Buying facial creams and moisturizers from top-tier brands can be expensive, especially if you are going through multiple bottles per month. Also, you can’t always be 100% sure that the products contain natural or organic ingredients. Cosmetics producers cleverly manipulate words and definitions of certain ingredients to make their products seem more attractive. Commercial “organic” or “natural” products need additives to increase their shelf life, and many truly organic ingredients simply don’t last long in a bottle. Fortunately, you can make an amazing homemade body moisturizer with ingredients you know and get fantastic results from the finished product. Keep reading to discover how!
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Benefits of Homemade Moisturizers
Moisturizing is essential during the winter months because it prevents skin dryness and irritation. Applying the lotion or cream after showering locks in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated throughout the day. It’s recommended to use gentle circular motions so that it absorbs into the skin better without causing irritation.
Handmade moisturizers are often more affordable than store-bought ones, and you can customize them according to your own needs. Also, these DIY creams don’t contain preservatives or other chemicals that could irritate the skin.
What To Consider Before Making Your Own Cream
Before making a moisturizer for your body, there are several factors to consider.
- Skin type: Consider what ingredients would work best for your skin type. For example, if you have dry skin, use more hydrating ingredients such as shea butter or coconut oil.
- Allergies and sensitivities: Be aware of allergies you may have to certain ingredients.
- Consistency and texture: Think about the texture you want the moisturizer to have. If you’re going for a thicker cream, consider adding beeswax or shea butter.
- Sterilization: Be sure to sterilize your equipment and containers to avoid any contamination.
- Testing: Always do a patch test on a small area before using the ingredients to ensure that you do not have an adverse reaction to any of them.
Our Favorite DIY Recipes
Keep your skin hydrated and healthy during the winter months with one of our favorite DIY moisturizers listed below.
1. Shea Butter + Coconut Oil + Jojoba Oil
One popular recipe for a DIY body cream involves mixing shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil.
Why? Shea butter is known for its hydrating properties, while coconut oil and jojoba oil are both excellent moisturizers that can help lock in hydration.
How? To make the body butter, you simply need to melt the shea butter and coconut oil together in a double boiler, then stir in the jojoba oil. Let the mixture cool and solidify, then whip it with an electric mixer until it becomes light and creamy.
Store the body butter in a jar and apply it as needed to keep your skin moisturized and soft.
2. Almond Oil + Beeswax + Essential Oil
Another option is to make a simple lotion using ingredients like almond oil, beeswax, and essential oils.
Why? This lotion is perfect for those who prefer a lighter, less creamy texture. Almond oil is a perfect moisturizer rich in vitamins A and E, fatty acids, and antioxidants. Beeswax promotes cell regeneration and forms a protective skin barrier, while essential oils have a wide range of benefits, depending on the oil.
How? To make the lotion, you’ll need to melt the beeswax and almond oil together, then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance.
Once the mixture has cooled, transfer it to a pump bottle and apply it daily to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated.
3. Aloe Vera + Coconut Oil + Vitamin E Oil
The third homemade body moisturizer recipe is ideal for all skin types, especially sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Why? Aloe vera gel is a natural humectant that can help lock in moisture and soothe dry and irritated skin. Coconut oil is a natural emollient that can help soften and hydrate the skin, while vitamin E oil is a potent antioxidant that can help protect the skin from free radical damage.
How? Put the aloe vera gel, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil in a mixing bowl, and mix all the ingredients well. Transfer the blend to a glass jar with a lid, and store it at room temperature.
Tip: Be sure to test any new product on a small patch of skin before applying it all over your body.
Make Your Own Mix Using These Ingredients
Aside from the above-listed recipes, you can create a lot of other blends, depending on your preferences and specific skin needs. So, we singled out the top 10 most common ingredients in homemade body moisturizers:
- Carrier oils (Coconut, almond, jojoba): These oils are rich in fatty acids and help to hydrate and nourish the skin. They are often used as a base ingredient for homemade moisturizers.
- Beeswax: Beeswax is a natural emulsifier that helps to thicken and stabilize moisturizer formulas. It also has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Shea butter: Shea butter is a rich, creamy butter that is high in fatty acids and vitamins. It is deeply moisturizing and helps to soothe dry, irritated skin.
- Cocoa butter: Cocoa butter is a rich, aromatic butter that is high in antioxidants and fatty acids. It helps to hydrate and improve the elasticity of the skin.
- Aloe vera gel: Aloe vera gel is a natural humectant that helps to draw moisture into the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe irritated skin.
- Vitamin E oil: Vitamin E oil is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from free radical damage. It also helps to moisturize and improve the texture of the skin.
- Essential oils (Lavender, tea tree, peppermint): These can provide a variety of benefits to the skin, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and soothing properties.
- Glycerin: Glycerin is a humectant that helps to draw moisture into the skin. It also has a cooling and soothing effect on the skin.
- Rosewater: Rosewater is a natural toner that helps to balance the pH of the skin. It also has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Honey: Honey is a natural humectant that helps to draw moisture into the skin. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
These are the most popular homemade body moisturizer ingredients because they are natural, effective, and easy to find. You can combine them in different ratios to create a variety of formulas tailored to specific skin types and needs.
Top Essential Oils for Your Skin
There are many essential oils that can be beneficial for the skin, but we also love them because of their calming aromatherapy benefits. Here are some of the best essential oils to use in skincare:
- Lavender: Lavender essential oil is known for its calming properties and can help soothe irritated skin. It also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for treating acne and other skin conditions.
- Tea tree: Tea tree essential oil has strong antiseptic properties and can be effective in treating acne, eczema, and other skin infections. It’s also good for balancing oily skin.
- Rose: Rose essential oil is excellent for mature, dry, or sensitive skin, as it can help hydrate and soothe the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for treating skin conditions like rosacea.
When adding essential oils to skin creams, it’s important to use a carrier oil, such as jojoba, almond, or coconut oil, to dilute the essential oil properly. The recommended dilution ratio is typically 1-2% essential oil to carrier oil.
Pros & Cons of Making Your Own Lotion
These are the key benefits of homemade body lotions.
- Natural ingredients are gentle on the skin.
- You can customize them to suit your skin’s needs.
- They moisturize deeply, providing long-lasting hydration.
- These lotions are cheaper than store-bought products.
- There are no harsh chemicals or preservatives in them.
- It’s time-consuming and requires some knowledge of natural ingredients and their properties.
- These may not provide as much protection from cold weather as a commercial product due to the lack of certain additives.
- Homemade moisturizers may not last as long since they don’t contain preservatives.
Conclusion
Incorporating a DIY body butter or lotion into your winter skincare routine can help keep your skin soft and supple all season long.
In addition to being hydrating and creamy, handmade lotions and body creams are also inexpensive and customizable. You can experiment with different ingredients and essential oils to find a combination that works best for your skin type. Plus, making your own skincare product is a fun and rewarding way to practice self-care and connect with your creative side.
With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of creativity, you can make a perfect lotion and create a routine that leaves your skin feeling soft, smooth, and nourished.
Tip: Check out these homemade daily face wash recipes!