For pretty much my whole teen and adult life I’ve been on some sort of skincare regimen. From acne to dryness, I’ve had a hard time finding my balance. Well, about a year ago I stopped using some of the super expensive subscription style face care products and decided to go all natural. Since then, I cleanse with only ground oatmeal and I’ve been moisturizing with this DIY facial moisturizer.
I promised myself after a few months of using this face lotion recipe, that the next time I made it I would photograph the process so I could share it with you. It has just been SO GREAT for me that I want you all to know about it.
This face cream has only a few ingredients, no dyes, no chemical preservatives, no fragrances. It’s non greasy and leaves my face feeling well moisturized. I also use it as a primer for my makeup in the morning, and I put a little on a cotton ball to clean off stubborn eye makeup.
And its really, really cheap.
When I first decided to make this DIY face moisturizer, I started with this post from Frugally Sustainable. That recipe was meant for hands though, so I made some tweaks to customize it for my face. I cut out the cocoa butter, and added in refined coconut oil (great for skin, antibacterial) and grapefruit essential oil (also good for skin clarity- plus smells delicious.) The result has been a great face lotion recipe that I use regularly.
On my lotion lightness scale, this moisturizer is pretty light weight and non-greasy. Just what I was aiming for!
What You Need:
- 1 cup aloe vera gel (This bit is important. In the comments, a few people have tried to substitute plain Aloe juice, or home-made gel, but it doesn’t have the stabilizing properties needed. It has to be a gel. This is the one I used.)
- 3/4 ounce (by weight) beeswax, I buy mine in a bar and grate it. You can buy it in pellets too- make sure you get the kind for cosmetics and not candles. Some of those come scented. (From Amazon: Beeswax Pastilles)The beeswax is in there as a stabilizer. When you make an emulsion like this, you are essentially “mixing” water and oil – two things that don’t mix. Instead, they will sit next to each other. Tiny blob of oil, then tiny blob of water, tiny blob of oil… etc. If the lotion separates, it is because those tiny blobs touch others of the same type and create a bigger blob of oil, bigger blob of water. This chain reacts and the mixture separates. I’ve added the wax because it will blend with the oils and make them less fluid (since it is solid at room temp). Hopefully less fluidity will mean less separation.
- 1/4 cup almond oil
- 1/4 cut coconut oil
- 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (Mine was from Amazon: Grapefruit Oil)
Please note that essential oils are serious business Please take into account the oil you are using and its affects. I like grapefruit- but as some comments have noted, it can increase sun sensitivity. Also, be sure to test the oil on your skin ahead of time to note any allergic reactions. - Chocolate/soap melter or double boiler
- Blender
Okay, you got all that? Make sure that you double check the essential oils with any medications or conditions you have. Also, if you are allergic to any of the oils, feel free to substitute and experiment.
How To Make It:
- Start by melting the beeswax and coconut oil in the almond oil. I used my Wilton Chocolate Melter.
- Pour the melted oils into your blender and WALK AWAY. It is super-duper essential that that stuff get COOL before you start to blend. There is no getting around this. For me it took about 1 hr 15. If you don’t let it cool it separates later. Gross. Trust me.
Note: Some readers have had better experiences in blending if the oils are just-barely-warm, and the blender/aloe mixture is also just-barely-warm. Try it and let me know what happens!
- Mix the essential oil into your cup of Aloe Vera Gel.
- Fire up the blender. Slowly pour the aloe vera gel into the blender as it whips. It’ll transform from a thick oil to a light and fluffy white lotion texture. The first time I did this I had to call my husband into the room to look- it looks like a real lotion!!
- That’s it! You’ve made your own DIY facial moisturizer! Store some in a small container for your vanity, and put extra in the fridge. Keep in mind that lotion has a shelf life. Don’t use anything that looks/smells/feels wrong.
DIY Lotion Frequently Asked Questions:
The Lotion Isn’t Mixing Properly
Try these approaches:
- Be sure to scrape the bottom of your blender several times during the blending step. Sometimes oils and wax sink down there and it will cause a watery consistency in the lotion.
- Add the aloe to the oils EVER SO SLOWLY. We are creating an emulsion, mixing two items that can’t be mixed. We have to do it slowly for even distribution.
- Some have suggested making sure the oils and the aloe mixture are at the same temperature and a little above room temp for optimum mixing. Perhaps wait until the oils are just warm to the touch, and heat the aloe gel to the same (probably about 10 secs in the microwave) before blending. Avoid cold aloe gel, or blending in a cold blender.
- If after all this, the lotion comes out slimy or separating, transfer into a bowl with a hand mixer or a stand mixer and WHIP THE EVER LOVING DAYLIGHTS out of that bad boy! Additionally, you can use as is. Its still a great moisturizer, it just doesn’t look as pretty. This is the price we pay for avoiding chemical stabilizers and preservatives.
Can This Be Tinted?
I tried once to add a mineral pigment powder (like I use in my DIY Mineral Foundation) and the mixture molded within a few days. It could have been my tools weren’t sanitized properly, but I’ve not tried again. I do not recommend adding any vegetable products like cocoa powder.
Can I Substitute something else for Aloe Gel?
I have not has any success swapping the aloe gel for aloe juice, fresh aloe juice or aloe oil. Some readers have mentioned in the comments that it worked for them.
Do I need Beeswax? Can I substitute it?
You can try swapping with 1/2 the amount in carnuba, emulsion or soy wax. I do recommend using a wax to help stabilize the mixture.
Can I add/substitute this, that or the other thing?
I get these sort of questions a lot. These recipes are simple ratios of solid, semi solid and liquid oils/additives. Obviously I have not tried everything under the sun, so I don’t really know what would happen if you try adding X or Y. But please, experiment! Try things! Add that fancy rose water, or that pigment, or sub out that oil- whatever! Report back and let us know what you find.
Do I need a blender?
I would really, really recommend it. At least one reader has suggested she was able to do this by hand- but in my experience my hand would cramp before I whipped it long enough! A hand mixer or stand mixer with a whisk attachment would be fine too.
How Long will this keep?
I use an all organic gel with stabilizers, but not exactly preservatives. That’s why I noted that extra should be kept in the fridge. For me, with sterilized equipment and storing the large qty in the fridge and only a couple tablespoons at my vanity, it has lasted as long as 3 months. Now, please be careful! Use your own judgement and don’t use anything that doesn’t look/feel/smell right.
Check out my other Beauty Related posts!
Kayla Domeyer
Latest posts by Kayla Domeyer (see all)
- Miniature Bohemian Style 1:12 Dollhouse Rattan Shelf - August 24, 2023
- How to Solve Stress with Princess Bathtub Melts - June 2, 2020
- 25 Valentines Even a Toddler Can Make - February 11, 2020
I’m in love with this diy moisturizer🥰I made it last month and it turned out great but this time I’d like to add different oils so can I add hazelnut oil instead.. It absorbs excess oil and balances skin oil production
Hi, I’ve made the diy facial moisturizer a few times now for personal use. This last batch seemed to whip up nicely, though the end product is lumpy. How can I fix this? Thanks, Laurie
Hello !!!!
Great Post. Thanks for share this info.
I love these simple all natural ingredients and my skin is always dry this time of year from the central heating so this will be great to try. Thanks!
Scarlet recently posted..8 Ways to Get Healthy And Stay Healthy In The New Year
Thank you for such a beautiful recipe! This is the 2nd time I’ve made this. My last batch lasted me months- the extra I kept in an air tight container in the fridge. I love it!! So today I needed to whip up another batch but didn’t have enough Aloe gel. Think I had about 5/6 of a cup. I topped it up with Jojoba oil to make 1 cup, added in a few drops each of rosehip oil, rose oil, hyaluronic acid, Olive squalene and Vitamin E. The result is a heavenly, lush cream that feels like silk on my skin ❤️
Hi,
Thanks for this. I just made my first batch. I used a hand blender and just spooned the aloe gel in the oil. The oil was still a bit warm. But I stirred the oil before. It dosent come out pure white, it has a slight yellow colour. Is also a bit hard in texture, still like a cream but a harder cream if that makes sense. Could this be because I used to many bee wax pellets?
Awesome website and thanks for this 🙂
Freddy
Freddy – If the texture is too stiff it definitely could be because of the beeswax. It could also be too much of the coconut oil.
Hi Kayla! What size of cup do you use?
I have made this about 4 times or so and it comes out different overtime. I however can’t get it to be more fluffy. I have tried cutting back on the bees wax. Any thoughts.
Is this causing breakouts for people? Coconut Oil and Beeswax are very high on the comedogenic scale, meaning they clog pores. If i even get a touch of coconut oil on my skin I break out. How are people using this without getting pimples? What am I missing?
Kate recently posted..Wildflower Honey-Hemp Oil Body Wash by WildflowerFoundry
Hey Kate – I saw you posted a couple of comments, but I’m going to answer you in just this one. 😀
You’re correct that some people experience aversion to coconut oil. Thankfully, most of this recipe is aloe vera gel which for me really helps to balance it all out. So far none of the comments have mentioned excessive break outs, but if you’re worried about it you should probably try something else. There’s a nice over the counter face moisturizer that I used in my post here.
I saw you put a link to many of the other products you used but I did not see one for coconut oil. What type of coconut oil would you recommend?
Have you tried using emulsifying wax for this? Maybe someone has already addressed this, I’m not sure. You have a lot of comments! I’d be interested to see this recipe with emulsifying wax 🙂
Hello! if i make this and it doesnt emulsify properly, can i reheat it and add a emulsifying wax or will i need to start over with new ingredients?
Hi!! how much does this make? and do you think i can add some carrot seed oil?
Hey Kayla,
I add a bit of tangerine and the moisturizer perfectly fits my skin. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I can make my own facial moisturizer anytime now.
Hi,
I want to try this DIY skincare recipe, I don’t know if I am allergic to almond oil, because I am allergic to nuts. I really like this recipe, do you think it’s okay for me to use almond oil? if not, do you have any alternatives?
Wendy – feel free to sub out the almond oil with another carrier type oil. Let me know how it works out for you!
Hi Kayla, I used tea tree oil and everything work out so fine. I don’t feel any irritation or what. I really had smooth skin because of the healthy ingredients. Thanks!
Wendy – I’m so glad!
Hi Kayla, great article and thank you for this info. I have made this several times and keep running into a dilemma with the aloe vera gel. Here’s what I’ve done – I am very curious to hear your thoughts about what I could be doing wrong and other suggestions for which brand of aloe vera gel to use. Sorry this post is long but I wanted to include all of my experiments here so perhaps others can chime in!
First time I used a drugstore brand aloe vera gel for the skin, and it was fantastic. The mixture emulsified wonderfully, and the first batch was by far the best. BUT – I realized the kind of aloe vera gel I was using contained icky parabens which defeats the purpose of making my own facial cream.
Upon researching further and seeking an alternative, I also learned that no aloe vera gels are pure aloe vera gel. All contain preservatives, even those found at health food stores and both food-grade and topical gels.
Against the advice of pretty much everyone, I tried scraping out the insides of an aloe plant to get to pure gel. They were right, it went rancid within 24-48 hours even when refrigerated. So that’s out of the question.
So I started looking for aloe vera gels that only contain “safe” preservatives. I got some Lily of the Dessert Aloe Vera Gelly (for topical use) that uses Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol and Sorbic Acid – all “1’s” on the EWG cosmetic ingredient safety database. it was okay, but this brand is sort of expensive.
So third time I tried Nature’s Life Aloe Vera Gel which uses Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbet, Sodium Benzoate, Chamomile Flower Extract and Comfrey Root extract as preservatives (which equate to about a 3-4 on the EWG harmful scale which isn’t ideal but still better than the drugstore brands). The Nature’s Life aloe vera gel worked very well and made a smooth, very silky lotion blend, but I didn’t care for the medicine-like smell.
ANYWAY, so the fourth time around, I tried the Lily of the Desert (food-grade) aloe vera gel which you suggested as the first ingredient in your article. It contains Carrageenan, citric acid, potassium sorbate and potassium benzoate as preservatives – all low on the EWG scale (however I read prolonged consumption of food-grade aloe vera gel containing carrageenan may cause bowel ulcers and other digestive problems, but I digress as I’m not eating the gel, only using it for topical use). Using food-grade aloe vera gel turned out horribly. The texture was super thick and not ‘lotiony’ at all. It is very waxy and it’s impossible to even spread on the skin. Thicker than any body butter even, and very sticky. During mixing, I even tried adding more aloe vera gel thinking that it would help make the texture more creamy, but it didn’t do any good. You can’t wash it off easily. I’m using the exact same aloe vera gel as the one you linked to in the first ingredient. But I had to throw away this entire batch. Too bad.
*Note regarding the fourth attempt: I definitely didn’t use the Aloe Vera Juice – It’s definitely a Gel.
I wish I could use the food-grade gel because it is by far the least expensive ($8 for 33 oz. versus $8 for 8 oz.)
I guess my question is; do you have any thoughts about why my fourth batch using food grade aloe gel turned out so bad? And does anyone have any good sources of non-paraben aloe vera gels that aren’t so expensive I can use to make this cream?
