Quick and Easy DIY Facial Cleansing Pads Using Essential Oils (2024)

We got back from an awesome family vacation at Great Wolf Lodge a few weeks ago…and my skin is super angry with me. I mean, I spent the majority of my time in a chlorinated pool. Which we all know is not great for your hair, skin, and nails. Yes, I showered (with soap, facial wash and shampoo) as soon as we got back to our room every.single.time. But I didn’t use these DIY Facial Cleansing Pads (skip to the instructions here).

DIY Facial Cleansing Pads

Which meant at least 3 showers a day. Come to think of it…that probably did not help too much either. So let’s be real. My face looks like I’m a very aged 15-year-old version of myself.

My chin and forehead are red and irritated, and I have more than a few “blemishes” popping up.

I’ve tried my traditional moisturizers and cleansers, and it’s not helping.

I even tried going makeup-free to allow my skin to breathe…

But it’s summer. In Michigan. Where it snows for 6 months out of the year.

So I have been spending quite a bit of time outside…which means that even though I’m skipping a full makeup routine, I’m still applying sunscreen (as you do) and a lightweight mineral foundation from RawSkinceuticals that I love (it also has sunscreen in it).

Cleaning My Face With DIY Facial Cleansing Pads

I decided that to clear up my skin, I need to be even more proactive. I need to be washing my face in the morning, after my daily workout, and before bed.

But that’s a lot of time over a sink, y’all.

So I started experimenting with facial cleansing wipes from the store. The ones you can buy in a bag…and I really disliked how sticky and…dirty…my face felt after I had “cleansed.”

It almost felt like I just pushed the sweat and stuff around on my face…instead of washing it off. So I went to work to make some DIY Facial Cleansing Pads that left my skin feeling clean.

Do you find that with your routine? When you wash your face or wipe it (if you’re using the facial wipes from the drugstore), does it feel clean…or dirty?

I personally want my face to feel clean, but not tight after I’ve cleansed. And while I’m all for double cleansing (where you wash your face twice-once to remove makeup and once to actually cleanse your pores) before bed, I certainly don’t want to spend a ton of time washing my face during the day.

I have things to do, y’all!

There had to be a better way

All this to say, I knew that there had to be a better way to quickly cleanse my face and not have that nasty, sticky, dirty-feeling residue.

I started with straight up witch hazel…I don’t recommend that, friend.

And then I tried castile soap. But it still wasn’t enough.

So I started looking into what was actually in the cleaning cloths that I buy at the store…turns out it’s a bit more complicated than just soap and astringent.

They also used some kind of oil. I found recipes for all kinds of DIY facial cleansers and they ran the gamut from coconut oil to olive oil to jojoba and raspberry seed.

So I started experimenting and I think I finally settled on something that works. My skin feels cleansed and refreshed after I use these DIY facial cleansing pads…and definitely not sticky or dirty.

DIY Facial Cleansing Pads

• 1 tablespoon castile soap (I prefer Dr. Bronner’s baby castile soap, but their unscented would work well, too)
• 3 tablespoons witch hazel
• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 1-2 drops skin-friendly oil (I prefer to use raspberry seed oil or jojoba oil)
• 5-10 drops orange essential oil
• 5-10 drops clary sage essential oil
• 2-3 drops juniper essential oil
• 5-10 drops lavender essential oil
• quilted cosmetic pads
• an airtight container

Add the distilled water to a small bowl, and then add your castile soap and witch hazel.

Add the oil of your choice to the bowl (again, I used raspberry seed oil).

Raspberry seed oil is known for its antioxidant and anti-aging properties and it helps my skin to not feel like I just walked through the desert after I have used these DIY cleansing pads.

Add the essential oils. I absolutely love the scent created by blending lavender, orange, clary sage, and juniper essential oils, but you can use any blend you like.

Gently whisk your ingredients together.

Add the cosmetic pads to an airtight container, like this mason jar.

Slowly pour your mixture over the pads. Don’t worry if there’s “leftover” or excess liquid in your container. As your cleansing pads sit, they will absorb it.

To use, grab one cleansing pad and gently wipe your face and neck.

Store your unused pads out of direct sunlight. If you’re like me, you’ll want to mix up your scents (I get bored too!).

To mix things up, try creating your own scent by using 2-3 of the essential oils:

• grapefruit essential oil
• helichrysum essential oil
• pine essential oil
• bergamot essential oil
• lime essential oil

Also, check out my DIY Sugar lip scrub for silky smooth lips. Have you used cleansing pads before? What was your experience?

What is your favorite oil to use in this DIY facial cleansing pads recipe?