11 Simple Homemade Moisturizers For Dry Skin

Sometimes, it is difficult for dry skin to retain its hydration levels even after dabbing layers of moisturizing products. And that is when customizing your product and preparing homemade moisturizer for dry skin helps. The best part about DIY recipes is that they are easy to prepare, cost-effective, and you can experiment with a variety of hydrating natural ingredients to see what works for you. If you want to give it a try, check out our 11 easy moisturizer recipes for dry skin. Scroll down.

11 Best Natural Moisturizers For Dry Skin

1. DIY Shea Butter Homemade Face Moisturizer For Dry Skin
2. Natural Face Moisturizer For Dry Skin
3. Beeswax Moisturizer For Dry Skin
4. Gentle Aloe Vera Moisturizer For Dry Skin
5. DIY Nourishing Face And Body Cream For Dry Skin
6. DIY Honey And Glycerin Moisturizer For Dry Skin
7. Natural Face Moisturizer For Dry Skin
8. Nourishing Day Cream For Dry Skin
9. DIY Gentle And Hydrating Moisturizer For Dry Skin
10. Revitalizing Hibiscus Moisturizer For Dry Skin
11. Liquorice And Aloe Vera Moisturizer For Dry Skin

Note: The ingredients mentioned in the recipes are easily available on the market or you can buy them online. One thing you should keep in mind is that since these are all natural products, their shelf life is very limited. So, avoid making them in big batches. Instead, prepare them in small batches and use them within a month before they go rancid. Also, while some of these formulations may be non-greasy, keep in mind that these skin care products may not be fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.

1. DIY Shea Butter Homemade Face Moisturizer For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 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

Method

1. Melt the shea butter in a double boiler**.
2. Once it has softened, remove it from the heat.
3. Add avocado oil and mix.
4. Add the essential oils and whip the mixture well until it develops a creamy texture.
5. Store it in a glass jar and use it as your daily face cream.

Why This Works

Sea buckthorn oil is extremely effective in treating eczema and soothes dry and itchy skin (1). Rosehip seed, geranium, and avocado oils have an equally soothing effect on your dry skin while shea butter keeps it moisturized and nourished. Dr. Steven Line, MD, says, “Shea butter is a natural emollient that is rich in fatty acids and helps to moisturize and protect the skin.”

To make a double boiler, pour some water in a saucepan and place it on the stove. Place a heat-proof glass container that fits snugly over the saucepan. Once the water starts simmering, keep the butter on the glass container and let it melt. Keep stirring until it melts.

2. Natural Face Moisturizer For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• ½ cup argan oil (you can also take jojoba oil or hempseed oil)
• ½ teaspoon emu oil
• 4-6 drops essential oil (lemongrass, rose geranium, rose, chamomile, palmarosa, rosemary, lavender, or peppermint)

Method

1. Take a glass bottle and pour argan oil into it.
2. Add the other oils to the argan oil and mix well.
3. Use the blend to massage your skin.

Why This Works

Argan oil is light and suitable for soothing dry skin. Emu oil is a natural emollient that helps in locking moisture in your skin and heals it from within. Essential oils (the listed ones) have an overall healing effect, especially for dry and sensitive skin.

3. Beeswax Moisturizer For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• ¼ cup beeswax pellets
• ½ cup coconut oil
• ½ cup olive oil
• 10 drops essential oil (patchouli, Roman chamomile, vanilla, sandalwood, frankincense, clary sage, lavender, or geranium oil)

Method

1. Use a double boiler to melt the beeswax.
2. Once it melts, remove it from the boiler and let it cool.
3. Add the coconut and olive oils and whip well.
4. Add the essential oil(s).
5. Whip the mixture well until you get a creamy texture.
6. Transfer the mixture to a glass jar and store it in a cool and dry place (do not refrigerate).

Why This Works

Both beeswax and olive oil heal skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) (2). Coconut oil provides added moisturization to your skin, and essential oils promote further healing.

Fun Fact

Beeswax was a key ingredient in the first cosmetic cream developed by the Greek physician Aelius Galenus in 150 B.C.

4. Gentle Aloe Vera Moisturizer For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 1 cup aloe vera gel (use store-bought gel or scoop out the gel from an aloe leaf)
• 12 tablespoons beeswax
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup almond oil
• 10 drops essential oil(s) (pick any from the oils mentioned in the above recipes)

Method

1. Melt the beeswax, coconut, and almond oils in a double boiler.
2. Pour the oils into a blender and let the mixture cool down.
3. Add the essential oils and the aloe vera gel. Blend until you get a creamy texture.
4. Store the mixture in a glass jar. You can even store it in the refrigerator.

