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DIY Face Cream Recipe

April 29, 2011 - 58 Comments

 Let's talk about DIY face cream.


And the fact that Georgia's bottom is on my face.

Let me rephrase that:
A baby's bottom is on my face.

Let me try again:
The skin of a baby's bottom is on my face.

And once again:
The skin of my face is like that of a baby's bottom.

Lastly:
My skin is as soft and supple as a baby's bottom.

Phew. That took me a few tries to get right, but have no fear! My writing skills never cease to amaze me! And you, I am sure.

Today is another of my make-at-home favorites. After dabbling with a few different recipes, I have landed on my favorite DIY face cream recipe. So, I decided to share it with you! So that Georgia's bottom can be on your face as well. Dangit, there I go again.

DIY Face Cream Recipe

– 1 tablespoon coconut oil
– 3 tablespoons shea butter
– 2-3 drops tea tree oil

And there ya have it. The perfect DIY face cream recipe.

1. Simply mix the coconut oil:

With the shea butter:
 

With the tea tree oil:

 

2. Squish with the back of a spoon to get a nice, frosting-like consistency.

 

And there you have it. I store my face cream in a recycled baby food jar and just keep it in the bathroom cupboard. Then, after my shower at night, I smear it on my face and neck like it's goin' out of style.

Miraculously, each morning, I wake up with uber-soft skin. The more I use it, the better it gets! I only use it once a day, usually at night, and then just splash my face with water in the morning. It seems to still last on there after that.

In the last year, I've gone from using crazy expensive and toxic facial cleaners (that I had to special order!) – to washing my face with natural, organic castile soap – to then also using this wonderful DIY face cream recipe! Can't beat the price (I didn't do the math, but it can't be more than .75 cents per batch) and the ingredients are easy, cheap, and all natural. That's a win, win, win (just in case you're keeping track).

I purchase my coconut oil in bulk HERE. And my shea butter from HERE, which is very inexpensive. I use my favorite brand of essential oils for this recipe as well. You can read about purchasing these super high-quality oils for this DIY face cream recipe HERE.

Please try it. I beg you. I plead with you. Let me know what you think.

And don't be surprised if I enthusiastically start rubbing your face when we run into each other. I can't help it – I do the same thing to Georgia's lil' toosh when she gets out of the tub at night.

I need help.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

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Comments:

  1. Lorie

    April 29, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  2. Lorie

    April 29, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  3. Melanie H.

    April 29, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    I believe I have those ingredients. Here goes nothin’!

    Reply
  4. Kendra at New Life On A Homestead

    April 29, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    Dang it! Stop posting all of these cool do-it-yourself recipes. I’ve got so much catching up to do still!!! And no money to place orders for the ingredients! Stop it Shaye, stop it I tell you.

    Reply
  5. Kendra at New Life On A Homestead

    April 29, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    Dang it! Stop posting all of these cool do-it-yourself recipes. I’ve got so much catching up to do still!!! And no money to place orders for the ingredients! Stop it Shaye, stop it I tell you.

    Reply
    • Madelyn

      July 16, 2014 at 9:57 pm

      AGREED!

      Reply
  6. Lorie

    April 30, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    Is the tea tree oil just for fragrance?

    Reply
    • Kathy

      April 9, 2020 at 2:36 pm

      No it is not. It’s a multi use oil for alot of different products.

      Reply
  7. Danielle

    September 2, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    Hey Shaye… I have tea tree oil, but I also have some lavendar e. oil… wonder if it could also be a good ingredient??

    Reply
  8. jessilee

    November 4, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    Ok, I’m giving this a try. I’m currently spending a small fortune on Arbonne products so 0.75 cents per batch sounds amazing!

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      January 26, 2012 at 6:09 pm

      Hi Jessilee,

      I just was referred to this site, and I happen to use and love Arbonne myself. But yet, the price of this is much more appropriate for our budget at the moment! 🙂 Have you tried this yet, and how does it compare? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kathy

        April 9, 2020 at 2:41 pm

        I’ve been using oils for a few yrs now. Started experimenting making my own body lotion, face toner, relaxing fragrance oils to sleep better & sprays for my car. I get all my recipes from Pinteret…fyi.

        Reply
  9. jessilee

    November 4, 2011 at 12:47 pm

    Ok, I’m giving this a try. I’m currently spending a small fortune on Arbonne products so 0.75 cents per batch sounds amazing!

    Reply
  10. Shaye @ The Elliott Homestead

    November 26, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    Katrina, I totally have acne prone/oily skin. But what I’ve found is that adding the right type of moisturizer really helps. That being said, I also noticed that foods I was eating had a huge affect on my acne prone skin and when I switched to a whole-foods diet, my acne greatly improved. I wash with Castile soap, twice daily and use this cream at night. Hope this helps!

    Reply
  11. Jobless Girl

    November 21, 2012 at 12:48 am

    Thanks for sharing.. This homemade cream suit to all type of skin?

    Reply
    • Shaye Elliott

      April 21, 2013 at 7:55 pm

      Yep!

      Reply
  12. Shaye Elliott

    February 4, 2013 at 6:04 pm

    I LOVE this face cream, too! For facial wash, I use Castile Soap OR straight coconut oil. Every two or three days, I’ll do a good scrub with some baking soda.

    Reply
  13. sharon

    February 4, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    I thought tea tree oil could be dangerous around the eyes?

    Reply
    • Amber Roark-Steen

      March 11, 2013 at 1:29 pm

      If you were to put pure tea tree oil near your eyes, it would sting! But I think since this recipe has only a few drops it should be fine.

      Reply
  14. Lynne

    March 25, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    Would this work for extra dry hands? I wonder.

    Reply
  15. Daphne Rippey

    April 14, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    The link to the shea butter doesn’t work! Just wanted you to know.

    Reply
    • Shaye Elliott

      April 21, 2013 at 7:58 pm

      Thank you! I fixed it 🙂

      Reply
  16. chelsea

    August 10, 2013 at 8:18 pm

    is this like a moisturizer or a cleanser?

    Reply
  17. Rose

    December 2, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    I love this recipe, however there are little gritty things in it. Is this the Shea Butter that didn’t blend? It almost feels like salt. I still use it though, because it makes my face soft. Thanks!

    Reply
  18. E Pyer

    December 26, 2013 at 9:37 am

    Since there are no preservatives in this recipe how long would this size batch be good for?

    Reply
    • Ingrid Burling

      March 23, 2021 at 10:59 am

      Hi, I love this blog. We are about to move into a 3.5 acre plot with a large house, a cottage and a studio to rent out, and a barn too. I’m toying with the idea of having my own cow and milk-sharing. Or we might have a goat instead. Anyway, just thankful for the info here and I wanted to make a contribution of my own – regarding the many questions about the cream. As follows – and I hope this is useful! –
      I’ve been making my own facial serums, oils and creams for a while now. You can use a max of 2% essential oil in any batch. More than that will burn. You need around 10% Vitamin E oil in the mix to enable it to keep up to 2 years, or you can add rosemary oil (1.-2% dilution) but this will change the smell. You can make any quantity with these ingredients, as long as the percentages I’ve mentioned are right. if in any doubt of you have skin sensitivities, make a small amount and test on your jawline overnight to see if you get an allergic reaction. Note that oils can be sensitising – just because they are natural, does not mean they are without issues. Also, always mention any that you are using when viisting the doctor as some will cancel out the effects of medicines. I’m thinking St John’s Wort, which is lovely on the skin but contra-indicated with quite a few things.
      If the mixture is too grainy, put the oils into a heat-proof dish, placed ontop of a pot of hot water (away from the stove, not on any direct heat) and allow the oils to melt, then take away from the hot water, allow to cool down a bit, and add the essential oils. Stir and put into a jar.
      Remember not to put oils on direct heat; some have very low flash points and will catch fire. Easy does it. I have created a facial serum that is nothing short of miraculous: mix together 24ml each of sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, comfrey oil and coconut oil, to make 100ml. Add 10ml of ‘rose de mai’ oil (I buy a 5% dilution in other oil and so there is no danger of burning your skin).
      If you can bear your pillow cases being stained, and havig to bleach them after sleeping, you can add 1ml of seabuckthorn berrry oil to this. It is super orange, and will give you a tan like no tanning booth could ever do, but clears up wrinkles and lines in no time. I wish I could post a picture of my skin here, I am 60 and have been youthing for some years now. Even I am amazed!
      Good luck ya’ll.

      Reply
  19. Reyna

    January 24, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    Yes, I’ve started making my own whipped body cream with Shea butter, cocoa butter and sweet almond butter, it’s divine!

    Reply
    • Lizette

      August 30, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      Hi Reyna! I’d love to get your exact recipe for your divine body cream. It sounds amazing. Can you share? 🙂

      Reply
      • Diane Lee

        June 15, 2021 at 1:25 pm

        Looking forward to your recipe for your Divine Body Butter. Have been making soap for a yr now, so I have a good verity of oils on hand along with Bees wax.
        Thanks in advance. Diane.

        Reply
  20. Alicja Martinez

    February 5, 2014 at 1:38 am

    This is a great receipe! I did it and I’m using it. The first time however I didn’t mix it well with my teaspoon 🙂 and I had some pieces of shea butter inside. but it was the same great! Thank you for the best blog ever!

    Reply
    • Shaye Elliott

      February 11, 2014 at 9:11 pm

      Aww! Thanks Alicja!

      Reply
  21. Cindy

    March 18, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    I have bookmarked your website and have been using your recipes for both my daughters. Their skin is so sensitive, and we love your lotions, chapsticks….

    On this particular one the first time I mixed the ingredients I also got that gritty feel, so this last batch I made, I decided to use my mixer and the consistency is soooooo much softer…love it!!!

    Reply
  22. Valarie

    March 25, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    Thank you for this recipe! I use it on my dry curly hair and it has never been the same. I’ll be making batches to give away with your site address on the tag!

    Reply
  23. Carolynn Slaughter

    June 5, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    Mine also came out gritty. Is this normal? Once I put it on and rub it in, the grittiness goes away but initially its gritty. Is this the shea butter? I do like the way it makes my skin feel.

    Reply
    • Shaye Elliott

      June 8, 2014 at 11:43 pm

      It may be the brand of shea butter you are using!

      Reply
      • Carolynn

        June 24, 2014 at 12:01 am

        Thanks, I bought 100% pure unrefined shea butter on Amazon.com that claimed to not be gritty so they misrepresented it. The grit does go away once I rub it in. I’ll purchase the same brand you used and try that next time. By the way … I love this recipe. My skin is so soft!

        Reply
  24. paul

    October 14, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    i cant get over the damn tea tree oil scent.
    i made a small batch to test it, and added lavender oil until the tea tree scent was toned down.
    hope it world ok with a good amount of lavender in it.

    going to have to make another small batch with just TTO and bear the smell and compare the two a week at a time.

    Reply
  25. Rika

    November 13, 2014 at 8:59 am

    Thanks, I’m going to try this!

    Reply
  26. Renee

    November 26, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    Hey, was just wondering how long a small jar of this will last for before it turns? Getting ready to make a batch up!!

    Reply
  27. LL

    April 22, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    This is now my second time making this. The first jar lasted a few months before I used it all and I loved it. Now the second jar I’ve made was MOLDY when I opened it the other day!! I did nothing different this time than last time. I made it probably 1-2 months ago and it’s now moldy. My last jar never got moldy and lasted longer. I’m now VERY hesitant to make this again. & I now have no moisturizer! Dear author, could you possibly explain how this recipe would get moldy? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Shaye Elliott

      May 1, 2015 at 11:04 pm

      Sounds like it was contaminated with something else.

      Reply
    • JULIA

      August 25, 2016 at 12:37 pm

      I have found coconut oil can go bad and get moldy. A few drops os gse or vitamin E will preserve it

      Reply
    • Ingrid Burling

      March 23, 2021 at 11:03 am

      Hi – you must sterilise the jar and don’t ever use a jar with a rubber ring in the lid, from a previous pot of cream as this may contain masses of bacteria. I use a baby’s bottle sterilising liquid (1 capful goes a long way) and soak the jar and lid in it, then dry it with an alcoholic anti-bacterial wipe inside and out, and then put the cream in it. Also be careful to have the jar in a clean room – not a steamy bathroom with things balancing on the edge of your sink or basin. Sterilise ALL of it. Avoid being afriad – you can get ontop of this, you just need to organise it. 🙂

      Reply
  28. Shaye Elliott

    July 6, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    Yes, you can!

    Reply
  29. Jenna

    November 13, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    Hi, can coca butter be used as an alternative for shea butter?

    Reply
  30. Debbie

    January 13, 2016 at 10:49 pm

    What would you suggest for an alternative to the shea butter since my daughter can’t use that?

    Reply
  31. Softly Southern

    January 31, 2016 at 2:17 am

    I love this recipe! Question. Since coconut oil can clog pores, would Fractionated Coconut oil be a better substitute for this? Or would it have the same issue?

    Reply
  32. E

    March 30, 2016 at 4:39 pm

    I make small quantity that can last a week, then do another one once the mixture is used up. It’s easy enough to make, and Yes, I use this all over my body except for the face. And, my skin has gotten super soft.

    Reply
  33. Anushka

    August 11, 2016 at 7:51 am

    I tried to make something similar here’s my recepie:
    1 teaspoon cocnut oil
    3 teaspoons shea butter
    2 teaspoons aloa vera gel
    1 drop of lavander oil
    Then I mixed all ingridients with mixer 🙂

    Reply
    • Cris Daining

      August 11, 2016 at 1:26 pm

      Looks like a great recipe! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  34. Eva

    October 6, 2017 at 10:04 am

    Could you recommend a larger batch for a smallish mason jar?

    Reply
  35. Lynn

    October 30, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    Is aloe Vera gel the same as the drink?

    Reply
    • Shaye Elliott

      October 30, 2017 at 10:44 pm

      No, it is thicker. 🙂

      Reply
  36. acne face powder

    February 9, 2018 at 10:10 am

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  37. Cara

    December 26, 2018 at 7:16 pm

    The first time I made this was 2 yrs ago and I put it into an recycled, glass active yeast jar. It lasted me 1.5yrs and stayed fresh. A little goes a long way! I use tea tree oil, lavender, and rose hip oil. I just made it again, but used unrefined shea butter and saw I was going to have the gritty problem others complained about. I put 2 glass nesting bowls together with hot water between like a double boiler and melted the butter and coconut oil. I was able to whip it and it fixed the consistency issue.
    Hope that helps anyone having similar issues!

    Reply
  38. Kathy

    April 9, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    I’ve been using oils for a few yrs now. Started experimenting making my own body lotion, face toner, relaxing fragrance oils to sleep better & sprays for my car. I get all my recipes from Pinteret…fyi.

    Reply
  39. CJ

    November 20, 2020 at 9:23 pm

    I just made a batch and tried it for the first time. It seems really greasy when you put it on but it soaks in beautifully. So excited to feel my skin in the morning.

    Reply
  40. Mari Vant

    August 22, 2021 at 4:24 pm

    Love this and can’t wait to try!! I have a question concerning what container to use. Can I use a ball jar? Can I use plastic containers for making homemade balms and creams? If they turn out nicely, I would love to give for Christmas presents. Also, thanks so much for all the tips! I have extremely dry skin from thyroid and very thankful for a natural solution! My experience with true Shea butter has been an unpleasant smell, and texture but it did help, So I am excited to try the added oils!

    Reply

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