Have you ever thought of having a go at creating your own homemade Face Moisturizer? Ingredients are cost effective and easy to source. You’ll need a good quality Aqueous Cream base, then some Glycerine to attract moisture and improve the hydration of the skin. Tailormake your moisturizer suited to your skin type by choosing essential oils that address your various skin issues as well as influencing your mood and wellbeing. Some examples are how lavender softens and soothes, ylang ylang balances both mood and imbalances in the skin and patchouli is wonderful for dryness. If you’re feeling fancy go a bit further. Add cosmetic butters and carrier oils for extra nourishment or perhaps some witch hazel for its astringent properties. Homemade face moisturizers make fantastic holiday gifts as well as being the answer to any number of skin problems.
Benefits of Making A Homemade Face Moisturizer
Where to start extolling the virtues of a homemade Face Moisturizer….? Goodness. That’s a hard one because there are so very many! Let’s start with…
Address Your Individual Issues
I made my first homemade Face Moisturizer because all the ones I tried from the shops disturbed my sensitive skin. It was difficult to know which ingredients were the problematic ones so I needed to take control of all of them. That is the beauty of making your own natural skin care. You design and create for you!
Additionally, the big retailers like to make tick boxes creams. This one is for dry skin, try a different one for acne. But what if you have acne breakouts but your skin is dry? Hmmm, no more of those shenanigans! Get good with essential oils and your homemade face moisturizer can address the lot!
Natural Skin Care
I love to be able to control the ingredients that go into in my homemade Face Moisturizer. Where possible, I want them to be:
- Organic
- Sustainable ingredients
- Fair trade
- Locally sourced
- Chemical free
- No, or low, toxicity ratings
- Ingredients to suit my budget
There is a huge movement, moving towards more natural skin and body care products and people are being more discerning now, than we ever have been than they have ever been before.
Organizations like EWG and their Skin Deep Database has shone a light onto all the chemicals used in commercial skin and body care products. How does your current moisturizer shape up?
Is it time to swap to a pure and natural homemade Face Moisturizer?
Save Money
Please can we drop this presumption that ‘cost effective’ suggests ‘less effective’. Utter tosh! A homemade skincare gives results equal to or often better than commercial offerings. It is possible with far fewer chemicals and unnecessary toxins, and for a fraction of the price.
The secret is to buy what suits your pocket at the time. If you can’t afford the super duper Rosehip CO2 extracted carrier oil, then buy the version your pocket can afford. Your skin is going to benefit either way. It’s not difficult to how to make cost effective homemade Face Moisturizers. With a handful of good quality ingredients you can create first class skin care.
Top Tip!
If you have sensitive skin, always buy small amounts first so you can patch test to save expensive mistakes. (I’ve just bought eight new products and had to patch test every one before I added them to my recipe, just in case something might react and I’d have no idea which one set it off! )
Best Ingredients For Homemade Face Moisturizer
Once you understand the basics it is so easy to make your own amazing homemade Face Moisturizer. Then, you can take the odd shortcut here and there, to tailor make your own homemade Face Moisturizer at the drop of a hat.
The Key Ingredients needed to make a BASIC Homemade Face Moisturizer are:
- A base cream that will put moisture into the skin
- Something to keep the moisture there - we call that a humectant
- Then some essential oils to encourage healing activities. Floral waters will also do this job
Then you can further develop that by:
- Adding more food for the skin - which would be via carrier oils
- Adding butters to refine the skin surface
- And adding fragrance
Let’s look at each set of ingredients in turn.
Aqueous Cream or Organic Cream Base
You can get a head start by making your homemade Face Moisturizer using a premade Aqueous Cream or Organic Cream Base.
I would always suggest this avenue until you have some formulating experience because there are some amazing bases out there that give incredible results. If I need a quick cream, I use it all the time and advocate fully for it.
To prove my point, my two-year-old Grandson came over last night for Sunday Dinner, sporting a lump the size of a chicken egg on his forehead. It was spectacular! Just dollop of Aqueous Cream with some Witch Hazel and Lavender essential oil stirred in and we have ‘GG’s Magic Cream’.
