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.
Virtual Lab Assistants: Your research helpers
We are here 24/7 to help you with selecting ingredients, preservation and essential oil blending.
Let’s chat
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!
Facebook
Threads
Pinterest
Email
Print
Blog
More from our Blog
Want to explore more? We have many more articles to inspire you.