How to make your own moisturiser based on your skin type
Moisturiser is one of the most important elements of any effective skincare routine. Of course, just because moisturiser plays an important role in the appearance of your skin doesn't mean it has to be a huge detriment to your wallet. Sure, luxury formulas are satisfying to use, but getting creative with cheaper options can be just as effective. The trick is to know what to reach for - and we don't mean store-bought drugstore products either. Instead, consider the contents of your pantry. Moisturiser is pretty easy to DIY, and most recipes call for ingredients you probably already have at home.
1. for dry and combination skin: Shea butter moisturiser
If you have dry skin (or dry combination skin), Janene says adding a simple healing cream to your routine will help improve the situation. "An ideal moisturiser will do the job quickly and efficiently - meaning you shouldn't need a lot of it to give your skin a boost," she explains. When it comes to formulating the ultimate DIY version of this, she applauds shea butter for its healing, protective and anti-ageing powers.
"It improves virtually any skin condition," she says. In addition, she likes to add cocoa butter to the mix, thanks to its super moisturising, extremely gentle nature. That and the face it melts into a very light oil that absorbs easily into the skin. To complete the ideal cocktail for dry / combination skin, she recommends olive oil to dilute the overall formula with just a touch, making it easier to sink into the skin to really unleash its benefits. "The result is a super-luxurious staple that is also a powerful moisturiser and skin treatment," says Janene.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup shea butter
- ¼ cup cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
- Melt the cocoa butter on the cooker or in the microwave. "It should only take a few seconds, so keep an eye on it and take it off the cooker as soon as it has melted," instructs Janene.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the pot/bowl. Mix thoroughly.
- Let the mixture cool down. "Let it cool completely - you can put it in the fridge until it sets. It usually takes less than an hour, " says Janene.
- Stir for the final texture. After setting, stir the ingredients together again to get the final texture, which Janene says should be like butter.
- Transfer the mixture to a jar. According to Janene, this combination will last for six to eight months and should be used within that time, as your hands will introduce bacteria into the product each time you use it. Of course, if you use a skin care spatula or spoon to divide it up, you can enjoy it for the latter.
2. for combination skin: Hazelnut oil cocktail
According to Grigore, combination skin that is oily in certain areas (like your T-zone) can be due to a lack of moisture and the use of too many stripping products. "Natural oils quickly penetrate the pores and help the skin produce its own moisture again - that's the ultimate goal," she explains. In terms of oils to use, she recommends gentle, moisturising hazelnut oil (which offers astringent properties), hydrating, collagen-boosting avocado oil, and sesame and jojoba oils, both of which are as light as possible and work wonders to keep bacteria a bay on the surface of your skin.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon hazelnut oil
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or jojoba oil)
Instructions:
- Combine the oils. Pour all three oils into a small dropper bottle, screw on the lid and shake to mix.
- It's that simple. Note, however, that this recipe has only 12 uses. So you can double it if you want more. Apart from the quantity, as this is an oil moisturiser, not a solid lotion or cream, bacteria is less likely to get into the bottle as you can disperse the formula with the pipette. Nevertheless, Grigore recommends using it within six months of mixing.
- When it comes to applying the formula, she recommends massaging it into your face to really activate the oils. It's also best used at night, as she recommends washing it off if you want to wear make-up. That said, if you're passing out over a damp face, another option is to use just a drop or two and dab it into your skin and remove excess with a towel.
3. for oily and acne-prone skin: bacteria-killing, moisturising mist.
Last but not least, we have an acne-prone specific formula. According to Grigore, skin that breaks out regularly is in its most sensitive state. For this reason, the gentler the DIY formula, the better.
Part of being gentle is knowing which texture to choose - and remembering that not all moisturisers have to be solid creams or lotions or even oils. With this in mind, Grigore recommends avoiding solid formulas and suggests preparing a moisturising hydrosol instead. " Plant hydrosols are perfect for this - you can splash them all day and watch your skin, thank you," she explains. "They also kill bacteria and tighten the skin so you get enough hydration without making your broken out skin worse."
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons lavender water
- 1 tablespoon peppermint water
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel
- 5 to 10 drops of lavender oil
Instructions:
- Combine the ingredients. Grigore says to pour all the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well.
- It's that simple! Only use the full bottle within six months, as it loses its effectiveness and can form bacteria after this time.
- In terms of when to use a hydrosol, Grigore says whenever and wherever.
- "Spritz after washing your skin and whenever you need it," she assures, noting that this moisturising blend will heal and revive acne-prone skin.