Face Cleanser for Oily Skin

A gentle face cleanser for oily skin with salicylic acid and glucoside surfactants. Non-stripping — full recipe with exact grams and step-by-step.

In this recipe
  1. Ingredients:
  2. Method:
  3. Notes:

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A great face cleanser that is gentle to the skin yet will clean your face thoroughly.

Ingredients:

  • 66.5 gr distilled water
  • 1 gr panthenol
  • 3 gr glycerin
  • 1 gr xanthan gum
  • 18 gr decyl glucoside
  • 4 gr coco glucoside
  • 2 gr hawthorn extract
  • 3 gr salicylic acid
  • 1 gr cosgard preservative
  • 0.5 gr essential oil
  • Few drops of lactic acid to adjust PH level

Method:

  1. In a beaker add the distilled water.

  2. Weight the xanthan gum and glycerin and combine them together in a small jar to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the water and mix well, you can use a small hand mixture or milk frother to make sure everything is well combined.

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  1. Add to the beaker the surfactants (decyl glucoside and coco glucoside) and mix gently.

  2. Add the rest of the ingredients.

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  1. Check the PH level and adjust it by adding a few drops of lactic acid, then check again.

  2. To check the PH level place in a small beaker 1 gr of the cleanser and add 9 gr of distilled water, mix them well and check the PH. repeat this process until you reach the PH level desired. (between 5 to 6 will be a good PH level).

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Notes:

  • Distilled water can be replaced with a hydrosol or aloe vera juice.

  • If you don’t have panthenol you can just skip it and add 1 gr to the water amount. I added the panthenol for it’s anti-inflammatory properties.

  • You can replace the surfactants with others, it is recommended to combine 2 or more to get the best result in terms of lather, foam and cleansing properties.

  • For oily skin I recommend to use the hawthorn extract or something similar that can help with balancing the oil level of the skin.

  • The salicylic acid is also great for oily skin since Salicylic combats acne breakouts because of its ability to reduce and regulate sebum secretion.

  • You can use only one of the extracts if you can’t find both. In case you want to use other extracts, carrot extract and green tea extract are good substitutes.

  • If you are using a different kind of preservative please check the supplier instructions for the usage percentage and PH level for the chosen preservative.

  • You can use essential oil or fragrance oil, tea tree essential oil is one of my favorites for oily skin products, but you can choose lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, geranium or petitgrain instead. If you prefer to skip the essential oil just add 0.5 gr to the water amount.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I use this cleanser every day?
Yes, this formula is designed for daily use even on oily and acne-prone skin. The 3% salicylic acid is at a leave-on safe level, and since this is a rinse-off cleanser, it stays well within comfortable limits.
Is the salicylic acid here safe during pregnancy?
Most experts say topical salicylic acid at low percentages in a rinse-off cleanser is fine, but check with your doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you prefer to skip it, replace with 3% more distilled water.
What pH should this cleanser be?
Aim for pH 5 to 6, adjusted with a few drops of lactic acid solution. That range keeps the cleanser gentle on the skin barrier and lets the salicylic acid stay effective.
How long does this cleanser last once made?
With Cosgard at 1% and clean tools, expect about 3 months in a pump bottle, as per the supplier's instructions. Store away from light, watch for any change in smell, color or texture, and discard if anything seems off.
Can I swap decyl glucoside for another surfactant?
Yes, coco glucoside or caprylyl capryl glucoside both work 1:1 at 18% by weight. They are equally mild and produce similar foam, just slightly different feel on the skin.