We all know that moisturizing is essential. You can find many skincare routines online, advising you to use an insanely large number of skincare products you just don't need.
Nevertheless, we can all agree is that cleansing, toning, and moisturizing are the foundation of good skincare. So, trust us when we say your skin deserves a high-quality moisturizing formula to add to your daily skincare regimen
To save yourself from all the trouble of experimenting, you can always buy a type of moisturizer that's specifically designed to suit your skin type. There are many brands out there, Misumi included, that use 100% natural formulas. Check out Misumi's Wrinkle-Free Moisturizer.
But if you're a person who likes to do things yourself, we'll give you the best recipes to create your own moisturizer. Creating your own moisturizer can help you save money in the long run and may even be much better for you, as you'll be using products you know will work.
Ingredients for Homemade Moisturizers
All the ingredients and essential oils listed below are well-researched, gentle, and used in many skincare products. They won't disturb the pH level of your skin, and they work well on all skin types.
However, not all fixed oils, carrier oils, and essential oils are created equally, and they won't give the same results on different skin types. To achieve the best results, you can experiment with the oils used in the recipes. We've included a detailed guide at the end of this article.
Last but not least, natural doesn't always mean safe. Many ingredients, generally considered safe and frequently used in cosmetics or even cooking, can still cause adverse and allergic reactions when applied. That's why you should always do a patch test before you introduce a new ingredient or formula.
Always make sure to check the shelf life of the ingredients you're using. Some carrier oils and essential oils will have a longer shelf life than others.
DIY Natural Moisturizers to Make at Home
Chamomile Based DIY Moisturizer
Why Chamomile?
Chamomile oil contains a lot of active ingredients, like bisabolol, chamazulene, and apigenin. Bisabolol has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-irritant, anti-fungal, and non-allergenic properties. Apigenin is a flavonoid with highly potent cancer-fighting properties.
Chamomile oil has powerful antioxidative and potent anti-inflammatory qualities. It's believed to fight infection and reduce inflammation. It also has wound-healing abilities, can help reduce pain, and decrease acne flare-ups.
It's gentle and suitable for all skin types, making it the perfect natural face moisturizer.
How To Make It
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp chamomile-extract
- 6 tbsp argan oil
- 2 tbsp shea butter
- 10 drops tea tree or lavender essential oil
Method:
To make this DIY face moisturizer, add the shea butter and the argan oil to a heat-safe plastic or glass bowl and place the bowl in a pan of warm water. Wait until the shea butter and argan oil melt and blend together. You can stir to make sure the mixture is smooth.
After a couple of minutes, remove from the heat and add the remaining ingredients. Stir again to blend everything nicely, then leave it to cool slightly. When the cream reaches room temperature, you can start applying it on a clean face. Use this face cream on a daily basis for the best results.
Avocado Based DIY Moisturizer
Why Avocado?
Avocado oil a great moisturizing, soothing, and softening ingredient. It's filled with omega-3 fatty acids, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, magnesium, and vitamins A, E, B, and K.
Avocados can help with acne, sunburns, superficial wrinkles and fine lines, and discoloration. So if you're looking for a DIY face moisturizer recipe to help with aging skin, this one is perfect. Avocado oil is also gentle, making it especially suitable for sensitive skin.
How To Make It
Ingredients:
- ½ avocado
- 3 tbsp hemp seed oil (or another alternative from below-described)
- 5 drops essential oil (tea tree or lavender)
Method:
Cut one avocado in half and use a spoon to take out the creamy content from one half of the fruit. Place it in a bowl, add the other ingredients and stir well until everything blends nicely. You can use it right away or store it in a cool and dark place to use it daily as part of your skincare routine.
Beeswax Based DIY Moisturizer
Why Beeswax?
Beeswax works by forming a protective layer, which helps keep pollutants out and water in. By applying it on damp skin and locking in moisture, the beeswax will keep your skin hydrated, soft, and supple. It also allows your skin to better absorb essential water molecules, even further enhancing its hydration.
