Natural Face Lotion DIY

In our current economy, it can be hard to make room in your budget for pricey facial lotions purchased at retail stores. So why not reach into your cupboard or garden and whip up your own beauty boosting facial remedies that are also chemical and toxic free?

Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are so named because they "carry" an essential oil (EO) to the skin. Carrier oils refer to base oils that are used to dilute essential oils before applying them directly to your skin.

Different carrier oils offer different properties and the choice of carrier oil can depend on the therapeutic benefit being sought. Shea Butter and Sweet Almond oil are only two of the carrier oils that can be used.

The following chart shows all the carrier oils that can be used for the skin and the benefits of each one.

AlmondSweet
Oil

Apricot Kernel

Oil

Avocado Oil


Borage Oil


Calendula Oil


Cocoa Butter


Coconut Oil


Evening Primrose Oil

GrapeseedOil


Hazelnut Oil


Jojoba Oil


Kukui Oil


Macadamia

Nut Oil

Olive Oil


Peanut Oil

Pecan Oil


Rose Hip Oil


Sesame Oil


SheaButter


SunflowerOil


Walnut Oil


Wheatgerm  Oil
Always purchase
“cold pressed" oils

Oils that are not cold-pressed have been heated and have a minimal therapeutic effect.
Mineral Oil will DRY the skin and
does not penetrate the skin, therefore the EO will not be absorbed
“Organic" Oils are the purest


  • Shea Butter (unrefined) Shea butter moisturizes skin and helps protect from UV rays.  It's said to help all manners of skin problems, bruising, and has a superior moisturizing effect on the upper layer of the skin, reduces the effects of aging skin and helps scar tissue. Read more about the benefits of Shea Butter Note: Shea butter is not recommended for those experiencing nut or latex allergies. 
  • Sweet Almond Oil is preferred for massage and widely used in lotions, creams, ointments and soap. It is said to have great nutritional value, for all skin types, and has a similar make up to baby's sebum (the natural oil produced by the skin). It contains glycosides, minerals, vitamins and is rich in protein. It has little to no natural scent. This oil should be stored cool or refrigerated as it does go rancid quickly.
Recipe Ingredients and Benefits

Natural Vitamin E (oil for skin)


This is an antioxidant that keeps your oil based products from going rancid. An additional benefit is that vitamin E is good for the skin.


Neem Oil is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, relieves dry skin, soothes itchiness, redness and irritation, improves general skin health and immunity, combating bacterial infections, as in acne, boils and ulcers. It truly seems that it has magical powers
Unrefined Coconut Oil
Make sure it is "pure unrefined virgin coconut oil". It's a moisturizer, antibiotic, multivitamin, multi-nutrient, nourishing, anti-aging, anti wrinkle and anti-oxidant and a powerful antioxidant to smooth away your wrinkles!

Read more about this all in one natural solution for your skin. Unrefined coconut oil is also very beneficial when used in cooking.

Sea Buckthorn (Berry) Oil 
Sea Buckthorn oil is said to have proven effective in the treatment of skin conditions including burns, skin ulcers, cancer, acne and dermatitis of various forms. Research indicates that products containing Sea Buckthorn Berry appear to promote cell tissue regeneration, thus aiding in the healing of wounds, and restoring skin tissue.

Lavender Essential Oil
Essential oils are extracted from plants and flowers and have been used in skin care for millennia. Lavender essential oil is especially popular as it has a pleasing scent and it has antibacterial, antifungal properties and is so gentle, it can be used with infants.
Unlike other essential oils that must be diluted in a carrier oil such as almond or avocado oil before applying to the skin, lavender can be applied directly to the skin. It has been used to speed the healing of burns and it is known as a calming, “sedative” essential oil.




Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and another free-radical buster, preventing the molecules that cause skin damage and wrinkles. According to Dr. Hema Sundaram in Prevention Magazine, a concentration of 5 percent or more vitamin C in a skin cream is ideal to combat wrinkles, skin damage and other signs of aging.

Recipe for a "Natural Face Lotion"

Ingredients:

Choose one of the carrier oils listed in the chart...

Shea Butter (carrier)
Sweet Almond Oil (carrier)
Vitamin E Oil (carrier)
Neem Oil
Organic Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil (great for cooking also.)
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Lavender Essential Oil
Vitamin C liquid
  • 2 tbsp. of Shea Butter (adjust for the size of your glass container and the consistency you desire) use this if you desire a creamy base
  • 2 caps full of Sweet Almond Oil (or carrier of your choice)
  • 5 drops of Vitamin E Oil (this acts also as a preservative)
  • 1 dropper of Neem Oil
  • 1 tsp. Coconut Oil (Jojoba Oil or Olive Oil can be substituted in cold weather)
  • 5 drops of Sea Buckthorn Oil
  • 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
  • 1 dropper of Vitamin C liquid
Directions: Mix the ingredients together thoroughly in a small glass container with a lid or a glass dropper bottle. If you prefer a creamier consistency, use more Shea Butter. Before each use stir the contents or shake the bottle. 

If you like using oils, eliminate the Shea Butter and use the carrier of your choice and put it into a blue or amber small glass bottle with a dropper. 

I like using this method the best, as there's less chance of contamination by putting your fingers directly into the lotion.

Thoroughly cleanse your face to remove dirt and other residue from your pores, using a chemical free castile soap like Dr. Bronners. I recommend applying a very warm washcloth on your face for 15 to 30 seconds to open the pores. Apply to your face with your hands or with an applicator.

The Following Oils are Optional:

Coconut Oil (hardens in cold weather)
Pure virgin (unrefined) coconut oil is the best natural ingredient for skin lotion available. It will not only bring temporary relief to the skin, but it will aid in healing and repairing. It will have lasting benefits, unlike most lotions. It can help bring back a youthful appearance.

Natural Chemical Free Skin Lotion 

small amount will provide a "creamier base". Do not purchase if it contains any of the chemicals/toxins listed in Natural Revolution, which is an informative and interesting site dealing with health and the dangers to be on the lookout for.

Jojoba Oil
It has anti bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it is ideal to use for skin problems. Even people with oily skin can use jojoba oil since it is non comedogenic and so does not block the pores of the skin.

Jojoba oil can also be used as a makeup remover in place of regular makeup removers. Small amounts of this oil can be applied on lips to keep it soft and supple.

Olive Oil 
For centuries, Mediterranean beauties have relied on olive oil to help maintain good health, a fresh, dewy complexion, lustrous hair, and more. What you put on your body ends up in your body. Olive oil is full of nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, and natural compounds that benefit our bodies inside and out.

Each time I make a new batch of lotion, I add either a small amount of Jojoba Oil or Olive Oil to the mixture, so my skin doesn't get used to the same mixture all the time. 

This recipe works for me and I know it will work for you.

My testimonial for these miracle ingredients: 


Since I've been using this Natural Face Lotion my skin has improved dramatically from the sun damage I incurred. I've also said goodbye to my doctor who has been removing "pre-cancerous" skin lesions from my face for the past several years.


Who Knew?

You might be reassured that a “hypoallergenic” product won't cause problems for your sensitive skin, but the term actually doesn't mean much. 

Companies put this word on cosmetics that they think are less harsh than others, but there are no federal regulations guiding the use of the word. 

Most dermatologists agree that a products labeled as “hypoallergenic” is no different from a product without the label...if you can even find one.