Thank you!
Thanks for being so thorough!
I am so excited!! I FINALLY GOT THE CREAM TO LOOK LIKE THE PICTURE. Fluffy, creamy and smooth. Unlike the greasy, waxy separated cream I have had every time I made this and believe me I tried everything. THE SECRET: Use emulsifying wax (E wax NF) instead of beeswax. Big huge difference!! Everything blends easily and stays together. It looks and feels like the expensive store brands. Clean up is a breeze! Washes off the utensil with just a quick rinse. The wax comes in little pellets (pastilles) that make it a breeze to measure. I got it on ebay. 1/4 cup equals 1 ounce. So 3 tablespoons for this recipe.
btw I use a hand mixer. It works great! None of my blenders work as the blades are too high and sit above the oil/wax mixture. I don’t know what kind of blender everyone else uses but I tried 2 different ones and the blades are always to high.
I hope this helps. I now look forward to making this cream….lol
This looks great. My question: is there any way to give this lotion an SPF? I prefer my moisturizer to also be a sunscreen. Commercial sunscreens are too greasy to use on the face.
Hey Susan! In theory, you can add SPF. There are a lot of physical (light blocking) particles/minerals that could be suspended in this moisturizer.
However, SPF is not something I recommend toying with. Only because an amateur creator like me doesn’t have the equipment to verify the SPF rating of the result and I’d never want to count on sun protection I wasn’t sure of.
Hi great recipe! I don’t have beeswax but I do have shea, is that ok? I heard I can add arrowroot powder if I ends up to greasy, was also considering to use Jasons Soothing Aloe Vera 98% Gel Tube – should I? would that still need to be refrigerated ? or should I put a layer of that (Jasons aloe) first then the lotion mix w/o aloe? please help, thanks in advanced!
Hey Victoria! I do recommend a wax for this recipe. My advice is to experiment! Try what you have on hand and report your findings. 😀
no matter what, I can’t get the get and lotions to become one. I tried this recipe twice. once in the blender and once with beaters. no luck
I had the same problem . I found a great fix. Use E Wax NF instead of beeswax. It’s a vegetable oil emulsifier and makes a huge difference!! I finally have fluffy, smooth cream instead of greasy waxy separated stuff. I got mine on ebay and it comes in pellets. So easy to measure. And clean up is a breeze!!
I made this moisturizer for the second time today (I make half batches). Once again … it’s a WINNER! So light and fluffy my oober dry skin loves it. I use any combination of oils. The first time I used equal amounts of apricot kernel, hemp seed, sesame seed, argan, jojoba and coconut oils. Agree the aloe GEL is a must… I also added 1/4 tsp msm (organic sulphur) to my half batch. This time I used a different combo of oils (no coconut) and it still came together beautifully… ie pomegranate for the SPF factor. I do pre-spray my skin with a DIY vitamin c serum which has v/gelatin in it for added moisturising boost. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe Kayla… I’ve tried many on the net… and this is the only one that didn’t separate. Kept in the fridge… it lasted for ages.
Hi! I was super exited to try out this easy and simple recipe. Thank you for your through directions and pictures. Very helpful. I had been planning for two days to make this with ingredients I had on hand. When I finally had a moment, I realized that I had Aloe Vera liquid (not the gel), but I was set on doing it, so I thought, what’s the worst that could happen.
I melted the oils and beeswax and let them cool. Then I slowly sloshed in the aloe vera liquid and blended it with a stick blender. It almost worked. Still had a bit of liquid splashing about.
I remembered a technique I’d learned from other lotion making escapades – Borax. Borax, when combined with the “water” part of an emulsified lotion, can help the water and the oil become one. And you don’t need much – 1/4-1/2 tsp of borax, dissolved into the water side.
Since I had everything already combined and it wasn’t quite coming together, I thought- what the heck, can’t do anymore harm. So I dissolved the borax into a bit of hot water and added it right to the top of my “almost” lotion. I stick-blended it in – and lo and behold! Immediate emulsion!! It’s great to know that this works as an after the fact fix as well as being part of the planned recipe.
Hi Kayla! Thanks for sharing this recipe, it certainly works wonders and leaves the skin feeling moisturized and pumped!
Just a detail, I made mine a week ago and it already started smelling funny and the aloe vera and oils/wax started separating… any idea why this is happening? It’s a shame but had to throw away my entire jar 🙁
You have sooo many comments it would be like reading a book to go over all of them, so I hope I’m not being repetitive. I wanted to report that coconut oil clogs pores so you may want to sub that out with maybe an anti-aging oil like wheat germ, or apricot kernel. They are easy to find on Amazon or bulkApothcary for organic and reasonable prices. Also Bergomot is photosensitive as well as grapefruit, lemon, orange, and lime. All the citrus oils. Vitamin E acts as a natural preservative, you only have to add a dropper full or 2ml. Even when I use the Vitamin E my lotion is not good after abou a month un-refrigerated. Be sure you add the essential oils when it is at room temp or you will burn out the wonderful benefits of the oils. I use Young Living, or Rocky Mountain essential oils. The one’s you purchase at a food market, even a health food store, are not therapeutic grade and are useless. I researched these oils very carefully before I put them on my face. Eden’s Garden is less pricey and does some testing on their oils so I do use them occasionally and they can be found on Amazon, but I would not buy Young Living on Amazon, only from the source. You can get them for wholesale by buying a starter kit which prov ides you with 10 oils, a diffuser, dram bottles for sampling an a product guide that gives you info about the oils so you know how to se them to get the best out of them. Rocky Mountain does great testing and provides free shipping. They have nifty sales as well. It’s just vital to use good therapuetiic, wild-crafted, or organic oils. I hope I’ve helped.
Hi Kayla,
Would it be recommended to add glycerin in this moisturiser? Read online that you need glycerine to lock the moisture in but I’m not sure if it’s necessary! Thanks for answering x
Love this! I modified the recipe slightly and it turned out fantastic!
http://i.imgur.com/reERUQy.jpg (that’s what it ended up looking like)
(Saw a post asking if essential oils were mandatory and no, they are not. It will turn out the exact same consistency without them.)
I substituted hemp oil for almond oil (giving my lotion an earthy smell and a bright green color) since hemp oil is supposed to be awesome as a facial moisturizer. Bought all my ingredients on amazon. I also used Tea Tree Oil for the essential oil, since it has natural antibacterial properties that help prevent breakouts. (Since it’s drying on it’s own, I thought including it in a moisturizer would be a good way to balance that out!)
I’ve been using it daily for a few weeks now and my face feels wonderful, I just made a second batch for my friends for christmas! This recipe made about 10 oz (vol) of lotion.
One thing I’d like to add is BE PATIENT. I hurried too much the first time and dumped in the aloe gel too fast, not allowing it to emulsify. I also tried to cool it too fast using the fridge and it got too cold, messing up the texture. I followed the instructions better the second time and it was much better. It takes a few minutes of blending to fully emulsify as well.
Thank you so much for this recipe!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience Rachel!!
Is the essential oils a must have ingredient for the moisturizer or can i skip that???
Is the essential oils a must have ingredient or can i skip that???
Could you add non-nano zinc oxide to the recipe for protection from the sun?
thats what I was thinking too! I think I’m going to just add a bit to it and see what happens!
Hi Kayla!
Going to make this tonight but wondered if I could add vitamin e? if so, when in the process would I add it and how much? Thanks so much!
I made this lotion a week ago and love it. I placed the bulk of it in the fridge to keep longer but today I took some out to fill some small containers to share with friends. by the time I was ready to give them out the lotion had started separating liquid so I tried to whip it up with a spatula and it got worse and worse.
Would the temperature of the place where this is made make the difference? i notice that in the original post, the coconut oil is solid which means the temperature is below 76 degrees F/ 24 degrees C. Could those whose lotion ended up runny confirm that their coconut oil was already liquid to begin with? Perhaps those of us in warmer climates (its an average 32 degrees celcius here) need use less liquid or up the beeswax?
Dear Kayla, would this work for a pumpable container? /instead of a jar? Just would love to pump it, instead of scooping it.. thank you…
Yes Jane! In fact, lately that is how I’ve been using mine.
Hi there!
Love this recipe, really want to give it a try.
Just wondering, with the listed ingredient quantities, how much cream did this make?
Thanks
Yep, this recipe is a sure winner. I’ve basically replaced all my other facial products with this, I’ve made my sister fall in love with it too. Awesome recipe–thank you sooo much!!!
I’m so glad that you love it!
Hi! Love this lotion!! I tweaked it just a bit by adding in castor and jojoba oil in place of the almond and coconut oil. Check it out on my blog! 🙂
Trina recently posted..DIY Face Lotion
I’m looking forward to trying this. All store bought lotions ive tried are heavy and make me break out. I just dropped $70 on supplies, though! I had to buy everything including the double boiler scale, and a couple 8oz containers, but I will have enough to make more for a long time ( and I really needed a double boiler anyway!) I’m going to try and substitute the almond and grapefruit oil with jojoba and lavendar oil, instead, because I have rosacea. Thanks for the post AND useful comments 🙂
Would you recommend this for daily use?
I can only get the liquid type of coconut oil at the local stores here, does it work the same?
Hi! Is it ok to use green aloe vera gel?
Can I use fresh aloe Vera? I’m thinking about going to the store to buy a real aloe Vera leaf and scrape the gel out. I’m not sure how much of that I will get and the consistency wise I hope it’s not too liquid. I want to make this tonight to use for nighttime regimen. Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Men need face moisturizer too. My daughter gave me some night cream for father’s day & it helped so much but at $15 for a 1.7 oz jar it was just too expensive. I just made a batch & the recipe was perfect & easy to follow. For all ingredients I spent just $7 which works out to only 79 cents for a 1.7 oz jar. I filled 3 jars for my 3 daughter to try.
I am sorry to see that so many people are asking you questions that you already answered if they would just read the recipe. I’m sure these questions keep a lot of people from sharing. Thanks again
I like the way you think Brad! Lol!
My daughter’s love this & have all asked me to make more for them. It clears up my grand-daughter’s eczema better than her prescription & it cleared up the dry patches on my face better than the $15 moisturizer I was using before. I’m making another batch right now. Thanks again for sharing
I am SO GLAD you liked it Brad!! I’m happy it worked out for your daughters too!!
Hi! All righty, I have a question. It may seem strange, but hear me out. What’s the texture of the aloe gel you used? Is it thick, gloppy stuff often sold by commercial brands, or does it have a more runny consistency similar to actual water?
I’m asking because I went with pure, organic aloe gel (runny consistency), and it wouldn’t mix with the oil mixture for anything. I had let the oil mixture cool completely before *attempting* to whip it up with a stand mixer on high… I scraped and scraped and scraped the bowl, and nothing. It all stayed separated. In fact, I eventually noticed bits of hardened wax and gave up. The whole thing was a mess.
I thought maybe I bought the wrong kind of aloe gel, so the binding properties weren’t there? Or maybe the oil mixture should have been warm, maybe I should buy a blender… Little advice, please?
Hey Allison!
Sorry you are having so much trouble. Firstly, its unlikely that the stand mixer is able to get enough RPMs to really create the emulsion we are looking for. Have you ever been able to create an emulsion in the stand mixer before (like Mayonaise?)? Some of the commenters have tried with hand beaters and had success – but I can only attest to the blender method.
As for the gel, the brand I use is all organic and it does have a bit of a gel to it. Not too watery. For temp questions have a look at the FAQ section. Some people swear by heating the mixture instead of letting it cool, by keeping the blender carafe warm – all sorts of things! The results you made might even still be usable. Maybe re-warm them together and then whip as they cool?
Hello Kayla! and Christmas greetings!…I have been looking for a facial moisturizer to make for my fiance. I have converted him to taking care of his skin and overall health and this recipe is right up my alley.
I have a little experience with making my own moistuirizers for body and face and am looking forward to making this for him for a Christmas present. In fact everyone on my list is getting handmade gifts this year; from yoga mat spray to beard oil. I absolutely love being able to make/create something that is good for your health and inexpensive…don’t you?! and then being able to personalize it!
I have been reading the other posts…they’ re great for learning about others trials and errors or successes…as for preserving this beautiful moisturizer, you can use Vit. E oil and or Rosemary antioxidant for rancidity of oils and Leucidal(trade name) for it’s antimicrobial properties. Also, you can try decanting it into a pump bottle so your fingers don’t contaminate it each time you use it. Hope this helps and thanks for your recipe ;D
Elizabeth Sofia
Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment Elizabeth! I hope that your insights help others!
Can you please email me the directions for making the moisturiser for face with aloe Vera gel,
It’s not showing up online.
Hey Pene, have another look – it should be there! https://saynotsweetanne.com/2013/clean-and-healthy-diy-facial-moisturizer-recipe/
Hi Kayla
from what I have learned emulsifying wax works with water and oil in recipes it holds the wo together many times it has been said you can use emulsifying wax in place of beeswax in such recipes. Maybe it might be easier to do this recipe with the emulsifying I just ordered some emulsifying wax when I receive it I will try this recipe
Thanks Mary!
