Lazy Girl DIY Non-Toxic Face Wipe
This One’s for you, lazy girl
Switching things up with a clean beauty post today! This #lazygirl hack is for those nights when you’re just too tired to go through the motions of removing the makeup, doing the cleansing, adding the serums, and doing all the usual skincare routine-ing things. This hack is also great for those times when you just need a quick skin refresh after a workout or long day at work!
DIY Non-Toxic Face Wipe
So here’s how it’s done. Super simple and only 5 steps!
Steps:
Pour some unscented witch hazel on a cotton round
Add a few drops of essential oils of choice (I recommend lavender and/or tea tree)
Use one side of round to remove makeup (avoid getting in eyes)
Use second side of round to cleanse face and neck
Voila, makeup-free refreshed skin!
Fragrances, Additives, Chemicals, Oh My!
I love this option way more than using the face wipes you buy at the store, which often contain harsh fragrances and chemicals that get into your bloodstream and can have toxic effects on the body.
Some issues these additives and chemicals cause include endocrine disruption (mess up your hormones), allergies, headaches, skin irritation, respiratory problems, and more. On a more serious note, some common additives have been found to be carcinogenic - potentially causing or increasing the risk of developing cancer.
PSA: If you are curious about the ingredients and safety of the beauty products you use on a daily basis, I highly recommend visiting https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/. On EWG’s Skin Deep site you can search for the products you use and find the safety level rating provided by the Environmental Working Group, along with explanations of each ingredient and how they may or may not be harmful.
Beyond having harmful ingredients, I also find that pre-packaged face wipes also tend to cause clogged pores and do not actually do a great job of removing all the make-up.
In fact, the other night I tried using a face wipe by a well-respected clean beauty brand and felt like it did a fairly good job of getting my skin clean and moisturized. Then, just out of curiosity, I went over my skin again using the method I mentioned above. What did I find? You guessed it - make-up colored cotton swab. The face wipe did not get the job done after all.
This witch hazel and essential oil combo does a great job getting all the face make-up off while also fighting acne and pimples. Not to mention, it smells divine and transports you into a spa-like tranquility. What more could you ask for?
About The Essentials
Let’s talk about the awesomeness of essential oils, shall we?
First, a word of caution - some people may have sensitivities to essential oils, in which case I recommend simply using the witch hazel on its own for the face wipe tip, or doing some research to find a clean face wipe product that actually works! Additionally, always read the safety labels and directions before use.
Okay, that being said, essential oils are awesome natural choices for a wide variety of uses. Lavender and tea tree oil, in particular, are amazing essential oils for skincare due to their antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal AND anti-inflammatory properties.
Every essential oil comes with its own unique set of properties and health benefits. Lavender is my all-star favorite essential oil due to its versatility and wide array of health benefits. It is kind of like the gateway oil into essential oilism because it is easy and safe to use in so many ways. Aso, in terms of skincare, Lavender is more gentle on the skin than tea tree oil, although they are both helpful in treating pimples and acne.
Some other ways to use essential oils:
Diffuser - add some drops of essential oil to your diffuser for an aromatherapy effect*
*If you have doggos, make sure you’re using dog-safe oils when diffusing! Lavender is a-okay but tea tree oil in the diffuser is a no-go for the doggo!
Sleep - Add a few drops of lavender oil to your evening moisturizer for a soothing calming effect before bedtime that will help you drift off to sleep.
Anxiety - Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba, or avocado oil and rub on chest, neck, and shoulders to calm tightness, tension, and anxiety.
Cleaning - Lavender, lemon, and orange oil are all great for cleaning your home as well! Perhaps I will have to dive further into this tip another time.
Old Mascara - Hot tip right here! Add 1 drop of lavender essential oil to your mascara when it’s nearing its end and mix it in with the mascara wand. This will help extend the mascara life a little bit longer allowing you to get more bang for your buck.
Another thing to note, when it comes to essential oils, quality does matter. You don’t want to skimp on the financial side due to risk of ending up with a product full of fillers and who knows what else. Therapeutic grade is often recommended as the highest quality as it is less diluted than other grades. Organic is also typically preferred. The upside? These oils are going to last you a LONG time, as it only takes a few drops at a time to get the benefits you need.
Here are some of my favorite oils I have used for a few years now. You can get them from Amazon and they last forever!
-Awesome sampler set! … Gift ideas anyone??
Oh, and for the witch hazel:
I hope you love this clean beauty hack as much as I do, as well as these additional essential oil tips and tricks! Let me know if you put them to use in the comments below or on my Instagram @wellismore!