Chamomile Cleansing Bar With Easy Layers

Several emails kickstarted this easy peasy layering method. The e-mails all went something like this:
'I love the layered look of these cleansing bars but can't be bothered splitting up the mixture into 2-containers. Isn't there an easier way?'

Yes, there is!

Here's a sensitive-skin-friendly cleansing bar that offers super gentle exfoliation, moisturizing, careful cleansing, AND easy peasy layers. Prepare for supreme skin pampering!


Ingredients List

22 gr ( 0,8 oz) cocoa butter
10 gr ( 0,35 oz) mango butter
10 gr ( 0,35 oz) coconut butter (yes, this is coconut oil. I'm quirky and call it butter when it's solid)
20 ml ( 0,7 fl oz) castor oil (this is approx 19 grams by weight)
20 ml ( 0,7 fl oz) almond oil (this is approx 19 grams by weight)
30 gr ( 1 oz) white clay
7 gr ( 0,2 oz) yellow clay
2 teabags chamomile tea

Let's rock and roll!

Pour the oils in a small container and add the contents of the 2 chamomile teabags.

Melt the cocoa and mango butter slowly over low heat. Just before it is completely melted, remove it from the heat and stir until melted. Add coconut oil and stir until melted.

Add the chamomile oil infusion and stir.

Add the white clay and stir. Pour a thin layer of the mixture into the mold. Let set in the refrigerator. While you are waiting, add the yellow clay to the remainder of the mixture.

Pour the remainder of the mixture into the mold and let set.

Unmold. Cut into application-sized squares. Store.

Storing

Wrap in paper towel, place in an airtight bag or container and store in the refrigerator until use. There are 2 reasons for storing like this:
1. There are no preservatives these bars, which is fine in anhydrous (water-free) products if they stay completely dry until use. The paper towel helps keep the product dry.
2. The airtight container helps keep the product fresh and free of refrigerator smells.


About the Texture

These bars will become soft-ish at room temperature – which they should be when applied. The bar should mash easily with a finger and have the consistency of chocolate that is going soft but still holds its shape.

I usually have enough portions for a few days in a small container in the bathroom so I always have a selection to choose from that is ready for use.


Method of Use

For one application to face and neck you will need approx half a teaspoon of product (I use a little under a teaspoon of product for 1 application to face and neck).

Wet your face and neck thoroughly (don't be afraid to splash on the water – it helps activate the clay)

Soften the bar between your hands. Apply to your face and neck, keeping the area around the eyes free. Wet your hands again and gently massage the face and neck area. This will function as a moisturizing mask if you leave the mixture on for about 5-10 minutes.

Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Finish with an alcohol-free skin tonic (A spritz of hydrosol is ideal). You may find your skin is so deliciously smooth that you don't need to apply a moisturizer. A light layer of face oil is usually enough for me.

Enjoy.


Visit the Cleansing Bar FAQ and Tutorial Page 

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hi,
Im wondering if this will actually cleanse the skin, since it is basically an anhydrous lotion bar with added clay, or will it only leave a layer of moisture over the skin? I'm curious to try it but have acne prone skin and don't think Id ever put Shea on my face. Have you personally tried it?
Anonymous said…
*meant coconut oil
LisaLise said…
Hey there Anonymous - Thanks for your input and questions. You are right about these bars being similar to a lotion bar with clay. Ingredients-wise, they are.

They cleanse in much the same way the oil cleansing method works. The fats and oils attract dirt. The addition of clay - in connection with the water you apply to your face prior to the bar – helps draw out impurities.

They do indeed cleanse the skin. I use them on a daily basis and have done so for about a year now. My (mature) skin thrives from using them and several of my young clients use these and have all reported back with positive results. We're talking about skin types ranging from dry to oily to combination, and one lady with acne-prone skin. I haven't yet heard from anyone who didn't have a good experience with them. That can of course mean the unsatisfied folks just aren't getting back to me, but after all this time, I'm fairly certain I would have heard a comment or 2 about it.

It is important to give yourself proper time when using these bars. Take the extra minute to gently massage your face before rinsing thoroughly.

If you are worried about using coconut oil, you can easily replace it with shea butter. Also, if you want to add an acne-fighting ingredient, try adding about 10 drops of tea tree essential oil and 10 drops lavender essential oil to the mixture just before pouring it into the mold (read: when the mixture is at its coolest). Don't use more than 24 drops for a single portion.

I'd love to hear back from you if you decide to give this a try!
Anonymous said…
Well, I tried the OCM a few months ago and it was pretty hard on my skin. I have oily, acne prone skin and it made it flake and dry out and painful. Shea Butter is definitely comedogenic and would probably gunk up my pores, so I wouldn't dream on putting it on my face. I wish I could use products like these, but I just can't. I'd try it on my body though, I think that would be nice.
LisaLise said…
Thanks for getting back to me! You of course have to use what feels right and works for you. I am unaware of shea being comedogenic (did you mean coconut oil?) but again, if you are not comfortable with it, then it is not for you. It would be awesome if a single product was perfect for everyone, but unfortunately it just isn't so. You could always try and make one and pour an extra bit in a separate mold so you could try it once. If it doesn't work for you, the main portion could then be used as a gift.... just a thought..
Anonymous said…
I suppose I just meant Shea Butter definitely breaks MY face out. I am going to try your oatmeal cleansing bar, I just saw that post and that sounds lovely!
LisaLise said…
Great! You can find the entire list of cleansing bar recipes on the How To page. I hope the oatmeal bar will be the bar for you. Do let me know how it goes! :)
Unknown said…
Hi Lisa I recently discovered your blog thanks to humblebeeandme.com I never heard of any soap-free cleansing bars I was intrigued so I made this one but I used a mix of chamomile and lavender tea that's what I have and I use bentonite clay for the 7% of clay. It felt so good gentle exfoliation and it doesn't leave the skin oily I removed it with a warm towel and I finish with a rosemary infusion and apple cider vinegar lotion, my skin felt goooood and the next day I notice my skin was glowing, plumped, since I have acne scars I saw a difference. I really loved it I'm hooked now i can't wait to finish my batch to try a different one.
Thank you for your recipe!!
LisaLise said…
Hello Janet - How lovely of you to leave such a positive and inspiring comment. I'm so pleased to hear this is working for you.
ena said…
Hi Lisa. I love reading your blog and want to thank you for sharing so much of your knowledge with us here. I was just thinking...to keep these bars dry, could we put them in a plastic bag together with those silica gels? The gels come in small packets. Would that be okay? Just a thought.

Anis, Malaysia

LisaLise said…
Hello Anis - Thanks for your kind words, and hat an interesting question! I can't imagine why this wouldn't work. You might want to keep the bags form direct contact with the cleanser though... give it a try and do get back with how it works out.
Laurie said…
These bars are the best. I have been a big fan of facial cleansing oils for ages and these bars make it so transportable. I made one up, tweaking the recipe. Use some oats in place of some of the clay, green clay instead of the yellow, used some chamomile infused oil (idea form your amazing book) and some German chamomile essential oil. So wonderful! Thanks so much for the recipe. So many possibilities.