Gentle Men's Face Cleanser with Coconut Oil

Last updated: June 2026

Most commercial face washes rely on harsh detergents that strip skin of its natural oils, which often triggers the skin to overcompensate by producing even more oil — a frustrating cycle that leaves many men reaching for stronger and stronger cleansers. If the man you're making this for deals with skin that feels tight and dry right after washing but oily again by midday, the detergent in his current face wash is likely part of the problem. This oil-based cleanser works differently: coconut oil and shea oil dissolve dirt and excess oil the way oil naturally does, while honey adds a gentle humectant quality that helps skin feel comfortable rather than stripped. The result removes grime thoroughly without the rebound oiliness that detergent-based cleansers often cause.

In This Recipe:

• What This Recipe Helps With
• Ingredients
• Directions
• Customisation Ideas
• Storage & Shelf Life
• Voice Search FAQ
• Try These Next
• Disclaimer

What This Recipe Helps With

• Removing dirt, sweat, and daily grime without the tight, stripped feeling detergent cleansers leave behind
• Breaking the cycle of midday oiliness that often follows a harsh morning cleanse
• A gentle daily face cleanser suitable for both morning and evening use
• Replacing commercial face washes that rely on sulfates or other harsh detergents
• Father's Day gifting for dads who want a more thoughtful approach to daily face care
• Optional gentle exfoliation when sea salt is included, for men who want a cleanser with mild physical exfoliation

Why This Is a Great DIY Recipe

Oil cleansing is a genuinely effective approach that most commercial men's face washes don't offer — dissolving oil-based grime with oil rather than stripping everything away with detergent. Coconut oil and shea oil work as the cleansing base, breaking down sebum, sunscreen, and daily grime effectively, while honey's humectant quality keeps skin from feeling tight afterward. Commercial men's face washes in the £8–15 / $10–18 range almost universally use detergent-based formulas; this recipe takes the oil-cleansing approach instead, which is well-established in skincare but rarely marketed specifically to men. Skill Level: Beginner — the method is a simple combine-and-jar process with no heating beyond softening the coconut oil. The yield is approximately 105ml (3.5 fl oz), filling a standard 4oz jar. This recipe is forgiving on ratios, and the optional salt can be left out entirely for sensitive skin.

For the complete coconut oil ingredient guide, see Traditional Coconut Oil: The Complete Guide — it covers sourcing, properties, and a full range of DIY applications for this ingredient.

Why These Ingredients Work Together

Coconut oil, shea oil, and red palm oil form the cleansing base, working alongside raw honey and optional sea salt for a complete daily face cleanser. Coconut oil's lauric acid content makes it an effective oil-cleansing base, dissolving sebum and daily grime without stripping the skin. Shea oil contributes additional lightweight conditioning that keeps the cleanser from feeling too rich or heavy. Red palm oil's natural carotenoids add a nutrient-dense quality to the blend. Raw honey provides gentle humectant properties that help skin retain moisture rather than feeling tight after cleansing. When included, fine sea salt adds gentle physical exfoliation, helping remove dead skin cells and embedded dirt. The tea tree and lemon essential oils round out the formula with a clean, fresh scent.

Hero Ingredient Benefits

Traditional Coconut Oil — The primary cleansing base of this formula, its lauric acid content effectively dissolves oil-based grime and sebum without the stripping effect of detergent-based face washes.

Shea Oil — Contributes lightweight conditioning to the cleansing base, keeping the formula from feeling too heavy or rich for daily face use.

Red Palm Oil — Naturally rich in carotenoids, red palm oil adds a nutrient-dense quality to the blend and a warm golden tint to the finished cleanser.

Ingredients

• Traditional Coconut Oil — 45ml (3 tbsp), solid at room temperature
• Shea Oil — 15ml (1 tbsp)
• Red Palm Oil — 5ml (1 tsp)
• Raw honey — 30ml (2 tbsp)
• Fine sea salt (optional, for exfoliation) — 15ml (1 tbsp)
• Tea tree essential oil — 4 drops
• Lemon essential oil — 2 drops
• 1 × 120ml (4 oz) wide-mouth jar

Directions

1. Soften the coconut oil to a workable consistency by placing the jar in warm water for 5–10 minutes. The oil should be soft enough to mix easily but not fully melted.
2. Combine the softened coconut oil, shea oil, and red palm oil in a mixing bowl, stirring constantly to create a uniform blend.
3. Add the raw honey gradually while continuing to stir, mixing until fully incorporated.
4. Add the sea salt if using, stirring to distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
5. Add the tea tree essential oil drop by drop, stirring after each addition.
6. Add the lemon essential oil drop by drop, stirring thoroughly to distribute evenly.
7. Transfer to the storage jar and seal tightly. The cleanser maintains its consistency at room temperature.

