Everyday Facial Lotion

When I ran out of my usual facial moisturizer, I decided it was the perfect time to make my own. I studied the label of the moisturizer I’d been using, I perused blogs, and I narrowed down my list of possible ingredients. Then I went to our Technical Support staff with my roughed-out formula for their feedback. Tina is a veritable well of knowledge, and she guided me away from some ingredients and toward others.

Finished everyday facial lotion with bottles of oil.

I adore the feel of our Oil Perfection Base, and I chose it as the primary fixed oil in my formula. This base is loaded with wonderful ingredients, making it a time saver as well as an outstanding bargain. Look at all that’s packed into this base: Fractionated Coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil, Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Aloe Extract, Orchid Extract, and Vitamin E.

Let’s see what these different oils and extracts will contribute.

• Sunflower Oil is a light oil that penetrates easily and provides spreadability.
• Fractionated Coconut Oil gives a dry, silky feel to lotions, and coconut oil is great for the skin.
• Argan Oil is found in so many high-end body care products for a good reason – it is full of skin healing properties, promotes inflammation reduction, is anti-aging, and fights free radicals. Wow!
• Jojoba Oil has been used for centuries to beautify skin. It’s a powerful moisturizer and emollient, improving skin moisture and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
• Aloe Extract offers anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Orchid Extract is the go-to product for mature skin.
• Vitamin E is an effective antioxidant, both to the oil blend and to the skin.

All that in one bottle! I think I could make a lotion out of this base alone and be happy with it. But I wanted to add a few other things.

Extras

Lotions require an emulsifier to bind the oils and water together. I chose our Conditioning Emulsifier, which makes for velvety lotions that are extremely gentle. Definitely a good choice for the face.

Organic Rose Hip Oil contains essential fatty acids that provide a great boost to mature skin. (The days of my youth are far behind me, so I’m looking for all the good things that will give my skin some TLC.)

Hydrovance and Glycerin are two humectant options. I chose to use Glycerin for my first batch of this lotion. When I remake it, I’ll try Hydrovance.

Oat Oil is a wonderful additive that provides moisture-retention properties as well as fatty acids the skin needs.

Squalane is a cousin to a compound naturally produced by the skin, and it makes lotions feel non-greasy.

Isopropyl Myristate will make a lotion go on velvety smooth, cut the greasy feel, and help the skin feel dewy after application.

I thought about leaving the lotion unscented, but it smelled strange. After sniffing a lot of fragrance oils, I chose Hydrogen Fragrance Oil at a very low usage rate. I like a light scent for facial products. I was waffling between Hydrogen, Lavender Essential Oil, or Green Clover & Aloe Fragrance Oil. I may use Green Clover & Aloe in my next batch.

Let’s talk a moment about water. I never use tap water in my soaps or lotions, because I have a well, and the naturally-occurring minerals could be in a high enough concentration to cause issues. Bacteria is another concern. Using distilled water ensures that you are beginning with a neutral base.

Join me in my work room to mix up a small test batch of this lotion. Here’s what we will need:

You’ll also need a container for your finished lotion. I prefer a pump for my facial lotions, and I don’t want a huge bottle. I like the shape and size of our 4-ounce Boston Round PET Plastic Bottles (size 24) with a high viscosity pump closure. Here’s where working remotely gets aggravating. I don’t have any of those! I made do with a small jar, but you can bet the next time I get a box of supplies, there will be Boston Rounds and pump closures in it.

EVERYDAY FACIAL LOTION RECIPE

Begin by weighing the water. Then add Oil Perfection Base, Conditioning Emulsifier, and humectant.

Heat this in short bursts of time in the microwave, stirring after each time of heating. The emulsifier needs to melt completely so it can do its job of creating the emulsification of oils and water. Don’t overheat – the emulsifier melts at about 140 degrees.

When the mixture is heated enough that the emulsifier is melted, stick blend the mixture. Then add the Organic Rose Hip Oil, Oat Oil, Squalane, and Isopropyl Myristate. Stick blend again until everything is mixed well.

Allow the mixture to cool below 120 degrees before adding fragrance and preservative. Mix these in very well.

Organic Rose Hip Oil (left) and Oil Perfection Base.

The finished lotion.

Now you can package your lotion while it’s still somewhat runny. I usually scoop the lotion into a plastic bag, then I snip off a corner and use that to pipe the lotion into bottles or jars. When it has cooled, put on the closures, add a label, and give it a try!

You will need to trim the end of the pump to match the height of the bottle. Cut at a slight angle so the pump is able to pull up the lotion.

Notes:

The finished lotion goes on light, spreads easily, and absorbs very quickly. My skin feels hydrated all day long.

After using this lotion for a few weeks, I have come to like it a lot. However, in that time period, I traveled to a very humid area. I was surprised at how different the lotion felt there. It felt overly heavy on my face. Thankfully, it did not create any issues with my complexion (i.e., pimples), but I like it a lot better in the dry climate of home.

What would you add to this facial lotion? Maybe some essential oils? Or would you like more skin-loving extracts?