Beeswax is a great source of vitamin A, which helps the immune system and brings back the skin's natural glow.
How To Make It
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup beeswax
- ¼ cup jojoba oil
- ½ cup sweet almond or olive oil
- 2 tbsp shea butter
- A few drops of Vanilla essential oil (optional)
Method:
Mix all the ingredients in one bowl and let it heat over steam. You can place the bowl over a pan with boiling water on medium heat. Once the ingredients begin to melt, stir well until everything is blended. Take the bowl out of the heat and transfer your paste to a container of your choosing. Once the cream reaches room temperature, you can apply it on the face and body and use it to hydrate and moisturize.
Honey Based DIY Moisturizer
Why Honey?
Another gift from our little bees is honey. Honey ia frequent ingredient in many skincare products because it has amazing antioxidants, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties. It helps unclog pores and clear impurities which might be contributing to more blackheads, whiteheads, and even pimples.
Honey is a natural and gentle exfoliator, making this DIY face moisturizer great for acne-prone skin.
To top it all, it's extremely moisturizing and soothing, which makes it a great addition to any DIY moisturizing recipe.
How To Make It?
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sweet almond oil
- 2 tbsp shea butter
- 2 tsp rose water
Method:
Start by heating the shea butter until it melts, and then slowly add the sweet almond oil. Stir well and after a minute or two, take the mixture off the heat. Add the rose water and the honey. Again, stir well until you get a smooth texture. Once you've let the paste cool down, you can use it in your daily skincare routine as a moisturizer.
Other variations of this recipe may use fractionated coconut oil instead of sweet almond and cocoa butter instead of shea butter. Both coconut oil and cocoa butter are highly comedogenic ingredients that can clog your pores. Nevertheless, if you have extremely dry skin, you can try the heavier coconut oil version of this DIY face moisturizing cream.
Green Tea Based DIY Moisturizer
Why Green Tea?
Green tea is a highly nutritious and antioxidative ingredient that can be really therapeutic when applied. Green tea is believed to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-acne, and immune system-boosting properties.
It can help control oil production and reduce acne.
How To Make It
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp green tea extract
- 1 ½ tbsp rose water
- 1 ½ tbsp rosehip oil
- 1 tsp tea tree/lavender essential oil
- 1 tbsp shea butter
Method:
Add all the ingredients to one bowl and place it over steam to heat it. Once the ingredients begin to melt, start to stir. Keep the bowl over the steam for a few minutes, just enough to blend everything well. When you get a smooth paste-like texture, remove the bowl from the steam and let the mixture cool off.
You can use this homemade face moisturizer daily as part of your typical skincare routine.
Aloe Vera Based DIY Moisturizer
Why Aloe Vera?
The aloe vera gel is a great moisturizing ingredient in itself, but couple it with other hydrating ingredients, and you get yourself a super-powerful, gentle, and soothing, moisturizing formula.
Aloe vera is excellent for reducing inflammation and usually recommended for burned, itchy, and irritated skin. It's rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. So if you suffer from breakouts or acne, this might be the best DIY natural face moisturizer for you.
Aloe vera is suitable for every skin type and can help by protecting the skin's barrier, preventing environmental damage, and boosting the regeneration process of the skin.
How To Make It
Ingredients:
- 1 cup aloe vera gel
- 12 tablespoons beeswax
- ¼ cup sunflower seed oil
- ¼ cup sweet almond oil
- 10 drops essential oil (your preference)
Method:
Melt the beeswax, sunflower seed, and almond oil in a double boiler. After the ingredients blend, take them off the heat and add the aloe vera gel and the essential oil. Again, stir well until you get a creamy texture. Let the oil mixture cool off.
You can use ten drops of your favorite essential oil - or why not mix and match essential oils? Try lavender oil if you want a calming recipe or rose essential oil to reduce inflammation.
