9 Effective Homemade Cleansers For Oily Skin

The ones who have oily skin know that the struggle is real. Good, old, and regular products may not do the trick of removing excess oil from the skin. That is why using some homemade cleansers for oily skin can do magic for your skin.

The world we live in today constantly exposes us to dirt, dust, sunlight, and harsh chemicals daily. These substances can make your skin look dull and dirty. That is why cleansing is such an essential part of your daily skin care routine. Try these simple and effective homemade facial cleansers for oily skin, and you will surely notice unbelievable results in just a few weeks. Natural ingredients that show results are always safer and better than chemicals that damage your skin in the long run. Most of these cleansers also act as skin toners, which is a wonderful benefit for oily skin. Your perfect cleanser will remove excess sebum from your skin and give you soft and glowing skin without stripping it off its natural oils. While there are so many face washes out there for you to choose from, homemade cleansers are cheaper and healthier in the long run. Using simple ingredients from your pantry can produce great results for your skin compared to commercial products that contain a host of different chemicals that may harm your skin. In this article, we will explore the 9 best organic ingredients you can use to clean your oily skin. Scroll down to learn how to use these skin-nourishing ingredients to make beauty recipes.

Homemade Cleansers For Oily Skin

Wondering how to get clear skin without breaking the bank? The following homemade cleansers for oily skin might just be your answer! They are super easy to whip up with ingredients you already have at home. These homemade cleanser recipes can be customized for different skin types. You can switch the ingredients or adjust their quantities to make gentle cleansers that match your skin’s unique needs and ensure natural and effective care. Scroll down to read:

1. Olive Oil
2. Milk
3. Honey And Lemon Cleanser
4. Cucumber And Tomato Cleanser
5. Chamomile Tea
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
7. Rose Water
8. Gram Flour And Turmeric

1. Olive Oil

You Will Need

• A few drops of extra virgin olive oil
• A soft face towel
• Warm water

What You Have To Do

1. Take some olive oil in your palm and apply it to your face.
2. Massage thoroughly in circular motions.
3. Leave it on for a few minutes. Wipe it off with a warm wet towel.

How Often You Should Do This

Use olive oil every day to cleanse your face.

Why This Works

Olive oil is one of the best cleansers for oily skin. Experiments have shown that olive oil is quite effective in maintaining the pH balance of the skin. It is extremely helpful in drawing out impurities from within the skin. It nourishes the skin and does not leave it extra oily, hence it can be a great addition to your skincare routine (1).

2. Milk

You Will Need

• 3 tablespoons raw cold milk
• 1 teaspoon orange peel powder
• Cotton ball

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the orange peel powder with milk.
2. Using the cotton ball, apply this paste all over your face.
3. Massage the skin gently in clockwise motions and then anticlockwise for about five minutes.
4. Leave it on for another five minutes.
5. Rinse the pack off with lukewarm water.

How Often You Should Do This

You can use this cleanser every day.

Why This Works

Milk is often used to cleanse and rejuvenate the skin. It is said that Cleopatra used it for its wondrous effects. It contains natural enzymes and acids that cleanse, tone, and exfoliate the skin (2). The effectiveness of raw milk as a cleansing agent doubles when it is cold. Orange peel powder works as a pH balancing agent in this cleanser. As per anecdotal evidence, it helps control the oiliness and tightens the skin pores.

3. Honey And Lemon Cleanser

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the honey and lemon juice. Add a little bit of water if the mixture is too thick.
2. Apply this mixture to your face and massage for a minute or two.
3. Leave it on for about 10 minutes.
4. Rinse your face with plain water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this every night before going to bed.

Why This Works

Honey and lemon are commonly available ingredients and make a potent combination for oily skin. While the citric acid of lemon makes it an ideal cleansing agent, honey works hard to nourish and hydrate the skin. This remedy is a great pimple treatment for oily skin as lemon’s astringent properties help reduce excess oil, which is often the culprit behind breakouts. As per anecdotal evidence, lemon has exfoliating properties and it also helps to bring down the excessive oil production by the skin with its astringenti properties.

Abidha Basheer, a beauty and lifestyle blogger, tried using this remedy as her PM cleanser and found it to be an effective solution for her oily skin. She said, “It had helped me immensely with the excess oiliness of my skin and pimples (i).”

4. Cucumber And Tomato Cleanser

You Will Need

• 1/2 cucumber
• 1 small tomato

What You Have To Do

1. Grind the two ingredients to get a smooth paste.
2. Apply this paste on your face and let it sit for 15 minutes.
3.  Wash it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this refreshing cleanser every day.

Why This Works

You may not have heard their benefits as cleansers, but cucumber and tomatoes are the most efficient cleansing agents available. Tomato cleanses the dirt and grime, lightens the skin tone, and reverses sun damage. It also protects the skin from oxidative stress (3). Cucumber is an excellent cooling agent that renders extra freshness to your face (4). Together, they remove impurities from the skin and control the greasiness.

5. Chamomile Tea

You Will Need

• 1 chamomile tea bag
• A cup of hot water
• 1 cup castile soapⁱ  Hard soap made of vegetable oil, mainly olive oil used for body and hair cleansing and also as a general cleanser.
• 1 teaspoon almond oil OR olive oil OR avocado oil
• 10-15 drops of chamomile essential oil
• 4-5 vitamin E capsules (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Steep the chamomile tea bag in hot water for about 15 minutes.
2. Let it cool down. Add the rest of the ingredients to the tea.
3.  Mix well and transfer it to a bottle.
4. Use this as your facial cleanser.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this cleanser once or twice daily.

