Olive Oil Facial Cleanser Recipe

A gentle, soothing homemade face cleanser... perfect for sensitive skin (also dry, mature and problem skin)

Olive oil promotes smooth, healthy skin by protecting against age-accelerating free radicals and helping to maintain the skin's elasticity.

Adding essential oils customized for your skin type powers up the healing effects - and smells terrific! I've included some essential oil blends for you to choose from based on your skin type.

Olive Oil Facial Cleanser Recipe

Shake well. Let your facial cleansing oil cure at least 24 hours before using.

• Dry Skin: 5 drops each patchouli & sandalwood, 2 drops each rosewood (or chamomile) & geranium, 1 drop jasmine OR rose OR ylang ylang
• Damaged Skin: (sun or windburn) 10 drops lavender, 2 drops each benzoin and chamomile, 1 drop rose
• Mature Skin: 4 drops each frankincense & sandalwood, 3 drops orange, 2 drops each rose & rosewood, 1 drop vetiver OR helichrysum
• Sensitive Skin: 12 drops lavender, 2 drops jasmine OR neroli OR rose, 1 drop vetiver
• Eczema, Psoriasis: 5 drops each benzoin & patchouli, 2 drops each helichrysum & palmarosa, 1 drop chamomile OR cedarwood
• Normal or Combination Skin: 5 drops each lavender & orange, 2 drops each geranium & palmarosa, 1 drop ylang ylang
• Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: 5 drops each tea tree & lemongrass, 2 drops each petitgrain & lemon, 1 drop each cedarwood & ylang ylang OR geranium

Directions

1. To use, pour a bit of the olive oil facial cleanser into your hand - an amount about the size of a quarter should do.


2. Massage the facial cleansing oil into your skin, focusing on any problem areas. Using slow, firm motions, work the cleanser deeply into your pores so that makeup, dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria are dissolved in the oil, ready to be washed away.


3. Once your skin is saturated, soak a washcloth in hot water. The water should be hot but not scalding - hot enough to open your pores and release the olive oil facial cleanser, which is carrying the dirt. (Cool water won't open your pores or remove the cleanser.)


4. Hold the washcloth over your face until it cools. Gently wipe the facial cleansing oil away, then rinse the washcloth well in hot, running water. Do this two or three more times. No need to scrub - just gently wipe. Dirt and bacteria will be steamed and wiped away without irritating sensitive skin.


5. Give your face a final rinse, then pat dry, apply toner and moisturizer.

Where to Buy Olive Oil Facial Cleanser Ingredients

My favorite supplier for essential oils is Mountain Rose Herbs. Their quality, prices and service are the best I've found. Here's some quick links to the essential oils you'll need for this olive oil facial cleanser recipe. (Also, check out these great little glass bottles to put your homemade face cleanser in.)

Patchouli

Petitgrain

Neroli

Rose

Rose Geranium

Rosewood

Sandalwood

Tea Tree

Vetiver

Ylang Ylang

More Recipes for Sensitive and Troubled Skin

While not strictly aromatherapy, these recipes follow the same healthy, natural principles. Here's a snippet of what Sue Dolan (author) says:

I totally believe in this - nature's products are by far the best, and they're so much less expensive than store stuff. It's why I got into aromatherapy in the first place and, over and over, my own experience has proven that it's true.

Here's the basics of what Sue's ebook gives you:

• 135 most popular skincare recipes
• 15 firming mask recipes that help tighten your skin & reduce your pores
• More than 56 skin care tips
• Free e-course in 6 email sessions
• Natural treatments for acne, rosacea & dry, flaky skin
• 12 additional anti-aging facial recipes