Once it's cooled, you can use it right away or store it in a glass jar and keep it in the refrigerator. You can use this homemade face cream daily, as part of your standard skincare routine.
Oatmeal Based DIY Moisturizer
Why Oatmeal?
Oats are one of the few natural ingredients that the FDA recognizes as effective for treating skin ailments. Packed with a crazy high amount of nutrients, oatmeal is vital for three main abilities.
First, it's extremely moisturizing. Don't let their dry appearance fool you - oats have the highest lipid content of any grain cereal.
Second, they have some great absorbing powers. Oats can absorb impurities, dead skin cells, dirt, and skincare residue from deep within the pores and pull them to the surface, where you can wash them off. And third, oats also contain a type of antibiotic called avenanthramides, which acts as an antioxidant and may contribute to the soothing and therapeutic effect oats have.
How To Make It
Ingredients:
- 5 tbsp distilled water
- 1 tsp colloidal oatmeal
- 1 tbsp sunflower seed oil
- 1 tbsp shea butter
- A few drops of lavender essential oil (optional)
Method:
Place the colloidal oatmeal in a heatproof container, add the distilled water and mix well on medium heat, using a double boiler. In another heatproof container, add the rest of the ingredients and heat on a double boiler until the butter melts and everything blends. Add the colloidal oatmeal to the container with the oils and butter and continue to stir to make sure all of the ingredients are mixed well.
Take the blend away from the heat and let it cool off. After it reaches room temperature, you can start applying this natural moisturizer on a clean face.
Egg White + Castor Oil Based DIY Moisturizer
Why Egg Whites and Castor Oil?
Egg whites are nutrient-dense ingredients. They're filled with vitamins, proteins, and minerals that can benefit you. Egg whites can tighten the skin's pores, control sebum control, and absorb excess oil. They'll work best when combined with castor oil. Castor oil is a non-comedogenic ingredient that helps with acne problems, inhibits the growth of certain bacteria, and enhances smoothness and softness when applied topically.
How To Make It
Ingredients:
- 1 egg white
- 2-3 tbsp castor oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- A few drops of vanilla essential oil
Method:
Start by crushing one egg and carefully separating the yolk from the white. Store the yolk, and place the white in a small bowl. Add the other ingredients and blend until you get a smooth and creamy texture. Mix until it has no lumps. After this, your moisturizing cream is ready to use.
Which Moisturizing Oils to Use in Your Recipes
The essence of your homemade moisturizer will be the oil or butter you'll use. It's important to know the composition and benefits of your ingredients. They'll dictate whether your moisturizer will give you that smooth, soft, flawless complexion you're after or if it'll cause more breakouts, make your skin greasy and leave you disappointed.
It's important to research the oil you intend to use, as some may clog pores or may not be suitable for acne sufferers.
Here is an in-depth look at the oils we've decided to use in our recipes. It's totally okay if you want to switch between them or use an alternative. The best thing about making your own skincare products is you can create a face moisturizer recipe that works for you.
Coconut Oil (Comedogenic Rating: 4)
Coconut oil is the most versatile ingredient that you can find in virtually every recipe. As a carrier oil, you'll probably find coconut oil paired with a lot of essential oils. There are a lot of reasons why this is, and we can't argue against its powerful benefits.
Coconut oil is mostly composed of saturated fats, like lauric and myristic acid. Due to these fatty acids, coconut oil has amazing antimicrobial properties that can stop the growth of dangerous microorganisms. It's believed to reduce inflammation, which helps in conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and contact dermatitis. It can help with wound healing and hydrate aging skin.
However, the problem with coconut oil is its comedogenic property. Unfortunately, coconut oil is one of the most comedogenic ingredients you can get, meaning there's a high chance of it clogging your pores. So don't use coconut oil if you have sensitive or oily and acne-prone skin.
We wanted to make sure the above-shared recipes will be safe and work for most of you, no matter the skin type. For this reason, the oils we've suggested in our recipes are non-comedogenic alternatives.