Why This Works

Aloe vera soothes your skin and reduces inflammation (itches and dry patches). Beeswax heals your skin and keeps it moisturized, and essential oils prevent infection and help in healing your skin.

Iqra Iftikhar, a blogger, shares some of her favorite homemade moisturizers with her readers. She writes in one of her blog posts: “Now, I’m going to share some of my favorite tried-and-true home remedies that have worked wonders for moisturizing my dry face….For a cooling and soothing remedy, I turn to cucumber and aloe vera (i).”

5. DIY Nourishing Face And Body Cream For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• ½ cup shea butter
• 2 tablespoons almond oil
• 5 drops rosemary essential oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops tea tree essential oil
• 3 drops carrot seed essential oil

Method

1. Melt the shea butter in a double boiler. Add almond oil after it melts and turn the burner off.
2. Let the mixture cool (but do not let it solidify) and then add the essential oils.
3. Whip the mixture well. You can use a whisk or blend it in a mixer (for a few seconds).
4. Scoop out the creamy mixture into a glass jar. Store it at room temperature.
5. Massage the cream on your body and face.

Why This Works

The essential oils protect your skin cells. All these oils have antiseptic properties that heal infections and prevent skin damage and rashes caused by excessive dryness. Shea butter and almond oil keep your skin moisturized and nourished.

6. DIY Honey And Glycerin Moisturizer For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 teaspoons glycerin
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (diluted)
• 2 teaspoons green tea

Method

1. Mix all the ingredients well.
2. Massage the mixture gently on your skin for a few minutes.
3. Leave it on overnight.
4. Wash it off the next day.

Why This Works

Glycerin and honey are humectants that keep your skin moisturized and hydrated. Lemon brightens up your skin while the green tea calms your skin and keeps infection at bay. Dr. Line adds, “Glycerin is a natural humectant that attracts water to the skin and helps to keep it hydrated.”

Note: Lemon juice may not suit everyone, so do a patch test first. You can skip adding lemon juice altogether if you want to.

7. Natural Face Moisturizer For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon chamomile tea (or dried chamomile flowers)
• ½ cup water
• 1 tablespoon lanolin
• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• ½ cup sweet almond oil
• 1 vitamin A capsule
• 1 vitamin E capsule
• 3 drops geranium essential oil

Method

1. Put the chamomile tea (or flowers) in the water, simmer for 10 minutes and strain the liquid.
2. Melt the lanolin (if you are not using liquid lanolin) and beeswax in a double boiler.
3. Let the mixture cool down. Add the chamomile brew.
4. Pierce the vitamin capsules and squeeze the liquid into the mixture. Keep stirring and then add the essential oil.
5. Whip it well until you get a creamy texture.
6. Transfer the mixture to a glass jar and store it in a cool and dark place.
7. Massage on your body and face as and when required.

Why This Works

This homemade cream provides intense hydration to your skin. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that have a softening and soothing effect on irritated skin (3). Almond oil and beeswax provide nourishment to your skin and prevent drying.

8. Nourishing Day Cream For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 3 tablespoons sweet almond oil
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 3 teaspoon beeswax
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 tablespoons mineral water
• 1 drop peppermint essential oil

Method

1. Melt the beeswax and the oils in a double boiler.
2. Warm the mineral water (don’t boil) and slowly add it to the molten beeswax and oil mix. Keep stirring.
3. Remove the beeswax from the heat once it melts and let it cool down.
4. Add the essential oils and whip vigorously.
5. Scoop out the cream into a glass jar and store it in a cool, dry place.
6. Use it as a day cream.

Why This Works

Avocado and almond oils contain UV filters that protect your skin from the harmful UV rays while keeping it moisturized (4). The essential oils (lavender and peppermint) also have a sun protection factor. These oils protect your skin from UV rays and keep your skin healthy.

Did You Know?

The SPF value of almond oil is 5, and peppermint oil is around 7. That’s why they are commonly used in sunscreen formulations.

9. DIY Gentle And Hydrating Moisturizer For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 3 tablespoons shea butter
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
• 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
• 3 tablespoons apricot seed oil
• 5 drops helichrysum essential oil
• 5 drops of myrrh essential oil
• 3 drops clary sage essential oil

Method

1. Melt the shea butter in a double boiler and allow it to cool down a bit.
2. Whisk the butter once it cools down and add the oils and aloe vera gel. Keep mixing.
3. Once it reaches a creamy consistency, transfer the cream to a glass container.
4. Apply it to your face and body as and when required.

