Leave your skin feeling smooth with this Charcoal and Clay Face Scrub. Made with a liquid soap base, it has a gentle lather. Additional tamanu oil and hazelnut oil are added because of their amazing skin benefits. In particular, they are great for oily skin types. If you prefer different oil for your skin, feel free to swap them out. Just keep in mind it may change the consistency a bit!
The Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base is made exclusively from olive oil, resulting in a very mild soap. It has a light lather and gentle cleansing properties so it’s suitable for delicate facial skin. If you have extremely dry skin, this recipe may not be the best as it contains kaolin clay and charcoal, which may be drying. Decreasing the amount of kaolin clay and charcoal may help make it suitable for dry skin types; a small test batch may help you find the right ratio for you.
Medium sized jojoba beads give this scrub a gentle amount of exfoliation. Jojoba beads are great for the face because they are round and won’t scratch delicate face skin. The amount of scrub in this recipe is light; if you prefer more exfoliation feel free to add more jojoba beads. Don’t get jojoba beads confused with micro-beads – they are quite different! Learn about the difference here.
What You’ll Need:
Six 4 oz. Jars
10 oz. Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base
6 oz. Hazelnut Oil
0.5 oz. Tamanu Oil
11 oz. Kaolin Clay
4 oz. White Jojoba Beads – Medium
0.3 oz. Activated Charcoal
3 mL Tea Tree Essential Oil
0.1 oz. Optiphen
Dropper
Optional: Charcoal Soap & Scrub Label Template -Free PDF
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ONE: In a large mixing bowl, add the Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base, hazelnut and tamanu oil. Stir until completely combined. The mixture will take on a milky appearance.
TWO: Add the tea tree essential oil and Optiphen. Stir in completely.
NOTE ABOUT PRESERVATIVES: Although this scrub doesn’t contain water, it will likely get water splashed in it during use. The extra water may cause bacteria and mold to grow. We added a preservative to be extra careful, but it is optional. You can read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post.
THREE: In a separate container, whisk together the kaolin clay, activated charcoal and jojoba beads until completely combined.
FOUR: Add the clay mixture into the liquid mixture in about 3-4 batches. Use a whisk to completely mix in. Adding the dry ingredients in batches helps prevent the dry ingredients from “poofing” up. Continue mixing until completely combined with no clumps. Pour the scrub into jars and seal with the lid.
When you’re ready to use, apply a small amount of the scrub to wet skin. Use gentle circular motions to scrub and wash the face. Avoid the immediate eye area. Rinse off. Follow with moisturizer or other skin care. Enjoy!
- Six 4 oz. Jars
- 10 oz. Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base
- 6 oz. Hazelnut Oil
- 0.5 oz. Tamanu Oil
- 11 oz. Kaolin Clay
- 4 oz. White Jojoba Beads – Medium
- 0.3 oz. Activated Charcoal
- 3 mL Tea Tree Essential Oil
- 0.1 oz. Optiphen
- Dropper
- In a large mixing bowl, add the Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base, hazelnut and tamanu oil. Stir until completely combined. The mixture will take on a milky appearance.
- Add the tea tree essential oil and Optiphen. Stir in completely.
- In a separate container, whisk together the kaolin clay, activated charcoal and jojoba beads until completely combined.
- Add the clay mixture into the liquid mixture in about 3-4 batches. Use a whisk to completely mix in. Adding the dry ingredients in batches helps prevent the dry ingredients from "poofing" up. Continue mixing until completely combined with no clumps. Pour the scrub into jars and seal with the lid.
- When you’re ready to use, apply a small amount of the scrub to wet skin. Use gentle circular motions to scrub and wash the face. Avoid the immediate eye area. Rinse off. Follow with moisturizer, or other skin care. Enjoy!
A friend gave me a jar of this she made as a gift. I now want to make my own but see that the Hazelnut Oil has been discontinued. What would be a good substitute for the Hazelnut Oil?
I would go for Sweet Almond or Apricot Kernal. Those will feel pretty similar to each other in the scrub.
Thank you, Chloe. One last question….the Tamanu Oil is currently out of stock until March 19 (wow!). What would be a good substitute for this?
Hi, I just made this. I got a much drier texture, what did i do wrong? I used sweet almond oil. I also used sea salt and pumice instead of jojoba beads. is that the reason? it’s a little bit curdy and not in a liquid form… thanks.
It could be that the Sea Salt and Pumice Sand sucked up more of the moisture from the liquid oils in this recipe than Jojoba Beads would. You may want to add in some extra liquid oil like the Sweet Almond Oil you used.
Sweet Almond Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
Approximately, how many uses do you get out of this size jar? I am sure it varies depending on how thick you put it on and different size faces, but in general is it 3-4?
