Cheap, Organic Facial Moisturizer-Phase 1 of My Month Long Challenge
I’ve been challenging myself to slowly rid our house of anything with nasty chemicals and large price tags. As I begin to use the final drop of something off the shelf, I am concocting a replacement with little more than what I have on hand or what I can find at the organic market.
But the replacements must meet or exceed three important expectations for this frugal gal:
1. It must be easy to replace-no beakers or science lab experiments. Thank you.
2. It must be just as good or better than the current product I’m using and,
3. It must cost the same or less than the current product I’m using.
photo source unknown
If the product I create passes the final test-me using it for over two plus week to make sure it doesn’t stink-then I’ll be sharing it with you. I will break down the cost for you, provide you the recipe and give you my honest opinion of the final product.
Up on the docket for replacement over the next month or so is: mascara, dishwasher detergent, washing machine detergent, eye makeup remover and tortilla chips (I know-they don’t quite fit in but they are my weakness and I need to replace the hydrogenated and fried naughtiness with something healthier), along with anything else I can get rid of.
Fasten your seatbelt. Here’s Phase 1 of ridding my house of chemicals-Cheap, Organic Facial Moisturizer.
I am quite picky when it comes to my face. I have always had very sensitive skin that dries out if I even look at it wrong.
After several tries, I came up with a recipe that works wonderfully-without greasiness or smelliness.
And it costs $.75 per 2.5 oz. Yep. That’s right-seventy five freakin’ cents.
I’ve been spending $12-14 for 2.5 oz!
Here’s what you’ll need to make your very own Cheap, Organic Facial Moisturizer:
4 TBS Pure Aloe Vera (drinkable kind)
1 tsp Vegetable Glycerin
6 Drops Jojoba Oil
1/4 tsp Sweet Almond Oil
Container to keep the moisturizer in (I re-used my pricey lotion container).
If necessary, use the funnel to add the 4 TBS of Aloe Vera.
Next, add the 1 tsp Vegetable Glycerin.
Add 6 drops of the Jojoba Oil.
And the 1/4 tsp of Sweet Almond Oil.
Shake everything up in the container and before every use. The moisturizer will be watery-either apply by squirting into a cotton pad or into a cleansed hand and applying with clean fingertips. As it dries, it will be absorbed and leaves you with soft, silky skin.
That’s it. Simple as pie.
Here’s the financial breakdown:
$8.50 for 32 oz of Pure Aloe Vera (drinkable kind)
$9 for 16 oz of Vegetable Glycerin
$13.50 for 4 oz of Jojoba Oil
$5.75 for 16 oz of Sweet Almond Oil
Needed per 2.5 oz moisturizer:
4 TBS (2 oz ) Pure Aloe Vera= $.52
1 tsp (.16 oz) Vegetable Glycerin= $.09
6 Drops (.04 oz) Jojoba Oil= $.13
1/4 tsp (.04 oz) Sweet Almond Oil= $.01
TOTAL = $.75 per 2.5 oz
Click on the following to see more of my projects:
I’ve posted a Recipe for Facial Moisturizer, DIY Organic Dishwasher Detergent, Cheap, Organic Face Wash, DIY Household Green Cleaner and last week was my DIY Organic Eye Makeup Remover.
Linking up: The Thrifty Home
Awesome! I’m not liking my moisturizer so I’ll be trying this. Thanks for sharing!
I’m in! This is on my list of to do’s once we get moved. Right now we’re moving across country to Alaska, but once we’re relocated I will be trying this out. I have super sensitive skin as well and have gone solely to using handmade soaps and loving it. Better for my skin and they last so much longer than all those body washes that make my skin feel yucky. We’ve also gone to a handmade shampoo bar that has improved both hubby’s and my hair, again giving us more bang for our buck. Can’t wait to see what other great recipes you share.
