THE DO’S & DON’TS OF DIY MOISTURISER

Published by N-essentials Team on 25th Apr 2023

Making a DIY moisturiser is, indeed, both fun and rewarding. The process itself sparks creativity every step of the way. More importantly, it is the satisfying feeling we get when we reap the skin benefits and obtain noticeable results. However, for beginners of DIY skin care, we know that everything takes practice. And certainly, DIY moisturisers are no exception at all. But no need to worry.

Today, we have laid out a few cardinal rules to watch out for in making your own DIY moisturiser. With proper guidance, some stumbles can actually be prevented — which is why we are here. From the best practices (DO’S) to what best to avoid and not do for moisturising (DON’TS), we have got you covered! Keep reading to know more.

THE BENEFITS OF MOISTURISING

We know how sometimes it feels a little bit extra to be religiously applying one’s DIY moisturiser. However, there are several reasons why people include moisturising in their personal skincare routine. Before addressing all the do’s and don’ts, let us first know what these benefits are to get an idea of why this routine is relevant for skincare.

Lessens and prevents skin problems: The saying “Prevention is better than cure” certainly rings true for DIY moisturisers. This is one of the major reasons why people moisturise. Certain skin issues and problems are prevented when moisturising is maintained. With enough moisture sustained and regularly supplied to the skin, there are lower chances of having acne breakouts and other skin issues.
Prevents Dryness with Skin Hydration: Every weather condition has its own effect on our skin. Whether it’s a cold or hot day, and even with air conditioning or plain indoor heat, different environmental factors draw out different levels of moisture from our skin. This is where a good DIY moisturiser comes in handy. It will supply that much-needed moisture back in our skin. At the same time, it prevents future loss of moisture. In other words, the skin is kept hydrated throughout the day. This is assuming you have found the recipe that fits your skin type.
Radiant and healthy-looking skin: Our skin glows when it is appropriately moisturised. When the most sensitive areas of our skin are regularly moisturised, they are less vulnerable to dryness. As a result, the skin is, glowing, radiant, and healthy-looking. With the help of your DIY moisturiser, even the most sensitive skin is improved — being protected from external, harmful factors.

These 3 main points are only a few of the several benefits one can get out of a DIY Moisturiser. However, we believe these are enough to convince a skincare beginner of the relevance of homemade moisturisers. With that said, let us now itemise all the do’s and don’t’s you need to remember when you make your own DIY Moisturisers.

THE DO’S OF DIY MOISTURISER

RESEARCH IS KEY FOR DIY MOISTURISER

Because there are several natural raw ingredients out there, it would be best to practice due diligence and do your research first. Read and find out what ingredients befit your skin type and decide for yourself if you want it in your DIY moisturiser recipe. For instance, we know that not all essential oils are suitable for oily skin because some are characterised as heavy for such skin type. On that note, it is also imperative to listen and observe how your skin is. Know your skin type and what skin sensitivities you are vulnerable to.

DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC USE OF YOUR DIY MOISTURISER

There are moisturisers specifically meant for day use and night use. Moreover, you can create, in particular, a DIY moisturiser separate for your face and body. You might wonder and ask, is this all necessary? Well, for one thing, there are always recipes we can create for general use. However, we think it doesn’t serve the purpose of why we are making a DIY moisturiser in the first place. We would best recommend that you optimise your choices whilst you have the freedom to choose your natural ingredients.

ADD SUN PROTECTION INGREDIENT IN YOUR DIY MOISTURISER WHEN NEEDED

One way of optimising your DIY moisturiser recipe is to add in ingredients that have some level of sun protection for example, to face moisturisers especially. Natural ingredients such as Carrot Seed Essential Oil , Mango Butter, Coconut oil (RBD), Beeswax, Zinc Oxide powder, and Apricot Kernel oil can help boost that level. Aside from specific uses, the level of exposure to certain elements should be considered when formulating your own DIY moisturiser.