Thanks!
It will definitely depend on use. Though I think you should be able to get more out of each jar, at least 6 or so uses. They hold 4 oz each.
Hello,
I was wondering if I can remove the activated charcoal ingredient and replace it with lavender or rose clay? Would this work a moisturizing scrub? Also can this be labeled as a natural product? Thank you
Best
Yes, you can swap the Activated Charcoal for lavender or rose clay. Just keep in mind it might change the feel a little bit, clay tends to be more drying than charcoal. This is a traditional facial scrub that is meant to be washed off. It is a mostly natural product and natural is not a regulated term. Though the Optiphen preservative would not be considered natural.
hi, I saw this recipe online that am trying to make a facial mask with the ingredients below
*clay
*activated charcoal
*probiotic capsule
*apple cider vinegar
*tea tree or lavender or lemon oil
what can I add to make it more rich and also what preservative can I use to prevent it from getting mold/bacteria
can you please also help with the measurements to get six 4oz jars
We haven’t made a recipe quite like that so I’m not 100% sure.
If you want to add more moisturizing properties you may like a rich oil mixed in like Meadowfoam Oil.
I would recommend using Optiphen for a preservative.
Optiphen: https://www.brambleberry.com/Optiphen-P3682.aspx
Which Face Mask is Right for You?: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/face-mask-right/
Hi Terah,
Wanted to ask what is the substitute of Castile Liquid Soap Base? I cant find locally in my place. I am from Philippines wanted to make this recipe Charcoal Facial Scrub.
Can I use peppermint castile soap as a base?
We haven’t tried it before but I don’t see why not. If you try it let us know how it turns out!
Hi There,
I love this recipe and have been looking for something just like it 🙂
If I would like to extend the shelf life of the product, what would you suggest to be the most natural preservative to use, with no parabens? I have been using Geoguard Ultra with some of my other products. Will this work?
Thanks so much for sharing! x
Optiphen would be the best choice that as it is both paraben and formaldehyde free. We have not found a fully natural preservative that will keep products that contain or come into contact with water from growing bacteria.
Optiphen: https://www.brambleberry.com/Optiphen-P3682.aspx
Hello! I’d like to make this with the liquid soap paste I recently made. (The recipe for the paste is 22 oz. coconut oil, 4 oz. castor oil, 1 oz. jojoba oil, 16 oz. water, and 6.25 oz. KOH.) The paste is mixed with water at a 1:1 ratio to make liquid soap. Can I replace the 10 oz. of the BB liquid soap base with my own liquid soap? Would I need to add an emulsifier or a higher amount of preservative? Thanks! 🙂
That should be just fine, the only reason you would need to add more preservative is if you are using a lot more water than normal, say to put it into a foaming liquid soap bottle.
Thanks, Chloe! I made this and LOVE IT!
Hi, i followed the recipe with following aubatitutions –
1. Sweet almond oil instead of hazelnut oil
2. Salt instead of jojoba beads
3. Leucidal instead pf optiphen
My mixture separated like milk curdles with water separating out. What did i do wrong? Please advise.. 🙁
You mentioned that water separated out from your mixture, but our recipe doesn’t contain water – is it possible that it was added by mistake?
Hi, just want to know if instead of castile liquid soap I can use liquid gliceryne?
You could I suppose, but you would lose the cleansing power of the scrub and it would be more moisturizing instead.
Question, I plan on using a walnut shell powder for the exfoliant, would you recommend 4oz of walnut for the 4oz jojoba beads? Curious if they swap equally or should I go up or down.
thank you,
D
We haven’t tried making this recipe with walnut shells. I recommend adding a small amount first and slowly adding more until it is as exfoliating as you want it to be.
Thank you….
A response for anyone stumbling on this question later! I just made this and I used walnut shells – I swapped out 1:1 for the jojoba beads. It is whoa-nelly level of exfoliation. I think the jojoba beads would probably be gentler and will try the recipe next time using those instead for a less intense scrub.
The only other changes I made were: swapping out the 6oz hazelnut oil for 5.5oz avocado oil and .5oz moringa seed oil, and I used a FO rather than the tea tree EO (I had to use about 2x or ~6mL with my FO).
Mine turned out a bit lighter in color and has a whipped consistency – I think I could hold the jars upside down and it would stay put. I did really whip it though before putting it into the jars to break up any clay clumps. I rubbed it on my face just before my shower, then rinsed first thing on entering the shower and did not otherwise wash my face. My skin feels incredible! Clean and soft but very moisturized. I might turn this into a daily thing and retire my existing face soap.
What’s the Shelf life on these scrubs with and without preservative?
