I love making my own products, especially a creamy, luxurious moisturizer. However, the onset of summer brought a small predicament. I needed a non-greasy moisturizer.
All summer long I have played with different moisturizer recipes looking for one that didn’t leave me oily and glistening (although the radiant sun-goddess thing is appealing sometimes).
My summer skin needs moisturizing, especially after overexposure to sun, wind, or sand, but it always feels like overkill to slather a thick lotion onto my already overly-oil-producing skin. I need…something lighter. Something healing. Something cooling. A light misting of moisture-locking ingredients is just what the (self-diagnosing) doctor ordered!
I came up with a recipe for a moisturizing spritz more than a month ago, and have been using it with great results every day since! I’m not sure why I didn’t think to share until now. My apologies. I’m definitely not trying to be stingy with a wonderful recipe; it was just so simple that it never occurred to me I should share it! (We have so many savvy readers, that I always fear I will bore some of them with my “duh” recipes.) 🙂
Enjoy the light feeling of this non-greasy moisturizing spray during the warm months, or all year long!
About the Ingredients
Distilled water: Any time you make your own moisturizers, added water is a breeding ground for microorganisms. Untreated tap water contains contaminants and microscopic organisms from the tap that you don’t want sitting in your homemade moisturizer, causing it to spoil sooner. Using distilled or filtered water (from a quality filtering system) ensures that you’re not introducing any new contaminants. (Find our favorite water purification systems here.)
Pure vegetable glycerine:Â Glycerine is “hygroscopic,” meaning that it absorbs water from the air. It attracts moisture to your skin, leaving it very soft. Glycerine is easily soluble in water, making it perfect for this recipe. Look for a pure vegetable glycerine without any added ingredients, derived from non-GMO vegetable oils.
Grapeseed, sweet almond, or hazelnut oil: These oils are very moisturizing and are easily absorbed by skin. They also have a low comedogenic rating, meaning they won’t clog pores. Quality oils can be found in grocery stores, health food stores, or online here.
Vitamin E: This nourishing vitamin helps protect our skin from free radicals and offers a protective barrier for skin. It also serves as a natural preservative in this recipe. Vitamin E capsules can be pierced and squeezed into this moisturizer. Bottles of Vitamin E oil can be purchased at health food stores or online here.
Essential oils: Add your favorite scent and boost the beneficial properties of your moisturizer with essential oils. Lavender is good for all skin types. In this recipe, avoid using citrus essential oils, which are phototoxic, and can cause skin to be more sensitive to sunlight. Find essential oils at your local health food store or online here.
Moisturizing Spray
Ingredients
- ¼ cup distilled or filtered water (find the best water purification systems here)
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vegetable glycerine (where to buy pure vegetable glycerine)
- 1 teaspoon grapeseed, sweet almond, or hazelnut oil (where to buy quality oils)
- 4-5 drops Vitamin E oil (where to buy non-GMO Vitamin E oil)
- 8-10 drops essential oils of your choice, optional (where to buy 100% pure essential oils)
Directions
Combine all ingredients and carefully pour into a small spray bottle (at least 3 oz.). Shake well before each use. Spray liberally on body as needed, especially after showering or bathing. Rub into skin if needed. Makes between 2-3 ounces of moisturizing spray.
Variations and Recommendations
- Consider substituting rose water, an herbal tea, or pure aloe vera gel (without added thickeners) for the water in this recipe.
- I personally love a mixture of tea tree and lavender essential oils for my moisturizing spritz.
- Recipe can easily be doubled and will keep for several weeks. Refrigeration will lengthen shelf life.
- Keep it in the refrigerator and use as a cooling body spritz. (Sorry…I know summer is quickly coming to a close. Keep this in the vault for next summer!)
- Although great for body, I don’t like the feel of this moisturizing spritz on the delicate skin of my face. However, since we all have different skin, you’ll have to make your own determination about using it as a facial moisturizer.
- Use as much or as little of each ingredient as desired. Play with the recipe a bit to find the formula that suits your skin best. Mature skin will benefit from more Vitamin E.
Final Thoughts
Making my own personal care products is more fun and rewarding each time I find a recipe that I love! Not only will this moisturizing spritz help me save boatloads of money, but it allows me to be very particular about the type and quality of ingredients I include.
With a bit of research and experimentation you can personalize this light moisturizer to fit your very specific needs. Try all organic ingredients, or play around with different essential oils for a moisturizer that doubles as a personal fragrance!
If you have experience making your own moisturizers share the recipes and tips with the community.
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Theresa says
What do use for the winter months…do you have a favorite homemade lotion?