Nevertheless, if you have very dry skin or you're already using coconut oil as part of your skincare regimen, then feel free to substitute some of the oils in the recipe with coconut oil. It's best to use fractionated coconut oil, as it's more of a liquid.
Argan Oil (Comedogenic Rating: 0)
Argan oil is a godsend for everyone that suffers from oily skin and frequent acne breakouts. It has a comedogenic rating of zero, which means it definitely won't clog your pores. It's not too heavy and not too light, making it ideal for all types of skin.
Argan oil is composed of vitamin E, phenols, carotenes, squalene, and unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acid).
This oil can improve the skin's hydration and make it more flexible, making you less prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, it's believed that argan oil can help protect you from UV damage and discoloration. The high amount of antioxidants in argan oil is mostly responsible for that effect.
Since it's a carrier oil, you can pair it with a number of essential oils, making it a great fit for most homemade natural moisturizers.
Hemp Seed Oil (Comedogenic Rating: 0)
Hemp seed oil is another ingredient from the very beginning of the comedogenic rating scale. This is one of the best essential oils for acne sufferers and people with oily skin wwho are looking for more lightweight moisturizers.
Hemp seed oil is highly nutritious with astringent properties and can help with acne breakouts by controlling oil production. It can reduce inflammation, scavenge free radicals, and protect the skin from premature aging.
In one study from 2014, published in the Pharmacognosy Review journal, hemp seed oil was found to help with eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, varicose veins, and acne rosacea.
Sunflower Seed Oil (Comedogenic Rating: 0-1)
Sunflower oil is high in vitamin E, vitamin K, beta carotene, and essential fatty acids, like linoleic, oleic, stearic, and palmitic acid.
It's believed that sunflower oil strengthens the skin's barrier and helps with wound healing and acne breakouts. This essential oil can also treat fungal infections and atopic dermatitis. It also prevents transepidermal water loss.
The best thing about sunflower oil is that it's really gentle, making it safe even for infants. There are no known side effects associated with it. But, of course, always do a patch test when using it for the first time.
Shea Butter (Comedogenic Rating: 1)
Shea butter is a little ticker, although with a comedogenic rating of one is still highly unlikely to clog the pores. This ingredient is ideal for soothing, softening, and moisturizing since it's highly nutritious with a rich content of essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Shea butter is frequently used in products like moisturizers, creams, lotions, and other emulsions because it contains a high amount of essential fatty acids, vitamins A, E, and F, and phenols. It can moisturize dry skin, reduce inflammation and help treat acne and blemishes. It has powerful anti-aging and antioxidant properties, which protect you from damage. Additionally, it can bring relief to itchy and irritated skin.
Rosehip Seed Oil (Comedogenic Rating: 1)
Unsaturated fatty acids and powerful antioxidants are part of the composition of rosehip oil as well. Rosehip oil is mostly known for its ability to boost collagen production and protect from fine lines and wrinkle development. It helps lock in your skin's natural hydration, protect it from the damaging effects of UV light, brightens the skin, and corrects discoloration. It's high in vitamin C content and can gently exfoliate and clear pores. And as it's a carrier oil, it's the perfect addition to homemade face moisturizer that uses essential oils.
Castor Oil (Comedogenic Rating: 1)
Castor oil is high in ricinoleic acid and has antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. It can kill bacteria and prevent infections and irritation. It's filled with fatty acids which makes it a great moisturizing ingredient, but it also helps you maintain a healthy pH balance. Additionally, castor oil stimulates tissue growth which can be very helpful in the wound-healing process.
It has a comedogenic rating of 1, meaning that it's highly unlikely to clog your pores, making it suitable for all types of skin.
Sweet Almond Oil (Comedogenic Rating: 2)
This is another great ingredient that's packed with high amounts of vitamin E, vitamin A, fatty acids, potassium, and zinc. Sweet almond oil can work wonders. It acts as a powerful antioxidant, scavenging free radicals and keeping the skin safe from oxidative stress. It has anti-aging and anti-acne properties to help you achieve younger-looking skin. It also protects you from sun damage.