The shelf life is 3-6 months. We formulated this recipe with a preservative because it is likely to get water in it. The extra water may cause mold and bacteria to grow.
Preservatives don’t lengthen the shelf life of products, but they do prevent mold from growing. Here is more information on preservatives: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
This post has a lot of great information on the shelf life of bath and body products: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/shelf-life-bath-products-ingredients-rancidity-vs-mold/
Hi I have a question , its very difficult to fine liquid soap base in my country . Can I use goats milk soap base to make this scrub . If yes , then I will have to melt the base then add oils ??
Melt and pour soap base will change the texture of this scrub and make it pretty hard, so we don’t recommend it. If you can’t find liquid soap base you can leave it out, reduce the powders, and add more oil. The scrub won’t be as cleansing and it will be thicker.
Hi there, just came across this recipe. We don’t get optiphen in our country. What is the other preservative I can use
Phenonip works as well. You can use it at the same amount as the Optiphen: https://www.brambleberry.com/Phenonip-P4038.aspx
Learn more about preservatives here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
Is it possible to make a soap ‘paste’? So mixing the soap base with an emulsifier?
Can I make a soap base with a mix of surfactants?
I’m not sure, we haven’t tried that before. You may see if someone on teachsoap.com/forum knows more.
How long can this product stay in the container for? If i am making this for gifts.. i would like to let them know..
This scrub has a shelf life of about 3 months because of the hazelnut oil. If you want it to last longer, you can add another lightweight oil with a longer shelf life. Sweet almond or avocado oil are good options.
Sweet almond oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
Find a list of oil shelf lives here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/free-beginners-guide-to-soapmaking-common-soapmaking-oils/
They store best in a cool, dry place. This post has more information on that: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
Thank you so much!
H, I’d like to make a Rose version of this scrub, So I am thinking of using
Rose Clay, Rose Absolute, jojoba oil, tamanu oil and jojoba beads.
With the rest of the ingredients staying the same. What do you think?
That sounds like a great recipe. Do you want to add those to this recipe, or replace some of the ingredients in this scrub with them? Let me know and I can suggest amounts to start with.
When labeling this scrub to sell, would it look something like this as the ingredients are from most used to least amount used?
Ingredients: Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base,Coconut Oil, Kaolin Clay, White Jojoba beads, Tamanu Oil, Activated Charcoal, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Optiphen.
Sorry, it should read as follows:
Ingredients: Kaolin Clay, Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base,Coconut Oil, White Jojoba beads, Tamanu Oil, Activated Charcoal, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Optiphen.
Yes, that order is correct. We do recommend listing the ingredients of each item if necessary though. For instance, Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base would be followed by (Aqua/Water/Eau, Olive Oil, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide) and Optiphen would be (Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol).
Learn more about labeling products here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/how-to-label-lotion/
This book has great information as well: https://www.brambleberry.com/Soap-And-Cosmetic-Labeling-Book-1-Book-P3663.aspx
Can I sub phenoxyethanol as a preservative?
And what would be the amount? Thanks a lot!
Can I use foaming bath whip instead of castle soap to give it more of a whipped texture?
Yes, you can use Foaming Bath Butter in this recipe. I would recommend adding that first and using a hand or stand mixer to whip it for a few minutes. You can start with 5 oz. or so. Then, add the rest of your ingredients and try it on your skin. If you want more Foaming Bath Butter, you can add from there.
Foaming Bath Butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Foaming-Bath-Butter-P4955.aspx
Can I use normal liquid soap instead of d Castile soap
You can experiment with using a different liquid soap base if you’d like. It may affect the consistency of the scrub, or how clean it washes off the skin. I would recommend making a small test batch with the soap base to see how it behaves in the recipe.
Hi, I was wondering if it makes a difference in using castile liquid soap or just vegetable glycerin?
Yes, the scrub will feel different. The Castile soap adds cleansing properties to the recipe. The glycerin is a humectant, so it helps draw moisture to the skin but it doesn’t cleanse like soap. It will also add a sticky texture. If you substitute them, you’ll want to make a small test batch to see if you like the way it feels.
Glycerin: https://www.brambleberry.com/Glycerin-Liquid-P5965.aspx
Hello! I have been thinking of making this recipe, but I’m having trouble with finding Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base. I have been looking online and I found “Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap – Green Tea, ” is it okay to use that instead? Thanks a lot!
You can find the Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base on our website, BrambleBerry.com: https://www.brambleberry.com/Natural-Castile-Liquid-Soap-Base-P4609.aspx
We recommend that base for best results.
HOW do I change this to make just a simple face wash?
This recipe works well as a face wash and scrub. Are you wanting a recipe without exfoliants?
