3 Nourishing DIY Face Moisturizers (No Toxins, No Hype)

So we skipped the store-bought stuff and made our own instead.

These three DIY face moisturizers were created out of a need for something real—deeply nourishing, made with natural ingredients you can actually pronounce, and gentle enough for everyday use. No greenwashing, no $35 price tags, no scent-induced headaches.

Just a nourishing cream, a silky oil, and a compact lotion bar—each one designed to melt into skin, lock in moisture, and feel like a quiet little luxury you made with your own hands.

We’ve used all three for years, adjusting with the seasons and always coming back to what works.

This DIY face cream uses simple and nourishing ingredients that are gentle on the skin. The combination of aloe vera gel, jojoba oil, and shea butter works to hydrate, balance, and repair the skin without clogging pores or leaving a greasy residue.

It can also be applied more thickly and left on to create a DIY face moisturizer mask for deeper, more intense hydration.

Some recommend adding essential oils, but because many of these are not suitable for sensitive skin, we always recommend omitting these when applying DIY beauty products of any kind to sensitive face skin.

Ingredients:

• Aloe Vera Gel (2 tbsp): Aloe vera is known for its soothing properties and is especially beneficial for irritated or sensitive skin. It helps to hydrate without being too heavy and is a great anti-inflammatory.
• Jojoba Oil (1 tbsp): Jojoba oil closely resembles the skin’s natural oils, making it an excellent moisturizer for all skin types. It absorbs quickly and helps balance oil production without clogging pores.
• Shea Butter (2 tbsp): Shea butter is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, making it perfect for deeply moisturizing and nourishing dry or mature skin. It also helps to lock in moisture for lasting hydration.
• Matcha powder (1/2 tbsp, optional): Detoxifies, purifies, and soothes skin, especially acne. Also packed with catechins, a type of polyphenol that helps fight free radicals, reduce oxidative stress and premature aging (making it excellent for under eye creams), and repair damage from UV exposure and environmental pollutants.
• Vitamin E Oil (5 drops, optional): Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from environmental damage and promotes healing. It’s optional but a great addition for added skin protection.

• Raw Honey (½ tsp, optional): Has extra humectant properties to lock in moisture.

Customization Options:

• For Extra Dry Skin: Swap jojoba oil for sweet almond oil or argan oil (both deeply nourishing), or increase shea butter to 3 tbsp for a richer texture.
• For Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: Replace shea butter with mango butter (lighter and non-greasy).
• For An Organic Tinted Moisturizer: Add a little cocoa powder to match your skin tone.

Instructions:

1. In a double boiler (or a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water), melt the shea butter over low heat until fully liquefied. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly, but not solidify.
2. Stir in the jojoba oil while the shea butter is still warm, ensuring they blend well.
3. Slowly whisk in the aloe vera gel until the mixture starts to emulsify.
4. Add the vitamin E oil and/or honey (if using) and mix thoroughly
5. Sift in the matcha powder to prevent clumping and stir well.
6. Transfer the cream to a clean, airtight jar or tin.

For on-the-go moisture, we love homemade lotion bars, as they fit in a compact, pocket-sized tin that can be taken anywhere. They’re especially useful for travel, as you don’t need to worry about airline liquid restrictions.

This solid moisturizer bar is packed with nourishing ingredients to keep your skin hydrated without the mess of a liquid lotion. It melts slightly on contact with skin, making application smooth and effortless.

Ingredients:

• Shea Butter (1 tbsp): Deeply hydrates and soothes dry skin
• Cocoa Butter or Mango Butter (1 tbsp): Provides additional nourishment and a firm texture
• Jojoba or Rosehip Oil (1 tbsp): Lightweight and non-greasy, great for facial hydration
• Beeswax or Candelilla Wax for Vegan Option (1 tbsp): Helps solidify the bar and adds a protective layer on the skin
• Vitamin E Oil (½ tsp): Acts as a natural preservative and nourishes the skin
• Storage tin/mold (~2 oz in capacity)

Customization Options:

If you don’t have cocoa or mango butter, you can substitute with more shea butter or use another firm, nourishing ingredient to maintain the solid consistency. This will still provide a creamy texture but might make the bar slightly softer.

Kokum butter is another alternative with a similar texture to cocoa/mango butter but without any scent.

Instructions:

1. In a double boiler (or a heat-safe bowl over simmering water), melt the shea butter, cocoa/mango butter, jojoba oil, and beeswax. Stir until fully combined.
2. Remove from heat and add vitamin E oil and essential oils (if using). Stir well.
3. Pour the mixture into a 2 oz tin or silicone mold.
4. Let it cool and harden at room temperature for a few hours or place it in the fridge to speed up the process.
5. To use, rub the bar between your fingers to warm it slightly, then apply directly to your face. You may need to use a butter knife and run it along the edges of the tin to loosen the bar in order to remove.

If you’re looking for a night moisturizer for glowing skin, this DIY face oil is packed with nourishing botanicals that lock in moisture, restore balance, and leave your skin soft and radiant.

Perfect for applying before bed or right after a shower, this lightweight yet deeply hydrating blend absorbs quickly without clogging pores (really good if you have acne-prone skin)—so you wake up with a fresh, dewy glow!

