moisturizer with argan oil

3-INGREDIENT DIY FACE MOISTURIZERS

In this post, I’ll walk you through some of the simplest and most effective DIY face moisturizers. I’ll break down the basic ingredients you’ll need to effectively moisturize your skin, and guide you through the steps to apply them in the most beginner-friendly way.

This post won’t cover DIY oil-and-water emulsions, like creams or lotions. While making a cream is not particularly complicated, I wanted to create a beginner-level guide with recipes that anyone—regardless of experience—can easily follow (even if you can’t boil an egg).

Though creating a cream can range from simple to more advanced, it always requires some special tools, a proper emulsifier to mix the water and oil phases, and a preservative. Since creams can be more involved, and not everyone wants to deal with all of that (honestly, I don’t always either), I’ll save that for a separate post.

Here, I’ll explain the difference between hydration and moisturization (and why you need both!) along with an easy way to achieve both without making a cream. After that, I’ll share the 3 most effective hydrators, followed by a simple recipe for creating a customized nourishing oil moisturizer tailored to your skin type.

You’ll only need 3 ingredients (one of which might even be water!) for your DIY face moisturizer.

MOISTURIZING VS. HYDRATING (& WHY YOU NEED BOTH)

The terms moisturizing and hydrating are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different things.

Hydrators are ingredients that add water to the skin (known as humectants). They help to plump the skin and keep it feeling supple. On the other hand, moisturizers are ingredients that provide emollients (oils) to the skin. These oils help smooth the skin and lock in hydration.

All skin types—dry, normal, and oily—need both hydration and moisture. Skin types are defined by the amount of sebum (natural oils) they produce, but regardless of sebum production, skin can still become dehydrated if it loses too much water.

Even if your skin is hydrated, if it lacks a proper protective barrier (meaning the skin’s natural oil production is insufficient), it can feel dry because the water will evaporate.

Hydrators and moisturizers can be separate products, or they can be combined into one. For example, a cream or lotion blends both water and oil phases, providing hydration (water) and sealing it in with moisture (oil).

However, you don’t need to go through the trouble of making a cream or lotion to create effective DIY face moisturizers.

HOW TO PROPERLY MOISTURIZE YOUR SKIN

To properly moisturize your skin, you need to provide both water and oil. You can do this with a traditional moisturizer (a cream), or for a simpler approach, you can use a hydrating toner (water-based) followed by a nourishing face oil or fat to lock in that hydration, nourish the skin, and smooth it out.

Below is a list of the best and most convenient hydrators and moisturizing oils for creating easy DIY face moisturizers. To use, start by choosing a hydrator from the list to apply as a toner after cleansing your face. While your skin is still damp, apply the face oil of your choice (from the moisturizing oils section). Gently massage it in until fully absorbed.

For added benefits, you can use a quick lymph-draining face massage to help the oils absorb and boost circulation.

MOST EFFECTIVE DIY FACE MOISTURIZERS

THE METHOD

Step 1: Choose one of the hydrating ingredients from the list of hydrators below.

Step 2: Select your carrier and essential oils from the moisturizing oils list.

Step 3: Combine and mix both in your hands before applying to your skin.

Alternatively, apply the hydrator first and follow up with the oil mixture while your skin is still damp.

…and that’s it – easy DIY face moisturizers!

HYDRATORS

Hydrators are ingredients that draw water to the skin (humectants), helping to smooth out wrinkles and lines by plumping the skin. This is the first step after cleansing your face, ensuring your skin gets the hydration it needs.

Pick one of the following hydrators for your DIY moisturizer:

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
HA is naturally produced by the body to retain collagen and boost hydration. It helps skin heal, prevents water loss, and plumps the skin. You can buy HA powder and make your own, which is often more cost-effective than store-bought products.

  • Basic HA Gel Recipe:
    • 1g of HA powder (approximately 1/4 teaspoon)
    • 100g/ml of distilled water (about 1/2 cup)
      Combine the two and let sit for several hours or overnight. Stir to create a gel, and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Glycerin
Glycerin is a powerful humectant that attracts moisture to the skin. It also helps restore the skin’s barrier function, protecting against irritation and water loss. However, it should be diluted, as pure glycerin can have a drying effect.

  • Basic Glycerin Hydrating Toner:
    • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) glycerin
    • 100 ml distilled water
      Mix in a glass spritz bottle and shake well. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is both a humectant and a powerful skin healer, making it a great addition to your DIY moisturizer. It draws moisture to the skin and can be paired with other ingredients for deeper absorption.

