thing about this face wash is that it foams without soap. This product is reportedly great for those suffering from acne, however keep in mind that the care instruction do note to keep product away from eyes. An otherwise effective product.
More info: www.thursdayplantation.com
#2
YOUTHFUL BEAUTY – Refreshing Facial Cleanser
Cost: $17.99 + Shipping
Best for: Dry, normal, sensitive, oily, or combination skin
Rating: 4.9/5
Testimonials:
Smells AMAZING!
One of the best cleansers I have used. Spa quality.
I was caught off guard because it’s like a dark green color
Summary: Youthful Beauty’s Cleanser will surprise you with its dark grey colour and great smell despite no use of fragrances. If you are looking for a face wash for combination or sensitive skin this would be a great choice.
More info: www.amazon.com/Refreshing-FACIAL-CLEANSER
#1
ALMOST PEGGY – Face Honey
Cost: $26.95 + Free Shipping
Best for: Dry, normal, sensitive, oily, or combination skin
Rating: 5/5
Testimonials:
“Thoroughly impressed with Almost Peggy”
“Go get it” fashionjournal.com.au
“Literally my favorite beauty product”
Summary: Almost Peggy’s FACE HONEY is a exciting new contender that comes in at number #1. FHs luxurious texture and smell makes it a pleasure to use at the end of every night. Our testers made mention of looking forward to washing their face so they could use some Almost Peggy! It’s use of organic ingredients without preserving or solidifying agents, together with only 5 star customer customer rating indicate that users are loving it as much as we did. Get yours before they run out.
More info: almostpeggy.com
Other Natural Face Washes Compared
The following natural face washes (listed in no particular order) were also standout amazing products but didn’t make our top 5.
#6. Tata Harper – Regenerating Cleanser
#7. Acure Organics – Sensitive Facial Cleanser
#8. Desert Essence – Thoroughly Clean Face Wash
#9. Acure Organics – Cleansing Gel Facial Cleanser
#10. Josie Maran – Argan Cleansing Oil
#11. Tatcha – One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil
#12. Tata Harper – Regenerating Cleanser
#13. Garnier Micellar – Cleansing Water
#14. Mario Badescu – Glycolic Foaming Cleanser
#15. Aveeno – Positively Radiant
#16. Weleda – Soothing Almond Cleanser
#17. Brittanie – Thyme Organic Citrus Facial Cleanser
#18. Sibu – Sea Buckthorn Cleanse And Detox Facial Soap
#19. Lait E.V. – Biologique Recherche
#20. Mad Hippie – Cream Cleanser
#21. Free And Clear – Liquid Cleanser
#22. In Fiore Treate – Cleansing Emulsion
#23. Mama Mio – Gorgeous Glow Facial Swipes
#24. Cultivar Organic – Turmeric & Vitamin C Cleanser
#25. Blissoma Solutions – Fresh Mild Rice Facial Cleanser
#26. Yes To Cucumbers – Gentle Milk Cleanser
#27. Hauschka – Cleansing Cream
#28. Frank Body – Creamy Face Cleanser
#29. Josh Rosebrook – Moisturizing Cleanser
#30. Burt’S Bees – Facial Cleanser
#31. Lyeska – Facial Cleanser
#32. Aeos – Cleansing Oil De-Maq
#33. Juice Beauty – Cleansing Milk
#34. Organic Pharmacy – Carrot Butter Cleanser
#35. One Love Organics – Active Moisture Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil
Buying a Face Wash
So you’ve decided to look for a ‘natural’ face wash. This is likely because you use a face wash every day and if there is an option to use natural products that work just as well or better; well, why not switch to a natural alternative? In choosing a face wash a natural one or otherwise, you’ve got to consider:
1. Skin Type
- Does the labelling indicate the product is for a particular skin type? The main skin types being: Normal, Dry, Oily, Sensitive or Combination. the product be good for your skin type? For example, if you have normal skin, will it leave you feeling overly dry?