I have tried emulsifying wax in a couple of recipes. Keep in mind that it is NOT a one to one ratio with the beeswax. You’ll use MUCH LESS emulsifying wax. Let me know how it turns out!!
the aloe vera gel you are using contains in the bottle on amazon 946 ml of aloe vera gel. It states on the back of the bottle that 58 ml out of 59 ml contain whole leaf aloe vera juice. That would mean that 16 ml of the 946 ml would be something other than gel or that it is 98.3% aloe vera. Then it is explained that it also contains Carrageenan (thickening agent), Citric acid (pH stabiliser), Potassium Sorbate (mold inhibitor/preservative).
therefore we could make our own aloe vera gel from the liquid with these same ingredients.
Thanks Mary for working all of that out! Have you tried the recipe with your own Aloe Gel?
Hi there! Thanks for this recipe. I tried it today and I also had issues with the mixture separating. It looked like chunky, curdled milk! I added a small amount of bentonite clay as I thought this would help sop up the excess liquid… it did not, unfortunately! But at least it didn’t make it any worse.
What did work for me, though, was to put the whole mixture back in the double boiler (I just sat my Pyrex jug in a pan of water on the stove), heated it gently, and whizzed it with a stick blender (using the whisk attachment). Worked a treat!! It’s now a smooth lotion.
I have a feeling it will separate out a little again, but I’ll just give the bottle a good shake up before I use it. At least it’s no longer the nasty, chunky, year-old milk texture ; )
Keep in mind that coconut oil rates a 4 out of 5 on the comedogenicy scale! Like most people who are prone to break outs, I have small pores and I once tried using raw, organic unrefined coconut oil on my skin and I broke out like CRAZY!!! Apparantly LOTS of acne-prone people have this problem with coconut oil, although it does seem to work for a small percentage of people, but I don’t recommend chancing it (I’m an esthetician who specializes in acne). There are lots of carrier oils that are high in lineolic acid and low in oleic acid (that’s what you want, btw) that are low-comedogenic. Best of luck! 🙂
I made a variation of this which came out great: 1 cup fresh harvested aloe plus 1/4 cup Kombucha mixed with a stick blender. Added to oils: 30 drops sea buckthorn oil, 10 drops rosehip seed oil. Added to aloe gel: 3 drops each of these EOs: Frankincense, Patchouli, Lavender, Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang, Rosemary, Rose Absolute. Plus 10 drops Geranium EO. For the base I used grapeseed oil infused with Calendula, plus Coconut oil (1/2 cup plus 1/2 cup). I also added 4 capsules of vitamin E oil. I used double the beeswax since I doubled the recipe. Feels heavenly and smells awesome. I’m going to use it as a night cream for my face, neck and chest. I think it’s too heavy to use as a day cream unless you have really dry skin.
That’s great mousturizer! Can I add vegetable glycerin? If I can add it, how much should I add?
Hey Pricillia! The FAQ section covers adding/substitutes. The short answer is: try it!
Hi, I was wondering if I could use a replacement for the almond oil since I don’t have that on hand. Would olive oil or jojoba oil work? Thank you!
Hey Hannah! Have a look at the FAQ section for oil substitutions. In short: try it!
I am new to EOs but have been making some beauty products for the past 2 years or so. I was looking for a facial moisturizer formula when I came across this post. I was looking for something that was nourishing and were i would be able to use some EOs. This was perfect. I have had a laser procedure done on my face to remove some acne marks and was told by my dermatologist to use CERAVE with SPF30 during the day for at least 3 months. I am also using hydroquinone to bleach out the rest of the marks, but since the laser procedure, I am not comfortable with it. I like using EOs and wanted to use Lemon for it skin brightening effect. I am planning on using it at night. I followed your instructions with the following alterations:
I used Target brand Green Aloe Vera Gel; for the Almond oil I used 1 tbsp jojoba oil, 1 tbsp almond and 2 tbsp apricot oil, and I added 1 tbsp cocoa butter. I used about 10 drops of Lemon EO (i hope it was 10 since i had to use the bottle dripper). Once everything was melted, I let it cool down. In the meantime I read all the replies. I went back to check on the oil situation and it was already solidified and cool enough. I did not use the blender, but used my hand mixer and added the aloe vera mix by the spoonfuls. It did not separate, and feels very nice. A little seems to go a long way. Since I used the Target Green Aloe Gel, it has a green tint to it. I might have to look around for a better aloe gel.
I am looking forward to use different EO’s, e.g. Rose, Geranium, frankincense.
The addition of the aloe gel, makes this very cooling and comforting. that might be very handy during summer.
Has anyone else had a problem with 1 cup of aloe being too much?
Not very good. I tried the mach, and it dried out my skin like crazy. wouldn’t recommend this recipe.
I am going to use matcha tea powder rather than essential oil. I let you know the results.
Thank you so much for posting this recipe! This was my 4th attempt at making a face cream, and this one worked!!! I actually made a CREAM and not a chunky, waxy mess like I did the other 3 times! I also made some substitutes since I did not have some of the ingredients on hand. I used grape seed oil instead of almond oil, but I think that will be ok since I read that grape seed oil, which is one of the lightest oils, actually tightens skin and closes pores which prevent outbreaks. I didn’t have quite enough of the aloe jell but I used what I had. My cream came out a bit oily, maybe because of too little aloe jell or the grape seed oil, but it definitely is usable. I also put some tea tree oil in there since it is a good preservative and helps prevent bacterial growth. then I used a few drops each of clary sage, frankincense, and carrot seed essential oils for their anti aging benefits, and a few drops of rose geranium essential oil for its clarifying benefits. So excited to finally have a healthy skin cream so I can stop buying the store bought chemical bombs i have been reliant on! Thanks again!
Hey so I went to Central Market and asked about Beeswax that is safe enough for cosmetics and skincare products and they pointed me to the one kind they had. I asked them a few times if they are sure that its safe enough for the face and they said that beeswax has many purposes and uses. The beeswax bar even smelled like honey. So I am wondering if there actually is a different kind of beeswax for the face (rather than the kind for soaps and cosmetics) because I made this moisturizer and it does feel pretty heavy and my face did turn kinda pink (no irritation though). Unfortunately the aloe gel and the oils didnt mix very well so some of it was watery while the oils and wax kinda stuck together so Im wondering maybe its heavy cuz the ingredients didnt blend together as well? Its still a creamy consistency but there is some water as well. Im wondering if maybe I used the wrong wax?
Hey Esther,
100% pure beeswax is safe for most skintypes (barring allergies etc). The references I make to being sure that your wax is “cosmetic” in nature, are because here in my city, there are a bunch of ways to get NON 100% beeswax and not know it. For example, you can buy big bags of “beeswax” that is actually for candles. That wax is only about 90% beeswax, with some other waxes, perfumes (to enhance the beeswax scent) etc added. Similarly, you can end up with beeswax that has been bleached, or had its color removed. I personally wouldn’t want to use that wax on my face. I’ve also seen very unrefined beeswax that had bits of bees in it (which is a normal part of the wax skimming process, but not one I would want on my face). Hope that clears up the wax confusion!
The heaviness you describe is really likely from the ingredients not coming together. Did you try the troubleshooting methods in the FAQ?
I like your article, thank you for sharing.
Hello Kayla!
Thank you for posting this lotion, it is fantastic! I read the FAQs about replacing part of the beeswax but I was wondering if you think I would be able to substitute all or part of it for Jojoba oil because it is technically a wax? (even though it is generally sold as an oil) Or would that not be stable enough for this lotion?
Thanks!
Firstly, thanks so much for sharing this recipe Kayla! I wanted to share my experience for anyone having similar difficulty….the first time I attempted this recipe I thought I could manage it with a magic bullet as I didn’t have a blender…BAD IDEA. Of course you’re not able to slowly add the aloe when using a magic bullet so I wound up with yucky, clumpy separated cream and a big darn mess. I still used it, but it disappointed me every time, thinking of the pretty, whipped cream in your photos. SO, I went and bought myself a blender and tried again. STILL wound up with the separated cream even though I followed directions to a T. Determined, I scooped all of the contents of the blender back into the double boiler….including the aloe. I melted everything down once again and then let it sit until it separated. I then scooped the harder stuff off the top and into a different dish and then strained the rest. Next, I put the thicker stuff BACK into the blender and blended the crap out of it. The problem seems to be that the substance is too thick to get rolling in the blender so I also had to shake the blender like a mad woman while blending. Then I ever so slowly added the aloe back in….scoop by scoop, then putting on the lid and shaking the blender while blending…..I kept doing this until all of the aloe was back in and then blended and blended and blended. I was able to rescue the previous batch with this method as well. I finally have beautiful, smooth lotion and *fingers crossed* it stays that way. Because the cream was still warm after all this, I put it into jars and left them on the counter to cool to room temp before putting the lids on and refridgerating. My skin has been having a tough time adjusting to all of the oil (considering most store-bought face creams all like to be OIL FREE), but I’ve been keeping at it. One thing I have discovered that has helped SO much is adding PEARL powder to the cream. Pearl powder has amazing skin benefits and you can get it online super cheap. For whatever reason, it seems to absorb any access oil on the skin and actually acts almost as a face powder or foundation over the cream itself. Alternatively, you could use the pearl powder as a face powder and apply a light brushing over the skin after applying the cream.
Sorry for the extremely long comment….hopefully it will help some of the people out there struggling with the same things. DON’T GIVE UP! It can be saved! haha 😀
Whew! Thanks so much Carly for sharing your experience! I know that the emulsion step can be a bit tricky. But I’m happy that despite a couple set backs you were able to make it work! I recently tried a batch in our new Ninja and it didn’t work either (Like the magic bullet). It definitely needs the slow addition of the aloe I think.
Excited to make this as I had almost everything to do it with. Decided to do this instead of heading to the store to get more moisturizer today. I tried this recipe and substituted using avocado oil instead of almond simply because I did not have any Almond on hand. I left it to cool for about an hour and a half. My house is a little cooler than most probably. It was hard! I tried mixing it with the aloe and essential oil by using the blender, hand mixer and stick blender. After a while when it was not blending well, I put it back over the double boiler for about 3 minutes. It did blend a little better but I did wind up draining off the excess aloe gel because I got tired of blending. Thanks for the recipe. I also made the Clean Green Tea recipe today too.
I’m glad you were able to make it work for you! My house is always pretty balmy, so I’ve never had the mixture get hard. But still, even with a little less aloe its still nourishing for your skin!
I tried to make this for the first time tonight. My son is allergic to Almond oil so I subbed with a Jojoba oil/ grape seed oil mixture. That was the only change I made. BUT I had trouble getting the gel to mix with the oils. Some of it mixed but in the end, I had to pull out the immersion mixture and it still ended up sitting in some gel. What did I do wrong? Please help as I am so excited to get this right.
Hey Taia,
Have you tried the FAQ sections many solutions for blending issues? Let me know!
Two questions: 1) I’ve tried both this “recipe” and the green tea “recipe” and they seem to leave the surface of my dry skin greasy but don’t sink in. Suggestions for ways to alter the ingredients a bit? 2) Have you ever tried adding vegetable glycerin to your lotions?
Hey, it seems like a great recipe and I want to try it out but I live in a very hot climate and the coconut oil always stays in a liquid state. Would coconut oil then give me the same consistency as yours or should i replace it with shea butter/another oil.
Thank you so much for the recipe! It worked great, I normally make whipped body butters and I was looking for less greasy options- this lotion is perfect! I used kukui and baobab oils instead of almond, as I think they feel lighter on the skin. I use this lotion on my face and I love the fact that you can easily moderate the greasiness by adding aloe vera gel. It was the first time I used beeswax and now I am curious researching of its other uses; going to make myself some lip balm 🙂
I don’t know if I missed the question or not, but what is the shelf life for this? And should we add a preservative to this for prevention of mold or other nasty little things? lol..Thanks!
Hey Tracy, its been answered a few times, but it must be lost in all the comments. I use an all organic gel with stabilizers, but not exactly preservatives. That’s why I noted that extra should be kept in the fridge. For me, with sterilized equipment and storing the large qty in the fridge and only a couple tablespoons at my vanity, it has lasted as long as 6 months. Now, please be careful! Use your own judgement and don’t use anything that doesn’t look/feel/smell right.
Does it necessary has to be beewax or can I use honey?
Fabiola,
Please have a look at the FAQ section about beeswax. Honey is not at all the same and would not provide the same properties. But there are possible substitutes.
Made your awesome lotion a few weeks ago and am loving it. I’ve been using Philosophy brand for years, and can say i won’t be buying it any more. I did have some issues with the blending process, but added a little more coconut oil and it all came together beautifully. I also have been making my own mineral makeup and I am now looking to replace my Philosophy brand cleanser, do you have a good recipe for one? Thank you
Hey Rhonda I’m so glad you like it! I don’t actually use a cleanser anymore. Instead I wash with oatmeal. It sounds silly, but I just blend it in a food processor until fine and then mix about a teaspoon of the powder with some water until it gets slippery. Its gently exfoliating, doesn’t leave any microbeads in the Great Lakes, doesn’t over dry, and gets all my makeup/grime off. You can see I used it in the Bath Treats post recently!