Shop around, there are different versions, like organic for instance. Find one you like and one that fits your ethos and you can use it for all sorts of topical products, not just homemade Face Moisturizer.
Humectants
A humectant is an agent that simply attracts water, but not only that, one that will grab moisture from the air and very kindly plop it right into those thirsty skin cells. Wow! Yes, there are magical ingredients that DO THIS!
Glycerine & Honey are two of the most popular along with Hyaluronic Acid. My regular readers will know that I use Glycerine with wild abandon, because it’s super cost effective and makes a BIG difference to the hydration qualities of your homemade Face Moisturizer.
I also use Honey in my own Moisturizer too because I love the qualities and extensive benefits it brings, along with enzymes, amino acids and everything else it has to offer!
This is one thing to most definitely include in your homemade Face Moisturizer, don’t skip a humectant!
Best Essential Oils For Homemade Face Moisturizer
You don’t need a lot of essential oils for your own homemade Face Moisturizer, you need well chosen ones. You want to choose essential oils that suit your skin type and even double up to influence your mood.
Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is wonderful for skin of any age but particularly suited for teens and twenties and those who have acne prone skin. Lavender also has constituents that bring serenity and calm to proceedings. You could harness this to calm work nerves in the morning, or use it at night to help you switch off and drop off to sleep. Discover - Is Lavender Oil Good for Skin?
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil (Cananga odorata)
Ylang Ylang is amazing at balancing. Balancing the sebum production of the skin, hormones, blood pressure and water retention in the skin. Not to mention, balancing our mood and wellbeing too. If your skin is too dry or too oily, make Ylang Ylang your best friend. Explore - Best 8 Ways To Use Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Frankincense Essential Oil (Boswellia serrata)
Frankincense is perfect for homemade Face Moisturizers where we want to rejuvenate the skin and restore elasticity. If your skin is aging, start to sag a little and creases are deepening, Frankincense is your go to. It really is a boon for dry skin and gets the blood circulation moving which in turn helps skin cell regeneration and renewal. Find Out - How To Use Frankincense Essential Oil for Skin Care
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Egyptian Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium Graveolens)
Geranium is marvelous in homemade Face Moisturizer for dry skin that is prone to flaking, eczema or psoriasis. You can also use Rose Geranium (Pelargonium Roseum X Asperum) as an alternative. It cools hot, taut skin and can bring comfort and soothing to it. It will also balance your temper beautifully if things are a bit hot under the collar! It’s another good choice for balancing hormones too. Discover - Introducing Egyptian Geranium: An Ancient Aroma Reborn
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Grapefruit Essential Oil (Citrus paradisi)
Grapefruit is ideal for homemade Face Moisturizers that need to target blackheads and pimples. It helps to open up the pores and penetrates deeply to tackle these troublesome issues.
You need to be a little careful because it is phototoxic, so use in dilutions of less than 0.5% to avoid unnecessary skin sensitivity. Alternatively, use it at night and don’t expose you skin to sunlight or UV lights for 12 hours.
Explore more great essential oils for blackheads and pimples in How to Use The Best Essential Oils For Face Steaming?
Safety:
- Not suitable for use for people who have platelet disorders or are on blood thinning medication. It is suggested you cease use of Grapefruit essential oil 48 hours before any planned surgery.
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Tea Tree is the best essential oil you can include in a homemade Face Moisturizer designed to target acne prone skin. It is packed with chemical constituents that make it antimicrobial, anti bacterial, antifungal and anti inflammatory, all you want to target acne and spots. It will help keep your skin, soothed, softened, clean and clear. Use it everyday for the best results. Does Tea Tree Oil Help Acne?
Safety:
- Do not use it in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Ingredients To Feed The Skin
Carrier Oils
There are so many wonderful carrier oils you can use in your homemade Face Moisturizer but do a bit of research to select carrier oils that suit your skin type best.
