How To Make a Basic Cleansing Bar

Are you ready to try something new this year? It may not look all that sexy, but wait til you discover what this plain-looking bar can do for your face and neck. If your skin usually feels taut after washing, then get ready for a completely different facial cleansing experience. Here's an extra little bonus: it's seriously inexpensive! Read on to learn how to make your own all natural, soap-free cleansing bar in 5 super-easy steps.

You will need

42 gr (1,5 oz) cocoa butter
30 ml (1 fl. oz) sweet almond oil
37 gr (1,3 oz) French green clay (see more about this clay in this post)
Essential oils of choice (optional)
Mold that holds 100gr (3,5 oz)

Step 1. MELT

Melt the cocoa butter slowly over LOW heat. Be sure to remove it from the heat as soon as it is melted.

Step 2. ADD OIL

Add the oil and stir. For this bar, I used my own juniper-infused oil (see the links below about infusing oil to learn more).

Step 3. ADD CLAY

Add clay and stir until the mixture is even.

Step 4. ADD EXTRAS

If you want to add any essential oil, now is the time. For this bar, I added rosemary, juniper, and lavender to boost the cleansing action, complement the juniper-infused oil, and to give the bar a stimulating fresh scent.

Step 5. POUR

Pour the mixture into a mold and let set  (I usually let mine set in the fridge overnight, but a couple of hours is probably enough). Remove from the mold and voilá! Your bar is ready for use! (couldn't help sneaking a little French lingo in there – it's my little homage to the star cleansing ingredient: the fab French clay)

Tip: Because this is a preservative-free product, you'll also want to store it in conditions that don't encourage any bacteria growth. Please visit this earlier post for storage tips and instructions for use.

Coming Up

I've become hooked on how these bars work and have been trying an assortment of different clays, oils and other extra skin-loving ingredients lately. Stay tuned for a mini-series of DIY cleansing bars in a range of colors and textures.

More Fun With Cleansing Bars and The Ingredients For Them

- Learn how to make the French Clay Cleansing Bar here.
- Curious about doing your own infused oil? Find out how I made juniper infused oil here: (part one) (part two)

Visit the Cleansing Bar FAQ and Tutorial Page

Special Thanks To

Lola: for cleansing bar inspiration (look what you started!)
Felecia: for great tips on infusing oil
Liis: for the fresh organic juniper berries that went into the infused oil