Use lukewarm or warm water to splash your face. Hot water may not only strip your skin of important oils, but may also burn it. Rub a washcloth soaked in warm water over your face. This can cleanse your skin while gently exfoliating dead skin and removing dirt and debris. Don’t scrub too hard because you might damage your skin.
Use raw, unpasteurized honey for best results. Leave the honey on your face for a few minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Combine the honey with a teaspoon of baking soda to gently exfoliate your skin. You can also mix two teaspoons of honey with one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice to cleanse your skin. [3] X Research source
Use raw, whole milk or plain yogurt on your skin. Massage the yogurt or milk onto your face with your fingertips, which can also help clear away debris. [6] X Research source Leave the milk or mixture on your face for a few minutes and rinse it off thoroughly with warm water. [7] X Research source
Grind ¼ cup of whole oats. [10] X Research source Make sure you grind the flakes finely so that they don’t scratch your skin, which you can achieve using a coffee grinder. [11] X Research source Mix the ground oats with 2 tablespoons whole-milk plain yogurt and one teaspoon honey for a mask that cleanses your skin. [12] X Research source Leave on your skin for 15-20 minutes and rinse well with warm water. [13] X Research source
Be aware that coconut oil may make your skin feel greasy, but it should absorb at some point of the day.
Dilute one part apple cider vinegar with two parts water. Apple cider vinegar can be harsh on skin, so this may be especially important for sensitive skin. [16] X Research source Do a patch test of the mixture before applying it all over to ensure it doesn’t irritate your skin. Rinse your face off with cool to warm water after the application, which can help take the vinegar smell away. Moisturize your face after applying the vinegar as it may dry out your skin.
You can use any type of pure olive oil, though you may want to avoid products infused with scents or other flavors. Leave the olive oil on your face as it acts as a moisturizer in addition to a cleanser. Consider wiping away excess with a cloth if you put on too much. [18] X Research source Mix ½ cup olive oil, with ¼ cup vinegar, and a ¼ cup water for an overnight mask. [19] X Research source
Use cool to warm water to cleanse and rinse, as hot water can remove important oils from your skin or cause irritation.
Wash acne-prone or greasy areas no more than twice a day unless you are active.
Use a skin-specific moisturizer. Ask your dermatologist or skin care professional to tell you what your skin type is. Oily skin also requires moisturizer. Opt for an oil-free and non-comedogenic product. If you want to skip store-bought products with chemicals, consider using olive oil or coconut oil to keep your skin hydrated. If you have oily skin, you may want to skip oils and try a milk or yogurt mask.
Be aware that exfoliants only scrub away surface skin and can’t penetrate to remove dirt from your pores. Choose an exfoliator with either synthetic or natural beads to minimize irritation. Use natural products if you want to avoid chemicals. A soft washcloth or paste of sugar and water can also gently exfoliate your skin. Avoid salt, which may be too rough and scratch and burn your skin.
Use an over the counter treatment of salicylic acid. Put on a clay mask once or twice a week, which may soak up oil. Apply an oil blotting paper to greasy areas on your face to absorb excess oil.
Be careful when you rest your hands on your face or chin, which can also spread dirt and bacteria and cause breakouts. [26] X Research source