Some of our old posts you can use are:
- What Are The Best Carrier Oils For Face?
- Non-Comedogenic Carrier Oils For Face + DIY Facial Oil Recipes
- Top 6 Best Carrier Oils For Aging Skin - DIY Recipes and Uses
- 10 Best Essential Oils for Dry Skin: Rejuvenate Your Skin Naturally
- Rosehip Oil Benefits: Sublime Serum, Cream Mask & Moisturizer Recipes
As an overview though:
Tamanu carrier oil is perfect if you have acne prone skin or have fungal skin conditions.
Castor oil is super thick and gunky but glorious if you have super dry skin.
Jojoba is brilliant for people with very dry or oily skin because it is the oil that most closely represents our own sebum and it helps balance and regulate our sebum production.4
Rosehip carrier oil is full of antioxidants. It’s such a powerhouse you only need to use in a dilution of 10%.
Cosmetic Butters
It is also worth having some Cosmetic Butters like Shea Butter, Mango Butter or Cocoa Butter in your stash. They nourish the skin and help lock in hydration.
They also give a wonderful velvety skin feel to your moisturizer.
Cynthia Fleck (2012) extols the virtues of Cupuacu Butter in her study,
‘Cupuacu butter is an excellent emollient that restores elasticity to the skin while providing anti-oxidants and hydration. It is considered a “super-moisturizer” because of its hydrophilic (water-loving) properties. As it carries water to the skin it makes skin supple, soft and more elastic. This deep hydration makes the skin smooth and soft to the touch. Nature could not have provided a better solution to dry, sunburned or aging skin’.
Cosmetic butters make your cream heavier and thicker, so make brilliant choices for skin protection in the winter. You certainly would not want to use as much butter for a summer recipe as a winter one.
Find out a bit more about Cosmetic Butters in:
Hydrosols and Floral Waters
You may wonder what a hydrosol is, but Rosewater is a hydrosol, sometimes also called a hydrolat. Essentially they are bi-product of the distillation process, however many companies now also make hydrosols as their primary product.
Rosewater and Orange Flower Water have been used for centuries in the still rooms of the big English Houses and across the world. They offer a layer of freshness to your homemade Face Moisturizer that is hard to emulate with any other product.
Witch Hazel is used as an astringent and for soothing bruises, sprains and sore muscles. It can also be used to tighten pores, keep skin smooth and supple and fresh and clean.
Preservatives
It pays to add a preservative of your choice to extend the shelf life of your homemade Face Moisturizer. You can buy excellent organic preservatives too. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on how much to add and when in the process to add it as instructions vary between types and brands.
Cosmetic Clays
Cosmetic Clays can make an interesting addition to your homemade Face Moisturizer and they can be especially useful if you have oily skin or are prone to shiny skin. The clay blots up the excess oil and sebum and helps maintain a soft, velvety finish.
Best Fragrance Oils For Homemade Face Moisturizer
If you want a homemade Face Moisturizer full of active properties and benefits you need to be making it with essential oils. But if you just want your homemade Face Moisturizer to smell amazing, then fragrance oils can be a great option and you can blend them with essential oils to enjoy the best of both worlds. Likewise, they can make a much more cost effective option, especially when it comes to making homemade face moistuisers to give away as gifts.
Can’t afford Rose essential oil? Use the much less expensive Rose Geranium essential oil, which has the same skin nourishing properties and pair it with NO. 33 - Fresh Cut Roses for that wonderful rosy scent.
If you want sandalwood notes but feel like you want to make a more sustainable choice than asking people to chop more Sandalwood trees down, choose fragrance oils that have strong Sandalwood notes in them like NO. 1107 - Inspired by: Cashmere Glow by Bath & Body Works or NO. 1303 - Inspired by: Santal 26 by Le Labo.
Ditch the designer price tags and make homemade Face Moisturizer with NO. 3100 - Inspired by: Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford, NO. 2210 - Inspired by: Brazilian Bum Bum by Sol De Janeiro and NO. 3001 - Inspired by: Coco Chanel #5 by Chanel.
