Regardless of the type of skin (dry, oily or combination), moisturizing it daily is a fundamental gesture that helps you take care of it. Generally creams formulated to moisturize the face and neck have a rich texture, while those for the body are less dense. Many of the products on the market are both expensive and full of chemicals, but luckily it's really easy to make a moisturizer at home. The biggest advantage is that you can decide which ingredients to use based on your needs and preferences.
Ingrediants
Moisturizing Cream based on Shea Butter
- 115 g of shea butter
- 2 tablespoons of oil (e.g. apricot kernels, avocado, jojoba or sweet almonds)
- 10-15 drops of essential oil (choose 2-3 different types)
Coconut Oil-based Moisturizing Cream
- 120 ml of coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) of cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons of oil (e.g. apricot kernels, avocado, jojoba or sweet almonds)
- 10-15 drops of essential oil (choose 2-3 different types)
Beeswax-based moisturizing cream
- 120 ml of sweet almond oil
- 55 g of coconut oil
- 225 g of beeswax
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) of cocoa or shea butter (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil (optional)
- 10-15 drops of essential oil (optional)
Anti-Aging Moisturizing Cream
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) of shea butter
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of apricot kernel oil
- 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil
- 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
- 10-15 drops of essential oil (preferably moscatella, helichrysum and myrrh)
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Make a Shea Butter-based Moisturizer
Step 1. Prepare your bain marie supplies
First pour 2.5-5 cm of water into a pot, then take a heat-resistant glass bowl and place it on the pot. Before continuing, check that the bottom of the bowl does not come into contact with water.
Step 2. Melt 115g of shea butter in a double boiler using medium heat
Once placed in the bowl, stir it from time to time so that it dissolves evenly and faster. Unlike coconut oil, shea butter does not clog pores, so it is ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Step 3. Add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of oil and mix the ingredients by mixing with a small whisk
You can use only one type of oil or combine two different ones. Those most indicated include:
- Apricot kernel oil;
- Avocado oil
- Jojoba oil;
- Sweet almond oil.
Step 4. Cool the mixture for 10-15 minutes
Lift the boule from the pot, cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Pull it out when the cream starts to turn solid and translucent, roughly after 10-15 minutes. Do not let it harden completely.
Step 5. Add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oils
Choose 2-3 types and pour them into the bowl. In total you will need to use about 10-15 drops, so calculate the correct proportions. For example, you could add 5 drops of lavender essential oil, 3 drops of carrot seed essential oil, and 3 drops of moscatella (also called schiarea) essential oil. Here is a short list of the ones that are generally more suitable:
- Carrot seed essential oil;
- Muscat grass essential oil;
- Frankincense essential oil;
- Lavender essential oil;
- Essential oil of myrrh;
- Rosemary essential oil.
Step 6. Mix the ingredients by blending them with an electric whisk for about one minute
The cream is ready when it takes on a thick and pasty consistency, similar to that of whipped cream. You can also use a professional food processor or hand blender, inserting the whisk-shaped accessory you need to whisk the egg whites until stiff.
Step 7. Transfer the cream to a glass jar using a silicone spatula and store it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight
It is better not to use plastic because over time it tends to release some of the chemicals that make it up, plus essential oils can gradually deteriorate it. This shea butter-based moisturizer lasts for 6-12 months.
Method 2 of 4: Make a Coconut Oil-based Moisturizer
Step 1. Prepare your bain marie supplies
First, pour 2.5-5 cm of water into a saucepan. Now take a heat-resistant glass bowl and place it on the pot. Before continuing, check that the bottom of the bowl does not come into contact with water.
Step 2. Melt 115ml of coconut oil and one tablespoon (15g) of cocoa butter in a double boiler using medium heat
Once placed in the bowl, mix them from time to time so that they dissolve evenly and more quickly. Both have excellent moisturizing properties, however, remember that coconut oil can clog pores, so it is not recommended for oily skin or skin prone to acne and blackheads.
Step 3. Remove the boule from the heat and let the mixture cool before adding 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of an oil of your choice
Stir to mix it with the other ingredients. You can use only one type of oil or combine two different ones. Those most indicated include:
- Apricot kernel oil;
- Avocado oil
- Jojoba oil;
- Sweet almond oil.
Step 4. Add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oils
Choose 2-3 types and pour them into the bowl. In total you will need to use about 10-15 drops, so you can experiment with different combinations each time. For example, you could add 4 drops of carrot seed essential oil, 4 drops of nutmeg essential oil, and 4 drops of myrrh essential oil. Below is a short list of those most indicated:
- Carrot seed essential oil;
- Muscat grass essential oil;
- Frankincense essential oil;
- Lavender essential oil;
- Essential oil of myrrh;
- Rosemary essential oil.
Step 5. Cool the mixture for one hour
Cover the bowl with cling film and place it in the refrigerator. Wait an hour so that it has time to harden and stabilize; you will get better results by working it cold.
Step 6. Whip it until it is soft and light
Take the bowl out of the fridge and start working the cream with the electric whisk. Nothing prevents you from using the manual whisk, but with the electric one it will take much less time and effort. Of course, you can also use a professional food processor or a hand blender, inserting the whisk-shaped accessory that is used to beat the egg whites until stiff.
Step 7. Put it in the refrigerator for another half hour
Staying in the cold it will reach the final consistency, more similar to that of a normal cream.