The comedogenic rating of sweet almond oil is 2, meaning it's unlikely to clog the pores, although people with an extremely oily complexion might find it a little heavy.
It's best to use it diluted with other non-comedogenic oils to ensure that it won't clog your pores.
In addition, people with nut allergies may want to use alternatives in their homemade face moisturizer since their facial skin might be more sensitive to this oil.
Jojoba Oil (Comedogenic Rating: 2)
Jojoba oil has a higher comedogenic rating than the above-selected oils, but it's definitely worth it since it's considered a godsend for moisturizing purposes. It's actually a liquid wax, and it's very similar to the natural oils our body produces. This gives jojoba oil the ability to absorb fast and easy, and penetrate deep into the skin's layers. In addition, it's gentle, and most experts frequently recommend jojoba oil for sensitive skin due to its gentle and non-allergenic nature.
Jojoba oil can do an amazing job of hydrating dry skin and provides long-lasting moisture. It has anti-aging and anti-microbial properties, which makes it the perfect ingredient for any DIY face moisturizer.
Olive Oil (Comedogenic Rating: 2)
Olive oil contains vitamins A, D, E, and K.It has antioxidant properties and protects from environmental damage. It's also naturally high in squalene, an oil that mimics your skin's natural sebum, which will make your skin barrier extra smooth and soft.
Olive oil can be amazing for dry to normal skin types, but you should be careful how you use it if you have an oily complexion. Even though it's much better than coconut oil, olive oil also has a heavy consistency and can be a bit oily and acne-prone skin. So if you suffer from acne, with may want to use another oil in your homemade face moisturizer.
Its comedogenic side effect can be reduced if you dilute it down to 25% concentration and mix it with an oil that has a comedogenic rating of 2, as used in the recipes above.
Should You Moisturize Daily?
Yes, you should. People with dry skin already know this, but it's actually true for everyone.
Moisturizing your facial skin daily will help with anti-aging, as well as add protection against environmental damage and sun exposure. There are many benefits associated with moisturizing daily.
You don't have to create your own natural moisturizer for the best results. Many store-bought beauty products are extremely helpful in moisturizing and often include sun protection.
But if you do create a homemade moisturizer, make sure to put it in a glass container or an empty pump bottle and store it correctly for a longer life.
Should People With Oily Skin Moisturize?
Yes, you should moisturize. Not moisturizing is one of the most common mistakes people with oily skin make.
Naturally, because oily skin sufferers cleanse and exfoliate to get rid of the excess oil, they can easily overdry their face and cause a counter-effect. It's important to finish off with a lightweight water-based moisturizer to prevent stimulating your oil glands. This will ensure they don't go into overdrive.
The best advice is to take some time to learn what types of moisturizers are available for you and find the one that works best for your skin type. Some store-bought products may include ingredients that might not work for you, so it's always best to do your research.
When Should You Moisturize?
Your skincare routine steps should start from the lightest and finish with the heaviest products. First, you cleanse and exfoliate.
Second, you use toner.
Third, you use a moisturizer. If you’re using an essence, serum, facial mask or other products, apply them after the toner but before the moisturizer. There are also rules on when to apply your sunscreen and makeup, but it's best to read in detail about the steps to a perfect skincare routine.
Misumi's Wrinkle-Free All Day Moisturizer
We get it. Making your own DIY face moisturizer may seem like a great idea at first, but can soon end up being time-consuming. Misumi offers a great Wrinkle-Free All Day Moisturizer that's bursting with benefits. With all-day hydration therapy and natural ingredients to lock in moisture, this lightweight moisturizer will give you the beautiful, healthy glow you've been craving. Not to mention, it's non-comedogenic, making this moisturizer perfect for those with acne-prone skin!
