I recently put together my own homemade natural moisturizer cream for myself and my daughter. Before you fall off your chair thinking this was an epic endeavor, I’ll stop you in your tracks. It took two minutes to put together and is very doable.
I began looking into a natural moisturizer cream because my daughter has particularly dry skin and is prone to eczema. I had been using Aveeno skincare for her, which initially did the trick, but this winter seemed to have changed things and she’s had dry, itchy patches all over her body.
I don’t do much better in winter. The dry air and heating make things worse for my already dry skin. So, I did what I do best—I started researching.
Why Natural Ingredients Matter for a Moisturizer Cream
Coming from a Pakistani / Indian background, I’ve long been sold on using natural oils for skincare. It really is the best and simplest winter skincare for dry skin, in my opinion. My mum has always sworn by it, and my mother-in-law knows practically every trick of the trade. (It seems to have definitely worked for both of them because neither remotely look their age.) I’ve seen the results firsthand, which is why I started asking myself why I wasn’t doing it myself.
The truth is, I simply hadn’t found the time to add homemade body moisturizer cream to the to-do list. Now that I’ve done the research on the ingredients, however, it’s actually a piece of cake to put together, and it’s now become a staple of my winter skincare routine.
The foundation of any good moisturizer cream lies in its ingredients. I was struggling to find a good sensitive skin moisturizer while shopping. That’s because when it comes to moisturizer for sensitive skin types, like my daughter’s and mine, harsh chemicals and scents are a no-go. Many commercial creams promise quick relief but can contain ingredients that aggravate dry skin over time.
Natural and organic skincare, by contrast, offers soothing properties without unwanted irritants. So, I decided to go back to basics and make my own sensitive skin body lotion. For my homemade natural moisturizer cream, I chose a trio of super oils: Castor Oil, Argan Oil, and Coconut Oil.
1. Castor Oil: The Powerhouse Skin Moisturizer for Dry Skin
Castor oil is rich in fatty acids that deeply nourish and hydrate the skin. It’s been used for centuries and features in various Eastern beauty secrets. Castor oil also acts as an occlusive, locking in moisture for hours—essential for winter skincare. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties make it a good sensitive skin moisturizer, reducing redness and irritation that often accompanies eczema.
It’s extremely thick, gooey, and really doesn’t look like something you fancy rubbing into your skin at first, however, when it’s mixed with the other ingredients, it’s a miracle oil.
2. Argan Oil: Ancient Beauty Elixir for Sensitive Skin
Often called “liquid gold,” argan oil is well-known in Indian beauty and skincare routines and has long been one of the Eastern beauty staples. Of course, now it’s in almost everything, including Herbal Essences shampoo. Raw pure argon oil is unbeatable though.
Packed with antioxidants, Vitamin E, and essential fatty acids, this oil does wonders as a moisturizer for face and body. It is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. This makes it perfect for those who prefer a fresh face or no-makeup face look. It helps to even out skin tone and leaves the skin beautifully hydrated looking. I have personally used it for years as my night time facial moisturizer. Argan oil is great for sensitive skincare products, providing hydration without clogging pores.
3. Coconut Oil: The Classic Natural Moisturizer
Coconut oil is a staple in many natural beauty regimens and for good reason. It’s antimicrobial, full of nourishing fatty acids, and acts as an excellent skin moisturizer for dry skin. It’s also great for soothing irritated areas, like those pesky dry patches.
With all the oils, it’s important to ensure they are cold-pressed. Cold-pressed oils retain all of their natural properties, ensuring deep hydration, which is key for combating the winter air and central heating that wreak havoc on our skin.
How to Make Your Natural Moisturizer Cream for Your Body
I should mention that this cream is, in fact, a natural moisturizer cream for face and body. I personally don’t use it on my face as I find it to be quite thick; however, castor oil is, in fact, known to support hair growth, which makes it great for lashes and eyebrows.
Now, for the fun part. To make this natural moisturizer cream, I used equal parts of castor oil, argan oil, and coconut oil. Feel free to adjust the proportions based on your skin’s needs—perhaps a little more argan oil if you want a lighter feel or a little more castor oil if you need to lock in more hydration (beware, castor oil has a syrup-like texture and needs to be mixed with other oils). Here’s a quick step-by-step based on how I made my homemade moisturizer cream:
Ingredients:
- 1 part Castor Oil
- 1 part Argan Oil
- 1 part Coconut Oil (all oils should be cold-pressed for maximum benefit)
Easy Homemade Natural Body Moisturizer Cream For Dry Skin
Combine all the oils in a har and mix thoroughly. You can add a few drops of essential oils to make your own scent if you like. However, you don’t really need it. The mixture strongly smells of coconut.
Storage:
Store your moisturizer cream in a cool, dry place. It keeps for approximately two months.
Told you it was simple!
Now, you may think this will leave your skin looking all…well…oily. That is not the case. The combination results in a nicely hydrated look to the skin. The castor oil, in particular, helps give you that glass skin glow. If you aren’t a fan of having that shine, you can easily opt to use this as a night cream. Whatever works best for you.
Where to Buy Natural Products
Getting your hands on these oils is easier than you think. Retailers include Holland & Barrett, Boots, and Amazon. Here are the links to the oils I used, which you can find online:
Why This Natural Moisturizer Works
When I started looking into the research of how to really tackle dry skin, I discovered the key was to ensure the skin could actually absorb the moisturizer cream you’re using. A good sensitive skin moisturizer shouldn’t just sit on the surface; it needs to penetrate and protect the skin’s barrier. Unfortunatley, a lot of the moisturisers you find in store do simply sit on the skin and the ones that are designed to be better absorbed can be on the pricey side.
In contrast, you can quite easily make your own moisturizer cream using this recipe that is absorbed by the skin and locks in moisture.
- Castor oil and coconut oil form a barrier that prevents moisture loss, making this recipe highly effective for dry, cracked, or compromised skin.
- Argan oil adds lightweight hydration and helps soften and smooth the skin while penetrating the upper layers of the epidermis.
Tips To Enhance Absorption
If you want to boost the absorption of this moisturizer and maxmize the benefits for dry skin, here are some research backed tips you can try.
- Apply to Damp Skin: Applying the moisturizer immediately after showering or washing your face can help enhance absorption since the skin is more permeable when damp. Simply put, your pore are open.
- Massage Thoroughly: Massaging the oils into the skin helps them penetrate better. This can be a great way to work in face massage and facial exercises as part of your daily routine too.
- Use in Moderation: Applying a small amount reduces the likelihood of the oils sitting heavily on the skin surface.
If you have dry skin, want to switch to more natural skin care, or you are finding the in-store products are simply not working for you, it’s worth giving this moisturizer cream a try. It’s extremly quick and simple to make and is perfect for:
- Sensitive Skin Care: Gentle enough for eczema-prone and sensitive skin.
- Nourishing: Provides deep hydration without clogging pores.
- Versatile: Doubles as a sensitive skin body lotion and facial night cream.
- Budget-Friendly: Doesn’t require you to break the bank for natural beauty.
After looking into other skincare brands, the best organic natural skincare really is homemade in my opinion. That’s because most other brands still need to alter or add ingredients to preserve shelf life, and that isn’t always great for sensitive, dry skin. If you can find the time, I’d recommend throwing these oils together and giving it go!