I need a VERY mild facial cleanser

[Hoopin' Mama]

I went to the dermatologist yesterday - who I've only seen twice out of necessity - and he noted how irritated my face is. He thinks that my natural-ish products are way too harsh for my skin. I'm currently using MyChelle cranberry cleanser and I've been using jojoba oil to moisturize for 2 years. I have to agree, my skin looks horrible. 

I've tried several different expensive natural cleansers the past couple of years and nothing is working right. I get excema like rashes. When I don't use anything but water I get zits. 

The dermatologist recommened things that I never would never consider - Oil of Olay, Dove, etc. I'd like to stay a bit more natural, although for the time being I did pick up a bottle of Cerave which he recommended.

Thanks! 

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

I love Coconut Water cleanser from the Ann Webb line and Honeydew cleanser from MyChelle. 

[nstewart]

I switched over to using raw honey about two months ago...can't get more natural than that!  My skin has really improved since switching.

Here is a thread on it. http://www.mothering.com/community/t/541639/wash-your-face-with-honey

[honeybee80]

I'm a honey face-washer too and have been for 4 or 5 years now.  I also have really sensitive skin and honey is gentle on it.

[jmarroq]

I just have plain old eczema. I get it on my face too. Sometimes a moisturizer will agree with me for a few days or weeks...even months and then it starts all over again. I have been keeping it in check, except for a spot under my nose for a while now. I use Vanicreme soap and moisturizer, as recommended by my derm. It has no parabens, but it does have some stuff that can irritate some. I have some neem oil that sometimes works on my eczema, but it smells really bad and I don't want to put it right under my nose! I am going to try the honey...sounds nice!

[honeybee80]

Originally Posted by jmarroq 

I just have plain old eczema. I get it on my face too. Sometimes a moisturizer will agree with me for a few days or weeks...even months and then it starts all over again. I have been keeping it in check, except for a spot under my nose for a while now. I use Vanicreme soap and moisturizer, as recommended by my derm. It has no parabens, but it does have some stuff that can irritate some. I have some neem oil that sometimes works on my eczema, but it smells really bad and I don't want to put it right under my nose! I am going to try the honey...sounds nice!

I have eczema too and have gotten it mostly in check through diet.  I realized that my eczema went away when I eliminated dairy (and have since figured out that it's just milk and butter that make it flare up--weird that cheese doesn't do it!)  Maybe try some dietary eliminations (if you haven't already) to try to figure out the root cause.  One of the herbalists at the apothecary I go to said that most skin-related ailments are internally caused and can be cured through diet.  I am still, however, trying to figure out what's been causing my awful dry scalp that I have had issues with for years!

[sunnysandiegan]

I wash my sensitive skin with honey. Love it!!!!!

I don't always even need a moisturizer. When I do, I use my homemade face serum (blend of oils).

I usually recommend straight coconut oil at first, though. It really helps soothe irritated skin and turn things around. When it sits on top of your skin instead of soaking in immediately, then it is time to do a blend of oils. I gradually decrease the amount of VCO for myself and clients.

I've been washing my face with honey since last year, but I've been using VCO and, later, a blend of oils as moisturizer for a couple years now. I also use rosewater as a spritzer/ toner and have been doing that the longest...over 3 years now.

My skin issues were due to hormonal imbalances brought about during/after pregnancy. My Ayurveda practitioner had me switch to rosewater products for my face along with taking certain herbs and doing certain practices (dry skin brushing before every shower, for example). MAJOR IMPROVEMENT!!!! I went from oily and 2-3 'zits' at all times to fairly "normal" skin for the first time in my life. AMAZING!!!! The rosewater also helped my eyes a lot, which was practically miraculous for me. I was having such a hard time I finally went to see an eye doctor. Love her! Anyway, she told me I had blepharitis (a specific condition within the "dry eye syndrome") and to use a mild baby shampoo to wash my eyes every day. I got California Baby fragrance-free baby wash/shampoo. When I saw my Ayurveda practitioner next, she said I would speed up the healing by using rosewater to wash my eyes daily. So true. When I went back to the eye doc two years after the initial visit, she was astounded. She said she is recommending rosewater to all blepharitis patients.

Anyway, my point is our skin is a reflection of internal issues. Hormonal imbalances were the cause of my skin issues. Getting experienced help is invaluable! good luck!

Edited by sunnysandiegan - 5/11/12 at 6:43pm