I made this recipe tonight and absolutely LOVE it! I doubled the recipe hoping to get 12 4 oz jars and ended up getting 24! I used a kitchen aid mixer instead of hand mixing, so that probably is what made it so whipped. I would suggest letting this scrub sit in the container you mix it in for a few minutes before putting it in the jars because it shrinks slightly (or maybe mine did because of the kitchen aid). Either way, great recipe! I took away some of the hazelnut oil and added sweet almond oil (half and half) because I have dry skin and it was perfect. Love love love!!!
Glad to hear you’re loving it Shelby. This mask is a great gift this time of year (or any other time really).
Could you use Potassium Cocoate instead of the Castile Soap base?
Yes, potassium cocoate is similar to liquid soap so it will work in this recipe.
Potassium cocoate: https://www.brambleberry.com/Potassium-Cocoate-P5902.aspx
I plan to make this soon but need to know if the measurements are by volume or weight?
All of the measurements are weight except the tea tree oil. You can measure the tea tree with a dropper, and then use a scale for the rest.
Dropper: https://www.brambleberry.com/droppers-with-suction-bulb-p3802.aspx
Hi, Can I use baking soda instead of jojoba beads?
Also, what oils can I substitute for Tamanu and Hazlenut and in what proportions? I am unable to find both these oils where I live. Thanks
You can use baking soda instead of jojoba beads. It’s a finer grain, so it will be a more gentle exfoliation than the jojoba beads.
As for the oils, you can use any you like. If you prefer a lightweight oil, avocado or sweet almond work well. If you like a heavier oil, olive oil will work. Just make sure to make a small test batch with the substitutions to see what you think of the consistency. If you want to change something you can adjust before making a larger batch.
Sweet almond: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
Avocado: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
Olive oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Olive-Oil-Pure-P5246.aspx
Thank you!
Hi I have made my own castille liquid soap how much dilution water should I use for this recipe
You can start with a 3:1 dilution for your soap and see what you think. If you want it a bit thinner and less concentrated, a 4:1 ratio will work.
Disappointed. 🙁 I’m 100% sure I followed the recipe to a T. It came out super thick. Not like the picture in the description. I also tried it on myself and it felt greasy and hardly lathered. Not sure what happened.
The same thing happened to me! I used grapeseed oil as a substitute though and bentonite clay since I didn’t have kaolin and substituted jojoba beads for salt. I also converted from ounces into grams. I then remade it using grams and mls instead and adding more liquid soap and oils but it was still thick.
The texture of this product is unique. It has a thick texture that feels like a mixture between a scrub and a mask. If your product is pretty thick, that is normal. If you prefer a thinner texture, you can add more liquid soap. If you want to more scrubby, you can add more jojoba beads or another exfoliant like walnut shells: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
You may like this recipe as well, it’s very cleansing and exfoliating: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cleansing-orange-spice-salt-scrub/
Hi if i omit the jojoba beads, will this product turn out to be more like a face mask instead of scrub? And will omitting the beads be make the product be just fine?
Thnk u in advance 🙂
Yes, without the jojoba beads this recipe will feel more like a mask than a scrub. You can leave them out if you like. You may find the consistency is more liquid without 4 ounces of jojoba beads, so I would recommend starting with less oil and soap base to start with (an ounce or two). You can add more from there if you like.
Thank you!
Is it possible I replace the optiphen with emulsifying wax?
Optiphen is a preservative used to protect against mold and bacteria, while e-wax is an emulsifier used to combine oil and water. They are not able to be substituted, and e-wax isn’t necessary in this recipe because there’s no water. We recommend the Optiphen or another preservative like Phenonip.
Phenonip: https://www.brambleberry.com/Phenonip-P4038.aspx
Learn more about preservatives here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
What can I use as a substitute for jojoba beads ?
You can use other exfoliants like salt, sugar, walnut shells, or shredded loofah. I would recommend starting with 2 ounces and trying some on the skin. If you want more exfoliation, you can add more from there.
Learn more about exfoliants here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
Walnut shells: https://www.brambleberry.com/Walnut-Shells-P4531.aspx
Shredded loofah: https://www.brambleberry.com/Shredded-Loofah-P3252.aspx
Can I use hemp oil in place of nut oils?
Yes, you can use hemp oil in place of the other oils in this recipe. It will have a slightly different consistency, so you may want to make a small test batch to see what you think.
Refined Hemp Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Hemp-Seed-Oil-Refined-P3209.aspx
Natural Hemp Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Natural-Hemp-Seed-Oil-P3211.aspx
Can I use phenonip instead of optiphen? That is all I have on hand. Thanks
Yes, Phenonip will work for this recipe. You can use the same amount as the Optiphen (0.1 oz.)