- Normal skin is characterised by: low pore visibility, general radiance
- Combination skin is characterised by: blackheads, shininess, dry/normal/oily in different areas such as T-zone, larger pores.
- Dry skin is characterised by: redness, lines are visible, dullness, hard to see pores, can be scaly. Dry skin can be exacerbate by medications, soaps and cleansers, hot showers, house heating, wind, sun and aging. Dry skin improves with shorter showers, avoiding soaps for natural products, humidifiers, avoiding scrubbing the skin when cleaning and showering.
- Oily skin is characterised by larger pores, shiny complexion, blemishes, blackheads, and pimples. Can be exacerbated by puberty, humidity, or stress. Can be improved by washing after sweating, using noncomedogenic (non pore clogging) skin products, using gentle cleansers.
- Sensitive skin is exacerbated by dryness, itching and red areas.
- Here is a good article to determine your skin type on Wikihow
2. Avoid Chemicals
- Avoid chemicals that are recognised as being potentially harmful
- Avoid the following: BHA, BHT, Colour Index Numbers such as CI75000, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Aloe Vera, DEA, MEA, and TEA, Triclosan, Dibutyl phthalate, Alcohols, Urea, Parabens (Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, and Ethylparaben), DMDMhydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, parfum, Fragrance, Triclosan, Petroleum and Mineral Oil Derived Ingredients (Propylene Glycol, Parraffin, Mineral Oil, Parabens, Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol and Petrolatum), Sulfates, Sodium Benzoate, PEG, FD&C, Colors and Pigments, Water
- Remember that ingredients are listed in the order of use; i.e. the ingredient listed first is the largest ingredient in the mix. If the first few ingredients are not natural, avoid the product.
- Look for EWG verified products
- Look for “plant based” products such as ‘essential oils’
DIY Natural Face Wash
The benefits of natural face wash products are hard to dispute. However its is still hard to find good products that don’t have some sort of preservative to increase shelf live or solidifying agent to improve consistency. For those that have the time and would like to save money, the below DIY face washes are the best you can make at home.
1. DIY Honey Face Wash
Honey is an amazing product for many skin issues and works super as a face wash. It contains anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial properties. It also contains a host of probiotics and enzymes that will leave your skin looking a little more radiant. It’s also good for acne prone skin and general blemishes. There is increasing evidence indicating the harmful nature of soaps and their drying properties and many people are turning to honey as an alternative.
What you’ll need:
- 3 parts Raw honey – It must be raw honey
- 1 part Baking soda
- Optional Essential Oils
- Optional coconut oil
- Optional apple cider vinegar
Mix the above and use as your daily face wash. You’ll find that you will love washing your face every day and the idea of not putting chemicals on your face daily will grow on you!
2. DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Face Wash
Apple Cider Vinegar is another great ingredient for a DIY face wash. It’s important that you get vinegar that is not mixed with any preservatives or bottling agents. Generally try to aim for the ‘no preservatives’ options when it comes to face wash ingredients.
You will need:
- 1 part Apple Cider Vinegar
- 3 parts warm water (increase water for sensitive skin)
Mix this up and you will have a very effective face wash. Apple cider vinegar is attributed in reducing age spots and warts and there is anecdotal evidence that it can improve your skin by taking a tablespoon of it with water daily. We think that trying it on as a face wash is a great start though.
3. DIY Yoghurt Face Wash
Yoghurt is another super food that has claimed benefits when used as a face wash ingredient. Yoghurt is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial like honey and claims B2, B12 and calcium as topical properties.
For a yoghurt based face wash, you will need:
- 1 part plain unsweetened yoghurt
- 1 part honey
- 1 part oats
- 1 part strawberries (optional)
Mix these us and use as a daily face wash. Like the yoghurt and honey face washes above, this can also be used as a mask: leave for 15 minutes before washing.
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