What a good idea. Susan was showing me some stuff that she gets in Mexico because it is cheaper. I think she told me $13 for a teensy but cute little jar. I think I’ll try to locate your ingredients and make my own. :o)
This is awesome! I tried to comment earlier but my computer froze up. This is great. I can’t wait to try. We have a link party ending tonight… would you like to add it to our link party too? You could be featured next week!
-Newest Follower
Rebekah – This looks great! thanks for linking up! I’m looking forward to trying it!
I want to give this a try. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! I have super sensitive skin and can’t wait to try this. I know where to get the ingredients except the drinkable aloe vera gel — any suggestions? And I can’t wait to see what you come up with to replace the mascara! I would love it if you would link up some of your posts with Busy Monday at A Pinch of Joy, a linky party for ideas that make life better.
I’ll do it Charlene! I am on my way to link up.
As far as the Aloe Vera-I found it at Whole foods, but you can also buy it online here:
http://www.allstarhealth.com/f/natures_way-aloe_vera_liquid.htm
Hi if you have a Sprouts store near you they will have it for sure, and I am pretty sure Trader Joes has it. Just look up organic food stores and they should have it.
Featuring on Thursday at Bacon Time!
That is such a great idea! Have you noticed any breakouts or anything. I have horrible acne-prone skin and am looking for something like this.
No, I haven’t, Natalie! Everything’s been clear so far. I will do updates though with any new info, I promise!
Great idea – and it sounds nice an simple to make!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Will be bookmarking this recipe–thanks for sharing! I’ve been using Caribbean Solutions Kukui Body Silk lotion from Lucky Vitamin for a couple years and it works nicely (first ingredient is aloe vera gel and is composed of several other natural oils) and is quite natural. However, this winter my skin has been like a reptile’s! I’ve been slathering on organic coconut oil from my kitchen at night and it’s helping, but I like the mix you have here. Oh, and I’ll be back to find out how replacing the mascara goes. I’m addicted to mascara and haven’t had any luck with the more natural varieties out there!
P.S.–Visiting from Homework (link #50!)
A very interesting and informative post.
So impressive! I would LOVE for you to share this awesome mommy solution in my Mommy Club link up! Or any other ideas. Stop over! http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2012/02/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-31/
Crystal
[…] I am on a month long challenge to slowly rid our house of anything with nasty chemicals and large price tags. Just recently, I shared my Recipe for Facial Moisturizer. […]
What about SPF protection?
I’m not sure…these are organic materials, rather than a chemical that blocks the sun. Sorry-wish I could give you more!
your jojoba is not organic – and don’t know about the glycerine (now brand never does organic from what I’ve seen)- but I do know that organic from aura cacia would have a green label not this one you picture.
is this stuff still working out for you? i realize this post is like 2 years old but I just found it LOL
thanks!
That was such a good question I had to do research and I found this website that talks about natural forms of spf in a variety of oils: http://www.ehow.com/list_7557101_natural-oils-contain-spf.html
hope it helps
Thank You for participating in Show Your Stuff Blog Hop.
Fabulous post,
Thank you for linking your post up! , hope you will stop by today and link up another great post!!
http://polkadot-pretties.blogspot.com/
See you there
Claire x
On my way, Claire! Thanks for the invite!
Hi Rebekah! Thank you for sharing this face moisturiser post on Seasonal Celebration, it’s great to note just how much money it’s possible to save when making these chemical-free lotions ourselves! If you want an email reminder each week click here http://eepurl.com/i-8pr Rebecca x
What a great challenge. I can’t wait to follow along and see how it goes for you…I’m VERY intrigued. This moisturizer looks wonderful. Thanks so much for linking this up with Mop It Up Mondays at i should be mopping the floor last week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
{HUGS},
kristi
[…] of slowly ridding our house of nasty chemicals began several weeks ago. Two weeks ago, I shared my Recipe for Facial Moisturizer and last week-my DIY Organic Dishwasher […]
I am so glad I found you! I am on the same quest to rid my house of as much toxins, chemicals, and preservatives as possible. I am now following and look forward to reading about your journey while I am on my own 🙂 Hope you can stop by My Road to Savings and maybe find some useful tips/information!
