You can make a face moisturizer at home by blending jojoba oil with optional vitamin E or essential oils, and it keeps up to 6 months.
Making your own face moisturizer at home is one of those projects that feels intimidating until you see how few steps it takes. The secret most DIY guides skip is this: skip the water. Oil-only blends skip the hardest parts of formulation—preservation and pH balance—so they are the safest starting point. If you want an actual lotion or cream texture, that requires an emulsified recipe and more careful technique.
Why Jojoba Oil Is the Best Base for Facial Blends
Jojoba oil is the top choice for a homemade face moisturizer because its composition is closest to human sebum, meaning it absorbs without feeling greasy. Drafting from trusted DIY sources, Dr. Axe specifically recommends jojoba for facial use and explicitly advises against coconut oil on the face, since coconut oil can clog pores for some skin types. Jojoba’s lightweight texture and low comedogenic rating make it a reliable base for most skin types, including oily and combination skin.
Other carrier oils work too, but each has a trade-off. Sweet almond oil is fine for dry skin but can feel heavier. Argan oil is nourishing and non-greasy, making it a good second choice, while rosehip oil adds vitamins but has a shorter shelf life. Whichever base you pick, keep your blend simple at first.
Three Homemade Face Moisturizer Recipes by Skill Level
Three approaches cover beginner, intermediate, and advanced formulators. Start with the first until you feel ready to tackle preservation or emulsification.
Beginner: Oil-Only Facial Elixir
This simplest method, per Dr. Axe’s DIY recipe, takes about two minutes and avoids any water or preservative issues. Combine roughly 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil with 1–2 drops of vitamin E oil (a natural antioxidant), plus optional single drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil if you want them. Shake or stir in a dropper bottle, apply a few drops after cleansing, and store at room temperature for up to 6 months.
For oily or acne-prone skin, keep essential oils to one drop each and always patch-test on your inner arm first. Lavender and tea tree are antimicrobial, but they can irritate sensitive skin. A patch test is your safeguard against a full-face reaction.
| Recipe Level | Key Ingredients | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|
| Water-free oil blend | Jojoba, vitamin E, optional essential oils | Up to 6 months at room temp |
| Whipped body butter | Shea butter, fractionated coconut, sweet almond oil | Up to 6 months in a sealed jar |
| Emulsified face cream | Water, oils, emulsifier, preservative | 3–6 months if properly preserved |
Intermediate: Whipped Shea Butter Moisturizer
If you prefer a thicker balm, whipped shea butter is a satisfying upgrade. Soften shea butter at room temperature, then whip it with a hand mixer for 3–4 minutes until fluffy. Slowly stream in fractionated coconut oil, then sweet almond oil, then vitamin E oil, and transfer to a clean glass jar. Let it set for about 1 hour before first use. The whipped texture is richer than an oil blend, so use a pea-sized amount.
Advanced: Emulsified Face Cream (True Lotion Texture)
A genuine cream requires an emulsifier like Olivem 1000 to bind water and oil, plus a preservative because water breeds microbes. The careful instructions from savvyhomemade.com detail separate heating of the oil phase and water phase, combining them only when both reach about 70–75°C (160–170°F). Whisk continuously as you combine, then let the mixture cool to roughly 30°C (85°F) before adding your preservative, since heat can deactivate it. Test the pH and adjust with lactic acid if needed, then bottle in an airless dispenser or clean container.
Never allow the mixture to boil, and stop blending as soon as it thickens—overmixing can cause the cream to turn thin and runny. An unsaturated cream keeps in the fridge for 2–3 weeks without chemical preservatives, per Mountain Rose Herbs.
What To Know Before You Start
Preservation is your biggest responsibility, so the rule is simple: any recipe with water needs a broad-spectrum preservative added per its label instructions. Without one, refrigerate and use within 2–3 weeks. Keep all tools and containers clean, and consider pH testing for emulsified lotions to keep skin happy. If your skin is sensitive or reactive, patch-test everything on your inner arm for 24 hours before applying to your face. Looking for a tested, dermatologist-recommended option instead of DIY? See our roundup of the best face moisturizers for sensitive skin
References & Sources
- Dr. Axe. “DIY Face Moisturizer Recipes for Glowing Skin.” Outlines the oil-only jojoba blend and why jojoba beats coconut for facial use.
- Mountain Rose Herbs. “DIY Face Moisturizer: Whipped Butter & Herbal Oil Recipes.” Covers whipped butter methods, storage, and unpreserved cream shelf life.
- Savvy Homemade. “Easy DIY Face Cream Recipe (With Preservative).” Details emulsified cream steps, temperature targets, and preservation guidelines.
Mo Maruf
I created WellFizz to bridge the gap between vague wellness advice and actionable solutions. My mission is simple: to decode the research and give you practical tools you can actually use.
Beyond the data, I am a passionate traveler. I believe that stepping away from the screen to explore new environments is essential for mental clarity and physical vitality.