USE THE SAME EQUIPMENT EVERY SINGLE TIME

It is helpful to use the same equipment every single time you are mixing your recipe. Especially when you divide your DIY moisturiser recipe into small batches, doing so will keep the formula consistent. This is particularly evident when you are dealing with colours and fragrances. We certainly don’t want your finished products to be coming out differently.

SLEEP ON A CLEAN PILLOW CASE

This is actually not related to the DIY moisturiser recipe itself. But such a habit is integral in achieving the best results when moisturising our skin. We don’t want your homemade moisturiser to be wasted just because you disregarded changing your dirty pillowcases. Remember that every time your face touches a dirty surface, especially with your DIY moisturiser on, dirt will stick to your skin. This potentially leads to acne breakouts.

THE DON’TS OF DIY MOISTURISER

DON’T OVERUSE YOUR DIY MOISTURISER

Directions or recommended topical application are given for a reason. When regularly used following the correct direction, your DIY moisturiser can be favourable to your skin. However, overdoing it can possibly do more harm than good. Too much application can lead to clogged pores or irritated skin. We don’t want that to happen. It is usually a good idea to stick to a simple routine and maintain the topical application.

AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE

Similar to the advice to change pillowcases regularly, it makes sense to avoid touching your face - especially when your hands are dirty! But we know it is always easier said than done. On that note, we just want you to remember that transmitting bacteria originating from your hands to your skin means extra fuel for pimples and other skin impurities.

NEVER IGNORE YOUR SKIN TYPE

About determining the specific use of your DIY moisturiser, it would be wrong to disregard your skin type. We fear that ignoring your skin type might make it worst for your skin. Every skin type has its own demands and therefore calls for something different. The beauty of creating your own homemade moisturiser is that such demands can possibly be addressed. If we are only diligent enough to figure out the best ingredients for our skin, all things could work out for the better.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF INGREDIENTS FOR DIY MOISTURISERS

Before introducing homemade moisturiser ingredients, it is important to be knowledgeable of the different classifications of the ingredients. Each of these classifications has its own role that is fit for your skin type and condition.

HUMECTANT FOR HOMEMADE MOISTURISER

A humectant is a moisturising agent which is sponge-like. Humectant attracts water like a magnet. It works by pulling water from the second layer of the skin, which is the dermis, to the top layer of the skin, the epidermis. This procedure increases the moisture level in our skin. Organic aloe vera gel is one example of a humectant.

OCCLUSIVE FOR HOMEMADE MOISTURISER

An occlusive is another moisturising agent that acts as a barrier — locking in hydration in our skin. Occlusive ingredients prevent water from evaporating. Jojoba carrier oil one great example of an occlusive for your DIY moisturiser.

EMOLLIENT FOR HOMEMADE MOISTURISER

An emollient works as a skin softener. When the top layer of our skin dries up, it causes our skin to crack —leaving open spaces in between cells. Emollients fill the open spaces with lipids that make our skin smoother and softer. Organic Unrefined Shea Butter one example of an emollient for your homemade moisturiser.

To read more about quality ingredients for your DIY moisturisers, click here.

THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF INGREDIENTS FOR MOISTURISERS

Let us now tackle the commonly used natural ingredients for DIY Moisturisers (DO’s). Moreover, since not everyone has the luxury of time to formulate their own skincare, we will cue in the chemicals that are considered “don’ts” for application.