Step 8. Transfer the cream to a glass jar using a silicone spatula and store it in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight
It is better not to use plastic because over time it tends to release some of the chemicals that make it up, plus essential oils can gradually deteriorate it. This coconut oil based moisturizer lasts for 6-12 months.
Coconut oil has a low melting point so when it's hot it becomes liquid. If the cream feels too soft, store it in the refrigerator
Method 3 of 4: Make a Beeswax-based Moisturizer
Step 1. Prepare the supplies for the water bath
First, pour 2.5-5 cm of water into a saucepan. Now take a heat-resistant glass bowl and place it on the pot. Before continuing, check that the bottom of the bowl does not come into contact with water.
This cream contains beeswax, so it is best to use it to moisturize the skin on the body avoiding the face
Step 2. Melt 225g of beeswax in a double boiler using medium heat
First cut it into small pieces roughly, then transfer it to the bowl. Now wait for it to start melting, stirring occasionally to speed up the process. The liquefied wax will form the basis for your cream.
Step 3. Add 55g of coconut oil
Keep stirring to melt it more quickly and mix it with the beeswax. Coconut oil has natural moisturizing properties, but some say it tends to clog skin pores. If you routinely struggle with pimples and blackheads, it may be best to replace it with shea butter.
Step 4. You can also add vitamin E oil, cocoa butter or shea butter if you like
Keep stirring to incorporate them into the beeswax and coconut oil mixture. Each of the three ingredients improves the appearance and health of the skin, which therefore, while not necessary, can increase the effectiveness of the moisturizer.
Step 5. Remove the boule from the heat and add the sweet almond oil
Carefully lift it out of the pot to avoid burning yourself and place it on the counter. At this point, add the sweet almond oil and start mixing again. Alternatively, you can use one of the following oils:
- Apricot kernel oil;
- Avocado oil
- Jojoba oil.
Step 6. You can also add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oils if you want
You can use one type alone or combine several, in which case remember that in total you will need to add a maximum of 10-15 drops, so calculate the proportions correctly. For example, you could add 5 drops of lavender essential oil, 3 drops of frankincense essential oil, and 3 drops of rosemary essential oil. All of the following oils are excellent for the skin:
- Carrot seed essential oil;
- Muscat grass essential oil;
- Frankincense essential oil;
- Lavender essential oil;
- Essential oil of myrrh;
- Rosemary essential oil.
Step 7. Transfer the cream to a glass jar
It is better not to use plastic because over time it tends to release some of the chemicals that make it up, plus essential oils can gradually deteriorate it.
Step 8. Wait for the cream to cool down before using it
Keep it in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and use it within six months.
Method 4 of 4: Make an Anti-Aging Moisturizer
Step 1. Process three tablespoons (45g) of shea butter inside a bowl until soft
You can use a manual whisk, but with the electric one it will take a lot less time and effort. You can also use a professional food processor or hand blender, inserting the whisk-shaped accessory that is used to beat the egg whites until stiff.
Shea butter is excellent for sensitive skin because it does not clog pores. In addition, it is rich in vitamins that counteract the aging process of the skin
Step 2. Add three tablespoons (45ml) of apricot kernel oil
It is particularly suitable for people who have sensitive skin because it is emollient and does not irritate; in addition it is light and does not clog pores. If you can't find it, you can replace it with one of the following oils:
- Avocado oil
- Jojoba oil;
- Sweet almond oil.
Step 3. Incorporate one teaspoon of vitamin E oil and one teaspoon of aloe vera gel
Vitamin E oil helps reduce the signs of aging, for example by smoothing wrinkles, plus it promotes the regeneration and growth of skin cells. Aloe vera gel is fresh and emollient, so it is ideal for relieving acne and inflammation.
Step 4. Incorporate essential oils
The recipe calls for adding 3 drops of moscatella essential oil, 5 drops of myrrh essential oil and 5 drops of helichrysum essential oil. All three oils have anti-aging properties and help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. If you can't find them or if you just don't like them, you can replace them with others that have similar properties, such as:
- Carrot seed essential oil;
- Frankincense essential oil;
- Essential oil of geranium;
- Patchouli essential oil;
- Sandalwood essential oil.
Step 5. Whip and mix the ingredients with a whisk, then transfer them to a glass jar
After adding the essential oils, mix for a long time to obtain a smooth and uniform cream. Once ready, pour it into a jar with the help of a silicone spatula.
Step 6. Store your anti-aging moisturizer in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and use within 6-12 months
Advice
- Learn about the properties of the essential oils you have chosen. For example, those of ylang ylang and neroli are more suitable for a revitalizing day cream, while those of geranium and lavender for a soothing night cream.
- Coconut oil has a rather low melting point. If you use it, it is best to keep the cream in the refrigerator.
- Using essential oils is not mandatory, you can avoid them if you prefer a simple moisturizer.
- Carrot seed essential oil naturally protects you from the sun because it has an SPF of 38-40. On the other hand, that of coconut oil is much lower (about 6-8).
- During the warm months, keep the cream in the refrigerator. With each application, the skin will be refreshed as well as hydrated.
Warnings
- Make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients used to make the cream.
- Having a rich and thick consistency, these creams are not suitable for a container with a dispenser, it is better to keep them in a jar.
- To reduce the risk of infection, make sure all utensils are perfectly clean and sterilized.