Phenonip: https://www.brambleberry.com/phenonip-p4038.aspx
Hi, I know volume and weight were mentioned in another comment. I was wondering which is the right scale to use when LABELING. Do you put volume or weight? What about for a mask? Would you do volume or weight? thanks.
So for solid products you want to label your product by weight and for liquid products you want to label by volume. It does make it a little tricky when labeling really thick creams and masks – but I would recommend volume.
Just want to say that I made this last week for myself and it is one of my favorite items. My tester (two daughters) feel the same way. I put it on a damp face before I get into the shower and it has dried by the time the water is warm. I can’t wait to add this to my product line. I did put it into a 4 oz. bottle with a disk cap. It makes it easier to control the amount used. I am not a soaper but thinking of trying the charcoal soap next. Thanks for the inspiration.
That’s awesome, so glad you and your daughters are loving this recipe! It’s nice being able to make your own instead of buying expensive scrubs from the store. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello I have a few questions!
If I am storing this in a pump can I steer clear of the preservative?
If I do, and I’m not using hazelnut oil, do I go by the shelf life of the next oil or shelf life of the soap?
Also, can bentonite clay be added to soap without a preservative? Does this mess with the shelf life and how?
Sorry for all the questions! I’m just confused and have been searching for answers and can’t find any anywhere.
I plan to make a face wash in pump containers with castile soap , activated charcoal, bentonite clay, jojoba or sweet almond oil, geranium and tea tree oil. I’ve been going crazy trying to see if I would need a preservative or if it’s ok like this with a sealed container.
Also, if the castile soap I use has a preservative in it, do I need to add more to the entire recipe? (Hypothetically, because I’m unsure of what brand I’ll be using)
Thank you!
Technically, a preservative isn’t needed in scrubs. However, if your scrub will be stored in a wet area or you plan to sell it, we recommend a preservative. It protects against any mold and bacteria growth from water getting splashed in the product. Read more about preservatives here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
The shelf life of your scrub depends on the shelf life of the oil, whether it has a preservative, and how it’s stored. For the longest shelf life, we recommend a long shelf-life oil, using a preservative, and storing in a cool, dry place. The clay shouldn’t affect that too much – it does tend to absorb moisture from in the air, that’s why the cool, dry storage is best.
Learn more about shelf lives here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/shelf-life-bath-products-ingredients-rancidity-vs-mold/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I just wanted to say I made this (but cut the recipe in half since I didn’t need so much) and I LOVE it! Thank y’all for such great recipes!
<3
You’re welcome Yasemin, glad you’re loving this recipe!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have a question instead of the oils mentioned can I use grapeseed and jojoba oils, and instead of c stile soap base have you tried the whipped soap base by chance
You can swap out the oils if you like, but keep in mind that will change the consistency of the scrub. You may want to make a small test batch to see what you think. You can also test the Foaming Bath Butter in that test batch. It helps to whip it before adding the other ingredients so they’re easier to incorporate.
Grapeseed oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Grapeseed-Oil-P6029.aspx
Jojoba oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Jojoba-Oil-Golden-P3219.aspx
Foaming Bath Butter: https://www.brambleberry.com/Foaming-Bath-Butter-P4955.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
HI, you answered earlier that the scrub as a shelf life of about 3 months. can it be frozen to keep longer? If not is there a all natural preservative which can be added to it?
What shortens the shelf life of this scrub is the hazelnut oil, which lasts for about 3 months. You can add an oil with a longer shelf life so this scrub lasts longer. Find a list of oils, their properties, and their shelf lives here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/free-beginners-guide-to-soapmaking-common-soapmaking-oils/
And learn more about product shelf lives here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/shelf-life-bath-products-ingredients-rancidity-vs-mold/
Also, this scrub does have Optiphen, which is a preservative that helps protect against mold and bacteria from any water that’s splashed in.
This post has more on preservatives: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello! and thanks for your incredible recipes!
With this one, I have a doubt: you say it is for six 4oz jars (24oz), but the total ingredients add up to 35 oz!.
At the same time, 4 oz of beads sounds like an awful lot, especially for its price: 4 oz would be $11 (just for the beads). Am I missing something here, numbers are incorrect or it would be just an expensive facial scrub?
Thanks in advance for your response and gratz on everything that you guys do, It’s amazing!
MAX
This scrub is fairly dense, so even though it makes 35 oz. by weight it only fills 24 oz. by volume. This post talks more about the difference between weight and volume: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/a-guide-to-weight-vs-volume/
As for the beads, we did add quite a bit so you get some good scrub. You can add less, but the recipe won’t be as scrubby. You can also add exfoliants like sugar, salt, etc. This post has more on exfoliant options: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you very much, Kelsey!
