Are you ready to revolutionize your skincare routine with a touch of creativity and sustainability?
Solid face cleansers are taking the beauty world by storm, and for good reason! These compact bars pack all the skin-loving benefits of liquid cleansers without the wasteful plastic packaging. Ethique, a leader in the sustainable beauty movement, has inspired countless people to switch to solid skincare products—and now you can, too!
This DIY Deep Cleansing Solid Face Cleanser is specially designed to give your skin the thorough cleanse it craves while staying gentle and nurturing. Combining natural, skin-friendly ingredients, this recipe delivers a luxurious cleansing experience that’s both effective and eco-conscious. Plus, there’s something undeniably satisfying about creating your skincare products—you get to customize them to your liking and know precisely what’s going on your skin. Get ready to pamper yourself while contributing to a healthier planet!
What’s in This Face Cleanser Recipe
Cetyl Alcohol
Cetyl alcohol is a versatile ingredient often used to create rich, luxurious body care products. It helps thicken formulations without adding extra weight, making your products feel light yet indulgent. Its silky texture adds a smooth, pampering feel to the finished product, elevating your skincare routine to a new level.
Mango Butter
Mango butter is a powerful ingredient known for its intense hydration. Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, it nourishes your skin, leaving it soft and revitalized. This butter promotes natural radiance and helps soothe even the driest skin. Its lightweight, non-greasy formula is perfect for a glowing, healthy complexion.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is a deeply moisturizing ingredient that delivers nourishment and hydration to your skin. Packed with ricinoleic acid, it helps lock in moisture, making it ideal for combating dryness and keeping your skin smooth and supple. Its natural properties also support skin elasticity and promote a healthy, rejuvenated appearance.
SCI Powder (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate)
SCI Powder creates a creamy lather that cleanses gently and effectively, leaving your skin soft and glowing. It removes impurities without stripping natural oils, ensuring a refreshing, hydrating cleanse. Perfect for sensitive skin, it turns every wash into a self-care moment.
SLSA Powder (Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate)
SLSA Powder provides a mild yet potent foaming agent that turns your creations into fluffy, luxurious self-care treats. It creates a rich, gentle foam that elevates every shower experience. Its natural origins and skin-friendly properties make it ideal for sensitive skin, offering an indulgent cleanse that feels like a spa day at home.
Rose Kaolin Clay
Rose Kaolin Clay gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin while promoting healthy circulation for a radiant, natural glow. This luxurious clay prevents pore clogging by removing excess dirt and impurities, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and revitalized.
Foam Boost (Cocamidopropyl Betaine)
Foam Boost adds a satisfying foam and brings you peace of mind as it’s gentle and naturally derived. Perfect for creating lush, bubbly textures in soaps, shampoos, and cleansers, this versatile ingredient enhances your formulations while ensuring they remain kind to the skin.
Geogard ECT Preservative
Geogard ECT Preservative is a natural solution for extending the shelf life of homemade products. This preservative protects against mold, yeast, and bacteria, keeping products fresh for 6+ months. Approved for clean beauty, it’s perfect for safe, long-lasting skincare and personal care creations.
Orange (Sweet) Essential Oil
Orange (Sweet) Essential Oil is cherished for its sweet, citrusy aroma that creates a calming and uplifting environment, perfect for promoting rest. Beyond its aromatic appeal, this essential oil is known for its natural ability to cleanse and brighten the skin, making it a versatile addition to your skincare and wellness routines.
Things to Remember When Using This Recipe
Always dilute an essential oil when using it on the skin. This essential oil recipe is unlikely to cause skin irritation when diluted properly. If the oil has oxidized (been left with the cap off for long periods of time), it is more likely to cause skin irritation. Check out this dilution chart for diluting this essential oil properly.
If you are pregnant, consult your doctor prior to use.
This recipe is safe to use with kids aged 2+.
For more information on using essential oils with cats, check out this blog post.
This essential oil recipe is generally safe to use around dogs. For more information on using essential oils with dogs, check out this blog post.
We don’t recommend ingesting essential oils unless directed by a doctor certified in aromatherapy. For more information on why we don’t ingest essential oils, check out this blog post.