Application Tips

Massage a small amount onto dry skin for 1–2 minutes, working it gently across the face including the forehead, cheeks, and jaw. The oils dissolve grime and excess sebum as you massage. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water — a warm, damp washcloth helps remove the cleanser completely. Use morning and evening as part of a regular routine. If sea salt is included, use gentle pressure only, as the granules provide enough exfoliation without needing to scrub hard.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store the sealed jar at room temperature away from direct sunlight and heat. Shelf life is 6–8 months — shorter than oil-only formulations because the honey component is more sensitive to moisture exposure over time. Always use clean, dry fingers to scoop the cleanser to avoid introducing water into the jar, which can affect texture and shelf life.

Customisation Ideas

• Sensitive skin version: Omit the sea salt entirely for a smoother, non-exfoliating cleanser suited to sensitive or easily irritated skin.
• Additional gentle exfoliation: Add 30ml finely ground oatmeal alongside or instead of the sea salt for a softer exfoliating texture suitable for daily use.
• Lighter formula: Reduce coconut oil to 30ml and increase shea oil to 30ml for a less rich, faster-rinsing cleanser.
• Unscented version: Omit both essential oils entirely for a fragrance-free cleanser with no added scent.
• Travel-size version: Halve all ingredient amounts and pour into a 60ml (2 oz) jar for travel.

Essential Oils

• Tea tree (4 drops) — Contributes a clean, fresh scent commonly used in grooming and skincare formulations.
• Lemon (2 drops) — Brightens the overall fragrance with a fresh citrus note that complements the tea tree.
• Eucalyptus (substitute for tea tree, 4 drops) — A cooling, fresh alternative with a similarly clean character.
• Note: Lemon essential oil carries some phototoxicity risk in leave-on products, but since this cleanser is rinsed off after use, that risk does not apply here.

The Impact of Your Purchase

When you make skincare with Baraka ingredients, you're supporting women's cooperatives who earn fair wages and preserve traditional processing methods. According to Baraka's Social and Environmental Impact Report, this direct trade model provided income for over 1,000 women and prevented 47 metric tons of CO2 emissions. You also gain complete transparency — knowing exactly what touches your skin and your family's skin, without hidden synthetics or uncertain supply chains.

Shop the Baraka Ingredients in This Recipe

Pure. Natural. Ethically sourced. Hand-crafted by women's cooperatives. These are the ingredients trusted throughout Baraka's DIY guides and recipes.

• Traditional Coconut Oil | Shop Now | Lightweight and versatile, softens skin and supports gentle cleansing. Adds slip and glide to balms, soaps, and body products. Absorbs well and helps protect hair proteins.
• Shea Oil | Shop Now | The liquid form of shea butter — delivers deep conditioning benefits in a smooth, easily absorbed format. Perfect for beard oils, hair serums, and facial care where lighter texture is preferred.
• Red Palm Oil | Shop Now | Unrefined and naturally rich in carotenoids. Adds conditioning benefits and a beautiful natural colour to soaps and skincare formulations.

Voice Search FAQ

How do I make a gentle oil-based face cleanser at home?
Soften 45ml coconut oil, then combine with 15ml shea oil and 5ml red palm oil, stirring constantly. Add 30ml raw honey and optional 15ml sea salt, then 4 drops tea tree and 2 drops lemon essential oil. Massage onto dry skin for 1–2 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.

What's a good natural face cleanser for men?
An oil-based cleanser using coconut oil and shea oil works well for men's skincare because it dissolves daily grime and excess sebum without the stripping effect of detergent-based face washes, which can trigger a cycle of dryness followed by midday oiliness. Honey adds a gentle humectant quality that helps skin feel comfortable after cleansing.

Can coconut oil be used as a face cleanser?
Yes — coconut oil is an effective oil-cleansing ingredient. Its lauric acid content allows it to dissolve sebum and oil-based grime effectively, working on the principle that oil dissolves oil rather than stripping it away with detergent. It's commonly combined with other oils like shea oil for a balanced cleansing texture.

How often should I use an oil-based face cleanser?
Morning and evening works well for most skin types, as part of a regular cleansing routine. Massage onto dry skin for 1–2 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water. Consistent use helps skin adjust away from the dryness-then-oiliness cycle that detergent cleansers can cause.

Try These Next

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like:

• After-Work Deep Cleansing Face Oil — a similar oil-cleansing approach formulated for end-of-day grime and sweat from outdoor work.
• Lightweight Gardening Face Cream — a natural follow-up moisturiser to use after cleansing as part of a complete face care routine.

About These Ingredients

This recipe is expanded from our comprehensive Homemade Men's Skincare for Father's Day: Natural Face Care Recipes, which explores additional formulations, ingredient options, and variations. Visit the full guide for more approaches to men's face care using traditional African ingredients.

Disclaimer

The recipes and ingredients on this page are intended for cosmetic use only — for application to the skin, hair, and nails to cleanse, condition, and beautify. They have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other regulatory authority. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. If you have a medical condition, skin condition, or known allergies, consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Always patch-test new ingredients before full application. Keep all products away from eyes and out of reach of children. Results will vary between individuals.