Great Ideal! I already have half of the ingredients to make this. I just need the aloe vera gel & vegetable glycerin.For the past 2 yrs I’ve been using olive oil as a natural moisturizer but lately I was wanting to make/create or find a recipe for for a lighter all natural moisturizer to use during the summer. Thx for sharing this! =)
I can’t wait to try this! I too have been on a quest to rid my home of products with lots of artificial ingredients. Of course, as a mom of six children, frugality is always a factor! Your recipe wins with me on both accounts. I found your blog through Pinterest and am so glad that I did!
Warm wishes from Kansas!
I’ve been attempting the same challenge! Way to go on creating your own recipes though! I recently saw a post on Pinterest about all natural face wash. I’ve been doing it for a little over a month and LOVE the results! I have super troubled skin so a lot of over the counter products don’t like me. I’ve been wanting a replacement for the moisturizer I use now. Love this idea, I’ll have to try it! (The face wash recipe also is a miracle make-up remover!)
http://simplemom.net/oil-cleansing-method/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+simplemom+%28Simple+Mom%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
[…] nasty chemicals began several weeks ago. My first item to replace was my face lotion. I created a Recipe for Facial Moisturizer and secondly, I wanted to replace my dishwasher detergent DIY Organic Dishwasher Detergent. This […]
I made batch of this moisturizer last week and I am loving it. I was having trouble with acne and switched from washing my face with harsh scrubs and chemicals to washing it with a mixture of castor oil, jojoba oil and tea tree oil (it sounds weird but it works!). This moisturizer has been the finishing touch; my skin has never looked so clear and radiant! My only question is: do you keep your moisturizer in the refrigerator? The aloe vera gel says to refrigerate it after opening. I’ve been keeping mine in the bathroom and it doesn’t seem to be going bad, I was just curious.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I can’t wait to see what other alternatives you post.
I read that too on the aloe Vera and wondered the same thing. But, everything that I’ve ever seen that is similar to this recipe never mentions it. I’ve been keeping mine in the bathroom cabinet, too.
I tried your moisturizer and I absolutely LOVE it! After switching to an organic honey to wash my face, I was looking for a natural moisturizer, and this is it! Thanks so much for sharing!
Yeah! I’m so glad, Kelly. That makes my heart so happy!
Thank you for posting this! I’m pinning it to my Pinterest board for future reference. I have eczema and am always looking for natural homemade skincare products. 🙂
[…] shared with you so far my Recipe for Facial Moisturizer , DIY Organic Dishwasher Detergent, Cheap, Organic Face Wash and my Easy Homemade Laundry […]
[…] I love Rebekah at Potholes and Pantyhose- this easy laundry soap is on my To Try list, and I need to make this organic lotion. […]
Is this good for your skin? Do you think it works as well as the other one you were using?
Thanks
This is amazingly good for your skin! If you do a little search on each of the ingredients, you’ll see why these are often used (some people add lavender oil for a nice scent, too)
Aloe Vera Gel (drinkable kind)-here are just a few things it does besides cool sunburn: kill bacteria, virus, and fungus. The salicylic acid in aloe vera also acts as a pain killer. That explains why it’s so soothing for burns. It also contains campersterol, certain plant sterols, and cholesterol (the healthy kind) that are all used to help things like digestion. They also have anti-inflammatory properties that benefit arthritis sufferers.
Vegetable Glycerin-topical remedy for a number of skin problems, including psoriasis, rashes, burns, bedsores, and cuts.
Jojoba Oil-Provides all day moisturization – jojoba oil doesn’t evaporate like water based moisturizers can.
It is theorized, but not yet proven, that because jojoba oil is so similar to human skin oil, it can “trick” the skin into thinking it has produced enough oil and thus balance oil production.
Very stable – jojoba oil does not become rancid or lose antioxidants even after long periods of storage.
Spreads well and absorbs well.
The organic variety is free of pesticides, GMOs, and is sustainably farmed.