  • How to Use:
    Apply a dollop of aloe vera gel directly to your skin, or use the inner flesh of a fresh aloe vera leaf to rub over your face and neck.

MOISTURIZERS

After hydrating your skin, you’ll need oils or butters to lock in that moisture and protect your skin’s barrier.

Basic Nourishing Face Oil Recipe:

  • 30 ml / 1 oz dark glass bottle with a dropper
  • Choose one or more carrier oils (see list below)
  • Add 6 to 12 drops (1% to 2%) of essential oils
    Shake well and apply half a dropper onto damp skin. Massage until absorbed.

If you prefer butters, melt a small dollop between your hands and apply after the hydrator.

Which Oils to Choose According to Skin Type:

  • Oily or Combination Skin:
    Use lighter oils to avoid clogging pores. Good options include tamanu, jojoba, grapeseed, rosehip, linseed, apricot kernel.
    Essential Oils: Lemon, basil, lavender, rosemary, tea tree, thyme.
  • Normal Skin:
    Opt for oils that are balanced, like pumpkin, almond, sesame, argan, jojoba, sunflower.
    Essential Oils: Lavender, geranium, chamomile.
  • Sensitive or Irritated Skin:
    Use soothing oils like jojoba, rosehip, linseed, or apricot kernel.
    Essential Oils: Chamomile, lavender, frankincense, geranium.
  • Dry Skin:
    Go for heavier, more protective oils and butters like olive, avocado, coconut, sweet almond, or any of the thicker butters (cocoa, shea, mango).
    Essential Oils: Chamomile, myrrh, sandalwood, clary sage.
  • Mature Skin:
    Focus on nourishing oils such as rosehip, argan, jojoba, tamanu, and pomegranate.
    Essential Oils: Lavender, frankincense, myrrh, cypress, neroli.

CONCLUSION

I’ve been using this DIY face moisturizer and it’s still my favorite. It offers endless customization and ensures that my skincare is always fresh and natural. I hope you find it as effective as I do!

HOMEMADE TALLOW FACE CREAM: DIY MOISTURIZER RECIPE

This homemade face moisturizer is the purest, most natural skincare product you can make. It’s a nutrient-rich, whipped tallow cream that provides deep hydration, soothing relief, and powerful anti-aging benefits.

What is tallow? What is tallow cream?

Tallow is simply rendered beef fat, with “rendered” meaning the process of cooking down animal fat.

I explain more about tallow in this post and show how to make it step-by-step in my guide on rendering tallow.

On its own, tallow tends to be stiff and difficult to spread on the skin. To create a smoother tallow face and body cream, you mix melted tallow with a liquid oil like olive or jojoba. This results in a cream with the perfect consistency for easy application.

You can keep tallow cream plain, or enhance it with essential oils for added benefits. Including essential oils with anti-aging properties turns the tallow face cream into the ultimate DIY moisturizer.

You can either whip the tallow face cream or leave it as a solid balm. I personally prefer the whipped version—it’s light, fluffy, and so enjoyable to use!

Easy tallow face cream recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup organic, grass fed tallow
  • 1/4 cup liquid oil (carrot seed, avocado, olive, argan, rose hip seed)
  • 48+ drops essential oils

Instructions:

  • Melt tallow until liquid.
  • Add liquid oil and stir to combine.
  • Allow mixture to chill in freezer until just barely solidified, not liquid and soft enough to easily whip.
  • Whip with hand mixer until fluffy.
  • Add essential oils and whip to combine.
  • Store in a glass jar.

Why use tallow on your skin? Is tallow good for skin?

What are the benefits of tallow? As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, tallow is incredible for our skin. You can read more about its amazing properties in detail here and here.

In short, 100% grass-fed tallow is so beneficial because it’s highly biocompatible with our skin cells. You can feel the difference as soon as you apply it—your skin seems to instantly recognize and absorb it! Bison tallow offers similar benefits as well.

