Formulate a Watermelon & Almond Cleansing Foam for Mother’s Day
Table of Contents
ABOUT THE FORMULA
A Homemade Skincare Gift That Feels Truly Thoughtful
When it comes to Mother’s Day, it’s easy to reach for flowers or a card. But something handmade, especially if it’s gentle, nourishing, and smells like spring in a bottle, can mean so much more.
This Watermelon & Almond Cleansing Foam is a beginner-friendly facial wash with a soft lather and a subtly fruity scent. It’s light, non-stripping, and perfect for morning or evening use. Whether you’re gifting it to Mum, a friend, or keeping it as your own skincare staple, it’s a joy to make and even lovelier to use.
Who Is It For?
This cleanser is:
- Ideal for dry to combination skin.
- Great for beginners and DIYers.
- Perfect as a pampering gift or daily staple
It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin and makes a lovely first step in any routine—whether it’s Mum’s or yours.
THE FORMULA
| Phases | Ingredient | Function | %w/w |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Water | Solvent | To 100% |
| A | Watermelon hydrosol | Solvent, botanical | 30.0 |
| A | Dermofeel PA-3 | Chelator | 0.10 |
| A | Sodium PCA | Humectant | 2.0 |
| A | Panthenol | Skin conditioning | 1.0 |
| A | Hydrolysed rice protein | Skin conditioning | 1.0 |
| A | Niacinamide | Added extra, vitamin | 1.0 |
| B | Resplanta Phyto-6 Almond MB | Water-soluble almond oil | 2.0 |
| C | Coco glucoside | Surfactant | 8.0 |
| C | Decyl glucoside | Surfactant | 4.0 |
| D | Geogard® LSB/ or Geogard ECT | Preservative | 0.80 |
| E | pH adjuster | pH adjuster | qs |
Method:
Weigh Phase A in a clean beaker. Stir well.
Add Phase B to A and stir. You can use a magnetic stirrer if you have. It may take a while to get the water-soluble almond oil totally dispersed.
Add Phase C and stir slowly to avoid creating foam.
Add Phase D.
Check and adjust the pH if needed to 4.5-5.5.
* You need to have a foamer bottle for this formula.
** I used a drop of soap colouring to achieve this colour (cranberry). While I love natural colourants, in a formula like this, you are better off with soap colourants to achieve good stability. This is, of course, optional.
Add a handwritten label or note if you’re gifting it. Want to go the extra mile? Pair it with a fruity or floral face mist or a handmade cloth for a thoughtful, complete set.
HOW TO USE
Pump a small amount of foam (1–2 pumps is plenty) into clean hands and massage gently over damp skin. Focus on areas like the T-zone or anywhere with congestion. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Use it in the morning and/or evening as the first step in your routine. If desired, follow with a toner, serum, and moisturiser.
Tip: This cleanser is mild enough for daily use and especially lovely as a morning refresh.
INGREDIENT BREAKDOWN & BENEFITS
Key Ingredients
Resplanta Phyto-6 Almond MB – A clever twist on almond oil
Traditional almond oil is lovely but can be a pain in water-based formulations. That’s where Resplanta Phyto-6 Almond MB becomes your friend. It’s a water-soluble version of sweet almond oil made with polyglyceryl-6 esters, meaning it disperses beautifully in aqueous systems like this foaming cleanser. The best part? Your water base stays perfectly clear.
- It softens and conditions the skin without leaving any greasy residue.
- It helps stabilise the surfactant system slightly, giving a smoother feel.
- And it’s palm-free and biodegradable, so it ticks the sustainability box, too.
In short? It brings all the nourishing comfort of almond oil with none of the hassle.
Hydrolysed Rice Protein – Gentle support for the skin barrier
Rice protein is a gentle, skin-conditioning ingredient that’s especially useful in rinse-off products like cleansers. It elps:
- Protect the skin’s natural barrier while cleansing
- Minimise the tightness or dryness sometimes caused by surfactants
- Add a soft, smooth afterfeel without making the formula heavy
It’s an excellent choice for beginner-friendly, hydrating cleansers. Plus, it’s widely available and generally well-tolerated.
Watermelon hydrosol – Light and refreshing
Hydrosols are a lovely way to enhance a product’s function and feel. Watermelon hydrosol adds a soft, fruity scent – nothing overpowering, just a fresh, sweet note that makes cleansing feel like a little treat. It’s mild and non-irritating on the skin, making it great for dry or sensitive types. It also contains trace minerals and plant compounds that support hydration.
INGREDIENT SWAPS & SUBSTITUTIONS
Don’t have every ingredient? No problem. This formula is flexible enough to tweak without losing its charm. Here are some thoughtful alternatives:
-
Watermelon hydrosol → Try cucumber hydrosol or rose water for a similarly light, skin-friendly scent.
-
Resplanta Phyto-6 Almond MB → Use another water-dispersible oil like Resplanta Phyto-6 Avocado or a solubilised light oil blend. There are also PEG-versions of these water-soluble oils, if you don’t mind using them. Alternatively, you can omit it and increase the water to make the formula 100% again.
-
Rice protein → Hydrolysed oat or quinoa protein work well for similar barrier support and skin feel.
-
Sodium PCA → Glycerin or sodium lactate make suitable substitutes for hydration.
-
Niacinamide → You can omit this if needed; it’s a bonus in this formula, not essential. And if you received my latest email, you know it is one ingredient I use in everything (if possible).
A quick patch test is always a smart idea when working with new swaps.
POSSIBLE SOURCES
This is where I purchased my key ingredients:
Watermelon hydrosol – INCI: Citrullus Vulgaris (Watermelon) Fruit Water
Resplanta Phyto-6 Almond MB – INCI: Sweet Almond Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Aqua
Making skincare doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. This foaming cleanser is simple, effective, and full of care, just like a good gift should be. This gentle cleanser is a small but meaningful way to show care, perfect as a gift for someone special or as a daily reminder to look after your own skin with kindness.
Have you tried making your own facial cleanser before? Share your thoughts or ask questions in the comments below!