I am unsure if this was already stated, but i thought it worth mentioning that the beeswax is hard to work with as a solid block, it’s hard to grate, it’s hard to cut, it’s just too hard (haha). Get the pelites.
Can I use an aloe vera gel like this…?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ransom-Aloe-Pura-Vera-100ml/dp/B0013G89OY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1417525691&sr=8-3&keywords=aloe+vera+gel
Daisy,
Obviously I haven’t tried every product out there, so I can’t say for sure. But if it is Aloe Gel, and 100% organic, then I would say go for it!
Hi Kayla,
can you please tell me what the quantity of cream is that is produced by this recipe. I guess the blender pops up the volume, so it is difficult for me to calculate at this point.
I wonder, because I would like to buy 50 ml glass containers for storing the lotion and was wondering what quantity I had to buy…
Thanks in advance for the info!
Andrea,
Sorry but it has been months since I made this recipe. I’ve never measured the volume after having whipped it. I would guess its at least a half cup or 3/4 cup. Hope that helps, and if you do end up making/measuring, report back!
Have you tried adding zinc powder to make your face cream with SPF?
Wendee,
I’ve tried a few of the “physical” UV barriers. Typically they need to make up a significant percentage of the mixture (10% I think?) in order to provide SPF 15. I’ve used it in other applications and at that concentration it is pretty opaque. The clear SPF moisturizers use chemical UV resistors, or those with a smaller particle size, and I’ve not experimented with those for cost/health reasons.
I have tried this moisturiser twice now and I cant get over how great it is. I love the texture and am experimenting with different EO’s at the moment. Going to make a few batches for Xmas pressies. Thanks again.
Rachael,
I’m so glad you love it! I’ve made it more times than I can count. It is my favorite easy-peasy product!
I made a batch a few months ago and love, love, love it! I’m making a double batch today for my Mom & sisters for Christmas (and another for me!).
I’m so glad you love it! Its one of my favorite go-to Christmas gifts too!
Can I leave out both the beeswax and almond oil?
Hey Maddie, please check out the FAQ section about substitutions.
Hi,
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I was wondering if you use a special blender and what “mode” and speed was it on?
Thank you!
Molly
Nothin’ special! And even the lowest speed I think would work. =D
Hi Kayla – thanks for the quick response! You’re so incredibly dedicated to your blog 🙂
Would you care to look at this blender for me and see if I could use it for this recipe? I don’t personally own a blender and I want to invest money on one. But I want to make sure this blender will work on this amazing recipe of yours!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XU3C7M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Thanks so much Kayla!
Hey Molly! Having a look at it, I think it would work. I mean, you must understand that I haven’t tried several kinds of blenders. I just have my plain jane model that I’ve been using for years. =D
Also, before you buy one, why not try it with a hand mixer if you have one? The electric beater type?
Hi Kayla – don’t have the electric beater type one either. As you can see, I don’t do much in the kitchen, haha. But I will get a blender and do this for sure. Truthfully, I’m mainly getting the blender for your recipe! That’s how determined and excited I am. Also, checked out your other stuff, absolutely LOVE your blog. Thank you!
Oh one more thing Kayla – For this moisturizer, is it hard for you to clean your regular blender up after you make it? Also, I might start asking you questions again once I make this. Just a warning 🙂 Appreciate it!
Hello!
I was so excited about making this lotion! However, it is still separating on me…do you have any ideas on what else I could try? I don’t know what went wrong…It seems like it still works well, though.
Kaitlyn, Did you try the suggestions in the FAQ?
Hi! I’m not sure if I missed this in your post, but if I used these measurements, how many masks would it make and how long does it last? Are there any other oils you would recommend besides grapefruit?
Sara,
I’m not sure what you mean by “masks”. This is a recipe for moisturizer.
Its really difficult for me to say how long yours will last based on your ingredients, the sanitation of your utensils etc. I can say that for me, I’ve used a batch for about 8 months until it was gone, and it never went bad.
There are a lot of essential oils out there, and many of them have helpful properties. If you have a specific skin condition, I would recommend researching what oil works for that, and start there!
Hey Sara, its been answered a few times, but it must be lost in all the comments. I use an all organic gel with stabilizers, but not exactly preservatives. That’s why I noted that extra should be kept in the fridge. For me, with sterilized equipment and storing the large qty in the fridge and only a couple tablespoons at my vanity, it has lasted as long as 6 months. Now, please be careful! Use your own judgement and don’t use anything that doesn’t look/feel/smell right.
Hi Kayla – thanks for a great recipe! It was so easy to make. I didn’t quite have 60ml of almond so topped up with rose-hip oil. I don’t have a blender at the moment so used my electric whisk on full blast having cooled the oil mixture in a Pyrex measuring jug – and adding a teaspoon of aloe gel at a time. I used Orange EO for my dry, mature skin and for its anti-sun damage properties, a really important factor here in New Zealand. My daughters all love it too!
Shirley-anne
Aww, I’m so glad you like it! And thanks for checking back about the electric whisk tip!
Thank you so much for this recipe. The European measurements in the comments really helped too. I also googled it and the amount of beeswax came to about one and a half tablespoons. Just made a batch and it turned out perfect. Can’t wait to try it out more 😀 Coconut oil especially has so many benefits.
Oh I’m so glad it worked for you Sarah!
Hi Kayla,
I finally tried this wonderful recipe, just a small amount to see really if it would come out. I replaced the beeswax with guar gum for stabilisation effects and its now on day four still stable! It looks so perfect! Like I said before, I am dark skinned. The only concern I have is that it really makes me shiny- I`ve been noticing this whenever I get photos taken. Please find the proportions I used below:
aloe vera gel 5g
almond oil 1g
coconut oil 1g
guar gum 0.25g
The reason I was interested in trying this is that commercial creams either leave greasy or shiny- its up to the point of embarrassment. Should I reducing oils by half the current values? Should I try something else?
Hope to hear from you soon,
Tino.
Tino,
Thanks so much for checking back in to let us know how it went!! Honestly, I’m not sure what reducing the oils would do. Have you thought of using arrow root powder, or mineral powder over the lotion to bring down the shine?
thanks Kayla, I`ll let you know how this goes?
I made this over the weekend and I love it.
I don’t have a top pour blender and did not want to use a nutri-bullet! So I just whipped the aloe slowly. It might not be as fluffy as a blender would make it but I am happy with the consistency.
I used Jasmine EO as I am obsessed with the smell right now. But the coconut is overpowering and there is only a slight hint of jasmine…not as much as I wanted.
I made half the recipe and I still had left over. I don’t need to use a lot at a time so I don’t know how long it will last. So I am giving the ledt overs to my friends…lucky them =)
Thank you for this recipe.
Thank you so much for this! I love Vanilla fragrance and was wondering if you can recommend any vanilla essential oils/sellers based on your experience.
I tried using jojoba oil instead. I also added the aloe mixture in too quickly. I was using a Ninja blender and the blades didn’t reach far enough down to work with the small amount, so I stuck it in my kitchenaid mixer. I’m not sure what was the cause but I could NOT get my mixture to stick together! It was just a mess of a bunch of chunks. Until i remembered high school chemistry:
I ADDED SOAP!
I added just a few squirts of already foamy handsoap. And it did the trick!! It doesn’t look as pretty as yours but at least the mixture stuck together because soap is an emulsifier.
I’m kind of sensitive to those skincare products and therefore thinking about making some by myself. This moisturizer indeed looks natural and not too complicated. Thanks for your detailed instruction and will definitely give it a try this weekend 😀
Okay.. HELP! I tried to make the DIY Facial Moisturizer tonight with disastrous results! The almond oil/coconut oil/beeswax mix hardened in the blender, and when I added the aloe gel, it just didn’t mix. I ended up with a separated, gloppy mess. 🙁 So, lemme go over this one more time… 1/4 cup Almond oil, 1/4 cup Coconut oil, 1 cup Aloe… and, personally I don’t know how much 3/4 ounce of shaved beeswax equals when you measure it out with a measuring cup (and I don’t have a mini scales), so I used about 3/4 of a 1/4 measuring cup, if that makes any sense. I was trying to figure out how to measure ounces into cups and got confused! Maybe this is the problem? Can you recommend how much beeswax I should add next time, by volume, not weight?! Thanks! 🙂
Hey, I went the natural route (because not only do I have sensitive skin but I try to eliminate as many chemicals as possible bc of my health-hypothyroidism/autoimmune issues) and so I use Dr bronners soap, which is great, but I live in Vegas (dry dry heat) and so my skin is fairly dry at the moment. Coconut oil doesn’t really seem to work that great for me. It’s too oily (I use a tiny amt on my face) and…I just don’t feel like it softens my skin, just oils it! Do you think if I took the coconut oil out that it would still work ok? Any suggestions? Or recommendations for a facial moisturizer that has very minimal bad chemicals in it….sigh! I’ve been looking everywhere for a good lotion thats not loaded with chemicals! HELP
Lisa,
For an oil-free moisturizer you can simply use the organic aloe gel. Aloe will moisturize your skin, and is plenty natural!
Do I need to refrigerated the aloe Vera gel? It says so on bottle.
Rachel,
If the bottle states that it must be refrigerated after opening, please follow those instructions. However, make sure that you let the gel come to room or slightly above room temp before adding it to the blender.
Hello Kayla! Thanks for the recipe now I have my own moisturizer and will surely stop buying those expensive moisturizer 😀 Anyway I made it from raw aloe first but ended failed because it separated from water then I made again combining it with seawed. I boiled seawed and blend it with aloe to make a juice and let it become gel for a day then the next day I made it alongwith the oil. It turns a little bit slushy bit it still great tho 😀
Clean and Healthy DIY Facial Moisturizer [Recipe]
Can u please tell me what setting to use on my blender and approximately how long to run the blender to make this wonderful looking concoction.
I will need approx time, because i am visually impaired and most likely will not be able to see well enough to know when it is done.
Thanks for your time and the wonderful loking recipe. I look forward to trying it.
Donna,
I just used the basic “whip” setting on my blender. Timing is a little less exact. You need to add the Aloe mixture VERY SLOWLY. Once the aloe has been added, scrape down the blender and then whip an additional 15-20 seconds. I hope that helps!
Hello! I think I really like your recipe! Lol btw, is this lotion good to use in summer as well? I mean will it be too greasy for summer? Can I switch sweet almond oil to grape seed oil? I love grapeseed oil!
Tiffany,
Whether or not the lotion is good for the summer would be up to your skin type and preferences. However, as mentioned in other comments Grapefruit Essential Oil does increase sun sensitivity, so you might want to leave that out.
Please see the FAQ section regarding substitutions.
Hi!
I just tried this and I have to tell you, the first batch did not go so well. I have an aloe plant in my backyard, so it was very watery. I also ended up putting all the aloe in all at the same time, yea, not a good idea. Like you said above, it did give it pockets. I tried to salvage because lets face it, if you are going to be switching all of your products to homemade, it is expensive. I had put it in the fridge to cool it quickly, but it ended up getting way to hard. So I put it out on the counter for a few hours and it softened up quite nicely, but still the liquid was separated.
Needless to say I moved on to make batch number two. This time I started with some extra coconut oil and THEN I started reading all of the other comments lol, I should have done that to begin with. This is what I ended up doing for mine:
1.25 oz of beeswax
1/2 cup of coconut oil
1/4 cup of almond oil
10 drops of grapefruit oil warmed
3/4 cup of aloe gel (from the plant, NOT store bought)
10 drops of lavender oil
Juice from 1/2 of an organic lemon
I ended up waiting 2 hours to cool down the wax and oil, since I did use more it took a lot longer for it to get hard.
My aloe was in strips so i put in 1 strip at a time, let it blend for a few seconds then fold in the cream that has stuck to the sides and repeat. It took about 30 min so by no means was this a fast process. The real aloe does have juice so when I was finished I had to pour it out all of the juice.
It does make a good amount so I shared this with my boyfriend’s mom, she has psoriasis and can I tell you with the first use her red turned to pink! OMG, I seriously think you found relief!!!
Thank you so much for this! I am going to tell everyone. I will forward you a before and after on the psoriasis, and my acne after about a week 🙂
Mallery,
I am SO HAPPY to hear that it (eventually) worked out for you! Reading the comments is definitely a must. ;D
I made the DIY non greasy face moisturizer. I used all the correct ingredients, and followed directions to a T. However, when I began to whip the concoction it was looking a bit like small curd cottage cheese. I could not get it to blend properly no matter what. I popped it in the microwave for 15 seconds and proceeded to beat it again. Within seconds, it came together into a nice creamy texture. It is a nice moisturizer but still a bit too greasy for me. I will attempt it again with less oil. Thanks.
Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe!!