I made this,I found that it leaves a black residue on my face is there any way to avoid this please
Hmm, that’s strange. When we tested this recipe we found the soap wiped away any excess charcoal. You may try adding a bit more liquid soap to see if that helps.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Good morning,
Can you use sunflower wax beads instead of jojoba beads?
Thanks love all your tutorials!!!
We haven’t given those a try but I think they should be OK. You may make a small test batch just to be sure.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can Optiphen Plus be used in anything that would use Optiphen? I read the Talk It Out Tuesday on preservatives, but I couldn’t tell if there was one Optiphen type that could do everything, or if you have to have regular Optiphen if it’s solely oil based and Optiphen ND or Plus are only used if it’s water-based.
Basically: I have Optiphen Plus. Will it do its job in this recipe if water gets into it, or do I need the basic Optiphen (or Phenonip)?
Optiphen Plus works best with recipes that contain water like lotion. For recipes like this one with no water, you can try the Optiphen Plus you have on hand, but it may not mix in fully. Regular Optiphen works best for scrubs like this.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
I’ve seen a lot of semi-conflicting substitution options. I’m hoping that means it’s really easy to mix and match and experiment with oil types.
I didn’t know what oils Tamanu would be most closely related to… if Jojoba is ok or wouldn’t work, since it’s more like a liquid wax.
And would the best replacement for hazelnut be another lightweight oil? Something like grapeseed or sweet almond?
Is Fractionated coconut oil ok to use in basic recipes with oil like this?
I have a great deal of oils to play with, but they’re kind of more of the well known/common oils, not much like the hazelnut, walnut, primrose, hemp, or tamanu.
You can use any oil you like in this recipe, but keep in mind each will change the texture slightly. If you use a lightweight oil like fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil, the scrub will have a more lightweight feeling. Heavier oils like olive will have a heavier feeling on the skin. I would recommend trying a few of your favorites in this recipe to see which ones you prefer.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I love the font. what is it? I want to use it for my other projects.
A local designer made these labels for us, so I’m not entirely sure what the font is. Sorry about that. I will try contacting her to see if she knows the name of the font.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
She responded, the font is called Petal and is available for purchase here: https://creativemarket.com/TomChalky/303856-Petal-Brush-Font
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you so much ! I made this but I did times 2 of all the ingredients, it turned out fine except that there’s little to no lather and it leaves the skin feeling “moisturized”, won’t say heavy but, im guessing it shouldn’t seeing as you said I can dry out the skin. Do I need to add more castle soap to it
This scrub is designed to have a slightly mask-like texture and less exfoliation. If you prefer one that’s more cleansing, you can add more Castile soap and/or another exfoliant like sugar. That will give you a more cleansing and exfoliating recipe.
Learn more about exfoliant options here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello in my country icant find castile soap base what i can use? only can find sls and in liquid not powder .and please can i use the bees wax only in the emulsified suger scrub because icant find the other one
Any liquid soap base will work nicely in this recipe, like these options: https://www.brambleberry.com/Liquid-Bases-C15.aspx
What recipe would you like to use the SLS in? Liquid SLS is usually diluted with water and can affect certain recipes. Also, beeswax doesn’t emulsify the water and oil like e-wax does. You may try an internet search to see if you can find a supplier for emulsifying wax near you.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Emulsified Scrub: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soaks-and-scrubs/emulsified-scrub-scratch-soap-queen-tv/
Can I make this into a body scrub and use salt instead of jojoba beads? Any other tips for making it body scrub friendly?
Are you wanting this scrub to have more intense exfoliation for the body? Let me know and I can recommend some ingredients. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m actually just looking to create this using the ingredients I currently have on hand! I have a lot of salt, so thought it would be great to make this into a scrub version. I also just ordered the castile liquid soap base and Optiphen from Brambleberry, so want to put those to use. I don’t have Hazelnut or tamanu, but was thinking I could swap those for my avocado and sunflower oil.
You can definitely add salt, avocado, and sunflower oil if you like. That will make an awesome scrub. It is going to feel different from this recipe, so a small test batch will be helpful. You can see how it feels on the skin and adjust from there. If you want it more scrubby, you can add more salt. More cleansing, add more liquid soap, etc.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can you use poppy seeds instead of the jojoba beads? What about coffee grinds?
