Home > Natural Body Care > Simplest Homemade Moisturizer (& 13 Moisturizers)

Simplest Homemade Moisturizer (& 13 Moisturizers)

By Kristin Marr • Posted: September 18, 2013 • Updated: January 11, 2023

4.73 from 44 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
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Learn how to make the simplest homemade moisturizer. Plus, the 5 best homemade face moisturizer recipes and the 8 best store-bought (natural) moisturizers to use on your face for glowing, moisturized skin.

Simple homemade moisturizer. Just three basic ingredients. Nourishes the skin, naturally.

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I love simplicity.

What’s the opposite of simplicity?

Complicated.

Who’s got time for complicated?

Certainly not this mom.

I take this simple philosophy when it comes to my kitchen. I try to keep things simple and stress-free while still nourishing my family with the very best real food. This year I decided this approach to simplicity needed to transfer to more than just my kitchen. After all, I do write a blog called Live Simply. Simply being a key word.

I’ve been busy applying my goal of getting back to simplicity in all areas of life.  If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I am on quite a kick with this new endeavor. If it goes on my body, I am determined there must be an effective, clean, and simple solution.

So far natural face cleansers, homemade foundation powder, natural shampoo and conditioner, homemade deodorant, and a luxurious body wash have been easy clean beauty swaps. Trust me there have been many failures. Body odor and greasy hair are no laughing matters.

Don’t worry.

I only share the products that leave me feeling civilized, clean, and amazing. No greasy hair here.

Simple homemade moisturizer. Just three basic ingredients. Nourishes the skin, naturally.

I’ve learned simplicity is usually the very best recipe one can find. Simplicity has been the name of the game for thousands of years, long before our modern age of complicated lists of ingredients which do more harm than good.

So, in the name of simplicity, I bring you a new tried-and-true beauty recipe, a homemade moisturizer for the body. One which will leave you smelling of sweet lavender while at the same time moisturizes and heals your skin. This homemade moisturizer consists of a mere three ingredients.  Yes, you heard that right. Three ingredients. And the best part? This recipe takes only seconds to whip up. Simplicity has never been, well, simpler.

Simplifying simplicity.

And smelling good while doing it.

Simple homemade moisturizer. Just three basic ingredients. Nourishes the skin, naturally.

There are many different ways to make your own homemade face moisturizer. If you’re looking for a great moisturizer to use on your face, here are my favorite recipes.

  • SHEA BUTTER FACE MOISTURIZER – Melt shea butter with oil. That’s it! Super easy and great for all skin types.
  • ARGAN & ROSEHIP OIL – Ideal for mature skin types, this antioxidant moisturizer is easy to make: just stir and apply!
  • BODY BUTTER – A homemade moisturizer for the whole body: face, arms, legs, feet. Make this all-in-one moisturizer with shea, mango, and/or cocoa butter and oil. It’s non-greasy and lasts for 6 months.
  • MOISTURIZING FACE SERUM – Combine squalene and argan oil to make this ultra-moisturizing face oil. Can be used as a simple moisturizer or with a face cream (shea butter is great) in the colder months.
  • ALOE AND OIL MOISTURIZER – Combine hydrating aloe with jojoba oil (of your favorite skincare oil) to make this anti-inflammatory moisturizer.

If homemade isn’t your thing. Here are the best natural store-bought moisturizers. Learn about each of the 8 best natural moisturizers here.

  • Laurel Antioxidant Facial Serum – For all skin types, particularly great for acne-prone skin or those looking for a lightweight daytime moisturizer.
  • True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil– For all skin types. The Clear Line helps to balance oily and breakout-prone skin. The Calm Line is for sensitive skin that helps soothe and comfort skin while giving it a gorgeous glow (also pregnancy safe, according to True Botanicals). The Renew Line helps target signs of aging (the top seller).
  • Blissoma Pure – Sensitive Care Complex – For ultra sensitive, combination, dry skin, reactive skin, and all ages.
  • OSEA Advanced Protection Cream – A super moisturizing cream with plant-derived amino acid DPHP, which visibly firms and plumps the skin, diminishing the appearance of fine lines. For dry, sensitive, and aging skin. (use coupon code Livesimply for 10% off)
  • OSEA Blemish Balm Moisturizer – Fast-absorbing moisturizer clarifies to promote an even skin tone with nutrient-rich seaweed and tea tree, juniper, and thyme essential oils. For oily, blemish-prone, and combination skin.
  • Evan Healy Shea Butter Moisturizer – Rich in essential fatty acids, vital phyto-nutrients, and antioxidants. For dry, troubled & sensitive skin.
Simple homemade moisturizer. Just three basic ingredients. Nourishes the skin, naturally.
homemade moisturizer
4.73 from 44 votes

