Searching the drugstore’s cosmetics aisle for that perfectly soft, natural flush or bold pop of color gives us Goldilocks vibes (for our cheeks that is). And beyond finding a shade that actually accentuates our skin tone, we’re also trying to avoid harsh questionable ingredients, and overpriced products.

Which in the end becomes a rather time consuming task. We may as well just make our own. And that’s exactly what we did. Enter: our own DIY blush cream recipe (that is, if you prefer that over a homemade blush powder which we also have a recipe for!).

It’s surprisingly simple, fully customizable to suit the season or a special occasion, and way more budget-friendly than store-bought options (scroll to the end to see the savings). You control the color, texture, and ingredients, ensuring a natural, dewy glow every time.

So that’s what we’re sharing below—our very own tried and tested (with many iterations and trial and error), nourishing and ultra clean recipe that’s good for your skin, your wallet, and your glow.

Index: Homemade Blush Cream

  1. Homemade Cream Blush Recipe Jump to section
  2. Cost Savings of Making Your Own Blush Cream Jump to section
  3. Why Make Your Own Blush? Jump to section

Homemade Cream Blush Recipe

Unlike store-bought options filled with synthetic dyes and preservatives, this homemade blush cream is designed to hydrate, soothe, and enhance your complexion with a select list of skin-loving ingredients.

You can customize the shade by adjusting the quantity of the beetroot powder or dried rose petals for a deeper or softer hue. The shea butter and jojoba or sweet almond oil ensure a smooth, blendable texture that absorbs and protects your skin, while beeswax or candelilla wax helps the formula stay put without feeling greasy. For an extra touch of luxury, add a drop of rose or lavender essential oil for a subtle floral scent .

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Infuse the oil with rose petals. In a small heat-safe bowl or jar, combine jojoba oil and dried rose petals. Heat using a double boiler (or a warm water bath) for about 30 minutes to extract the color and skin benefits.
  2. Strain out the petals, reserving the infused oil.
  3. In a double boiler, melt the shea butter and beeswax together until fully liquefied.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the beetroot powder and cornstarch. Add more beetroot powder for a bolder shade or more arrowroot for a softer tone.
  5. Once mixed in, gradually add the rose-infused oil, mixing well until smooth and evenly colored.
  6. If desired, add a drop or two of essential oil for extra skincare benefits and a pleasant scent.
  7. Transfer the mixture into a small tin or jar and let it cool and solidify at room temperature. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
  8. Apply with clean fingers or a makeup brush, blending onto the cheeks for a natural flush.

Extra Customization Tips:

  • For a peachy blush: Add a pinch of turmeric or hibiscus powder.
  • For extra hydration: Swap jojoba oil or rosehip oil.
  • For a dewy finish: Mix in a drop of natural highlighter like argan or coconut oil before applying.

Cost Savings of Making Your Own Blush Cream

Store-bought cream blushes, especially natural and organic ones, can cost anywhere from $15 to $30 for a small compact. But making your own? You’ll get the same skin-safe, blendable and customized formula for just $0.89 per batch by following our guide —saving over $10 a pop.

Not only do our DIY blush recipes cost less, but the ingredients last longer, allowing you to mix up multiple shades for different looks, seasons, or moods. Plus, with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and beetroot powder, your blush won’t just look good—it’ll hydrate and nourish your skin, too.

DIY Blush Cream

  • Dried Rose Petals: Free if drying yourself or $16 for a 6 oz bag (~$0.05 or ½ tbsp)
  • Beetroot Powder: $10 for an 8 oz bag (~$0.12 for ½ tbsp)
  • Shea Butter: $8 for an 8 oz tub (~$0.25 for ½ tbsp)
  • Jojoba Oil: $7 for a 4 fl oz bottle (~$0.43 for ½ tbsp)
  • Beeswax: $8 for a 15 oz bag (~$0.02 for ¼ tsp)
  • Cornstarch: $5 for a 12 oz bag (~$0.01 for ¼ tsp)
  • Essential Oils: $7 for 1 fl oz bottle (~$0.01 for 1-2 drops)

Cost per batch: ~$0.89

Store-Bought Equivalent: ~$11+ for a 0.3 oz compact (e.g., Pacifica and similar cosmetic brands)

Savings per Batch: $10.11

Why Make Your Own Blush?

Rosy cheeks that come from skin irritation? No thanks. Unfortunately most (all?) conventional blushes contain fillers, additives, synthetics and preservatives that may irritate skin (or worse). If you peruse the ingredients list of any drugstore blush product, we’ll take a bet that you’ll come across a few of these usual suspects:

  • Synthetic Dyes: Artificial colorants that can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
  • Parabens: Which are cheap preservatives linked to hormone disruption and skin irritation.
  • Fragrance: Synthetic fragrances can cause headaches or allergic reactions and skin irritation to many who apply it to their skin.
  • Talc: This has got a bad wrap and for good reason. It’s a mineral that has been linked to respiratory issues and is often contaminated with asbestos!

All the more reason to create your own homemade foundations, DIY concealer or any DIY makeup you might use to avoid unhealthy formulas and save money.

Amber McDaniel is one of Sustainable Jungle's writers and our Head of Content
Amber McDaniel

Amber obtained Bachelor of Arts degrees in English, Creative Writing, and Psychology from The University of Oxford and Arcadia University. She is an avid crafter, gardener, quail farmer, wannabe novelist, and self-proclaimed eco adventurer. From living in a camper van to living in a tiny house, she is enamored by the small and self-sufficient; and aspires to one day become an off-grid micro-farmer, bridging sustainability with non-toxic living and eating. With a passion for outdoor sports like rock climbing, skiing, and travel, having already backpacked across 30 countries, she is always up for the next big adventure while seeking ways to minimize her impact along the way.