Betsy Jabs says
Yes, I am currently using a whipped body butter made up of equal parts cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. I melt them down, cool them a bit, then whip them with my hand beater until fluffy. Allow it to set up in the fridge, then it’s ready to use. NOT recommended in the warmer months. 🙂
Jolene says
I have two little boys with very dry, itchy skin. I’ve tried every lotion on the market, and I now know they’re probably doing more harm than good. I’ll give this a shot. If a natural moisturizer doesn’t work, I don’t know what will!!
Betsy Jabs says
Hi Jolene,
You can even increase the amounts of oil, Vitamin E, and glycerine to experiment with ratios that work best for your boys’ skin. You may want to consider using an essential oil like rosemary, lavender, or chamomile that are good for dry, itchy skin. Hope it works well for them!
Alisea says
Hello! I’ve been looking for DIY deodorants and body sprays, and I’m so happy to have found your site! I was wondering if you’ve tried using this body spray in lieu of deodorant. Not that I’ve thought about it, it seemed silly to me to have to spray two things on myself to smell good. Thanks!
Betsy Jabs says
Nope, haven’t used this as a deodorant. It doesn’t have the bacteria-fighting abilities (which my pits desperately need in order to combat the stink) that our vodka/tea tree oil formula does. 🙂
Michelle says
Betsy,
Thanks for the recipe, I can’t wait to make it. But I have dry skin, so what adjustments do I need to make to get a ‘a creamy, luxurious moisturizer’?
Betsy Jabs says
Definitely a completely different process to get a creamy moisturizer. I’m perfecting a recipe now, and hope to share it before winter. 🙂
Michelle says
Great, I can’t wait! Also, any recipes for homemade bubble bath?
Betsy Jabs says
You could just add some of your favorite oils (olive, grapeseed, almond, etc.), a few drops of essential oils, and some Vitamin E oil to liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s). That would make a great bubble bath & you’d only need a little bit in the tub.
Michelle says
I have all those items you mentioned…just need amounts or ratios.
mary payne says
I made this, and will make it all the time now. I use it after a shower and it cools me down and smells so fresh and clean. I double the recipie because i use it nightly, love the smell of lavender.
Betsy Jabs says
Awesome! Glad you’re loving it Mary! Thanks so much for checking back in and sharing your feedback. 🙂
Amber says
Do you use this moisturizer on your face or do you have something separate for that? I currently use Clinique products because I have such sensitive skin (and acne even at age 30!) but I am in the very early stages of making my own products… so I’m now on the search for natural face wash and moisturizer. I also have found that aloe (from my plant in the garden) helps to clear my skin! Yea! Thanks so much for all you and your husband do. I really appreciate it!!!!!!
Betsy Jabs says
I don’t use this on my face (left it a little too shiny), but since everyone’s skin is different, you might like it for yours. I’m in the process of working on a face moisturizer that I like. Have you tried our natural face wash recipe? If not, I think you’ll really like it! https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-natural-facial-cleanser/
Rebecca says
Great recipe! I love this. Any natural chemical-free alternative to store bought is great with me 🙂
michelle says
love the recipe . i used orange blossom water , walnut oil ( great properties for skin ) 3 drops t tree and grapefruit oil .works great . making all my own cleaning products now as well . greeting from the uk xxx
Betsy Jabs says
Ooooh… I love your substitutions! Great job working to live a more natural, chemical-free lifestyle!
Patti says
Where do you get or how do you make Orange Blossom water? Sounds wonderfully refreshing!
Thanks.
cindy says
I just did some research elsewhere online and yes, other sites say the same thing about glycerine. One retail product uses acetylated lanolin instead of glycerine.
Dawn says
I’ve been looking for uses for some glycerin that someone gave me. I just mixed up some of this, and it feels great!
C-Marie says
P.S. Love your site and recipes and all!!!!!!!!!!
C-Marie says
Hi, As I read your mixture, it sounded wonderful, but I kept remembering that I had read years ago that glycerine actually draws moisture from the lower layers of skin and so causes the effect of moisturizing the outer layer, but at the expense of drying out the newer, lower layer, and so actually causes some harm.
I copied the following from the internet and thought you might like to search glycerine and let us know what you come up with.
Unless the humidity of air is over 65%, glycerin draws moisture from the lower layers of the skin and holds it on the surface, drying the skin from the inside out.
Blessings always! C-Marie
Betsy Jabs says
Hmmm…looking into this. I find this very interesting because most “natural” and organic brands of moisturizer I have seen include vegetable glycerine in the ingredients. Thanks for the information & I’ll update if I find more!