*Please note: This post is a compilation of suggestions made by those that have extensively used essential oils and has not been verified scientifically with clinical tests nor reviewed by medical experts. It is anecdotal information and should be treated as such. For serious medical concerns, please consult your doctor. The statements given in this blog post have not been verified by the FDA
Deep Cleansing Solid Face Cleanser Recipe
![Deep Cleansing Solid Face Cleanser [Ethique Inspired]](https://blog.simplyearth.com/app/uploads/2025/03/Deep-Cleansing-Solid-Facial-Cleanser-1-800x530.jpg)
Deep Cleansing Solid Face Cleanser [Ethique Inspired]
Ingredients
FROM Simply Earth1 3/4 Tbsp (0.91oz) Cetyl Alcohol
1 1/2 Tbsp (0.70oz) Mango Butter
1 tsp Castor Oil
3/4 cup + 1 1/2 Tbsp (2.92oz) SCI Powder
3 Tbsp (0.75 oz) SLSa Powder
3 Tbsp Rose Kaolin Clay
1 1/2 Tbsp (0.84oz) Foam Boost
40 drops (0.07oz) Geogard ECT
50 drops Orange (Sweet) Essential Oil
FROM YOUR HOMEFace Mask*
Directions
- In a double boiler, melt together the Castor Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, and Mango Butter on a medium low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once the ingredients have melted (about 10 minutes), gradually mix in the SCI Powder*, SLSA Powder*, Foam Boost, and Rose Kaolin Clay, keeping the mixture on the heat throughout the process. The powders won’t melt but will combine into a soft, play dough-like consistency.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and add the essential oils and Geogard ECT preservative. Stir well to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Pour the mixture into the molds. Once the bars have been set, remove them from the molds. Allow the bars to dry out and harden for 24 hours. Wrap the bars and label. Store the bars in a cool, dry place.
- To use, wet your face and then use your hands or a damp washcloth to work the bar into a rich lather. Gently apply to your face, then rinse thoroughly.
tips from katie
- *SLSA Powder and SCI Powder are powdered surfactants that can quickly become airborne, potentially causing coughing or sneezing if inhaled. To prevent this, wearing a face mask while measuring or mixing these ingredients is recommended. Once incorporated into a liquid, however, they are unlikely to become airborne.
- You can melt the Cetyl Alcohol and Mango Butter in the microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring intermittently. The Foam Boost will bubble up in the microwave, so I don’t recommend using the microwave to melt once this ingredient has been added.
Benefits of Using a Solid Face Cleanser
Plastic-free and eco-friendly: Solid face cleansers eliminate single-use plastic packaging, helping reduce global pollution and supporting a greener future.
Long-lasting and travel-friendly: Compact and spill-proof, solid cleansers are easy to transport, and their concentrated formula ensures prolonged use, making them economical and practical.
Gentle yet effective: Designed to cleanse while deeply maintaining a healthy skin barrier, they are ideal for sensitive skin with nourishing ingredients like natural oils and mild surfactants.
Customizable and natural: Choose ingredients tailored to your skin’s needs, such as extra moisture, soothing properties, or exfoliation, for a personalized skincare experience.
Sustainable choice: Reduces waste, lasts longer, and gives you control over what you put on your skin—perfect for mindful living and a positive environmental impact.
Tips for Customization
Personalization Suggestions for Different Skin Types
For oily skin: Incorporate essential oils like tea tree or peppermint into your recipe. These oils have clarifying and balancing properties that help control excess sebum and promote a refreshed feel.
For dry or sensitive skin: Consider increasing the amount of cocoa butter in the formulation to boost hydration and leave your skin feeling soft and nourished.
Scent Customization Ideas
Relaxing scents: Use lavender or chamomile essential oils to create a soothing and calming aroma.
Invigorating scents: Choose eucalyptus, citrus, or mint oils for an energizing, spa-like fragrance.
Warm and comforting scents: Add scents like vanilla or sandalwood for a rich, cozy experience.
Enhancements with Natural Additives
Shea butter: Add a small amount for its rich, moisturizing properties, ideal for softening and nourishing the skin.
Lavender buds: Swap in lavender buds as an additive, known for their calming and soothing properties, leaving the skin feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Feel free to experiment with combinations tailored to your specific needs and preferences, ensuring every use feels like a luxurious, personalized indulgence!
Transform Your Routine with a Touch of Natural Luxury
Crafting your skincare products is not just a fun and rewarding process but also an empowering way to take control of what you put on your skin. You consciously care for yourself and the environment by using natural, toxin-free ingredients. The benefits go beyond just healthier skin—it’s an act of creativity, self-care, and sustainability!
We encourage you to experiment with this recipe and create a product that’s uniquely yours. Don’t forget to capture your DIY masterpiece and share it with us #IMadeThis for a chanceto win $5 and be featured on Simply Earth’s social media pages.
If you’re excited to try more recipes like this, subscribe to the Simply Earth Recipe Box for endless inspiration and guidance. You can also download our Ultimate Guide to Natural DIY Skincare to explore more tips, tricks, and recipes for naturally glowing skin.
Join us on this fantastic DIY adventure—your next favorite skincare product is just a creation away!
