How to Make Face Moisturizer at Home? | Simple DIY That Works

A simple home face moisturizer needs just a base oil or butter, a clean container, and a patch test before you use it on your face.

Making your own face moisturizer is a practical way to sidestep preservatives, fragrance, and pricey packaging. The catch is the trade-offs: oil-only blends are foolproof but feel heavier, while water-based creams feel lighter but require a real preservative to stay safe. Let’s walk through the options.

The Simplest Method: An Oil-Only Blend

What you need:

• 2 tablespoons jojoba oil
• Optional: a drop of vitamin E oil (acts as a mild antioxidant), or a single drop of tea tree or lavender essential oil for scent
• A clean glass jar with a tight lid

Combine the oils in the jar, swirl to mix, and apply a few drops to damp skin after cleansing. If you want a richer texture, swap half the jojoba for a squirt of sweet almond or avocado oil.

A patch test is non-negotiable: dab a little on your inner forearm, wait 24 hours, and check for redness or stinging before you put it on your face.

Whipped Body Butter: When You Want a Richer Feel

If you want something that spreads like a traditional cream, whipped shea butter is the answer.

Soften 1/2 cup of shea butter by leaving it at room temperature — don’t melt it in the microwave, since high heat ruins its texture. Whip it with a hand mixer for a few minutes until it’s fluffy and pale, then slowly drizzle in 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil while still whipping. Scoop it into a jar and let it set. The result is a thick, mousse-like moisturizer that’s excellent for dry patches and night use.

Jojoba oil works here too — WikiHow’s DIY moisturizer guide walks through this same oil-and-butter technique with step-by-step photos if you want a visual reference. Use only a dime-sized amount, because a little goes a long way.

The Emulsion Method: For a Lotion-Like Finish

For a genuine lotion that absorbs without grease, you need an emulsion — water and oil blended together. This is the advanced route, and it comes with a safety warning.

This is exactly the two-phase technique that N-Essentials’ DIY moisturizer guide describes.

The catch: any water-containing homemade cream needs a preservative — something like phenoxyethanol or Optiphen — added according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Shelf Life and Storage in the Real World

If the DIY route feels like too much trial and error, our tested roundup of the best face moisturizers lists reliable, lab-faced options that skip the guesswork.