You can use poppy seeds or coffee grounds if you like! Keep in mind, both of those exfoliants do have larger grains, so they will be a bit more scrubby on the face. You may want to try a bit on your face just to make sure the exfoliation isn’t too intense. If it is, you can use smaller grained exfoliants like sugar. 🙂
Learn more about exfoliants here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Poppy seeds: https://www.brambleberry.com/Poppy-Seeds-P4943.aspx
Hi what can I use to substitute Optiphen for something 100% natural? I want to make my face stuff completely natural for myself. Thank you!
We have tried natural preservatives and not had a lot of luck. They don’t protect well against mold and bacteria. The preservative in this recipe is optional though! Just store the scrub in a cool, dry place and try not to get too much water in it. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, do you have any scrubs that you would recommend for oily faces?
This scrub works really well for oily skin! Charcoal absorbs excess oil and leaves the skin feeling clean. We also have a few dry scrubs you can mix with water that work well for oily skin. I’ll link those below. 🙂
Walnut Facial Scrub: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soaks-and-scrubs/walnut-facial-scrub-for-men/
Sea Clay Dry Salt Scrub: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soaks-and-scrubs/walnut-facial-scrub-for-men/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you! This looks like such a cool scrub! I will definitely try it!
Hi,
Can colloidal oatmeal be used be used instead of jojoba beads? Can’t wait to try making this..
Thank you,
It can be used instead of jojoba beads! Colloidal oatmeal is very fine, so this recipe will have a more gentle exfoliation. You may want to make a small test batch with the substitution to see what you think. 🙂
Colloidal oatmeal: https://www.brambleberry.com/Colloidal-Oatmeal-P5565.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I made it with a mix of colloidal oatmeal and sugar. It was not working as a scrub. But I really liked it. I used it like a mask. Let it dry and then washed it off. Thanks for the recipe. Its really good.
You’re welcome, glad you like it!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’ve made a similar recipe without jojoba beads. I don’t see the need for them. The charcoal does an amazing job of cleaning my pores.
Charcoal is nice and cleansing, we love it!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
What is the texture like? More like a mask than scrub?
Can I use swet almond oil instead of Hazel nut, also germaben ii instead of optiphen?
You can use sweet almond and Germaben II! Sweet almond and hazelnut oil do have a similar lightweight feeling, but you may want to make a small test batch just to be sure you like the consistency with the substitutions. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Sweet almond oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
Germaben II: https://www.brambleberry.com/Germaben-Preservative-P3972.aspx
I wanted to share that I used the Pumpkin Seed Oil instead of tamanu and it was just fine. I love this face cleanser!
That’s awesome, glad you’re loving it Jenna!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Pumpkin seed oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pumpkin-Seed-Oil-P5894.aspx
Does this product produce lather because of the liquid soap content? Or does the additional oil prevents it from doing so?
This scrub has a tiny bit of lather, but the clay is the main component. When you rub it on your face, it has a bit of a scrubby clay mask texture. The liquid soap helps it cleanse the skin and wash off more easily. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I received all the ingredients and made this charcoal clam mask. It isn’t black like the picture shown. It’s a dull grey. What makes it more black? I see that only .3 ounces of charcoal is added to 11 ounces of kaolin clay. Seems light. Help! I want it to look like a charcoal clay mask.
Our scrub was a medium to dark gray as well! If you want it darker, you can add more charcoal. I would recommend starting with an extra .1 oz. and going from there. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello. So excited to try this but have a quick question. What is the shelf life for this scrub?
This scrub has a shelf life of about 3 months. That’s because the hazelnut oil has a shelf life of 3 months. It stores best in a cool, dry place. 🙂
Learn more about shelf life here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/shelf-life-bath-products-ingredients-rancidity-vs-mold/
And more about how to store your products here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
can I substitute Castile soap for coco betaine?
We haven’t tried coco betaine in this recipe so I’m not entirely sure! I would recommend making a small test batch to see what you think. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
how often can I apply this face mask?
Face products with a lot of clay (like this one) are recommended about 1-3 times a week. More than that can dry the skin out. However, it is personal preference and everyone’s skin is a bit different! If you find your skin is oily, you can use it up to 3 times. If your skin is drier or more sensitive, once a week will work. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hey, i made this mask and absolutely loved it. It makes my skin feel really soft and doesn’t make it feel greasy like i was expecting with all the oils. I was wondering if i could switch the charcoal for ground coffee or add it in extra to turn the mask into a coffee clay mask? Would that work?
So glad you’re enjoying this recipe Thomas! You can definitely add coffee grounds if you like. The grounds have larger grains, which means they’ll have a more intense exfoliation. You may try a small test batch on your face to see what you think. If it’s too scrubby, you can reduce the amount of coffee grounds. 🙂
Learn more about exfoliants here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Nice!
I just ordered this. I can’t wait to try this. Is there a recipe you recommend for dry face types?