5 DO’S: COMMON INGREDIENTS FOR DIY MOISTURISER

Hyaluronic Acid — Don’t be intimidated by its name. This hydration-attracting ingredient is a favourite when it comes to homemade moisturiser recipes. It works by binding with water and working together to plump up one’s skin, giving it that dewy, glowing look.
Glycerine — If you check on any moisturiser sold in the market, we can be pretty certain most of them contain glycerine. That is because glycerine is a very powerful and effective moisturiser. It is comparable to a sponge that draws in water from the outer skin layer or even the air in a humid environment. At the same time, it slows down the evaporation of moisture present in the skin. It is the perfect ingredient to add, particularly when you aim to fight dry, winter skin.
Sweet Almond Oil — Sweet almond oil is an effective ingredient as a body moisturiser. As an emollient, one study has shown that it helped reduce the appearance of stretch marks. More often than not, this carrier oil is generally used as a hydrating base in skincare products. It is lightweight and absorbs easily. And as it seals in moisture, dehydration is prevented deliberately.
Castor Oil — More than a haircare favourite ingredient, castor oil is a great moisturiser because of its humectant properties. It hydrates the skin by drawing in moisture from the air into the skin. Castor oil also contains triglycerides. Such component functions by maintaining moisture in the skin thereby suitable for super dry skin and feet for the cold season.
Organic Unrefined Shea Butter — Just like Hyaluronic acid, shea butter is also a crowd favourite for homemade moisturisers. The reason behind this is that its moisturising effects can last for several hours. Moreover, the rich tree-nut oils present in this natural ingredient creates a smooth and soft barrier that effectively seals in moisture.

4 DON’TS: CHEMICALS TO AVOID IN COMMERCIALISED MOISTURISERS

Parabens (eg.Methyl, Butyl, Ethyl and Propyl) — Unfortunately, most of the popular commercial products today contain parabens. Such chemicals are useful for manufacturers because they prolong the shelf life of their skincare products. However, there are actually natural ingredients that are safer alternatives. Raw ingredients like Vitamin E oil and Vitamin C powder help keep our homemade moisturisers fungus-free.
Retinyl Palmitate — Across many reliable resources online informs us that this chemical has harmful effects particularly during the day. Ironically, it is found not only in moisturising products but also in sunscreens. Be keen and make sure to avoid this chemical if you opt to scout for a conventional product including moisturisers.
SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) — This chemical is infamous to cause skin irritations. For homemade moisturisers, try to use SLSA powder as a safer alternative. It functions similar to SLS as it is also hydrophilic.
Triethanolamine — This chemical can be a mouthful of an ingredient. Manufacturers utilise this highly alkaline substance to balance out pH levels in various skincare products. However, certain studies concluded that wastewaters containing triethanolamine harm our environment. It significantly affects the pH level of our water resources such as rivers and streams — thereby damaging marine life.

SIMPLE DIY MOISTURISER RECIPES

To kickstart your homemade skincare journey, check out some of the following homemade moisturiser recipes that might be suitable for your skin. You can always make them in the comfort of your home.

FOR DRY SKIN: SHEA BUTTER FACE DIY MOISTURISER

Ingredients:

½ cup Shea Butter

6-7 drops Sea Buckthorn oil

6-7 drops Rosehip Seed oil

6-7 drops Geranium oil

1 teaspoon Avocado oil

Procedure:

First, melt your shea butter in a double boiler.
Once the butter has softened, remove it from heat.
Then, add your avocado oil and mix.
Add the remaining essential oils and mix until the creamy texture develops.
Lastly, store your DIY moisturiser in a container and it’s ready to use! Discard after a few weeks.

Benefits:

Sea Buckthorn Oil – effective in treating eczema and soothes itchy and dry skin.
Rosehip Seed , Geranium, and Avocado Oils – has equally soothing effects on dry skin.
Shea Butter – makes skin moisturised and nourished.

FOR OILY SKIN: MILK AND OLIVE OIL DIY MOISTURISER

Ingredients:

¼ cup of fresh milk
2-3 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil
2-3 tbsp. of lemon juice

Procedure: Just mix all the ingredients together and store them in a container of choice. Discard after a few weeks.

Benefits:

Milk – rich in lactic acid that soothes and calms your skin with a great anti-bacterial agent.
Olive oil – is a natural anti-microbial material that kills acne-forming bacteria.
Lemon juice – regulates the oils to reduce any excessive greasiness.