Simple Homemade Moisturizer

This homemade moisturizer consists of a mere three ingredients. And the best part? This recipe takes only seconds to whip up. Simplicity has never been, well, simpler. This recipe works for the body. See suggestions above for the face.
Kristin Marr
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course DIY
Cuisine Body
Servings 1 Jar

Equipment

  • 1 storage container with a lid (if using coconut oil) or dropper bottle (if using jojoba oil)

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the coconut oil or jojoba oil, vitamin E or tea tree oil, and lavender in a storage container. Now mix. That's it. If you're using this on your face, I recommend using jojoba oil (and a dropper bottle); not coconut oil-see notes below.
  • Apply the moisturizer to the skin after cleansing and using a toner (here are the best natural face cleansers).
  • Store at room temperature, for up to 6 months, between uses.

Notes

Coconut oil ranks high on the comedogenic scale (it can easily clog pores) so it can cause some folks to break out. For me, I can use it on my skin, just not my face or neck. That said, how the oil is produced also is a big factor. If you have sensitive skin it’s best to avoid coconut oil. Instead, jojoba oil is great for all skin types and may be used as a moisturizer. I love to combine jojoba oil with shea butter to make an ultra-moisturizing face moisturizer.
If you’re making this moisturizer in the colder months, when coconut oil tends to be very solid (hard as a rock), you can whip these ingredients together with your hand mixer creating for a smooth, creamy product.
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
SKINCARE

Free Natural Skincare Starter Guide

How to create your own natural skincare with essential skincare swaps that nourish the skin and give you a healthy glow without toxins.

Kristin is the creator and editor-in-chief of Live Simply. Kristin is married to her high school sweetheart, Dustin, and is the mom to two kids and two free-roam (litterbox-trained) bunnies, Leo and Estela. Kristin started Live Simply in 2013 to share her passion for real food and natural living.

4.73 from 44 votes (23 ratings without comment)

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240 Comments

  2. Can I use peppermint and hemp seed oil? can I use Peppermint lavender and hemp oil together?
    Is this diy lotion good for face neck and arms?

    Reply

  3. I think my skin is well moisturized but since I’m 40+ – I also needed to start using a better moisturizer. I tried the one you recommended, but my dermatologist recommended the Somaluxe Moisturizer – and he was right – its EXCELLENT for dry skin. It’s non-greasy and if you have very dry skin and you need the extra moisturizer, I think you’ll the Somaluxe Moisturizer. Your make-up glides over it, and many others suggest using it on elbows and other troubled spots. . ..

    Reply

  6. Hi Kristin, I am really looking forward to trying this recipe and was wondering if I can store it in a plastic container, or does it need to be glass? In another post it mentions that you store products with essential oil in glass containers – is there a reason for that?

    Reply

    1. Hi Adele, If you’re going to store the moisturizer long-term I would suggest a glass container, as it’s best to store essential oils in glass. But, if you’re going to use it quickly (within a few weeks), plastic will be okay.

      Reply

    1. Hey Olivia, It shouldn’t be too runny, pretty much the same consistency of coconut oil when at room temp. The runny texture may come from the coconut oil being too warm and semi-melting from the summer heat. I’d recommend placing the moisturizer in the fridge to solidify a bit.

      Reply

      1. Hi,

        Thanks for sharing the recipe. I am eager to give it a go. I just wanted to check if I understood this right: do you mean to say this will keep at least for a year? Doesn’t it have to go in the fridge or something? I cannot even ask for it to “last” a year, as it will depend on how much you use, of course, but for it to keep well so long would be great! Also, do you need to warm it up a little in case it solidifies?
        Thanks

      2. Hey Christina, Yes, the moisturizer will keep for 12 months/1 year. If it solidifies, you can still use it as is, or just warm it for a few seconds. Enjoy!!

  12. Where do you purchase your small jars? I was thinking abt making this for my sisters, but I can’t seem to find the right size jar. Thanks!

    Reply

  14. Hi Kristin, I can’t wait to make this moisturizer 🙂 just one question: would it be okay to use tea tree essential oil instead of the tea tree oil (as I have the essential oil at home already) or is the regular oil important to have in there for a specific reason? Thanks!

    Reply

  16. Thanks for the recipe. Did you just say tea tree oil and lavender oil? Wont it smell bizarre? And wont this cause me to shine?

    Reply

  18. 5 stars
    This is also a fantastic diaper ointment! My daughter had a tummy bug and got a horrible rash. I had used some other ointments I had and they didn’t work. I decided to slather her bum with this just before bed and the next morning her rash was completely gone!! Just thought I’d share with you. 🙂

    Reply

  20. 5 stars
    Love this! I’ll be including a link to this wonderful recipe in a skincare round-up post I’m writing for Keeper of the Home for April. Hope it sends lots of new friends your way! Blessings, sweet friend, Kelly 🙂

    Reply