Sweet Almond Oil-Almond oil is an excellent emollient and moisturizer. As an emollient it nourishes and softens the skin helping to keep it smooth to the touch. Almond oil is similar in composition to the oil baby’s excrete to keep their skin and hair healthy. This composition is beneficial to protecting and conditioning your skin no matter your age. By helping the skin stay healthy it promotes a youthful skin complexion. Almond oil is frequently used to treat dry skin. As a dry skin treatment, almond oil relieves itchiness, soreness, rashes, dryness, irritation and burns. Almond oil aides the skin in keeping the proper balance of moisture in the skin which is critical when treating dry skin. It is often mixed with an exfoliant for body scrubs as well as mixed with moisturizers to provide benefits the moisturizer may not have. Almond oil can also be used on the delicate skin under the eye to prevent “crow’s feet”.
Hope this helps!
[…] first item to replace was my face lotion. I created a Recipe for Facial Moisturizer. I moved on to replacing my dishwasher detergent-DIY Organic Dishwasher Detergent, face wash-Cheap, […]
I used aloe Vera juice, by accident. Didn’t realized I purchased the wrong thing till I got home. Will it still work?
Danniell-I’m not sure! The drinkable Aloe Vera Gel (what’s in the recipe) is pure aloe vera-in liquid form. I don’t know what’s in your juice. It may have some other additives or something?
[…] posted a Recipe for Facial Moisturizer, DIY Organic Dishwasher Detergent, Cheap, Organic Face Wash, DIY Household Green Cleaner and […]
Any update on how this works after a while? Have you kept with it since February? Thanks!
Lydia-
It’s still all that I use-along with my facial cleanser that I make from ground oatmeal. I love it and won’t be going back to store bought any time soon!
Do you think that this would be a good lotion for adding zinc oxide to to make it a sunscreen as well, or would it be too thin?
Can you use a different kind of oil besides almond? We have tree nut allergies in this house.
I haven’t used anything other than sweet almond oil, but it doesn’t hurt to try?!
Hi! I have regular glycerin on hand… can I use that instead of the vegetable glycerin?
Thanks!!
Susan,
They are essentially the same thing. However, how they react to the skin are different. Here are some differences that I’ve found when researching the exact same question:
Vegetable Glycerin:
Does not dry as fast as animal glycerin
Does not become rancid (rank, sour or stale) or ferment
Does not dry as fast as animal glycerin
Has more uses due to it being food grade
Non Vegetable Glycerin:
Made from petroleum or animal fats such as lard, grease or tallow (fatty hard tissue of the animal)
Usually not purified
Cheaper to make (hence the price difference of that of veggie glycerin)
Has a tendency to clog pores and create dryness
Hope this helps!
It does!! Thank you very much!
[…] finding cheaper ways to live (making my own face wash, facial moisturizer, lip balm […]
[…] Recipe for Facial Moisturizer Cheap, Organic Face Wash DIY Household Green Cleaners DIY Organic Eye Makeup Remover Simple, Organic Lip Balm […]
I just wanted to mention that aloe juice is the pure stuff. Aloe gel has either xantham gum or carageenan added to thicken it. Either way, it would still be safe to use. The juice would probably make the lotion too runny.
Can’t wait to try but I have a question the aloe juice I find say it organic with sugar added for flavor dose your have suger? I cheeked 3 stores near the house and they all carry the same one ????
Mine doesn’t have any sugar in it at all! I double checked to make sure. The kind that I use is Lakewood Organic Aloe Vera. You may be able to find it online-I found mine at a Whole Foods store. Good luck!
[…] around the house that you’d find at your supermarket in the beauty and cleaning aisles: Recipe for Facial Moisturizer Cheap, Organic Face Wash DIY Household Green Cleaners DIY Organic Eye Makeup Remover Simple, Organic […]
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[…] Facial Moisturizer makes 2.5 oz 4 TBS Aloe Vera Gel (drinkable kind) 1 tsp Vegetable Glycerin 6 Drops Jojoba Oil 1/4 tsp Sweet Almond Oil […]
I would love to make this for my Mother, but she’s allergic to almonds. Is there anything I can substitute for it?
