How to Make Face Cream

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Co-authored by Lorena Barcal

Last Updated: September 20, 2024 References

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Almond Oil Face Cream

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Aloe Vera Face Cream

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Green Tea Face Cream

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FAQ

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Tips

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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

Whether you are looking to live more frugally, or you simply wish to lead a more organic lifestyle, there are lots of ways to make face cream at home. Not only does homemade face cream cost a lot less than what you'd get in a store, you can control exactly what goes inside. For a basic face cream, mix together almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter. Melt the ingredients in warm water and transfer the cream to a jar to harden. Keep reading for more ways to make natural and moisturizing face creams!

Making Homemade Face Cream

Mix ¼ c (60 ml) of almond oil and 2 tbsp (28 g) of coconut oil in a cup.
Add in 2 tbsp (28 g) of beeswax pellets and 1 tbsp (13 g) of shea butter.
Bring a pot of water to a simmer.
Place the measuring cup in the water to melt the ingredients.
Add vitamin E to the mixture and several drops of essential oils.
Pour the cream into a jar to cool and harden.

For popular FAQs on making face cream, jump to more common questions.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Almond Oil Face Cream

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1
Place the first four ingredients into a heat-safe jar or measuring cup. You will need ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of almond oil, 2 tablespoons (28.35 grams) of coconut oil, 2 tablespoons (28.24 grams) of beeswax pellets, and 1 tablespoon (13.63 grams) of shea butter. Hold off on the vitamin E oil and essential oil for now.^{[1]
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- You can make your own olive oil at home by blending a cup of raw almonds with 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of olive oil. Store it in your fridge for 2 weeks then filter it into a storage container!
Fill a pot with 3 to 4 inches (7.62 to 10.16 centimeters) of water. Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a simmer.^{[2]
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Take the jar that you jut added the oils, beeswax, and shea butter into, and set it into the pot. Leave the jar in the pot until everything melts, stirring occasionally. Do not cover the pot or the jar with anything.^{[3]
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Take the jar out of the water and add the vitamin E oil. Use a pot holder or an oven mitt to take the jar out of the water. Set it down onto a heat-safe surface. Let it cool for a few moments, then stir in ½ teaspoon of vitamin E oil oil.^{[4]
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- Vitamin E oil that comes in a bottle will be easier to measure out, but you can use the capsule kind--just pierce the capsules first.
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Consider adding in a 2 to 3 drops of essential oil. You can use any type of essential oil you like. Start with 2 to 3 drops, then add more if needed. The essential oil will give your face cream a nice smell. Some types of essential oil also have skin care benefits, for example:^{[5]
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- Acne or oily skin: lavender, lemongrass, palmarosa, peppermint, rosemary
- Dry or aging skin: lavender, palmarosa, rose, rose geranium
- Normal skin: rose, rose geranium
- Any skin type: chamomile, palmarosa
Pour the cream into a 4-ounce (120-milliliter), glass jar, preferably one with a wide mouth. Let the cream cool and harden at room temperature.
This cream is safe to use in the evenings and mornings. It will last about 3 months.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Aloe Vera Face Cream

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1
Place your oils and beeswax in a double-boiler. Fill a saucepan with 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) of water, then place a heat-safe glass bowl on top. Add ½ cup (108 grams) of coconut oil, 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of jojoba oil, and 1½ tablespoons (21.32 grams) beeswax pellets.^{[7]
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- Hold off on the aloe vera and essential oil for now.
Turn the heat up to medium and allow the water to come to a simmer. Let the oils and beeswax melt, stirring occasionally. You are ready once they turn liquid and translucent.^{[8]
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Pour the mixture into a blender and let it cool 1 to 1½ hours. Make sure that your blender can withstand heat (ie: glass). If your blender is plastic, let the mixture cool down first, then scrape it into the blender with a spatula.^{[9]
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- If you don't have a blender, you can use a food processor instead.
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Blend the mixture while slowly adding the aloe vera gel. Turn the blender onto a low speed setting. While it is turning, slowly pour 1 cup (236.5 grams) of aloe vera gel into it. From time to time, pause the blender, and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.^{[10]
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- Use a natural aloe vera gel. Don't use aloe vera juice or homemade gel.
5
Add 5 to 8 drops of essential oil. You don't have to do this, but it will give the cream a nice fragrance.^{[11]
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Research source} If you use the right type of essential oil, you could also benefit your skin. For example:^{[12]
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- Acne or oily skin: lavender, lemongrass, palmarosa, peppermint, rosemary
- Dry or aging skin: lavender, palmarosa, rose, rose geranium
- Normal skin: rose, rose geranium
- Any skin type: chamomile, palmarosa
Blend the mixture or whip it by hand until it is light and fluffy. Use a rubber spatula to transfer it into several small glass jars. ¼ or ½-ounce (60 or 120-milliliter) jars would work the bet.
You can keep one of the jars in your bathroom, but you should store the rest in the fridge so that they last longer. Use the cream morning and evening within 3 to 4 months.^{[13]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Green Tea Face Cream

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Fill a pot with 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) of water. Place a heat-safe glass bowl on top, then add the following: ¼ ounce (7.11 grams) beeswax pellets, 1 ounce (30 milliliters) almond oil, 1 ounce (28.35 grams) coconut oil, and ¼ teaspoon rosehip seed oil.
As the ingredients melt, they will start to turn clear. You know they are ready when the color is translucent and no clumps remain.
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Add the tea to the mixture, and let it steep off-heat. Take the bowl off of the pot and set it down onto a heat-safe surface. Add one bag of green tea into the melted oil and beeswax mixture. Let the tea steep for 15 minutes.
- You can keep the tea in the bag, or you can cut the bag open and pour the loose leaves into the mixture.
4
Blend the mixture until it is creamy. You can do this with a hand mixer or a food processor fitted with a whisk. Keep mixing until the mixture turns room-temperature and creamy.
- If you added loose-leaf tea into the mixture, strain it through a fine, mesh sieve first.
Choose an 8-ounce (240-milliliter) jar with a wide mouth. Use a rubber spatula to transfer the mixture into the jar. Let the mixture cool down further, then close the jar.
This cream is great to use in the mornings and evenings. Use it within 3 months.

Common Questions: DIY Face Cream

What are the best ingredients for face cream?

The best ingredients for face creams include moisturizing agents like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and shea butter. A great day cream includes SPF and vitamin C (for protecting your skin), while a great night cream includes retinol (for anti-aging effects).^{[14]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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What skincare ingredients have anti-aging effects?

Some of the best ingredients for anti-aging are vitamin C, retinol, and SPF. Vitamin C increases collagen production to plump your skin and smooth wrinkles. Retinol increases your cell turnover rate, which reduces wrinkles and fine lines. SPF protects your skin from sun damage.^{[15]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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What skincare ingredients tighten your skin?

Face creams that contain moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid can plump up your skin. Retinols help reduce wrinkles and stimulate collagen, which can lead to some skin-tightening effects, too. However, there are no products that can lift and tighten skin besides procedures like laser resurfacing.^{[16]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

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Tips

You can buy essential oils online and in health food stores. Do not substitute fragrance oils or candle making oils; they are not the same thing.

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Beeswax helps stabilize the cream. If you don't have beeswax, you can use half the amount in carnauba, emulsion, or soy wax.

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Use only 100% beeswax. If you can't get it in pellet form, get it in block form and grate it.

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Warnings

Make sure that all of your equipment and jars are clean and sterile. If they are dirty, you risk introducing bacteria to it.

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Never use face cream on dirty skin. You will only trap the dirt and get a break out. Always wash and tone your face first.^{[17]
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