You probably knew this already but...

[American Valkyrie]

I made my first batch of salt soap about a month ago (100% CO, 20% SF, Morton salt, green oxide and Bonsai FO from BB.) I waited just a tiny bit too long to cut it, and the bottoms of the bars were just crumbly enough that they didn't make a smooth edge. To shape the bars up, I used a vegetable peeler on this bottom edge and saved the shavings in an old sea salt container. I also added a few teaspoons of baking soda to the shavings, and set it on my bathroom sink.

I still have acne, which is especially frustrating because I'm 34 years old! It gets worse after I hit the gym and sweat runs down my face. Switching to mineral powder makeup helped, but didn't clear it up.

Anyway, my point... the salt soap/baking soda crumbles are a great wash! No breakouts for over 2 weeks, which is a record for me. It took about a week for my skin to get used to the switch in cleanser. I grated down another bar and mixed in baking soda, and gave it to a friend (also 34) to try out. I even put a small amount in a tiny shaker (the kind with wider holes, not salt-size) for my gym bag. So far it's my favorite facial cleanser, and it's so simple.

I would love to hear input from other people, especially people with especially dry or oily skin.

 

[nattynoo]

I have an oily complexion & the occassional breakout.
I use the salt soap regularly on my face.
I like it.
I do however need to put a good moituriser on afterwards.
Seems to keep breakout somewhat at bay.

 

[BakingNana]

Had oily skin when I was younger; now it's combination, I guess. Nose can get shiny, but the rest of my face is neither oily nor dry.

I just recently started using salt soap for facial cleansing, and I have to agree with both of you. Love the way it cleanses my pores. Been using sugar scrubs to remove makeup since becoming obsessed with those cute little cubes. I have sensitive skin. I'm really surprised how well I'm tolerating both of these things, especially since I'm using fragrances. I made a red clay soap on the 4th, and couldn't stand to wait to try it. It's AMAZING for deep cleansing. Since I always moisturize, I don't worry about things drying my face. I'm more interested in deep cleansing because I have rather large pores. That clay soap feels like you just finished a mask. Never thought facial cleansing could be so interesting.

 

[leishs]

oh that is great to hear that you have found something to help your ance and better still, something that is probably reasonable cheap too.. i hope it continues to help you..
I too are 34 yrs old, i only get mild ance and its mainly hormonal.. i never had it much when most ppl struggle with it, had dry skin.. struggle free - but get it now..

my cousin was only saying today that the salt from the beach helped with her skin, and her ance.. so maybe there is something in it there! good luck

 

[ChrissyB]

I have always had oily skin, not acneic, but oily.
I love salt soap to wash my face with. Love love love it!!

 

[Bubbly Buddha]

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Jezzy]

Next time you wash your face with the salt soap baking soda mixture add about a teaspoon of honey to the mixture It is awesome!!!

 

[paillo]

Anyway, my point... the salt soap/baking soda crumbles are a great wash! No breakouts for over 2 weeks, which is a record for me. It took about a week for my skin to get used to the switch in cleanser. I grated down another bar and mixed in baking soda, and gave it to a friend (also 34) to try out. I even put a small amount in a tiny shaker (the kind with wider holes, not salt-size) for my gym bag. So far it's my favorite facial cleanser, and it's so simple.

I would love to hear input from other people, especially people with especially dry or oily skin.

i'm a couple decades older than you, and still get breakouts too (aren't i EVER going to outgrow it? ) i LOVE salt bars on my face. have oily skin and they dry my skin just enough to normalize it. i also LOVE the sugar cubes, made from salt bars and essential oils, for facial cleansing. my skin has never been so clear and soft after using them, and they're great for reducing pores.

had never thought about adding baking soda and honey. great ideas!

so do you just have these dry in a bowl? wonder how sugar cubes would work with these salt crumblies, a little coconut oil and shea butter, and the baking soda and honey. hmmm, might be this evening's project, thanks!

 

[photoshadows]

Who would think that we'd still be dealing with acne in our 30s? I too have the same problem and have been following my dermatologist's regime. It's not fixing the problem, but has improved things. Now that I've gotten the soap making bug and I'm reading things like this, I may have to try making something myself and see if it's better. I'm just scared I may return to prior acne levels which were even worse :x

What kinds of recipes are you all using for acne soaps?

 

[Stacey]

I just read recently that charcoal and tea tree oil is good for acne.
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/forum/vi ... ght=carbon

I've also done some reading the Oil Cleansing Method. (Google it, you'll get some good info about it) I've tried it a couple of times and really like it.

My first batch of salt bars are still curing so I haven't tried them yet but now I'm even more excited to give them a go.

And hey, I hate to tell ya...I'm 43 and still dealing with acne breakouts too. Nice.

 

[American Valkyrie]

so do you just have these dry in a bowl? wonder how sugar cubes would work with these salt crumblies, a little coconut oil and shea butter, and the baking soda and honey. hmmm, might be this evening's project, thanks!

I have an old container that once carried sea salt... it has one of those rotating lids where you can choose a sprinkle or a pour spout. When I wash my face, I wet my face first, then pour a tiny bit of the soap/soda into my palm, rub it, and scrub my face. Our local Winco also sells empty spice bottles beside their bulk spices. These have a rather large sprinkle spout, too. That's what I used for my friend's sample.

 

[American Valkyrie]

My first batch of salt bars are still curing so I haven't tried them yet but now I'm even more excited to give them a go.

Stacey, I first tried my salt soap just a few days after making it. I used the crumbles leftover from smoothing the edges of the bars. I made sure to moisturize afterward, but now I don't even moisturize and it's not a problem. The soap is about 3 weeks old right now.