How to Make a Self-Preserving Rosemary and Honey Facial Cleanser
Today we're going to make a simple, all-natural cleanser that is both gentle and effective for all skin types.
The best part? There are only 2 ingredients
The other best part? It smells divine and works like a dream
The third best part? This cleanser is self-preserving and has a very long shelf life
The worst part? It takes a few days to prepare
Are you ready to get started? Excellent, then let's get busy!
Testing Limits
You only need 2 ingredients to make this cleanser: raw honey and fresh rosemary.Admittedly, this started last year as a bit of a 'let's-test-the-limits-of-these-ingredients' experiment. To really challenge the process, I decided to used freshly picked herbs – straight from my summer garden.
You might already be gasping at the very thought.
Raw botanicals with raw honey?!
Those ingredients are just asking for trouble!
Combining 'bug food' with more 'bug food'?! (and isn't it about time we retired that ridiculous term? Thank you, yes, I believe it is.)
I told you I was testing limits, didn't I?
Well guess what.
Despite doing 'all the wrong things', the results were all kinds of skin-loving fabulous, so I decided to share this cleanser how-to with you.
Alternatively, place a sanitized, fine-mesh sieve over a bowl, pour the honey mixture into the sieve, place a lid over it and let gravity do its thing until your honey cleanser is ready to be bottled.
Raw honey can have many colors and viscosities and still be the real thing. Depending on what your raw honey is like, you might find a squeezy tube ideal for your cleanser.
The book pictured below has a section on how to tell if your honey is the real thing (along with a whole lot of preservative-free cosmetics formulas you can make). Click the picture to be whisked to my site where you can read more.
I told you I was testing limits, didn't I?
Well guess what.
Despite doing 'all the wrong things', the results were all kinds of skin-loving fabulous, so I decided to share this cleanser how-to with you.
Here are the proportions
LisaLise’s Rosemary Honey Facial Cleanser
| Ingredient | Percent |
|---|---|
| Fresh Rosemary | 25 |
| Raw Honey | 75 |
Method
- If your rosemary has thick stocks, remove the leaves and discard the stocks
- Wash the rosemary in distilled water and let dry thoroughly
- Lightly chop the rosemary
- Weigh out honey and add to sanitized container
- Weigh out rosemary and add to honey
- Stir with a sanitized tool to incorporate
- Place lid on jar
- Let infuse for 3-5 days at room temperature away from direct light and heat
- Strain and bottle
Straining Tips
I strained this batch through a clean piece of muslin. If you wear latex gloves, you can easily squeeze out the last bit of honey.Alternatively, place a sanitized, fine-mesh sieve over a bowl, pour the honey mixture into the sieve, place a lid over it and let gravity do its thing until your honey cleanser is ready to be bottled.
Viscosity and Bottling
My end result was thinner than the original (thickish, spreadable) honey so I opted for the pump bottle you see above.Raw honey can have many colors and viscosities and still be the real thing. Depending on what your raw honey is like, you might find a squeezy tube ideal for your cleanser.
The book pictured below has a section on how to tell if your honey is the real thing (along with a whole lot of preservative-free cosmetics formulas you can make). Click the picture to be whisked to my site where you can read more.
Comments
Is your result moisturizing? I wonder what would happen if you added a pinch of clay.......
@Anonymous - the viscosity change is in all likelihood due to the natural moisture content of the fresh rosemary as it infused into the honey.
@Lisa Belt - To use this as a cleanser, apply to a lightly dampened face, massage gently (as you would with any other cleanser), then rinse off. Honey rinses away without a care in the world, but do be sure your hair is kept away from the face as it's a bit fiddly to rinse out of hair. :)
I’m just wondering how we know for certain there is no bacteria inside.
@Aish - Oh my goodness I can imagine how fabulous a mixture of amla and honey would be- the tart and sweet together! I wish I had access to the fresh berries - I would be all over this idea for skincare! (And would probably taste a lot too)
@Macy - Your words are so kind and truly warm my heart. I am totally with you on using and going with what works for you - whether a commercially manufactured or home crafted product.
@Anda - Thanks for your comment. Raw honey can have many different viscosities and colors. I buy local honey from different suppliers where I live and have everything from a light and runny to a dark syrup-y consistency to a thick spreadable consistency. Although I know some prefer using heat, I personally refrain from using heat in order to maintain the integrity of the honey.
I’ve used it solo and with my Rose Milk Cleansing Grains. I was inspired by your post on roses. The power of roses is incredible! I am in love with this cleanser😁. I digress....
The honey cleanser is impressive - either by itself or in combination. My Mom has dry skin...very dry skin. Plus, she has hard water which isn’t the best for faces. I am going to ask her to try this honey cleanser. She uses a Vitamin C focused Cleansing Grain I made. I think she will like adding the honey cleanser! too.
I will be posting pictures of the honey cleanser on my Instagram page- Barker Street Naturals. If you have the chance, stop by and see.
Thanks for your inspiration!
I was wondering if you think that dried herbs or flowers will infuse just as well as fresh. I personally think that freah is better. But. I have some really great herbs and flowers I want to try to infuse. Have you tried I fusing honey with and dried herb?
Thanks!!