Why This Works

Shea butter has amazing healing and moisturizing properties. It contains vitamins A, D, and E that keep your skin nourished and help in healing eczema and other dry skin issues. Apricot seed oil goes along well with shea butter as it is non-irritant, and just like shea butter, it keeps your skin moisturized.

10. Revitalizing Hibiscus Moisturizer For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons hibiscus tea
• 1 cup extra virgin coconut oil

Method

1. Grind the hibiscus tea into powder.
2. Melt the coconut oil in a double boiler.
3. Add the hibiscus tea powder to the oil and cover it for a while.
4. Use a cheesecloth to strain the oil and separate the tea from the oil.
5. Let the oil cool down until it solidifies.
6. Whip it well in a mixer for about a minute or two.
7. Transfer the pinkish cream to a glass jar and apply to your skin.

Why This Works

In Africa, hibiscus pulp is often used for wound healing and soothing the skin. It contains anthocyanins and antioxidants that enhance skin health (5). Coconut oil has a calming and soothing impact on your skin and also keeps it moisturized. Dr. Line adds, “Jojoba oil can help improve the skin’s hydration levels and soothe dry skin.”

11. Liquorice And Aloe Vera Moisturizer For Dry Skin

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• 3-4 drops of liquorice essential oil
• 1 teaspoon of almond oil

Method

1. Mix the liquorice essential oil, aloe vera gel, and almond oil to get a smooth texture.
2. Transfer the mixture into a glass jar.
3. Keep the mixture in a cool,dry place or the refrigerator.
4. Apply it to your face and body when needed.

Why This Works

The glycyrrhizinic acid present in liquorice may help soothe inflamed skin and redness and combat skin conditions like atopic dermatitis (6). Aloe vera is a known natural humectant that helps retain moisture and keeps the skin hydrated (7). However, it is recommended that you do a patch test with liquorice oil before using this mixture as a moisturizer.

Infographic: 5 Easy DIY Moisturizers For Dry Skin

DIY organic moisturizers are skin-friendly, low-cost, and completely customizable treatments for dry skin. They are simple to make and can hydrate and soothe your itchy skin. While you can try any recipes discussed in the article, we have curated a list of the top 5 recipes that may provide instant relief to dry and dehydrated skin. Check out the infographic below to learn more.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best homemade moisturizer?

All the DIY moisturizers mentioned in this article give the best results and are safe to use on your skin. They soothe your skin and minimize dryness and flakiness to keep it soft and hydrated.

Which moisturizer is best without chemicals?

If you are looking for chemical-free moisturizers, it is best to prepare homemade moisturizers with ingredients like aloe vera, beeswax, shea butter, or honey. You may also buy herbal and chemical-free products available on the market.

What is the safest moisturizer to use?

Organic and chemical-free moisturizers are the safest to use on your skin. However, not all products may suit your skin. Therefore, do a patch test to avoid allergic reactions. Also, check the ingredients and avoid any product with ingredients you are allergic to.

Does drinking water fix dry skin?

The intake of water can reduce signs of skin dryness and roughness (8). However, more research is needed to prove this claim.

What vitamin deficiency can cause dry skin?

Low levels of vitamin D are associated with skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, which can cause dry skin (9).

Which foods are good for dry skin?

Spinach, tomatoes, egg yolk, walnuts, salmon, and oat flakes are considered good foods for dry skin due to the presence of healthy fats, bioactive compounds, and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals (10), (11).

What comes first, moisturizer or serum?

Apply serum before moisturizer because serum is more lightweight and allows your skin to absorb more ingredients.

Should I apply oil or moisturizer first?

Apply oil after applying moisturizer because moisturizers are part water and part oil. They help the skin retain moisture, whereas oils help lock moisture in.

What happens when you stop using moisturizer?

If you stop applying moisturizer, your skin may start looking flaky and developing red spots.

Is it good to moisturize your face before bed?

Yes. Applying moisturizer to your face before bed helps replenish the water your skin has lost throughout the day.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr. Vindhya L VeerulaMD, FAAD

   

Dr. Veerula (Dr. V) is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons. She is an energetic, proactive, and compassionate medical practitioner with 5 years of experience and a thorough understanding of overall mind-body-spiritual wellness. Dr.V is on a mission to inspire and teach people to...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Krati DarakAssociate Commerce Editor

Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches. She has also worked with a number of high-profile beauty brands on a freelance basis to upscale their businesses. Krati...more