Why This Works

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties. It improves circulation to the skin and repairs the damage caused by the sun and other harmful agents. It lightens the skin and reduces the oiliness (5).

Quick Tip

You can substitute geranium oil for chamomile essential oil as it helps reduce sebum production (6).

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons water
• Cotton

What You Have To Do

1. Dilute the vinegar with water.
2. Splash your face with plain water first and then use the cotton to apply the diluted ACV all over your face. Be careful around the eyes.
3. Use upward motions to clean your face with the vinegar.
4. Keep it on for a few minutes. Wash it off with water.
5. Pat your skin dry. Do not forget to apply a suitable moisturizer or some jojoba oil.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this ACV cleanser twice or thrice a week. If you don’t like the smell of ACV, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and voila!

Why This Works

Apple cider vinegar contains exfoliants, such as malic acid, that remove the dirty, dead, and dull layer of skin cells. Its mild acidity balances the skin’s pH and controls the excess sebum produced by the skin, as per the anecdotal evidence .

Quick Tip

Since apple cider vinegar may dry your skin, follow up with a moisturizer containing hyaluronic acidⁱ  A slippery natural substance produced in the body to moisturize skin and eyes, and lubricate and protect joints. , coconut oil, or aloe vera to hydrate your skin.

Caution

If you have sensitive skin, mix ACV and water in a 1:5 ratio.

7. Rose Water

You Will Need

• Rose water
• Cotton pad

What You Have To Do

1. Soak the cotton pad with rose water and wipe it all over your face using upward motions.
2. You can either rinse your face with plain water after this or leave the rose water on.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this every night, before going to bed.

Why This Works

If you are wondering how to cleanse skin naturally and effectively, rose water is a simple and effective remedy to consider. Rose water not only cleanses the skin but also soothes, tones, and moisturizes it. It improves circulation as well as the process of cell regeneration. Its pH balancing properties will help balance the sebum production, as widely experienced by the people who use it.

8. Gram Flour And Turmeric

You Will Need

• 1/2 cup gram flour (besan)
• 1/4 cup moong dal powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

What You Have To Do

1. Mix all the powders and store in a container.
2. Use a tablespoon of this mixture to scrub your damp face gently.
3. Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse it off.

How Often You Should Do This

You can use this facial cleanser every day.

Why This Works

This combination makes for a great homemade scrub for oily skin allowing you to pamper yourself without all the chemicals that come with commercial scrubs. Gram flour is a great absorbent of impurities, dirt, and excess oil present on the face. It also exfoliates the skin and makes it fresh, young-looking, and radiant (7).

9. Oatmeal Cleanser

You Will Need

• ¼ cup of rolled oats
• 1-2 drops of essential oil (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay

What You Have To Do

1. Grind the rolled oats into a fine powder using a blender or food processor.
2. Add the essential oil (if using) and clay powder.
3. Store the powder cleanser in a glass jar.
4. To use, mix a teaspoon of the cleanser with warm water.
5. Apply it to your damp skin and massage for a few minutes.
6. Leave it on for 1-2 minutes and wash it off with water

How Often You Should Do

Use this cleanser once or twice daily.

Why This Works

Oatmeal is a great home remedy to get rid of oily skin. It provides gentle exfoliation and it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help soothe irritated skin. It also helps improve the skin’s barrier function (8).

Infographic: 5 Best Homemade Cleansers For Oily Skin

Oily skin requires special care and attention. Many store-bought products don’t provide proper nourishment for this skin type, so making homemade cleansers is a great way to ensure your skin gets what it needs. Natural ingredients are always better than harsh chemicals. They can help remove excess oil and make your skin soft without affecting its natural oils. Let’s look at the 5 best DIY cleansers that are healthier, cheaper and can be easily incorporated into your beauty routine.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I use homemade cleansers for oily skin?

You can use homemade cleansers once or twice a day depending on how oily your skin gets. Avoid overwashing your skin, as it can strip off the natural oils completely, leaving your skin too dry.

Is aloe vera good for oily skin?

Yes. Aloe vera gel gets absorbed quickly into the skin. It doesn’t cause greasiness and also prevents acne, and pimples, and removes blemishes.

Does oily skin require double cleansing?

Yes. Double cleansing is the best way to remove all traces of dirt, grease, and pollution from oily skin. The two-step method ensures the pores are clean, thus preventing breakouts.

Is micellar water an oil cleanser?

No. Micellar water is a water-based cleanser that helps break down dirt, oil, and makeup on your skin and ensures proper cleansing. It can be used as the first step of the double cleansing method.

Illustration: Effective Homemade Cleansers For Oily Skin

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Do let us know which homemade cleanser for oily skin is your favorite from our list.

Is there any cleanser we missed out on in this article? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

Make your own all-natural facial cleanser for oily skin with the easy DIY tutorial below. Click on the video to learn how to create a gentle, yet effective cleanser with simple ingredients.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. CP ThajudheenMD

   

Dr. CP Thajudheen has over 20 years of experience in various lasers, light-based devices, and other advanced equipment. He was one of the beginners who introduced cutaneous lasers in India. He carries out dermato surgeries regularly, including hair grafting and vitiligo surgeries.

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Kushneet KukrejaHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Kushneet holds a postgraduate degree in biotechnology from Kingston University, London, and is an ISSA Certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition with 2 years of experience. Her scientific background, coupled with her passion for writing, propelled her towards content writing.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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