Absolutely! The Shimmering Sea Salt Scrub has coconut oil and shea butter, so it’s nice and moisturizing on the skin: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soaks-and-scrubs/shimmering-sea-salt-scrub-recipe/
The Pumpkin Spice Latte Scrub is really nice too! It has coffee butter for hydration. 🙂
Pumpkin Spice Latte Sugar Scrub: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soaks-and-scrubs/pumpkin-spice-latte-sugar-scrub/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
i tried the recipe and it got to thick, using the 11oz of Kaolin Clay was too much, i think; which i only added about 8oz and the mixture still got too thick. i followed the recipe, i used Aloe Vera oil instead of Tamanu Oil and replace 3 oz of white jojoba beads with Dendritic Salt because i only had 1oz of white jojoba beads. but like i said i did not add the whole 11 oz of kaolin clay and the mixture was very tick, what did i do wrong? replacing 3 oz of white jojoba bead with Dendritic salt? please advise. thanks
I’m wondering if it may be the salt. We use salt to thicken liquid soap, so it may have thickened the recipe up a bit! You may try adding more oil and liquid soap. That can help thin it out a bit. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
thanks Kelsey
I was wondering if I can use rice flour instead of kaolin clay. I have a lot of it from a mask I made . wondering what it will do …I’m hoping not paper mache like lol
We haven’t tried this recipe with rice flour, but I think that should be OK! I would recommend a small test batch to see what you think of the consistency. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I followed the directions but Due to an allergy to nuts, I Subsuted the 6 oz. Hazelnut Oil
0.5 oz. Tamanu Oil with 6 oz. fractionated coconut oil
0.5 oz. Jojoba oil. I ended up with a thick paste. With the first wash, it seems to do the job.
I’m wondering what happen? Also, would it mess up the charcoals effectiveness if I added water to the batch?
That is normal! The clay gives the scrub a thicker feeling on the skin, almost like a paste. As you work it into the skin it will exfoliate nicely. If you like a thinner texture, you can decrease the amount of clay and add more jojoba beads. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you!
How often can you use this on your face or what is it recommended?
Exfoliation for the face is usually recommended 1-3 times a week! If you find your skin is more sensitive, once a week will be perfect. If it’s not as sensitive, you can up that to three times a week. It’s also recommended to follow the exfoliation with a moisturizer. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
What is a good substitute for Tamanu oil?
You can use neem or pumpkin seed oil in place of tamanu! If you don’t have those on hand, you can use sweet almond or avocado oil. They do feel different than tamanu, so you may want to make a small test batch to see what you think. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Pumpkin seed oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pumpkin-Seed-Oil-P5894.aspx
Sweet almond oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
First off let me say I LOVE your site! It’s been super helpful! Can I use another clay in place of the Kaolin clay? I have French Green Clay and Rose Clay. Also would poppy seeds be ok to use instead of jojoba beads? Thanks!
So glad you’re enjoying the site Chandra! You can use another clay in place of kaolin. This post talks about which one to choose: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/which-clay-is-right-for-your-skin/
Also, poppy seeds will work in place of the jojoba beads. They are a bit bigger, so they will be a bit more intense on the face. You may want to try a small test batch to see how it feels on the face. If they’re too scrubby, you can leave them out and try a different exfoliant. 🙂
Read more about exfoliants here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I can’t wait to try the recipe!!!
What are the White Jojoba Beads? Can I skip them? or change them for anything else ?
Thank you
Wondering the same thing I have jojoba beads (little hard wax jojoba balls very small like sprinkles) but I don’t have white. I have just about every other color. I’m wondering if you could sub for a seed of some sort (chia?). Or add a sugar or salt?
You can use whatever exfoliants you like! You can use a different color of jojoba beads, or something else like walnut shells or shredded loofah. Find exfoliant options here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
And learn more about jojoba beads here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-jojoba-beads/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
How about sugar?
Sugar would work too! It is finely grained, so it would offer more gentle exfoliation. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, wondering what kind of sugar I can use to replace the jojoba beads? Is it just regular sugar or caster sugar which is finer?
You can use either type of sugar depending on your personal preference. The larger-grained sugar will have a more intense exfoliation, while the finer-grained will be more gentle.
Learn more about exfoliants here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
Thank you Kelsey😊
Could you also swap the Tamanu oil out for Neem oil like you can in the facial bars? And what oil could be used in place of the Hazelnut Oil? Love your site. My pocketbook doesn’t. Lol….
You can! You can use neem or pumpkin seed oil in place of tamanu. For hazelnut oil, you can use sweet almond or avocado instead. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Pumpkin seed oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pumpkin-Seed-Oil-P5894.aspx
Sweet almond oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx