DIY Face Moisturizer (Honey & Beeswax)

In a world filled with commercial skin care products – (with unpronounceable ingredients) – the allure of making your own is real. This tutorial will help you craft your own DIY Face Moisturizer containing natural honey and beeswax. Not only does it cost less – you also have the peace of mind in knowing what you are putting on your skin. Embrace the nourishing properties of shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil, honey, and the incredible beeswax in this easy recipe.

Skin care is only one of the hundreds of ways to use honey in and around the home. It is so much more than a sweet treat given to us by the bees. Expand your horizons and learn what it can do for you.

Homemade Face Moisturizer

Creating your own homemade recipes for skin care does not have to be complicated. And, there are many reasons to give it a try. When you control the ingredients, it is much easier to develop a recipe that reflects your personal needs and preferences.

In the most basic terms, we are striving to lock in the existing moisture in our skin and possibly protect our skin from irritating chemicals and substances.

Ingredients

You only need a small number of ingredients for the basic DIY face moisturizer recipe. The best news is that many of them can be used for other projects – so no wasted money.

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is derived from the cocoa bean. It is really a vegetable fat and not a butter at all.  Cocoa butter is a bit brittle at room temperature but it has a low melting point so it is easy to work with. 

It contains palmitic, oleic, and stearic acids. All of these are very nourishing to skin. This butter is more expensive than Shea butter. If you only want to use one – you can substitute Shea for the Cocoa butter in this recipe.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is used in many recipes for cosmetics and skin care. It contains natural forms of vitamin E and is used for cleansing and toning. You easily find it in small bottles in liquid form.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a must have for your kitchen pantry. You can do any number of remarkable things with it – including using it in cooking. This wonderful oil is produced from the milk or meat of coconuts – it has a wonderful aroma.

You will find different types of coconut oil that mostly refer to the manner in which it was made. For skin care, unrefined cold pressed is the one to go for. It is believed that this method retains most of the natural properties of the oil.

Honey

Whenever possible, use raw honey in your skin care products. Honey is full of anti-oxidants and studies have shown it to be nourishing for skin.

Any variety of honey works well in your homemade skin moisturizer recipe. No need to spend extra money for special types – just buy some good raw pure honey.

Beeswax

This wonderful product is actually made by honey bees. No, they do not collect it – they make it!  Female worker bees have special glands on the underside of their abdomen that extrude flakes of wax.

They use it to build the structure of their homes – the actual sheets of honeycomb. But, we humans understand the value of beeswax and its many uses. It lasts virtually forever – always keep a bit on hand.

In fact, the use of beeswax for skin care is well established. It is a common ingredient in hundreds of cosmetic products.

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E is a common ingredient in homemade products – though it is optional in this recipe. It is a natural anti-oxidant that helps keep the oils and butters in your recipes fresh longer. 

While not as powerful as some of the commercial parabens etc, it is a natural product that is also good for your skin. You can add it to beeswax lip balms, beeswax body butters, soaps and many other DIY products for skin care.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Essential oils are natural products that are derived from various plant sources. But, don’t let that fool you into thinking that they are not powerful. These concentrated substances should be used with care and respect.

Tea Tree Essential oil has antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be a good partner in skin care when mixed with another carrier oil – but it is also optional for this recipe. 

If you have sensitive skin, consult a doctor or dermatologist prior to putting any essential oils on your face.

The Process – Melting and Mixing

1. The process of putting all the ingredients together is very simple. Gently melt the beeswax first as it takes a bit longer to liquify. The double boiler method is the safest way to melt beeswax.

If you do use a microwave – do so in short bursts and stir in between each session. It is very easy to overheat and damage the materials in the microwave.

2. Once the beeswax is mostly melted, add the butters (shea, cocoa, coconut) and the jojoba oil. Stir until combined.

3. Remove from heat and add the honey, vitamin E oil and Tea Tree Essential oil if you wish.

4.Stir during cooling. Honey is water soluble but we are adding it to a recipe with oils and butters. The tendency is for the honey to separate out.

As your recipe cools, it is important to stir the ingredients often to help the honey blend with the other ingredients.

Storage & Use

Once everything is mixed well and starts to solidify. Pour your DIY face moisturizer into a suitable container. This means one with a wide mouth so you can later reach in and get some out.

You did it! I knew you could. Your DIY Face Moisturizer should last for several months in a tight-fitting jar. If it begins to smell rancid, it is time to throw it out and make a new batch.

When using for the first time, apply a bit to a small area. Anyone can be allergic to anything – some poor folks are allergic to honey! If you have any concerns – consult your dermatologist.

Now you have a natural product without a lot of mystery chemicals to use on your face. The most common way to apply is to use a finger tip and gently spread a small amount over your face (avoiding the eyes of course).

A small amount (the size of a dime) is perfect to help ease dry skin and serve as an overall moisturizer. It is most commonly used at night.

Expert Tips & Variations

As you make your moisturizer, it really does not matter which order you add the ingredients to the mix. I start with beeswax because it is slower to melt. And, save the honey, vitamin E oil and essential oils until last so they are not damaged by the heat.

Tea Tree oil is known as a good product for skin but if you do not care for it – you can use another skin safe essential oil instead. Other popular choices are: Lavender, Frankincense and Sandalwood.

Honestly, you don’t have to use any scent, fragrance or essential oils if you prefer. This might be a good choice for those of you with really sensitive skin.

If your face moisturizer is a bit more liquid than you desire, you can gently melt again and add a bit more beeswax. Take care that you do not get it too hard to spread though.

Safety First– Melted beeswax and hot oils can result in burns. Be careful to avoid spills or splashes that might burn your skin. Do not leave ingredients unattended.

More Ideas

For a really liquid skin product that you can smooth on- try this recipe for beeswax lotion. Many prefer using regular lotion for hands and then the creamier product for the face.

Of course if you would rather have a more solid option – you can make your own homemade beeswax lotion bars. They too can be individualized to your specific fragrance choices, etc.

Also, while you have your creative juices flowing, this beeswax balm for cacked heels may be the answer to your woes if you suffer from dry heels – especially during Winter.

Final Thoughts

Making your own bath and beauty products is a lot of fun. They are nice to use and to give as special gifts. Most are easy to make and if you make a mistake – just try again. When you create that perfect product using honey and beeswax – you will have your skin saying….. ahhhhh.