DIY MOISTURISER TIPS: DO’S AND DON’TS

Cardinal rules are important. However, some relative tips along the way can’t hurt at all and might just be the saving grace in your skincare journey. Maximise the use of your homemade moisturiser through the following tips:

Do record all the ingredients you bought — This simple task seems irrelevant at the moment but it will come in handy in the long run. We don’t want you wasting your resources just because you forgot you had already bought them!
Do wash your hands before starting the craft — As simple as it sounds, we sometimes forget this. It is always a good idea to remind you from time to time.
Be keen of your moisturisers’ fragrance — We all love to smell great. However, some of us have sensitive skin that may be allergic to most synthetic fragrances. This is why homemade moisturisers are advantageous. You can add your favourite fragrances using natural essential oils that are mild on our skin and gives us a fresh scent.
Do moisturise evenly — It is good practice to apply your homemade moisturiser evenly. If not evenly spread, the excessive build-up of the formula on parts of the skin may cause the clogging of pores. This clogging may cause pimple breakouts. This is also to ensure that your skin evenly receives the nutrients your DIY moisturiser contains.
Do take your skin care routine seriously — Even if we purchase the most expensive or popular product, our skin would not get the result it deserves if we don’t take our skin care routine seriously. It is important to be consistent with our routine for the best results.
Don’t use face oil before your moisturiser — When applying homemade moisturisers onto the skin, it is encouraged to put the lightest product first then gradually applying the heaviest. When you put a heavier formula such as a face oil before your moisturiser, it would penetrate through your homemade moisturiser — making your skin look oiler than ever.
Don’t forget your neck — Oftentimes, we only put products on our necks once we are done with our face. It is important to put the same amount of your DIY moisturiser or sunscreen to maintain consistent skin tone in those two areas.
Don’t be afraid to use moisturisers with oil — Keep in mind that all sorts of creams or serums have a little bit of oil in them. This is for good application of the product onto your skin, and it is the same for homemade moisturisers. Take note that these nourishing oils do not clog the pores when applied properly and correctly.
Don’t shower with hot temperature — It is very relaxing to shower with warm water. However, warm water may strip off the essential oils that are needed to keep your skin moisturised. Just switch to lukewarm water. Applying a bespoke homemade moisturiser helps in supplying back the moisture content needed by our skin.
10.Don’t leave your face hanging — Leaving your face bare even just for a few minutes may cause dehydration. After cleansing your face, immediately apply your next skincare product. Preferably, use your serum first and let it dry. Once it dries, apply your DIY moisturiser and apply sunscreen in the morning.

FINAL THOUGHTS

There are a lot of benefits to reap in making homemade moisturisers. More importantly, they are not as difficult and overwhelming to make when you are guided accordingly. The cardinal rules discussed above are crucial if you want to succeed with the first few attempts. Let your adventurous side and curiosity lead the course by experimenting on these natural ingredients whilst diligently examining which products are appropriate for your skin. Have fun crafting your homemade moisturiser!

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOMEMADE MOISTURISERS

Haven’t gotten your hands working yet? Before starting your craft, know more about homemade moisturisers by reading the following articles:

WHERE TO FIND QUALITY DIY MOISTURISER INGREDIENTS ONLINE IN BULK AT A WHOLESALE PRICE IN AUSTRALIA

If you are looking for premium yet cost-effective quality ingredients for your DIY moisturiser, look no further. N-Essentials’ is the shop for you! The online business’s credibility in skincare significantly developed over the years and is now fully established. More and more clients have trusted our brandbecause of its quality products and excellent service.

Furthermore, the shop is fully committed to provide only quality skincare and personal care products; hence, only the best products are offered to you that fit your purpose. Feel free to browse our online catalogue and explore a wide range of natural ingredients which you can buy online in bulk at a wholesale price.

Got questions you wish to have addressed? Or wish to discuss bulk orders at a wholesale price? Don’t hesitate to contact our team via email at info@n-essentials.com.au, and we will gladly assist you.