Ingredients:

• Jojoba Oil (1 tbsp): Mimics skin’s natural sebum, balances oil production, and absorbs easily.
• Rosehip Oil (½ tbsp): Rich in antioxidants and vitamin A, helping to brighten skin and reduce fine lines.
• Argan Oil (½ tbsp): Provides deep hydration and softens skin without clogging pores. See below for possible substitutions for this oil depending on skin type.
• Vitamin E Oil (¼ tsp, optional): Acts as a natural preservative while offering skin-repairing benefits.

Customization Options:

• For Dry Skin: Marula Oil: Deeply hydrating and rich in antioxidants.
• For Oily/Acne-Prone Skin: Grapeseed Oil: Lightweight, fast-absorbing, and helps control sebum.
• For Sensitive Skin: Squalane Oil: Non-irritating, mimics skin’s natural lipids, and calms redness.

Instructions:

1. In a small glass dropper bottle, combine all oils.
2. Cap the bottle and shake gently to mix.
3. To use, apply 2–3 drops to clean skin, gently massaging in upward motions. Allow a few minutes for absorption before applying sunscreen or makeup.

Store-bought moisturizers—especially for the face—can vary significantly in price. Some are cheap (and have equally cheap ingredients to match) while others are marked up to near astronomical amounts trying to cash in on people’s obsession with youthful looking skin. Luxury “anti-aging” options can cost upwards of $50 per jar!

While many of these products claim to offer hydration and nourishment, they can still also contain a lot of filler ingredients and preservatives. Making your own moisturizer allows you to save money and ensure that only natural, effective ingredients are being absorbed by your skin.

1. DIY Natural Face Moisturizer

• Shea Butter: $8 for an 8 oz tub (~$1.00 for 2 tbsp)
• Aloe Vera Gel: $12 for a 12 fl oz bottle (~$1.00 for 2 tbsp)
• Jojoba Oil: $7 for a 4 fl oz bottle (~$0.87 for 1 tbsp)
• Matcha Powder: $10 for a 4 oz bag (~$0.20 for ½ tbsp)
• Vitamin E Oil: $6 for a 2 fl oz bottle (~$0.25 for ½ tsp)
• Raw Honey: $11 for a 32 oz bottle (if not organic) (~$0.03 for ½ tsp)

Cost per batch: ~$3.35 (recipe makes about 3 fl oz, equivalent to $1.12 per fl oz)

Store-Bought Equivalent: ~$25 for a 1.7 fl oz jar (e.g., Olay, Neutrogena, and similar mid-tier natural skincare brands)

Savings per Batch: $24.75

2. DIY Face Moisturizer Bar

• Shea Butter: $8 for an 8 oz tub (~$0.50 for 1 tbsp)
• Cocoa Butter: $20 for a 1 lbs bag (~$0.06 for 1 tbsp)
• Jojoba Oil: $7 for a 4 fl oz bottle (~$0.87 for 1 tbsp)
• Beeswax: $8 for a 15 oz bag (~$0.22 for 1 tbsp)
• Vitamin E Oil: $6 for a 2 fl oz bottle (~$0.25 for ½ tsp)

Cost per batch: ~$1.90 (recipe makes about 2 fl oz)

Store-Bought Equivalent: ~$15 for a 2 fl oz tin (e.g., EcoRoots, Honey House Naturals, Burt’s Bees, and similar natural skincare brands)

Savings per Batch: $13.10

3. DIY Face Oil

• Jojoba Oil: $7 for a 4 fl oz bottle (~$0.87 for 1 tbsp)
• Rosehip Oil: $6 for a 1 fl oz bottle (~$1.50 for 1/2 tbsp)
• Argan Oil: $10 for a 4 fl oz bottle (~$0.63 for 1/2 tbsp)
• Vitamin E Oil: $6 for a 2 fl oz bottle (~$0.25 for ½ tsp)

Cost per batch: ~$3.25 (recipe makes about 1 fl oz)

Store-Bought Equivalent: ~$10 for an 1 fl oz jar (e.g., Palmer’s, The Ordinary, and similar mid-tier natural skincare brands)

Savings per Batch: $6.75

Conventional face moisturizers are loaded with chemicals, fragrances, and preservatives that can irritate your skin, especially those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or acne. Here are some harmful ingredients commonly found in store-bought moisturizers which you definitely want to avoid:

• Parabens: Preservatives that are known to disrupt hormones and can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
• Synthetic Fragrances: These can be irritating and cause allergic reactions, especially for sensitive skin. They may also cause headaches and long-term skin sensitization.
• Mineral Oil: Often used as a cheap filler in moisturizers, mineral oil can clog pores and may cause breakouts.
• Alcohols: Some alcohols in moisturizers can be drying to the skin, stripping away natural oils.
• Dimethicone: A silicone-based synthetic compound used to make skin feel smooth. While generally not considered toxic, it can create a barrier that prevents the skin from properly absorbing moisture and nutrients.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Common in many skincare products, SLS is a surfactant that can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated.

You get the just of it. And no surprise that we’re big on DIY body moisturizers, and all types of homemade beauty products!