I made it exactly as you described the first time, but found the coconut oil was too heavy. For those with more sensitive skin, I suggest using jojoba and rose hip oil. I’ve been using the jojoba and rose hip oil moisturizer for months now and it’s been great. I’ve already passed this long to others.
Thanks again!!
Ashley, what amount of jojoba and rosehip oils did you use? Did you just omit the coconut oil altogether?
Hi Kathy, sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner! I haven’t been on here in so long 🙁 I was able to buy the rosehip oil in a 1 oz container, so I used 1 oz rosehip and 3 oz of the jojoba oil, totaling the 1/2 cup of oils the recipe calls for. And yes, I omitted the coconut oil altogether.
Just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful recipe. I was spending $22 a month on Gabriel, and got frustrated about it, and ended up trying several different recipes before finding this one. My skin is very sensitive, and it has never looked better than it does now – and I really love knowing exactly what it is that i’m putting on my face. THANK YOU!!!
I’m so glad you like it!
Dear friend
Can I add snail slime to this these ingredients to make face cream? Please help me or you have another formula? Could you guide me?
I have never worked with snail slime… sorry!
I am going to try this too. But i am using fresh aloe plant. It is very gelly, so it should work. I have been using Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic beauty products and love them because I know they are free of chemicals. i want to try something that has more aloe in it and to try my own thing.
So I made this awhile back, and OMG I love it. I too have noticed a separation issue, about less than a week after I made it, it started to harden then oil started to separate from it. It still works, and next time I think ill just use less oils. I used all the same ingredients you used at the right measurements and all but I’m assuming that since I’m not the first one who’s had these problems its all good.
Thank you so much for this recipe!
Hi Kayla,
Thanks for the info. Can this be also used for black women? Is it also ok if i buy aloe vera gel from the store. Are essential oils really necessary or i can substitute/ by-pass them- they come in quite pricey in my country as they are considered a luxury.
Tino,
This lotion should work on all skin colors. ;D Aloe vera gel from the store is fine, but I would make sure it is GEL and that it is organic/grown without pesticides. The essential oils are just for scent and “active ingredient” type properties. It can be omitted.
thank you so much Kayla,
are there any `cheaper`alternatives to almond and coconut oil, say olive oil, Vitamin E oil, or glycerin, as they are not also easily available in my country? if i cant use olive oil, what`s the best thing to do so i can get equally good results?
Tino,
Have a look through the FAQ section and some of the other comments. The oils in the recipe are the only ones I’ve tried in the recipe. However other people have made suggestions for substitutions.
I cannot seem to source any “cosmetic bees wax”. I called my local “Good Planet” store and they say they have a bees wax for making soap. Would that be the same thing. I’m thinking not.
Jacqueline,
The type for soaps is okay. I just want to make sure no one tries to use the kind that is for candles, as it may contain other ingredients. As long as it is 100% beeswax, go ahead and use it!
I tried it today for the first time. It turned out great. Pretty simple to make but great results. I have one small doubt though. I didn’t add any essential oil. Can you please tell me the purpose of essential oil?
is it just for fragrance or any particular use?
I tried the Green tea infused moisturizer. but it didn’t get the creamy look… i didn’t whip it then…. it is been three days… can i whip it now to get the creamy texture? please advice…
Sudha,
Don’t worry, the essential oil isn’t needed, only optional. As for the Green Tea Face Cream, it is meant to be whipped as it cools. I’m not sure what whipping it now would do. You might be able to melt it again (since it is all oils) and then whip it while cooling as directed. Let me know how that works!!
Hi
Today i am going to do my second batch… can i add cocoa powder to make it like tinted moisturizer? is ok to try out? I am planning to try it on Greet tea face cream.. kindly suggest…Thanks…
Sudha,
If you feel the need to add cocoa powder, you can certainly try it. I for one don’t like to use food powders in my moisturizers. I would watch it carefully for things like mold. Also be sure to use a powder that is organic and made with as few chemicals/preservatives as you can find.
I would suggest maybe using a mineral pigment like the ones in my DIY Mineral Makeup instead.
I am a photographer that recently started getting into diy lotions and soaps to gift my clients. they love it! I was very excited to try this…so excited that I didn’t fully read the instructions, and poured all the aloe gel in at once before I started the blender. YUK! What I got was a big ball of something! My bad, and I will def try this again and I promise I will follow the instructions and report back. Just wanted everyone to know the importance of adding aloe gel slowly for the emulsification to take place.
Oh no! Lol. Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope it turns out next time!
Please help! I followed the directions exactly and it came out like a liquid instead of a cream. I whipped it in my kithenaid mixer and added the aloe vera gel slowly. Is there anything I can do?
Patty,
Not to worry, the liquid has the same properties and will still work to moisturize your skin (you might need to shake your bottle before using it.) I would guess that the mixer’s whipping, since it is not nearly at the speed/RPM of the blender, wasn’t able to create the emulsification. I know in my kitchen aid, liquids while whipping splash around and “mix” more than they “blend” which is what is needed for this recipe. If you have access to a blender, I would try to pour your liquid result into the blender slowly to see if it can finish off the emulsion. If not, then just use as is with a cotton ball!
great! thank you. I am using it, but it’s just so liquidly. I will try mixing it again in a blender.
Have you used fractionated coconut oil before? Would it mix up just as nice?
Nevermind! I just did more research and it makes sense to use the rawest form of coconut oil and none of the refined versions :). Excited to try this recipe!
Hi there,
We recently featured your article on a blog post titled ‘top 10 Top 10 Best Homemade Moisturizers’
You can find it here: http://www.naturalandhealthyliving.com/top-10-natural-homemade-moisturizers/
Please share if it’s ok with you! I’ve also sent you an email about this via the contact page!
Thanks,
http://www.naturalandhealthyliving.com
Thank you Kayla for sharing this recipe. I made it and it turned out perfect! I absolutely love it and especially now that I don’t have to deal with coconut oil on its own when it turns liquid! What a mess!
FYI for everyone attempting this recipe for the first time… Kayla is right, make sure you buy Aloe Vera GEL..what I noticed when I was shopping for ingredients was that some Aloe Vera liquid was labelled as Aloe Vera Gel, but from flipping the bottle around a few times you can clearly tell it’s liquid. Follow Kayla’s recipe and look at her picture of what the gel is supposed to look like and just be aware that when you buy the gel that it IS ACTUALLY A GEL. Good luck! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Thank you Kayla again!
Elizabeth, I’m so glad it worked for you!! I use this stuff every single day, and I’m happy to spread the joy!
Do you need to put beeswax in it? Last night I made an eye cream blending coconut oil, aloe gel, vitamin E oil, and rose oil. I’m thinking it may need more aloe though because I didn’t put very much in, once I put it in the jar and later tried to use it, it was extremely oily once it touched my skin!
Kate,
The beeswax is in there as a stabilizer. When you make an emulsion like this, you are essentially “mixing” water and oil – two things that don’t mix. Instead, they will sit next to each other. Tiny blob of oil, then tiny blob of water, tiny blob of oil… etc. When the lotion separates, it is because those tiny blobs touch others of the same type and create a bigger blob of oil, bigger blob of water. This chain reacts and the mixture separates.
I’ve added the wax because it will blend with the oils and make them less fluid (since it is solid at room temp). Hopefully less fluidity will mean less separation.
All that said, the moisturizing effect of this lotion is light and (in my experience) not oily at all, even with the wax. But, you can omit it and see what happens. Be sure to report back!!
Can I use a regular store bought brand of aloe vera gel?
Alyssa,
As long as it is organic, I don’t see why not. I go with organic because there are less likely to be pesticides used on the plants.
I so wanna try this but perhaps I might need to substitude the Almond oil to something else as my daughter is extremely allergic to all types of nuts including almonds so have to change this recipe a little so that I can hug/touch or kiss my daughter without worry 🙂 thanks for sharing this recipe Kayla 🙂
Priscilla recently posted..Sentimental Me Friday
Thanks for your information published on the net about home made moisturiser, am now planning to try it my self.
I would like to plead with you if you can let me have your personal email address direct personal conversations with you about this product. Contact me directly through my email address. Thanks
Sorry Williams,
I do not support these recipes via email. Feel free to comment if you have questions!
Hi Kayla,
What spf sunsreen do you use for your face? I’m looking for a natural non-oily product, do you have any suggestions?
I would check out makingcosmetics.com for an SPF additive. I tend to buy mine from a local artisan, and she has recommended their products to me. Actually, I just used them to make my own mineral make up. Stay tuned for that post!
Thanks Kayla! I’ll look into that!
How long do you find the shelf life to be before it “expires”? I definitely want to try this! Thanks!
Hilary,
I really can’t say in good conscience. I go through mine pretty quickly (2-3 months) and I can’t say I’ve ever had it go bad. I’ve had it dry out, and I’ve had it separate. But those were due to how I had stored them.
Would adding a little bit of avocado or lemon juice help?
Help what exactly?
Hi, Can I avoid using Beeswax? Any substitute for it? Or can i just avoid it entirely
Hi! Like it mentions in the FAQ box in the post : “4.) Can’t Find Beeswax: try swapping with 1/2 the amount in carnuba, emulsion or soy wax.”
I’ve never tried this myself, so let me know how it goes!
I didnt find bees wax or the others. skipped it. whipped it myself with a fork! came out quite lovely!
Great!
I made this moisturizer today without any problems. I followed the directions to a “T” and it turned out perfect. I absolutely LOVE this moisturizer!!! I used this evening after my shower and it feels great. Thank you for sharing this recipe; it is my go to moisturizer from now on.
Michell,
I’m so glad it worked out for you! I love it too!
This may be a silly question, but the ingredients say 3/4 ounce of beeswax, and the container doesn’t really have anything to use for scale. Is that ounces in weight, or in volume?
No problem! It is by weight. I’ve updated the post so that is more clear =D
I forgot to mention, I had a tough time blending it all so your tips to wisk away came in handy.
Anna recently posted..She Smells Like Confidence
Hi Kayla,
In the middle of our polar vortex I ran out of my fave go to face cream and since I moved far away from a big city 2 months ago, running to get it was not an option. I got an inspiration to make my own. Of course I went to the trusted source, Google:). Your recipe came up pretty far up on the search, it seemed fairly easy and I already has 1 ingredient. After a few hours of fun searching for the rest of the ingredients and playing with them in my kitchen, I have a wonderful, fragrant, clean, delicious and surprisingly very reasonably priced, face cream! THANK YOU :). I feel so good putting it on my face and the rest of my winter hating skin. I am going to follow you to see what else I can create:).
Anna
Aww, that is so kind of you to say!!! I’m glad you like it!
Just wanted to let you know that I did successfully make using aloe vera juice instead of gel. I used a cup of aloe juice and added 2 tsps of lecithin, stirred and let set while the oils were cooling and voila! Gel like consistency!
Whoa, Awesome!! Thanks for sharing your tips!!
Omg I am so excited for this! I discovered a natural line of products a few years ago and became obsessed with the moisturizer… I have to special order it now and the person who makes it travels too often to keep up with how much my mom and I order it. It has very basic ingredients and I am definitely going to try this recipe because it has identical ingredients to what I use (but likely cheaper!) THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
YOU ARE SO WELCOME!!!! lol. I hope it works for you!!
It looks great. I am sure I will try this soon. Thanks for sharing!!
Can I use grapeseed oil instead of coconut oil?
Sapna,
Like is says in the FAQ section #5:
“Can I add this, that or the other thing? I get these sort of questions a lot. These recipes are simple ratios of solid, semi solid and liquid oils/additives. Obviously I have not tried everything under the sun, so I don’t really know what would happen if you try adding X or Y. But please, experiment! Try things! Add that fancy rose water, or that pigment, or sub out that oil- whatever! Report back and let us know what you find.”
You can certainly try! Keep in mind that grape seed oil is liquid at room temp and coconut oil is not. I’m not sure what that might do in the grande scheme of things.
I made this a few weeks ago and love it! However, I find that as the lotion sits at room temperature (my house is roughly 70 degrees), little tidbits of beeswax start to solidify, and then I have little balls of beeswax on my skin that don’t break down or get absorbed. I did put in a little extra beeswax (1 tsp, roughly) to hopefully balance out the fact that I used Aloe Vera juice instead of gel, so maybe I used too much beeswax? I did melt the beeswax thoroughly, and everything whipped when it was supposed to whip. It still works great, I just have to brush little balls of wax off my skin. Has anyone else experienced this, and were you able to fix it?
Nicole Baker recently posted..Sweet Sharing Monday
Hey Nicole! When I came home this week from being away and my house was 65 degrees I did notice little balls in the lotion as I put it on. Mine did absorb though once it was on my skin. Since then I’ve been keeping mine in a drawer that sits over a heating vent and that solved it! Lol.
Unfortunately, making lotions without preservatives, chemical stabilizers and polymers means that there are some texture issues. :C
How did u measure beeswax? Scale? I was thinking about using 2 tablespoons of pastilles. Is that close to 3/4 oz?
Ashley,
The beeswax needs to be measured by weight. It is really impossible for me to guesstimate how much 2 tbs of your pastilles weighs.