To be clear though, Fragrance Oils only add fragrance and they do not have any active properties.
A little something for the Ladies?
Go for floral sensations with cascades of gorgeous flowers with NO. 1204 - Inspired by: Fleur D'Oranger by Diptyque, NO. 1406 - Inspired by: Midnight Fleur by Nest and NO. 38 - Gardenia.
Or add some whimsy with NO. 35 - Fruit Loops, NO. 9 - Birthday Cake or NO. 3 - Baby Powder.
Luxury For The Men
Homemade Face Moisturizer doesn’t just have to be for women, make them for the men in your life too! Try the glorious masculine tones of NO. 21 - Cedarwood & Amber and NO. 1205 - Inspired by: Oud Paris by Diptyque.
I find NO. 1200 - Inspired by: Ambre by Diptyque adds depth and richness to other fragrance oils and is one of my favorites for blending.
Go designer without the price tag with NO. 3200 - Inspired by: Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier and NO. 3100 - Inspired by: Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford
Ok, so you should have a really good grounding in ingredients now, so let’s get into nuts and bolts….
How To Make Your Homemade Face Moisturizer
You can create a variety of different Moisturizers from this one easy base recipe. Perfect this one and then I’ll show you how to tweak the base to suit your skin type.
This makes 250ml of homemade Face Moisturizer base.
You Will Need:
- Heatproof measuring jug
- Silicon spatula
- Stainless steel spoon
- Jar funnel
- 250ml jar and lid
- Oil and waterproof label
Ingredients:
- 70 ml Organic Aqueous Cream Base (various)
- 40 ml Cupuacu Butter (Theobroma Grandiflorum)
- 50 ml Rosewater (Rosa Damascena)
- 10 ml Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana)
- 30 ml Glycerine (Glycerol)
- 25 ml Sweet Almond Carrier Oil (Prunus Dulcis)
- 25 ml Rosehip Carrier Oil (Rosa Canina)
Optional: Preservative of your choice.
Method:
- If using a preservative, follow the manufacturer's individual instructions.
- Measure out all of your ingredients ready to go and place them close to hand so you work quickly and smoothly.
- Put your Cupuacu Butter in a heatproof jug and set your microwave to the lowest heat setting available. In 10 second bursts, microwave your Cupuacu Butter until it is beautifully softened, bear in mind that it does not have to be melted, just softened.
- Remove the butter from the microwave and allow it to cool down for a couple of minutes.
- Once cooled a little, mix in the Aqueous Cream thoroughly.
- Add your chosen Moisturizer Oil Blend (see below) to the carrier oils and stir to combine well.
- Then add all the oils to the mix.
- Add the Rosewater, Witch Hazel and Glycerine and stir thoroughly to combine.
- Give it a really good mix and ensure everything is thoroughly incorporated and you have a nice smooth homemade Face Moisturizer base.
- Using a jar funnel, decant all the mix into your jar. Use a silicone spatula to help you get every last glorious splodge into the jar.
- Clearly listing all ingredients for safety reasons, on an oil and waterproof label. Add the date of production and a 6 month expiry date.
Tweak This Base To Suit Your Needs
- Oily and Acne Prone skin? - Swap the Sweet Almond carrier oil out for Tamanu carrier oil.
- If your skin is really oily and goes shiny, consider adding 2 tbsp of Kaolin Clay, make into a slack paste with the Rosewater and add at step 8.
- If this feels too thick for you, add more Rosewater and add a dash more Witch Hazel.
- Too thin for you? Add more cosmetic butter and Aqueous Cream base.
- Does the ‘skin feel’ appear too oily? Reduce the amount of Sweet Almond Oil or add a little Kaolin Clay to soak it up a bit.
- Not velvety enough on the skin, add more cosmetic butter.