Grass-fed tallow makes an excellent face cream due to the rich array of skin-friendly nutrients it contains (source). Here are some of the key nutrients found in grass-fed tallow:

  • Vitamins A, B12, D, E, and K: This unique combination of vitamins, only found together in animal products, deeply nourishes the skin and promotes healthy cell function.
  • Omega-3 (Alpha-linolenic acid) and Omega-6 (Linoleic acid): These essential fatty acids are present in an almost perfect 1:1 ratio. They maintain the structure and barrier function of the skin, support anti-inflammatory responses, and help manage conditions like eczema and rosacea.
  • Stearic and Oleic acids: These fatty acids, found in the outer layer of the skin and sebum, soften, moisturize, and regenerate the skin. Stearic acid repairs and improves skin flexibility and strengthens the skin barrier, while oleic acid aids in nutrient absorption deep into the skin.
  • Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, CLA helps soothe and protect the skin.
  • Palmitoleic acid: A potent antimicrobial that forms one of the building blocks of our skin, but its levels decline with age.
  • Palmitic acid: Enhances skin smoothness, supports the skin’s barrier function, and also decreases with age.

Is tallow good for your face?

Absolutely! Here are some of the amazing benefits that 100% grass-fed tallow provides for the skin, especially on the face:

  • Nutrient-rich repair: Tallow is packed with the nutrients our skin needs to repair itself, making it an excellent moisturizer for achieving healthy, radiant skin.
  • Promotes youthful skin: Many of the nutrients in grass-fed tallow replenish substances our skin loses as we age, helping to maintain a youthful appearance.
  • Biocompatibility with skin: Tallow closely mimics the natural oils our skin produces, which makes it highly compatible and easily absorbed by the skin.
  • Intense hydration: Tallow offers deeper, more intense moisture compared to plant-based oils. You’ll notice how soothing and hydrating it is right away, especially for dry skin.
  • Skin protection and repair: Beyond repairing damaged skin, tallow also helps prevent future damage. Its antioxidants and other nutrients keep skin healthy, strong, and resilient.
  • Prevents acne and breakouts: The natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of tallow help prevent acne while calming and soothing skin inflammation.

How often to use tallow face cream

If your skin is too dry or too oily, how much tallow face cream to use depends on your skin type and its current needs.

  • For dry or mature skin, using your DIY face cream twice a day is ideal to keep your skin hydrated and nourished.
  • For oily skin, it’s best to use the cream once a day, every other day, or even less frequently, depending on how your skin responds.

It’s important to experiment and find the right balance for your skin. Keep in mind, a little bit of tallow cream goes a long way, so start with a small amount. If you accidentally apply too much, simply use a dry towel to gently remove the excess.

Will tallow clog pores?

No, tallow is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores (source). Its compatibility with our skin’s natural sebum allows it to work harmoniously, moisturizing, soothing, and repairing the skin without causing breakouts.

If you notice any issues with your pores, you’re likely using too much. A little tallow goes a long way, so applying just the right amount will give you all the benefits without any problems.

Does tallow contain collagen?

Not exactly, but several antioxidants in tallow do support collagen production and maintenance in the skin, helping to keep it firm and smooth.

Two key antioxidants found in grass-fed tallow are vitamin E and vitamin A. Vitamin E helps prevent the breakdown of collagen, while vitamin A promotes collagen production in the skin (source). Together, these vitamins contribute to maintaining healthy, youthful skin.

Which is better: lard or tallow?

Sometimes people wonder if they can use lard for skin care like they can with tallow. While you can use lard, tallow is a far better option.

Lard from free-range, naturally raised pork does provide some vitamin D, but that’s about it. In contrast, tallow boasts a wide array of fat-soluble vitamins and an abundance of other beneficial nutrients. Overall, tallow is the clear winner for skincare.

Also use it as a whipped tallow facial cleanser

That’s right! This DIY face moisturizer also works wonderfully as an oil cleansing balm. In fact, it’s my absolute favorite product to use when I practice the oil cleansing method.

You might be wondering: What is oil cleansing? If you’re new to the oil cleansing method and its many benefits, be sure to check out my post on oil cleansing with tallow here—it’s incredible!

Another fantastic way I love to use tallow is as a deep conditioning treatment for my hair. You can read all about how I incorporate tallow into my hair care routine here.

conclusion

In conclusion, 100% grass-fed tallow is a remarkable ingredient for skin and hair care, offering a wealth of nutrients and benefits. Its biocompatibility with our skin makes it an effective moisturizer, while its rich array of vitamins and fatty acids promotes skin repair, hydration, and overall health. Whether used as a face cream, oil cleansing balm, or deep conditioning treatment for hair, tallow stands out as a versatile and powerful natural product. Embracing tallow in your skincare routine can lead to healthier, more radiant skin and revitalized hair. Experiment with the right amounts for your specific skin type, and enjoy the incredible results that come with this primal goodness!