This homemade cleanser for dry skin is one of those recipes I keep coming back to in the winter or whenever my skin feels particularly dry.
Its made with natural ingredients,and melts into the skin easily breaking down makeup and daily grime without leaving skin feeling tight or stripped. We have chosen nourishing oils to help support dryness, while the soothing oats add a calming, gentle touch.
When water is added, this balm turns into a soft milk that rinses away easily, leaving skin feeling clean, soft, and cared for. Simple to make and lovely to use.
Introduction
Homemade cleansing balms are especially lovely because they cleanse without stripping. Instead of foaming or drying the skin out, the balm melts in, dissolves makeup and impurities, and leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable.
Making it yourself also means you can adjust the texture, scent, and ingredients to suit your skin perfectly, turning an everyday cleanse into a gentle, comforting ritual rather than just another step in your routine.
Spotlight on the Benefits
- Gently cleanses without stripping dry skin.
- Melts away makeup and daily impurities.
- Rinses clean with no greasy residue.
- Leaves skin feeling soft, calm, and comfortable.
- Soothing and suitable for dry or sensitive skin.
- Simple, beginner-friendly formula.
Key Ingredients & Why They’re Used
Cetyl Alcohol:
Helps create a rich, cushioning balm that protects dry skin during cleansing. It prevents the DIY cleanser from feeling stripping and leaves the skin feeling soft and comfortable after rinsing.
Olivem 1000 Emulsifying Wax:
A natural emulsifying wax that allows this DIY facial cleanser to rinse away with water without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier. This is especially important for dry skin, as it helps remove impurities while avoiding tightness or dryness.
Macadamia Nut Oil:
A nourishing oil that closely mimics the skin’s natural oils. It helps soften and condition dry skin while effectively breaking down makeup and impurities.
Fractionated Coconut Oil:
A lightweight, stable oil that helps balance the richness of this cleanser recipe for dry skin. It improves spreadability and helps the homemade cleanser feel smooth and non-greasy on the skin.
Finely Ground Oats: Used for their soothing and calming properties. They provide very gentle exfoliation while helping to calm dry or sensitive skin.
Vitamin E:
Acts as an antioxidant to help slow down oil oxidation, extending the shelf life of the balm. It also provides added skin-conditioning benefits.
Lavender Essential Oil:
Adds a soft, calming scent and offers gentle skin-soothing properties, making the cleansing experience more relaxing.
Substitutions
- Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol would be my first choice here as it give the same stability, and a similar feeling.
- Olivem1000 Emulsifying Wax, emulsifying wax NF or polawax are good replacements however they are not natural waxes so the finished balm would not be classed as a natural product.
- Macadamia Nut Oil, sweet almond would be a good sub or camellia oil.
- Fractionated Coconut Oil, caprylic/capric triglycerides (MCT Oil) jojoba oil or olive squalane would all work well as light weight oils.
- Finely Ground Oats, you could leave this out or choose a different face friendly exfoliant.
- Vitamin E, you could leave this out but the shelf life of the balm will be more like 6 months.
- Lavender Essential Oil any oil you have to hand. Just make sure you follow usage recommendations for the one you choose.
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Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- 15 grams Cetyl Alcohol, 10 grams Olivem 1000Weigh the cetyl alcohol and olivem 1000 into a heat safe beaker.
- 45 grams Macadamia Nut Oil, 26 grams Fractionated Coconut OilAdd the macadamia nut and fractionated coconut oil to the beaker.
- Place the beaker with the oils into a pan of simmering water and gently heat until the oils have completely melted.
- Once the oils have melted, remove the container from the water
- 3 grams Ground Oats, 0.5 grams Vitamin E Oil, 0.5 gram Lavender Essential OilStir in the ground oats. Continue to stir until the oils have cooled to around 40c (104f). Once the oils are at 40c or (104) it's time to add the vitamin E and the lavender essential oil. Stir them in well so that they are fully disbursed into the balm.
- 1 Cosmetic Jar 4 ozPour the balm into a cosmetic grade container and leave to harden. The container lid should be left off until the balm is completely cold.
Tried this recipe?
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How to Use
- Use this cleansing balm on dry skin with dry hands.
- Scoop out a small amount (about pea to almond-sized) and gently massage it over your face using circular motions. Take your time, especially over areas with makeup, SPF, or heavier build up.
- Wet your hands with a little warm water and continue to massage. The balm will turn milky as it emulsifies and lifts dirt and makeup from the skin.
- Rinse off with warm water, or remove with a warm, damp cloth.
- If you prefer, follow with a gentle water-based cleanser as a second cleanse.
- Pat the skin dry and continue with the rest of your skincare routine.
Tips
- Best used in the evening or when removing makeup and SPF.
- Always use clean, dry hands to keep the product fresh.
- Patch test before first use, especially if you have sensitive skinThe finely ground oats provide gentle exfoliation.
- If you prefer a more noticeable exfoliating effect, leave the oats slightly coarser rather than finely ground.
- The balm can be made firmer or softer by varying the amount of cetyl alcohol you use.
Storage
This balm should be stored in a clean, cosmetic-safe jar with the lid securely closed. Keep it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, as high temperatures can soften the balm.
Always use clean, dry hands or a spatula to avoid introducing water into the jar, which will help extend the shelf life. If the balm softens in warm weather, it can be placed in the refrigerator for a short time to firm it back up. When stored correctly, the balm will keep for up to 12 months..
Final Thoughts
Cleansing doesn’t have to leave your skin feeling tight, dry, or uncomfortable. With the right ingredients, it can become one of the most soothing parts of your routine.
This homemade cleanser for dry skin is simple, nourishing, and beautifully gentle. It melts away the day, rinses clean, and leaves your skin feeling calm and cared for rather than stripped. And once you’ve made it once, you’ll see just how easy it is to customise.
If your skin struggles in cold winter months or simply needs a little love, then this cleansing balm is a lovely option.