Oil Blend Recipes for Homemade Face Moisturizer
This is where, along with the tips above, you can completely tailor make your own homemade Face Moisturizer. Choose essential oils that suit your skin type, your skin’s needs and those for your wellbeing too. Your Moisturizer can very easily double up as a ‘Happy Potion’. I do it all the time.
Research your own essential oils and fragrance oils, or use these suggestions below for your own homemade Face Moisturizer.
Sensitive Skin
This was my first foray into making homemade Face Moisturizer. I was desperate to find something that suited my skin.
I extol the virtues of Violet Leaf Absolute in Ultimate Guide to Skincare for Sensitive Skin: Top Tips for a Radiant Glow. If you have hypersensitive skin it is an investment but one that is well worth it! Violet will always be my first choice for sensitive skin, but I appreciate that many pockets don’t reach that far. Pop it on your birthday list perhaps?
This version is the next best thing. For 250ml of Homemade Face Moisturizer Base you will need:
- 60 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis Nobilis L.)
- 60 drops of Rose Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium Roseum X Asperum)
- 30 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon Cablin)
Suggested Complimentary Fragrance Oil:
Always patch test this fragrance oil first by diluting it in carrier oil. This is really important on sensitive, inflamed or irritated skin.
Safety:
- Consider patch testing the diluted essential oils and individual ingredients first before making your Moisturizer.
- Do not use the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Rosacea
I have a confession to make. Even with all the care and attention I give my skin, I seem to have developed Rosacea as my hormones are changing. Not much is known about the causes of Rosacea and I have been doing my own research and am in the process of my own trials.
The key seems to be in tackling inflammation, but there is some interesting research around using Citron essential oil (Citrus medica L.var. vulgaris). I’ll keep you updated and share my findings in a few weeks.
I’m also using the following combination of essential oils with anti-inflammatory properties in my own homemade Face Moisturizer. For 250ml of Homemade Face Moisturizer Base you will need:
- 60 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis Nobilis L.)
- 30 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon Cablin)
- 30 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil (Boswellia Serrata)
Suggested Complimentary Fragrance Oil:
Always patch test this fragrance oil first by diluting it in carrier oil. This is really important on sensitive, inflamed or irritated skin.
Safety:
- Do not use the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Dry Skin
This homemade Face Moisturizer base is wonderful for dry and thirsty skin, you can literally feel your skin drinking in the goodness.
Now, Rose essential oil is just the best thing ever for dry skin, but again if your pocket does not run that deep, use Rose Geranium, it’s no poor relation and is a powerhouse in her own right! Pop them both on your Christmas List!
This dry skin homemade Face Moisturizer just burst with glorious florals, it’s a delight to behold. For 250ml of Homemade Face Moisturizer Base you will need:
- 40 drops of Rose Geranium Essential Oil (Pelargonium Roseum X Asperum)
- 40 drops of Geranium Egyptian Essential Oil (Pelargonium Graveolens)
- 40 drops of Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia)
- 20 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon Cablin)
Suggested Complimentary Fragrance Oil:
Always patch test this fragrance oil first by diluting it in carrier oil. This is really important on sensitive, inflamed or irritated skin.
Safety:
- Do not use the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Read More - 10 Best Essential Oils for Dry Skin: Rejuvenate Your Skin Naturally
Mature Skin
Mature skin needs specific care and a homemade Face Moisturizer packed with nourishment. Don’t be afraid to up the cosmetic butter content of your basic recipe and add a more unctuous carrier oil like Argan, Avocado or even Castor Oil.
This homemade Face Moisturizer has essential oils that are packed with antioxidants and qualities to restore elasticity to the skin and help the skin appear more supple and rejuvenated.
For 250ml of Homemade Face Moisturizer Base you will need:
- 40 drops of Carrot Seed Essential Oil (Daucus Carota)
- 40 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil (Boswellia Serrata)
- 40 drops of Helichrysum Essential Oil (Helichrysum Splendida)
Suggested Complimentary Fragrance Oil:
Always patch test this fragrance oil first by diluting it in carrier oil. This is really important on sensitive, inflamed or irritated skin.
