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.
Want to Save This Article?
Enter your email & I’ll send it straight to your inbox. And you’ll get new recipes & tips each week.
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.
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.
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.
If homemade isn’t your thing. Here are the best natural store-bought moisturizers. Learn about each of the 8 best natural moisturizers here.
Simple Homemade Moisturizer
Equipment
- 1 storage container with a lid (if using coconut oil) or dropper bottle (if using jojoba oil)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut oil or jojoba oil
- 1 tsp vitamin E oil
- 6 drops lavender essential oil and/or essential tea tree oil
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
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.
I read through all the comments and didn’t see whether this clogs pores. I am assuming it’s non comedogenic? Thank you!
Hey Abby, Everyone reacts differently to coconut oil (when used on the skin), but in general this shouldn’t clog your pores.
I enjoyed making your very easy to make recipe. I truly enjoy its effect on my skin. I use it all over and now have nearly no blemishes on my body. I very much appreciate simple things that work. I now look at the various bottles of moisturizing lotion in my house with regret. I hate to throw them out but neither can I get myself to use them. I believe I will next try your foundation powder. Thank you.
Awesome, Jody! Enjoy!!
hi Kristin, I tried to but coconut oil and honey do not mix easily, so I added lemon juice and it worked. my question is: does the acid in lemon affect the beneficial contents of coconut oil and honey? or does it even enhance my moisturizer? by the way, after they mix I added geranium essential oil in it. Thanks your blog is very helpful.
Hey Mark, The lemon juice should be just fine with the coconut oil and honey. I wouldn’t apply the moisturizer with the lemon juice during the day (citrus is light sensitive when applied to the skin), but at night this moisturizer will be great!
Is this moisturizer is good for oily skin in summer?
Hello! I’ve been trying to find a good and natural moisturizer for combination skin and this seems to be the product that I am looking for! I do have coconut oil and lavender oil drops, but I do not have the tea tree oil or vitamin E (which I used to use at night and it works great alone!). I did just purchase almond oil and castor oil. Do you think I could substitute with any of those for optimal results? Also, how many days does that recipe last for? Where did you purchase the cute jars?! Last question, do you recommend storing this moisturizer in the refrigerator or at room temperature?
Hey Daniela, I think the almond or castor oil may be too oily when paired with the coconut oil. You could definitely leave the tea tree and vitamin E out and still make a fantastic moisturizer! I recommend storing this moisturizer at room temperature for up to 12 months.
Thank you Kristin! I think I’m going to go ahead and buy the vitamin E and tea tree oil to stick to your original combination 🙂
You’re welcome, Daniela. Many stores (like Target and grocery stores) sell both products. 🙂
I just told my mom this recipe and she’s about to make it now! All these great comments are over-whelming we just had to try.I will have to write back after we are done!Found this on Pinterest!
Awesome, Rahwa! Enjoy!!
Thanks for this natural recipe! I have mixed as per your recipe, except that I’m using lemon oil and without tea tree oil. The coconut smell is a bit overwhelming for me though. How can I reduce the coconut smell? Thanks!
Thank you for this natural recipe. I had mixed as per your recipe, only without tea tree oil. The coconut smell is a bit overwhelming for me though. How can I reduce the coconut smell? Does the tea tree oil takes away the coconut smell?
Hey Ivy, The smell of the coconut oil will depend on the coconut oil used. Some coconut oils have less of a coconut smell, while others are incredibly strong. You could also add a few drops of lavender to help with the coconut odor.
Thank you Kristin. 🙂 will try to add some lavender oil. And sorry for the duplicate questions!
Hi, thanks for this. Can I use almond oil instead of Vitamin E oil and peppermint oil instead of lavendar oil?
Hey husna, Yes, I believe both replacements will work. Just be careful of the peppermint oil near the eye area–as it may result in a tingly feel.
Hi, where do you get your jars to store your products? I really like them 🙂
Hey Luisa, Thank you! Most of my jars come from Target, Amazon, or HomeGoods :).
HeyKristine,
I came across your website last night and loved how you make all the products using natural ingredients, It is so simple, Could you please suggest a good cream/gel(of course from your collection) for combination skin, I have large pores.
Thanks!!
Hey Seema, Welcome to Live Simply! I have large pores (and very oily skin), too. I think you’d probably love this facial serum: https://livesimply.me/2015/01/18/diy-homemade-facial-serum/.
Hi! I found this recipe and bought the coconut oil which I was already using as moisturizer and the oils. I couldn’t find the liquid vitamin E so I’ll just make this without the vitamin. I wanted to ask how many drops of each essential oil should I put? I mean… If I want to put both lavender and tea tree, should I put 5 drops of each oil? And what if just want to try one oil? Do I put 10 drops of one of them? or 14? Sorry, I’m confused! haha.Thank you for sharing this!
Hi! Where do you get the jars you use for this moisturizer? Thanks so much!
Hello there!
I’d like to know the shelf life of this moisturizer. How long will it last?
Thanks!
Hey Trisa, This moisturizer will last 12 months at room temperature :).
This has been amazing for me! I am 20 and have recently been struck with adult acne. My boyfriend has a beard that means I get acne AND beard rash but turns out this moisturiser really soothes both! I am so happy. Been using this in tandem with your natural astringent and my skin hasn’t been so healthy looking for ages.
So inspiring and makes me so comforted that you can get all the goodness you need from simplifying and being more aware of your bodies natural needs.
Emily from London xxx
Wow! That’s fantastic, Emily!!! Thank you so much for sharing. I absolutely love your statement, “So inspiring and makes me so comforted that you can get all the goodness you need from simplifying and being more aware of your bodies natural needs.” It’s such an amazing feeling to know we can care for our bodies with very simple and basic natural ingredients!
Hi Carrie,
Thanks for all your recipes they are great. I just wanted to know you mentioned you use this moisturizer on your face. Can you also use on your body?
Thanks Georgie
Hey Georgie, You’re welcome :). Yes, this moisturizer may be used on the whole body.
Coconut oil is awesome, especially when combined with some other goodies like almond and avocado oils. Lavender and tea tree is also one of my favorite combinations, though I usually go very light on the tea tree as it can take over that lavender pretty quickly. I have such an aversion to grease in lotions and creams that I tend to go in the opposite direction with putting the creams together, but I love the idea of simplicity, not just in skincare, but also for life in general. Busy mom here, too! Love your blog.
Hey Carrie, Thank you so much. I’m so glad you’re enjoying Live Simply! I love lavender and tea tree, too! Such a great combo.
Hi! Do you suggest refined or unrefined coconut oil?
Hey Jessica E, I recommend virgin unrefined coconut oil for beauty and cooking.
I love this recipe; however, I have been using it as a face wash (as in oil cleansing) instead of lotion. I found it too oily to leave on my combination, mostly oily skin and didn’t want to waste it. I’m 45 and it has reduced redness and blemishes, smoothed the texture, allowed me to go without makeup, and decreased the oil. I love it! Thank you!
Awesome, Lisa! I love that you found a way to use the moisturizer (facial cleanser) and you’re noticing such amazing results! Thank you for sharing.
When checking the website I typically use for natural products and oils they had several levels of Vitamin E IU levels….which do you recommend?
Hey Jamie, I’ve used a variety of Vitamin E IU level products. Each one has worked great, but my favorite is from Now brand (link in the recipe).