Betsy Jabs says
Upon researching more, I have found certain sites that claim the same thing you found…BUT, these sites were either a little dated or they didn’t cite any research to back up these claims. I found several articles that used fairly recent medical and/or dermatologic research, backing up the idea that glycerin is more helpful than harmful to skin. Here is an article that entertains many claims about glycerin, but gives links to newer studies about glycerin’s benefits to skin: http://www.truthinaging.com/ingredient-spotlight/what-is-it-glycerin
One of the studies the article refers to actually found that glycerin helps skin cells age properly, helping the lower layers move upward, where the skin cells will eventually be shed.
One of the articles I read about glycerin pulling moisture from lower layers of skin said this will only happen when using undiluted glycerin on skin. Keep in mind this recipe contains very diluted glycerin.
Thanks for bringing these things to my attention…it helped me learn a lot about glycerin today!
Sheila Burnett-Garner says
I too had the “sorry” mentality that what I did, said or was, was never good enough or may offend or whatever other negative outcome, rather than make others feel good and I had let those feeling take over and it almost ruined my life. These idle thoughts left to run a muck will—–and they will not be for our best interest as they do. They are not there to keep us humble but to stop us in our tracks.
Sharing these things are a passion for you and you should never let negative thoughts hinder your from sharing your passion with others. Bless you and many strengthening thoughts about helping others are sent your way. What you share is here for the taking or the leaving. Do not apologize for what you know, it is a gift and be thankful that it is yours, and it is yours to share.
Betsy Jabs says
Big hugs to you Sheila! I appreciate your thoughtfulness and encouragement. 🙂
Jean says
Please don’t be dismissive of “duh” ideas. Not everyone knows what u know, nor do they own the common sense u own. We are always grateful of ideas we may not have. Thank you for all ur help!:-D
Betsy Jabs says
I have to keep reminding myself of this! Thank you Jean! Glad you’re enjoying our ideas. 🙂
Peggy Shearon says
I love Bath and Body lotions, but they don’t give me enough moisturizers. I’ve been adding olive oil to the bottles and wow I love the feel and it lasts 24 hours.
Betsy Jabs says
Great problem solving Peggy! Now I encourage you to experiment someday with making your own so that your moisturizers don’t have the added parabens, fragrances, and other chemicals Bath & Body Works includes in their products! Are you up for the challenge??? 😉
Peggy Shearon says
Thank you for the challenge. It takes baby steps to change a life style. I’m definitely in the baby step challenge, but none the less trying. I’ve tried several of the DYI homemade products, homemade laundry detergent, glass cleaner and some recipes. I enjoy the website, hopefully this comment will welcome more new comers to feel free to comment and the experts can respond and give us their advise. Perhaps one could add olive oil in your recipe and see how you like it? I would like to see what you think.
Betsy Jabs says
Definitely give olive oil a shot in this recipe! The reason I suggest grapeseed, hazelnut, or sweet almond oil is because they’re more readily absorbed by skin. (The smell of olive oil in products can sometimes be a little strong, but this is just my personal opinion.) For sure any quality oil can be used in this recipe though. 🙂 Great job on your baby steps Peggy…it actually sounds like you’re doing quite a bit! Keep it up and continue having fun with these projects!
Rita Dindinger says
Thank-you for all your well thought out healthy products! I love them! May God continue to give you inspirations!
Betsy Jabs says
Thank you Rita! He’s blessed us so much with this website!
Anne says
I have been using some of your great ideas, and this one sounds great as well. Where do you get the little spray bottles (seems like I should be able to find something in bulk somewhere?)
Thanks, Anne
Betsy Jabs says
Great question Ann, I should have included this in the article! If you’re just looking for a few small ones you can find them at most grocery chains or drug stores in the travel size beauty product section. (I always have luck at Walgreens or Rite Aid when I’m in desperate need of one or two.) We have also ordered some really nice glass ones from specialtybottle.com. Their prices are great, especially if you’re looking for several containers for your homemade products. 🙂
Anne says
thanks…that was very helpful!
Ashley says
Try Sally’s Beauty Supply if they are in your area or any other beauty supply for that matter.
Anne says
will check that out for sure! thanks
Eunice Moore says
This moisturizer sounds better than anything I have seen yet. I have very fair skin (redhead) and live at 6100 feet in Colorado. Summer winds and winter cold make my skin feel llike alligator hide! A trip to the health food store is in order. Thank you so much for this and all your other hints. Keep up the good work.
Betsy Jabs says
Alligator hide…hehehe. Hope this recipe suits your condition! 😉