Hi Thanks for the recipe!
I’d like to try whipping it with some vitamin E cream because I like a creamy consistency.
It may separate so I’ll put it in a wide mouth container so I can see if it does.
Kathy
Kathy-
Nice tip! I didn’t know about vitamin E cream. I’ll need to look into that!
[…] All of that said-there are a few times when blogging has its perks. A reader, who happens to be Lakewood’s eastern regional sales manager, contacted me and corrected my description of their product on my Facial Moisturizer Recipe. […]
Rebekah,
What if you are allergic to aloevera, would leaving it out do the same thing or do I need a similar item in the mostizure? I have very dry and sensitive skin. Natural products work great on My skin it’s just hard to find them without aloe Vera.
Summer-
I did a little googling, and found this response to replacing aloe vera gel on this site:
Aloe Substitute for Dry Skin
by: Kyley
Hey there,
What do you want the aloe substitute to do? Aloe is a healer and anti-inflammatory, as well as having antibacterial properties. You can get many of the same properties from unrefined coconut oil, which won’t dry out your skin.
Or you could just your carrier oil and essential oils – leave out the aloe, don’t even bother replacing it. Dry skin is always thankful for a good application of oil.
A great way to REALLY lock in moisture is to spritz your skin lightly with a hydrosol (rose and rose geranium are incredible!) and then massage in your facial oil moisturizer. It’s amazingly effective.
Good luck, and thanks for getting in touch!
[…] Organic Facial Moisturizer DIY ~ This is a great tutorial on how to make your own organic face moisturizer! Using all natural […]
I realize I am nearly a year behind the times here. Love your site and this recipe. Can you tell me if it works all right under makeup?
Barbara-
It works great under makeup. It is just like any other moisturizer, but it also seeps into the skin, rather than sitting on top of it. So-no oily residue! HOpe this helps!
Ok, silly question, but I will ask anyway: is this good for all skin types? Our Texas weather is crazy, but humid most of the year where I am. If I have “normal/combination” skin but it has a tendency to be oily because of the humidity (and the nasty processed foods I eat once in a while).
You mentioned having dry skin, which is not usually an issue for me. Just wondering if this would work well for all skin types b/c it is so natural.
Kerry-
Great question! This should be balanced for all skin types due to the ingredients. The ingredients are good for your skin, cleansing and shouldn’t clog pores like man made products. You can always adjust the recipe and lessen the sweet almond oil if needed. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Thank you so much my face has cleared up and I’ve only been using this moisutizer for a week and I love it!!!!! I cleanse my face with some oatmeal I grinded up in my blender and water rinse it off & apply the moisturizer, voila, that’s it!!!!!
This is a great recipe. I got the ingredients at my local co-op grocery store and the result is surprisingly moisturizing and light. My skin has a history of issues with acne, but this mixture is not causing any breakouts. I’m almost done with my first mixture, but I’ve noticed that there are some dark floaties in the liquid now and it has gotten more opaque, which seems to suggest it’s going bad. Any tips on how to prevent this? Would keeping it refrigerated help? That wouldn’t be the most ideal solution because it’s rather inconvenient, not to mention cold in the winter! And is there a way to preserve the aloe juice too, since I bought a whole bottle but only use a tiny bit for each mixing, and the bottle expires about 45 days after opening… Thanks for sharing this gem and look forward to your suggestions!
[…] Potholes & pantyhose | cheap, organic facial moisturizer […]
This is great! I’m wondering if you could even turn it into a tinted moisturizer with cocoa powder!?
[…] recipe was linked up to my Anti-Procrastination Tuesday Link Party from the awesome Rebekah at Potholes and Pantyhose. She did a great, month- long series on homemade products, which is where I got this recipe. She […]
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Any substitute for almond oil? Nut allergies in my house. Thanks