Safety:
- Do not use the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Explore - 5 Essential Oils That Are Perfect For Mature Skin.
Oily Skin
One of the biggest mistakes that people with oily skin make when making their own homemade Face Moisturizer is skimping on the oil. When your skin is oily, it is because your skin is over producing sebum as it needs more nourishment. So don’t shy away from the oil.
Cosmetic Clays can help you control it and reduce skin shine, but don’t skip the oil content or things could just get worse. Read more about using more oil Revolutionary Acne Kit: Essential Oils for Clearer Skin!
For 250ml of Homemade Face Moisturizer Base you will need:
- 20 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil (Citrus Bergamia)
- 20 drops of White Grapefruit Essential Oil (Citrus Paradisi)
- 20 drops of Mandarin Essential Oil (Citrus Reticulata)
Suggested Complimentary Fragrance Oil:
Always patch test this fragrance oil first by diluting it in carrier oil. This is really important on sensitive, inflamed or irritated skin.
Safety:
- Do not use the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
- All of these cold pressed citrus oils are phototoxic. The amounts here equate to less than 0.40% and should present no issues on exposure to sunlight. You can always triple the amount of essential oils suggested and use it at night, making sure not to expose the oils to sunlight or UV light for 12 hours after application. Do what suits you, or make both a day and night version - clearly label the difference though please!
Acne Prone Skin
I already suggested that if you have acne prone skin to swap the Sweet Almond carrier oil out of the homemade Face Moisturizer base and use Tamanu carrier oil (Calophyllum Inophyllum L) instead..
You want to pack your homemade Face Moisturizer with essential oils that have antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties. I also like to use a great big dollop of Manuka Honey instead of the Glycerine.
For 250ml of Homemade Face Moisturizer Base you will need:
- 60 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia)
- 20 drops of White Grapefruit Essential Oil (Citrus Paradisi)
- 20 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon Cablin)
Suggested Complimentary Fragrance Oil:
Always patch test this fragrance oil first by diluting it in carrier oil. This is really important on sensitive, inflamed or irritated skin.
Safety:
- Do not use the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
- Grapefruit is a cold pressed citrus oil and is phototoxic. The amount here equates to less than 0.40% and should present no issues on exposure to sunlight. You can add more, but don’t expose skin to sunlight or UV light for up to 12 hours. Why not make a day and a night version?
Find coordinating product recipes in - Revolutionary Acne Kit: Essential Oils for Clearer Skin!
Combination Skin?
Got combination skin? We haven’t forgotten you, find lovely recipes here, including homemade Face Moisturizer in Natural Skin Care for the Combination Skin Type: DIY Recipes
How To Use Homemade Face Moisturizer
You’ve made your homemade Face Moisturizer, now how do you use it? It’s really easy!
The first thing to do is a 24- 48 hour patch test…don’t skip it! Do it please!
Just apply a liberal amount of homemade Face Moisturizer to your skin and rub it in gently. You can apply a generous amount, let it soak in and then rub in any excess, or remove it with a paper tissue.
Work in light upward circular movements to encourage the blood to move and to get the circulation going. This helps with skin cell renewal and regeneration. Take care not to drag the skin, especially around the delicate eye area.
Don’t forget to include your jawline, neck and décolletage too. This moisturizer goes a long way so you can afford to be a bit more generous in these areas.
The Final Word
Hopefully, I have convinced you how easy it is to make your own homemade Face Moisturizer? It can be whipped up really quickly and they make really wonderful gifts.
You have plenty of time to make some for the upcoming holiday season so get stuck in! Make homemade Face Moisturizer for yourself or your family and friends. You can tailor them to your own needs or that of your recipients, making a really thoughtful and unique gift.
Save yourself a whole heap of money and have a go at this easy and cost effective recipe. If you need a designer edge, use one of our fragrance oils to compliment the active essential oils.
However you choose to make your homemade Face Moisturizer, you're sure to love the results.