I followed the directions and used aloe vera gel, but it still separated and eventually as I mixed is more and more, the aloe started to completely spin out of the oil. So I had to strain it and almost all of the aloe separated out. What is left still feels great on my skin but I want to try it again. Is there anything I can add to help emulsify it. Stearic acid? Emulsifying wax?
Could you use a stick blender to mix this?
Jenny,
I don’t have a stick blender- so its difficult for me to say. In a small enough container so that the whole mixture is always moving, it seems possible. Have you made an emulsion with your stick blender before? If so, then yes!
I used a stick blender and had to transfer it a couple times to get a container the right size, next time I would use a quart jar. Mine didn’t quite emulsify, I panicked when the oils were solid and warmed them up a bit (didn’t realized they should be). I used organic olive oil instead of almond oil that I trust is 100% olive oil Feels great on my skin.
Glenda, thanks for the size tip! One of the great things about this recipe is that it is still good even if it doesn’t whip perfectly!
i really liked ur cream . my children and my hubby also loved it i just want to ask u that can i use green tea in this aloe cream.is it safe to use both together
In theory, you could infuse the oils in this recipe the same way you did for my Green Tea recipe. I haven’t tried it – let me know if it works out!
haven’t made it yet, how much will it make and what is the shelf life?
Deborah,
I can’t comment on how long yours will last you. I’ve had mine stored for months in the fridge and a couple weeks in my vanity. It makes over a cup.
Where do you get your jars for your cream? I’d like to have a few different jars, a small one for traveling, and one for at home!! I’m excited to try this!
Is it safe to substitute the grapefruit oil with Tea Tree oil?
I love this recipe, thank you! I wanted to add honey and a little oatmeal, how would i work those measurements in to get the right ph?
Jodie,
I’ve never tried adding Oatmeal of Honey to any of my lotions, so I’m afraid I’m totally in the dark on that :/
Ok i will play around, at the moment i use honey and oatmeal to clean and exfoliate my face, they are amazing but of course i would love to add them to creams. Also you said you grate your beeswax, how do you get it off your utensils i have it on my food processor and im finding it hard to get off…lol
Hi Jodie. I had the same problem. The answer I found was that you don’t. It’s a killer to clean, but halfway through making it, I accidentally dipped a teaspoon in oil and then when i used it to scoop up the beeswax gratings, it just came right off… ! So lesson learnt! Next time, oil everything down first with a thin layer of canola or any kind of oil, especially the grater(!!!) and it will be a dream to clean. Just wipe the oil and gunk off with paper towel and wash as usual! Easy peasy!! I wish someone had to told me that!!! You live and learn. Lol.
Great tip Elizabeth! I just boil a big ole stock pot to a rolling boil and dip my beeswax covered grater in there along with any other stubbornly oiled utensils. Then I wipe them immediately after with a terry towel while they are still piping hot. Works for me! Also, the ingredients are all safe to eat, so I don’t worry too much about residue.
I made it, it works perfectly !! Thank you for sharing the recipe, I was looking for a simple recipe like this for a long time. Awesome !
Thanks again
Tried making this today and couldn’t seem to get the oil mixture to blend with the aloe. I followed the directions exactly and used aloe gel. It’s was in the blender for 1+ hour. I added the aloe one teaspoon at a time. My only guess is that there was still a little water in the blender – from washing it – when I added the oil to cool. Or it was the coconut oil (same stuff I use for cooking). I will try again another day, but will open a bottle of wine first. Thanks for your posts. I hope to completely convert to all natural, homemade products.
I just tried this recipe & it was an epic fail with slimey separation & bits & all kinds of mess. Tried to whip it & beat it into shape, then I set it aside to try another recipe for body lotion. That one was going great until I moved it over to the blender to finish what my hand blender couldn’t…AND THAT ONE SEPARATED, TOO! That was after it had already gotten creamy! My conclusion…the Magic Bullet Blender with its blender attachment (not one of the cups) is NOT a good blender for your homemade beauty products! So for any of you ladies having separation issues with your lotions, if you’re using a Magic Bullet Blender, now you know why!
I used a hand mixer, it works perfectly and I even dumped the aloe in it…I’m double left handed lol
I’m so glad it worked for you! I hope you love it as much as I do!
Hi Kayla,
We just love it. My hubby is using it too. I will make the green tea version as well and give it to my daughters for Christmas. What a great idea, I thank you again to share it. I love your blog, getting good ideas, recipes from you.
Best wishes,
Julie
Just made this recipe. I did run up against a few issues thought I’d share in case it will help others. I don’t have a kitchen scale so couldn’t measure my beeswax pellets. I used 2 level tablespoons (hoping this was close). I also used jojoba oil in place of the almond oil. After blending the aloe vera gel/essential oils (I used helichrysum, frankincense, and geranium) with the oils I had “lotion” but also quite a bit of “liquid.” I poured the liquid out and when I again cleaned the sides of the blender, I noticed there was oil/beeswax still around the underside of the blade. I broke this away, blended a little more. I think the next time I make this I will break the oil/beeswax away from the blade before blending and adding the aloe/essential oils. In the end, I ended up with the desired “lotion” — yeah!! It feels so great on my skin and only took about a dime/nickel size to cover my face/neck. The 8 oz. this recipe made should last quite a while!!! Wonder if I could tint it with cocoa powder/cinnamon/nutmeg to create a tinted moisturizer?
Deb,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!! I do notice that a lot of comments have the same watery issue. I’ve not encountered it myself. But its good to know that if it is too liquid you can simply our off the extra. I’ll also make a note in the post to check under the blades!!
As far as tinting, I tend to shy away from cocoa powder as a tinting agent. I don’t know why the idea just bothers me. I would also be concerned with skin allergies to cinnamon or other strong spices. I have thought of maybe using a fine facial clay powder. Like the kind you use in mud masks? I’ve seen pink, brown and light green colors. If I try it, I’ll post back!!
Iwas wonderingif I cold replace the almond or coconut oil with rose hip seed oil?
Hey Crystal!
Please check out the FAQ section regarding substituting oils. Let me know if it works out!
you for sure could (I even added jojoba oil to the mix), but since rose hip so expensive why not add some instead of replacing coconut oil and or almond? Also the thing about rose hip, is that it’s not really great for acne prone skin…but good for dry skin, just keep that in mind.
What kind of almond oil did you use? I tried a batch using exact measurement abut my cream is kind of yellow. I have waited till the beeswax mixture completely cool and whipped it in a blender. The cream came out kind of “watery”.
Hi, I see that your aloe vera gel is the drinkable kind would it be ok to buy the kind in the lotion department. I typically by Fruit of the Earth 100% Pure Aloe Vera Gel as a hair gel. Would this work? Also have you experimented with adding a little cocoa powder to make it a tinted moisturizer?
Hey Chastity,
The reason I use the type of gel that is safe to drink, is because I can find it certified organic. That means that chemicals and pesticides weren’t used in the farming, or the processing. For me, this is an added precaution as those chemicals don’t have to be listed on the ingredients label, and I want to be careful about what I put on my face. Functionally though, the two should work the same. Enjoy!
I made a batch the other night — so fun, my first adventure in making anything like this! It looked fantastic after I made it! It works great and actually absorbs nicely into the skin. After putting it in the fridge though, it changed consistency (it’s now more like butter that has been in the fridge) and it seems the water from the aloe vera separated out. It still works, but is a little weird that the water leached out. Maybe it was too cold in the fridge? Next time I may not store it in the fridge.
Heather,
I’m glad you like it! My experience is that it does take a bit to bounce back after being in the fridge. I keep extra in there, but the bit I’m using at room temp. I believe it has to do with coconut oil being solid at that cool temp. Good luck!
I made this moisturizer the other day and really like it and using all the natural ingredients! The only problem I have is that it is a bit too oily for me. Is there more of an ingredient or a different ingredient I can add to make it less oily?
Hey Kate,
All things considered, there is a relatively low proportion of oil in the recipe. You could try removing one of the oils, or halving them both – I’ve never tried so I’m not sure what the texture would be like. Additionally, you could moisturize with the aloe gel alone!
This is awesome Moisturizer! Love it, I just made it, only I used my homemade Rose oil instead of Almond oil & Lavender essential oil instead of Grapefruit essential oil. ✰✰✰✰✰
Trish, thanks so much for stopping by to comment! ♥ ♥
If it turns out too stiff and separating when touched can you reheat it and add more aloe?
Krystn,
Unfortunately, warming the oils again will just separate the oil from the aloe. Can you explain a bit more what you mean by “too stiff?”
Kayla,
I have very sensitive skin and have switched to all-natural products. This looks like one of the most promising recipes I have found for face lotion, except that I am probably the only person on the planet allergic to aloe in all its forms. I am new to the world of self-made cosmetics and am wondering if you have any suggestions on what to use in place of the aloe gel. Thank you!
Misty,
You poor thing! My first thought (and I’ve not tried this) is to replace the aloe gel with vegetable glycerin. But, I would half the amount in comparison to the oils. Is your face oily or dry? If its dry, you can try out my Green Tea Face Cream. Its a little to heavy for my skin type, but it would be great for someone with dry skin, and there is no aloe!
Kayla,
My skin is dry, and that one looks great! I’ll probably try that one first, and if it is too heavy for daytime use, I’ll try this one and experiment with the vegetable glycerin. Thank you so much!
Hello, I would really like to try this recipe but with vegetable glycerin (coz it’s what I have on hand right now, I am waiting for my aloe vera gel which I ordered on Amazon UK – I am in Switzerland so I would have to wait a bit, I guess). I was just wondering what you meant with “half the amount in comparison to the oils”. Should I just use 1/2 cup of glycerin instead of 1 cup aloe vera gel and leave all the other ingredients as is? Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic recipe!
Actually I just made my very first hand and body cream a couple of days ago and I am really loving it! I have used it once on my face and it felt good, but I want to pamper face by making a separate facial cream, and I find this recipe the best among all I’ve researched and found online.
I would start with 1/2 cup glycerin and see what that does with the rest of the recipe intact. I’ve never tried it – so report back!
Oh thanks for the quick reply Kayla! I am too eager to start making it! I will definitely get back to report how the result will be!
I’ve finally made this recipe with vegetable Glycerin in place for the Aloe Vera Gel… My cream looks more like a salve, like a yellowish vaseline… Very greasy and not at all creamy. So maybe this is how it comes out if there is now Aloe Vera Gel… since Glycerin is a totally different substance if compared to the Aloe Vera. Well I can still make use of this salve for my hands and feet though. Soon as my Aloe Vera Gel arrives, I will give this recipe another try! Thanks for everything!!! I’m keeping this recipe too and will give them to friends!!!
Thanks so much for reporting back! Because there is no emulsion, the Glycerin replacement would definitely be more greasy. Let me know how you like the version with the aloe!
I have a daughter who is on a mission in Guatemala and her cystic acne has just gone wild down there. I am sure it is from the stress, lack of nutrition, and toxins, but she really is worried about scarring. I told her that I would send down some essential oils, but found out that I probably can’t send liquids down there because of the customs regulations. So, I have been looking for a “lotion” or gel that I could make up using essential oils. I was going to put it in a glass jar and hopefully it would pass through customs as lotion. So, if I made this recipe above but added lavendar, teatree and lemon oils (all good for acne) into the aloe vera would this combination work and would it last if she kept it in the fridge? Any suggestions would be wonderful! Thank you!
Brenda,
I hate to say it, but I think you’ll have trouble getting a lotion through customs as well. I’ve had a difficult time getting ANY beauty items through international mail. However, there are probably quite a few remedies your daughter can cook up with things she can get access to locally. Off the top of my head:
Coconut, almond, jojoba, hempseed oil: Out of this recipe, the oils and the aloe do the heavy lifting. Even if your daughter can’t get the finished lotion, she can moisturize with aloe and follow that with a THIN layer of an oil.
Oatmeal: Your daughter can toughly chop up some oats, and mix them with hot water until they become sticky. This works as a nice, skin nourishing face wash. It is less harsh than soap, and helps the skin keep its balance. Plus it is textured and can mechanically remove dead skin cells that way.
Honey: Raw honey is best. This can be used a lot of ways. Its antibacterial and helps with sloughing off dead skincells. She can use it with the oatmeal to wash, leave it on for 15 minutes as a mask, or mix it into a paste with cinnamon as a cyctic acne deterrent.
Thyme: Recently a study came out stating that Thyme has been proven to be possibly more effective than Benzoyl Peroxide for treating acne bacteria. I’ve seen recipes that include steeping dried thyme in witchhazel (or even vodka) and using the resulting mixture as a leave on astringent.
Aloe and Peroxide: I use a mixture of half aloe and half peroxide after each face wash to disinfect and lock in moisture.
Cinnamon: As I mentioned above, I’ve read that a paste of cinnamon and honey can be left on overnight to dramatically reduce acne. Cinnamon has been known to cause allergic reactions in some though, so testing it 24 hours in advance in a small area would be a good idea.
I hope these are helpful. If you can mail the lotion, my biggest concern would be it separating. If it spends any amount f time in a temp high enough to liquify the coconut oil, you’ll find it becomes goopy. That said, its still usable. I would avoid adding a bunch of essential oils unless you know that your daughter’s skin tolerates them. Essential oils are strong, and you wouldn’t want to give her a lotion that she can’t use, because it turns out she’s allergic to one or more of the oils.
Hi Kyla,
I just tried this recipe and when I cam to blend the cool oils with aloe Vera oil, some of the cold oils were stuck underneath the blender, and I saw it later when I was washing my blender. Is that common?
Narineh,
It is important to make sure you “scrape” the sides and bottom of the blender to prevent this. It does happen, but it can be avoided. ♥
I did exactly as written and mine came out mostly “watery” with some cream mixed in. I used gel and the exact measurements. I let it cool for a little over an hour. The oils were hard. I am currently at blending for 7 minutes. Any suggesitons?
Bummer!
You know, I think the emulsification process in this recipe gives people a hard time. Its difficult for me to troubleshoot because it could be ANYTHING. Water in a freshly cleaned blender, Aloe Vera gel that is too col, oils that aren’t cool enough. etc etc. The mixture you made is still okay to use. I’ve botched a batch or two and aside from the sliminess at first, it still rubs in nicely.
I made this today, it turned out really well even though I couldn’t find any organic Aloe Gel in Australia so I used Aloe Vera from my garden.
To get a good consistency I blended the 1cup Aloe Vera with 1/4 of a lemon squeezed juice and it’s turned out great!
Thanks for sharing your recipe!
I’m so glad it worked for you! I like the idea of adding lemon juice, as my skin has some dark spots I wouldn’t mind lightening. Good thinking!
for the homemade aloe vera liquid/gel, I have used it in similar recipes and find that it will require more beewax in order for the liquid and oil mixture stay together happily ever after
hope that helps 😉
That is a great tip! Have you run across any stabilizers other than the bees wax? I find it to be a bit on the heavy side.
Apparently some people use egg whites :O ha ha idk if it works but im tempted to try it next time 🙂
Someone commented on swapping 10 % of the oils for sea buckthorn oil. I would love to do this as my mom and I both have rosacea but don’t know how to do the math. Could ya help me out? Thanks, can’t wait to try this!
I have rosacea too and I’m trying to find a non-comedogenic DIY moisturizer. Is this what you’ve been told is okay?
Stephanie,
I’m not sure what you mean about being told this is okay. There is some debate as to the comedigenics of coconut oil. I can say that while I don’t have rosacea, I do have moderate acne and this has been a huge help for me!!
I’d really like to start making my own beauty products, but I was just wondering: how hard is it to clean the blender?
I just plop mine in the dishwasher, so really easy! If you’re washing by hand the tricky part is the oils. They will leave a greasy film unless you use hot water and grease cutting soap.
I have been wondering this because my blender is plastic and I would be mixing citrus oils. Plus any time i use beeswax it sticks and I dont want to mess up the houses only blender. did u find when you waited for mixture to cool.. did wax stick to blender
I have a blender and other essentials specifically for crafting, no food use. But after I always dunk them in boiling water to release any of the wax that might still be on there.
Hi Kayla, I tried making the recipe the other day and I did everything exactly as you suggested and despite waiting 3 hours for the oils to cool and harden, and adding the gel slowly, the moisturizer ended up separating and looking very clumpy. I did like how well it moisturized and felt on my skin so I was thrilled about that but I was wondering if you had any other suggestions for making it all blend better. Thanks!!
Hey Maliya,
There seems to be a trend of separating if you did not use Aloe vera GEL. I’ll make this more clear in the post. Is that what you used?
That is exactly what I used, the same brand and everything :/ Weird.
Mine separated too and I tried it twice. I poured the liquid off the second batch and will give it a try. I used all the correct ingredients. But it still looks nice!
I just made it as well with all the exact measurements and correct ingredients and it did not turn out well at all. I’m so disappointed as I had high hopes for this.
I’m sorry you had a hard time!
if your lotion separate then you can add some emulsifying wax heat it and add while mixing oils and aloe gel this way you can mix up everything while it is Luke warm
Hi Kayla, I just finished making my moisturizer with your recipe, and sadly, it did not turn out the way I expected. I also made a sunscreen recipe with same ingredients, minus the aloe vera, and adding cocoa butter along with zinc oxide. That turned out quite well! I want to fix my moisturizer if its possible and am hoping that you can give me some advice. The moisturizer I made does not look/feel like lotion at all. It’s texture is not creamy, but rather slimy like that of aloe vera gel. I’m trying to figure out what I did wrong and I think it could be either because I didn’t wait long enough for oils to cool, or because I put more than 1 cup of aloe vera gel. I have my own plant so I cut about 3/4 of a cup, assuming that when I’d blend it, I’d have at least one cup and possibly more. When I started to blend oils, I put all the gel in blender; I completely forgot to weight gel. All I know is that it was more than one cup. Now switching over to the oils. I want to say that I probably let the oils cool for about an hour. When I touched oils, they were not thoroughly solid, but it was not liquid either. I didn’t blend for too long. Maybe 45sec-1 minute. I have a feeling that my moisturizer does not feel like lotion because of the excess gel i put. If that’s the case, would I be able to heat up more oils, let them harden, and throw in the batch I already have made without adding any aloe vera gel? I am hoping that if I do that, it’ll fix the uneven consistency of ingredients and change its texture to that of actual lotion. Please let me know what you think. Thank you.
-Maria
Maria,
I think we’ve all done something like this! My first few thoughts:
1- Did you use Aloe Vera gel? You mentioned you got it from your own plant. The gel purchased in health food stores has added natural stabilizers to keep it in gel form. These are needed for the recipe. If you used just Aloe juice from your plant, that could be the issue.
2- Did you add the gel all at once? The slow addition of the gel allows it to emulsify with the other ingredients. Adding it all at once will create pockets of oil and gel, without any smooth consistency.
3- Was all of your oil solid? I know you said that you waited an hour,l but the oils need to be room temperature. Since that is the temp your lotion will sit at, the oils need to blend at that temp.
Finally, I’ve never attempted to recover a batch by adding more oil etc. You could certainly try to do as you suggested. You might also try whipping what you have now in a blender for 3-5 minutes. In either case, please write back and let us know how it went!
Hello Kayla. I believe I did not add aloe gel. I looked online how to make aloe vera gel and several sites stated to simply blend aloe vera with Vitamin C and E, but I’m thinking that they only served as preservatives and not as stabilizers. Aloe vera was added slowly, although I can’t guarantee that oils were at room temperature. I tried to re-blend half of the product but it did no good. Texture did not change. By this time I was convinced that even if I add oils, the product will remain the same, or at least that’s what I though. I want to create a new batch to make facial moisturizer, but without aloe vera gel. Do you have any other suggestions for replacing aloe vera gel/any other additions? Thanks!
Maria,
Aha! That must have been the issue!! I have on my to-try list a couple of changes to the recipe that omit the aloe. In theory you could make the same recipe, but add more beeswax (maybe twice as much?) and substitute the 1 cup aloe gel with 1/2 cup strongly brewed green tea. NOTE: I haven’t tried this yet. When I do, I’ll post it.
Let me know if you try it! ♥
Hi Kayla! I just whip the coconut oil with light olive oil (in the future I would like to try jojoba oil). After it’s whipped then I add my essential oils. I used Young Living’s Frankincense, Purification, and Thieves. I love it!!!
That sounds wonderful Jessica! What do you do to keep it whipped? I’ve whipped coconut alone before (In my DIY Cuticle Oil) but found that even at room temp it would melt into just oil, and in the fridge it was too hard to use.
is it possible to replace almond oil to red raspberry oil?
Aaron,
I’ve never used red raspberry oil, but in theory any liquid-at-room-temp and safe-for-facial-use oil would work. Depending on its properties, you might notice its more/less greasy etc. If you try it, let me know how it works! I’d love to share new versions of the recipe with everyone!!
Could you use vegetable glycerin instead of aloe vera gel?
Caroline,
In theory, you could try it. I use the aloe vera gel because it stabilizes as well as moisturizes. I’m not sure if glycerine would provide the same emulsification. However, the worst that would happen is that it’ll separate. So, give it a try and report back!
Great recipe! For easier cleanup, you can melt the beeswax, coconut oil, and almond oil in a wide-mouth jar in a pot of hot water. (Make sure the water doesn’t reach the rim!) It makes the mixture easy to pour into the blender. Plus, you can wipe most of the residue out with a paper towel and then put the jar in the dishwasher. Or, you can pour the finished moisturizer back into the jar for storage in the fridge.
Maid Mirawyn recently posted..A More Indian Masala Chai
This is a great idea. Thanks!
Hi Kayla,
Looks like I have found another good home recipe I can refer my readers to, I am always on the lookout for new ones.
One product I always like to recommend for the skin is Manuka honey, its pricey but wonderful for the skin, when used as a mask which apart from being good at fighting acne tastes yummy too 🙂
Anna recently posted..Acne Statistics – The Staggering Truth
Hey Kayla!
I don’t know if others have mentioned this but you can potentially give this amazing moisturizer an SPF kick by adding carrot seed oil and/or red raspberry seed oil. I am definitely going to give your recipe a try, as I’ve made others that tend to leave my face too oily to use during the daytime.
What a great suggestion Rebecca! I’m so glad you like the recipe, I hope it suits you better than the others!
Would it be a good or bad idea to add tea tree oil to this? My skin breaks out pretty easily and I’ve heard that tea tree oil can prevent acne.
Hi Angela,
I just made a batch with 20-30 drops of tea tree oil. I used to use it directly on my skin to prevent acne and then add so coconut oil to prevent dryness. So when I discovered this receipe, I was so happy to be able to mix my to favorite product together.
However, I find this oil very usefull for my sensitive acne skin.
Dear Kayla,
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! Just made a batch, and it feels so moisturizing and smells fresh. I got most of the ingredients from amazon.com, and have plenty leftover for other projects. Love grapefruit sent. I hope grapefruit oil whitens some of the sun spots I have started to develop. I will be extra diligent to wear sunscreen. When it all whipped up to a fluffy white lotion, I could hardly believe it. It did take quite a bit of time (maybe 10min on and off). I will definitely allow the oils to cool off for longer period in the future. What do you recommend for eye make up cleanser? Thanks again! Lana
Lana,
I’m so glad you like it!! Sometimes I use this lotion on a cottonball to remove eye makeup. Most of the time I use plain water with a microfiber washcloth. That seems to do the trick for me!
I made a solution using water, baby oil, and baby shampoo (for the exact proportions there are tutorials online that will tell you) and it does a fabulous job!
Hi Kayla!
Thanks for posting this! I can’t wait to try it. I was wondering, about how many cups of grated beeswax makes 3/4 oz?
Kimmy,
Unfortunately, because we all use different graters, and different bees wax, really the only way to measure it is by weight. Measuring it in a cup wouldn’t take the air in between the bits into account. That said, if you had to eyeball it, I would try 4 tablespoons. No promises though!
I just made a batch, and although I waited a little over an hour and a half, the aloe is still separating from the beeswax and oils. Is there anything you can recommend I do to save it? I love it when it’s fluffy, and I’d like to rescue it from the state it’s in. Thanks so much!!
Hrm, that’s really strange! Are you certain you used Aloe gel and not just aloe juice? I’ve made this several times and never had this happen EXCEPT once when I left it out in a cold car and parts of it froze.
Maybe just clean and disinfect your utensils and try again?
I’m going to try this. Thanks so much for sharing!
This information is great! I’m excited to make my own moisturizer without all the gunk. Is there a mixture you can recommend for SPF?
A couple of other comments had suggestions about SPF. I use a separate SPF product- I’ve never thought to add it to this! If you find anything, please report back!
This looks amazing and one of the few products I still buy instead of make because I am nervous to put too much oil on my face! Coconut oil and almond oil have low natural SPF values. Helichrysm would be a great oil to add as it has a pretty decent SPF value. So that eliminates the need to put on conventional sunscreen products!
Alicia recently posted..Summer side dish: Drunken potato salad
What about coconut oil being cosmogenic?
Coconut oil tends to have mixed results for people. I am acne prone and have never experienced coconut oil to cause breakouts. There’s a lot of debate on the subject, some saying that only the refined oil is comedogenic , others saying its only comedogenic if its cold, so putting it on your face would warm it.
I say, if you’re worried about it, swap it out for jajoba oil, or another less comedogenic oil!
What brand of Aloe Vera Gel do you use?
This sounds amazing! My skin is highly sensitive, and it’s tough to find anything that works for me 🙁
I would love to try this stuff, but I’m allergic to almond oil… Do you know of a good nut-free substitute? Thanks!
Jamie,
You can FOR SURE substitute more coconut oil! Also, maybe Olive Oil (although that might add a little heaviness.) I’ve used the coconut oil when I don’t have any almond oil around. I’ve heard hemp oil would work too. Basically any oil that is safe and healthy for your face.
I hope you try it, and I hope it works for you!
Hi there! Similar questions, however I’m allergic to coconut oil (which is proving to be disasterous as far as finding an all-natural moisturizer–everything I’ve come across uses coconut oil). Could I substitute more of another natural oil instead? Thanks!
Hey Kate! See the FAQ about subbing oils. The issue with subbing out Coconut Oil is that it is solid at room temp. But if you can find another oil that is skin healthy and solid at that temp, liquid at skin temp – then I would say sure!
How well does this work on oily skin? Does it absorb well?
I would count my skin as mildly oily, and I fine that the combo of aloe and oil leaves it feeling a lot less oily than regular lotions.
hello. I actually have an Aloa Vera plant, so I’m thinking of getting the gel straight from there. Will that maybe shorten shelf life? I don’t know much about Aloa Vera having natural preservatives? I also live in the desert so can I even place to-be-made lotion in my room? Also, can I just melt my ingredients directly into a regular pot? Last question, can I use this recipe and simply add zinc oxide to make sunscreen?
Maria,
Let me see if I can answer your questions. Keep in mind I don’t do this for a living, and I might be wrong. (It happens, a lot.)
Firstly, I have no idea how to use the juice from an aloe vera plant in this recipe. The gel is made with natural stabilizers, to give it its gel form. I’m betting that its possible, Elizabeth in the comments above used fresh juice. She noted it took longer to whip.
In my house at 74ish degrees, I keep a couple tablespoons at room temperature in my bedroom on my vanity. Its in a solid jar so not affected by light, and I’ve had it last in there just fine. (Please don’t use anything that looks/smells/feels wrong!!) I have noticed somethings it separates a bit, and needs a stir.
You should avoid melting on the stove in direct heat. You can use a double boiler method, and I think that would work fine.
Finally, according to a lot of DIY sunscreen recipes, Iron Oxide as an additive can add protective sun cover. I have never used it so I really can’t tell you if adding that would make a sunscreen.
I hope that helps!!
If you are concerned about shelf life and would like to extent that shelf life, why not add T-50 Vitamin E Oil?
Vitamin E contains natural antioxidants which extend the life of your products. Gamma tocopherol, a component of Vitamin E, is a great antioxidant for protecting cosmetic formulations. T-50 has a larger amount of gamma tocopherols than other forms of Vitamin E oil.
While the alpha tocopherol in the 250, 1000, and 1400IU/g oils is wonderful as an in vitro antioxidant, studies show that the gamma tocopherol in the Vitamin E T-50 oil is a better antioxidant for oils/lipids in cosmetic formulations. T-50 has a higher content of gamma tocopherols and can be used at a rate of .04% or 400ppm to adequately protect your oils.
I do have a question about the coconut oil though. I’m have a condition that dries my skin out terribly. Coconut oil can be really drying and I don’t like the greasy feeling it leaves on on my skin. Would castor oil or Shea butter work? Or do you have any suggestions on a possible alternative?
Yenna,
As I’ve mentioned in the FAQ section, the “recipe” is more of a guide. Feel free to try whatever you like! Be sure though, when replacing coconut oil that your substitute is similarly semi-solid. Enjoy!
Any chance I could purchase some of this moisturizer (with a non-irritating scented oil) from you?
Cheryl,
So sorry- I don’t have the time or set up for something like that. But you should really try it yourself!!
I’m trying this now….does it take a while to blend? I know it will need to be stored in the fridge and probably won’t last nearly as long, but has anyone tried using fresh aloe? Can’t wait to try using it! The skin on my face is sensitive, but even if my face can’t handle the coconut oil, I figure I’ll have a great body lotion to try!
I’ve not tried with fresh aloe. I know that the volume of water based to oil based is important to make it whip. So keep that in mind! It doesn’t take long to blend, just as long as it takes you to pour the aloe into the oil mixture. Make sure to scrape down at least once!
Maybe it took longer to whip because I was using fresh….it looks great now!
Elizabeth– how did it turn out with fresh aloe?? 🙂 Did it last very long?
I made this with fresh aloe from one of my plants, and it did take a LOT longer to blend. Did you also find that a cup of fresh aloe was way too much?
Don’t suppose there’s any chance of getting some more Brit friendly measurements? I know I’d love to try this recipe but converting cups to grams or ounces is a complete pain, and the internet just isn’t in a helpful mood today!
Amanda recently posted..Photo
Amanda,
According to Google, it would be:
240ml cup aloe vera gel
21 grams beeswax
60ml almond oil
60ml cut coconut oil
Hope that helps!
Thank you so much for this conversion, it makes it much easier for me here in England UK. I will be making this recipe today and its a first for me with skin cream home made. Thanks so much for sharing this. i SO EXCITED TO TRY THIS OUT. tHANK YOU.
This looks great! One question, though. Aloe Vera gel is water based, and if it doesn’t have preservatives in it, it can cause lotions and other things you put it in to go bad after a while (sometimes as little as a week or so), just like when you add water to a recipe. My question is, are you using an organic or all-natural aloe gel without preservatives? And if you are, how long has this recipe lasted for you?
This recipe really does look amazing, though! I plan to try it out because the aloe is great for moisturizing and nourishing the skin! Thanks so much!
Liz,
You are absolutely right about waters and oils in a lotion. I do use an all organic gel with stabilizers, but not exactly preservatives. That’s why I noted that extra should be kept in the fridge. For me, with sterilized equipment and storing the large qty in the fridge and only a couple tablespoons at my vanity, it has lasted as long as 3 months. Now, please be careful! Use your own judgement and don’t use anything that doesn’t look/feel/smell right.
If you don’t have a chocolate melter can you melt these together on the stove??
For sure! Just use a double boiler method!
Hello Kayla,
Thank you for sharing this.
Do you have any idea about how long can this be stored?
I’m looking for ideas to give to my mom and this would be perfect.
But she usually tends to store or make things last as much as possible, which is great, but you know…
Thanks again,
Flor
Flor,
Its really difficult for me to say how long yours will last based on your ingredients, the sanitation of your utensils etc. I can say that for me, I’ve used a bath for about 8 months until it was gone, and it never went bad. I hope that helps!!
This helps! This recipe looks amazing, and I’ve been scouring the web for something more interesting than just coconut oil. Thanks for the tip on the beeswax help the oils from separating. Now to have fun choosing the oil! Thanks K!!
You may want to substitute a different essential oil for Spring and Summer as citrus and the sun are a no-no. Frankincense perhaps or Bergamot. I will def. try this recipe.
You’re totally right Bev, I should mention that citrus oils do make you more sensitive to skin. But really, you should always be wearing a sunscreen – always!
I disagree. I think we need to expose our skin to the sun occasionally so we can make vitamin D. We are so vitamin D deficient and the overuse of sunscreen doesn’t help. Of course if you are going to be at the beach all day, it is a must. I would like to know how to make my own to avoid chemicals.
I do see your point about Vitamin D, but facial sunscreen is a must IMHO. I mean, its a relatively small area in terms of producing vitamin D, and the effects of direct sun can mean freckles, wrinkles, burning more easily since skin is more sensitive, premature aging, etc.
Coconut oil is a natural sunscreen. No need to put more chemicals on your face to fight sun damage…. it is already in your cream. 😀
While it is true that coconut oil is generally awesome and super good for the skin, it is NOT a safe alternative to UVA/UVB radiation. However, if you want to stay chemical free there are a bunch of naturally occurring minerals and other compounds that DO provide UVA/UVB protection! There are even some commercially available sunscreens made from said materials. (Good news because skin cancer is no bueno.)
Hi Kayla
Not sure am contacting you the right way.. I have been looking for a light cream for my teenagers. I added lavender and tea tree oils and did half the amount. it made 4 small jars. The cream is exactly what I’d hoped – light and not too greasy. Fingers crossed they like it! Thanks for the recipe.
sarah
I’m so glad Sarah!
Bergamot is also a citrus. I personally become very photosensitive with citrus oils regardless of how much sunscreen I’m wearing by my rosacea doesn’t like citrus or the sun to begin with. I’d love me some ylang ylang or jasmine though! Subtle but soft and pretty.
Alisha recently posted..Coconut Curry Squash
Alisha,
Ooh, those sound like GREAT combos! I think that’s what I like so much about essential oils, you can cater to your own needs!
Some people may be on thyroid meds and the grapefruit essential oil interferes with their absorption of the meds causing problems for them. You should be warning people about stuff like this.
Aimee,
Thanks for the info. However, it is literally impossible for me to know all the possible interactions of all the possible medications or all the possible essential oils in the world. At some point, researching interactions needs to become the medicated person’s responsibility.
Also, in the post it says explicitly: “Please note that essential oils are serious business Please take into account the oil you are using and its affects.” In my opinion, that is a warning.
Spoke to someone at farmers market about this and she said thats to do with the inside fruit, not the essential oil from the rind. Haven’t followed through with double checking but thought it was interesting. The citrus also can interact with diabetics. Not a diabetic so I dismissed the information.
She did leave a warning. Read her post again above it states very clearly:
“Please note that essential oils are serious business Please take into account the oil you are using and its affects.”
That is very clear. Folks have to take responsibility for themselves. 🙂
Always do your own due diligence as to what products or oils you can and can’t use. Its NEVER a good idea to expect others to monitor the world for you. (and honestly, the majority of folks CAN and DO tolerate most ingredients).
You should try adding about 10% sea buckthorn oil as one of your oils. It will help clear up your rosacea. It’s expensive and will turn your cream a lovely shade of orange but it should help.
Thanks! I don’t have any rosacea, but I’ll keep that in mind!
Kayla, I’ve always wanted to make my own stuff like this…. but I have one question – where can I buy the products?
Meghan @ The Tasty Fork recently posted..BIG Giveaway coming on Monday
Meghan,
Almost all of this is available locally here in GR. I purchased the Aloe Gel, coconut oil and almond oil at a local Harvest Health Foods. I would think moth health stores, and even some grocery stores might have them. I bought the beeswax for 25cents at the farmers market from a bee keeper and I grated it. I know you can buy it at Hobby Lobby and soap making supply stores, but for much more.
I get most of my essential oils fro Harvest Health Foods too- but you can easily order online. Just make sure you get essential oil and not perfume oil!
I hope that helps!!
I am SO trying this. I am same way with using everything from expensive to cheap brands and I am all about DIY skin care now. I use coconut oil for makeup remover and I am making my own deodorant now. So stoked you posted this!!
Shanna@ pineapple and coconut recently posted..Coconut And Lemongrass Margarita
I hope you like it!!
This stuff looks great, Kayla! I love making belly butters for my growing pregnant tummy, and would love to try this recipe once my other moisturizer runs out. I’ve got access to most of these ingredients & can’t wait to try it!
Jelli recently posted..Edible Bath Paint: Taste the Rainbow
I’m so glad you like it! I would love to see some of the butters you’re making! Let me know if you try it!
At what speed should it blen, and for how long?
How do you get over the fact that when leaving beeswax to cool before blending, it solidifies?
Jane
Jane,
The wax is not alone, it is mixxed with several other oils. It doesn’t soildify into a puck or anything. Think of beeswax lip balms. That gets stiff, but never “solid” or hard at room temp.
If it gets too stiff you could warm it up in the water bath.
Hi Kayla, thank you so much for this recipe! I am going to make this for my oily, acne prone skin. I don’t have almond oil, but I may substitute it with jojoba oil that I have on hand. Do you think I can add zinc oxide to add some SPF?
My lotion is incredibly greasy, and it’s not soaking into my skin, just staying on top being all greasy, what can I do differently?
hey use grapeseed oil instead of the almond oil its great if you have oily skin as its easily absorbed! hope this helps
Hi Kayla just wanted to say thank you! I have been trying to find a lightweight moisturizer and everything I found seemed to use Shea butter which is so thickening and greasy imo. Anyway I also wanted to point out to u that if u put like a tap of vitamin e oil in there as well it helps with preservation. So maybe try that next time u make it see if it helps
Thanks so much for your feedback Yessi!
BEESWAX SIDE EFFECTS & SAFETY
Beeswax is safe for most people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of beeswax during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Nice catch ZE! As a currently pregnant lady, I can confirm that at least 90% of ingredients used in most topical lotions etc have not been specifically tested for use on pregnant ladies. There are, however, easy guidelines to follow. Typically, additives like fragrance and preservatives are far more likley to be harmful than natural compounds. Why? Because often “Trade Secret” laws protect the companies from having to disclose what is in them. That means a pretty big amount of trust. I opt to make my own lotions (including the bees wax, because the PPM ratio in the lotion is so low, any skin absorption would be incredibly low and it has no known history of bloodstream absorption) because I’d rather know the 7 ingredients in the lotion than chance the 25+ listed as “fragrance”.
The easiest way to be sure? Ask your doctor first!
try using almond wax instead of beeswax, makes all products vegan friendly. I never use beeswax in any of my products. xx
Jane, I am curious why beeswax would not be considered ‘vegan’?
To clear that up Judy, beeswax is an animal product, which therefore does not classify as vegan. Is a stretch for a lot of people, but those little worker bees do put a lot of energy into that honey and wax!