Perfect DIY Homemade Base Cream (with Photos)

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How to make cream base? You can now make your own face cream with this fantastic DIY homemade moisturizer cream base recipe which can be used both on the face and body.

This natural cosmetic is a cream base which means you can use the same formula as a base and then just adjust your carrier and essential oils as you please.

We made this recipe at the Naturally Thinking course (this was my first recipe, I’ve made hundreds since) and I was well impressed.

This is not just a ‘put together a few ingredients at home’ sort of thing. This is a proper, professionally made lotion/moisturizer that can be used as a base for many, many variations of carrier/essential oils you want to play around with.

I suggest you use natural preservatives when creating your homemade face cream or any other natural cosmetic. Using a natural ingredient is important, particularly as you can opt for this when making a cream from scratch at home. 

Perfect Homemade Base Cream for Face or Body: Recipe for 500gm (1/2 Kilo)

Even though this is my first recipe, this is not the recipe for someone starting out who has never done DIY skincare before. I was under the supervision of a tutor and in a safe environment because we were handling preservatives, professional emulsifier, surfactants (stearic acid, cetyl alcohol), etc. I’ve found a GREAT site that checks all ingredients (function, acne, irritant, safety) as well as all products (you can do a product search and it’ll tell you function, acne, irritant and safety for all ingredients that company/brand has used. Very, very convenient indeed. Here’s the link)

​These are the ingredients we’re using on this recipe. Next to the name you’ll see what it does within the recipe (if it’s a solvent, if it helps moisturize the skin, if it’s an emollient, etc). I think this is very helpful.

Ingredient Function Acne Irritant Safety
Aqua ‧Solvent 1
Glycerin ‧Solvent‧Moisturizer 0 0 2
Glyceryl Stearate ‧Emollient‧Emulsifier
PEG-100 ‧Moisturizer 3
Stearic Acid ‧Surfactant‧Viscosity Control‧Emulsifier 2 0 1
Cetyl Alcohol ‧Surfactant‧Viscosity Control‧Emollient 2 2 1
Glyceryl Stearate SE ‧Emulsifier 3 2 1
Phenoxyethanol ‧Preservative 4
Ethylhexylglycerin ‧Moisturizer

In terms of this recipe not being exactly the easiest to do at home only depends on how much research you’ve already done or experience you already have. The good news is that if I was able to do this on my first day (and I had never really done any DIY lotions or moisturisers before, only my lovely DIY homemade whipped shea butter, which was easy!

Base Cream Recipe: How to Make Base Cream Like a Pro

To make the lotion (I consider this to be a natural lotion base as well, meaning you can use it for your body) you don’t need a professional immersion blender. I’ve made A LOT of skincare at home with my cheap, totally non-professional blenders. Your body lotion or body cream is a basic lotion that will be perfect for your skin care needs. If you’re looking for different types of creams you can simply adapt this one by adding other ingredients like lavender essential oil, active ingredients, etc. Even aloe can be added to this cream. The options are endless.

Ingredients, Percentages, Amounts, Phases (A, B, C or D)

If you’re not familiar with going beyond mixing a few oils don’t be scared – it’s a lot easier than what it looks like. Still, I do suggest that you watch a few videos to get comfortable with the concepts and the steps (I’m only posting photos here – this is a good entry for someone who’s familiar with the method and would like to check out the recipe but if you’re new to all of this it would be better for you to play around with simpler recipes first, watch a few videos and then come back here when you feel confident).

Homemade Base Cream Phase A (Water Phase)

– Distilled water at around 75 degrees (76% of the total amount – 380gm) **Our tutor said we can use bottled water if we’re not selling the homemade lotion and it’s just for home use)- Glycerin (2% of the total amount – 10gm)

Homemade Base Cream Phase B (Oil Phase)

– Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride (fracionated coconut oil – which means coconut oil that never goes solid) (6% of the total amount – 30gm)
– Grapeseed Oil or oil of your choice (4% of the total amount – 20gm)
– Glyceryl Stearate & Peg 100 (3% of the total amount – 15gm)
– Stearic Acid (2% of the total amount – 10gm)
– Cetyl Alcohol (2% of the total amount – 10gm)
– Glyceryl Stearate SE (4% of the total amount – 20gm)

Homemade Base Cream Phase C

– Phenoxyethanol (0.5% of the total amount – 2.5gm)
– Ethylhexylglycerin (0.5% of the total amount – 2.5gm)
**Nowadays I only use Cosgard as a natural preservative. Making your own products means you also learn what’s best for your formulas/recipes over time. Some people use Liquid germall plus as a preservative although I don’t have any experience with this.

This will make a good, natural product, a moisturizer for your face and body (even though some of the ingredients above go beyond the usual shea butter / coconut oil DIY easy concoction – to make a simple lotion you need to scroll!).

Method

We had very basic utensils to get us by:
– 3 bowls (one very large plastic one,
– one large glass one, one small ceramic one),
– a very basic scale,
– a spatula and a large plastic spoon.

We also each had a Pro-Wax 100 wax warmer. They’re cheap and very convenient for melting the oils and other ingredients. Probably easier than using the bain marie method.

Here’s an example of the packaging from Naturally Thinking (I’ll be taking quite a few of these with me back to Tenerife).

First, I placed all of Phase B ingredients inside the wax warmer (on high) and melted all the ingredients until the liquid was thin and clear (75-85 degrees). [I used the small ceramic bowl to measure each ingredient prior to pouring into the wax warmer].

In the meantime, I mixed Phase A ingredients together in the bigger glass bowl. The distilled water was around 75-85 degrees.

Next, once Phase B ingredients inside the wax warmer looked clear and at around 75-85 degrees, I poured the mix into the Phase A mix and blended the whole thing for about 1 minute with an electric blender (don’t have a photo using the electric blender, sorry).

After blending I filled the biggest plastic bowl with cold tap water (a little more than half its size) and placed the glass bowl inside. I then stirred using the spatula. I had to stir for a while before the consistency started forming (a few minutes).

Below you get a sense of the size of the larger plastic bowl and the amount of cold tap water I added…

Once the consistency is there our tutor added the preservatives (phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin). I stirred it in.

My DIY homemade moisturizer base cream is ready! I then added carrier oils (25g) and 50 drops of essential oils (mixed).

I’ve used it on my body and face and it feels AMAZING.

Homemade Cream Base for People Who Want it the Simple Way (Normal, Dry, Combination Skin)

Now you know how to make cream base the professional way. Homemade cream base can also be made in a more “DIY fashion with fewer ingredients and with simpler processes. For those who prefer to do something less “lab-like” I’ve got you covered.

The below homemade base cream recipe is suitable for most skin types, including dry, normal, and combination skin.

  • Shea butter and coconut oil are both highly moisturizing and can help to hydrate dry skin.
  • Almond oil is lightweight and non-greasy, making it suitable for normal and combination skin.
  • Wax helps to thicken the cream and provide a protective barrier on the skin, which can be beneficial for all skin types.

    It is always a good idea to do a patch test before using any new skincare product to ensure that it does not cause any irritation or allergic reactions.

    Let’s get started with this face cream (or a lotion recipe for the body).

Ingredients:

These ingredients are safe to use and although we are not mixing water and oil here the result will be a lovely spreadable oil based lotion that your skin will totally love, believe me.

  • 1/2 cup shea butter
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup almond oil
  • 1/4 cup beeswax
  • 1 tsp vitamin E oil (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a double boiler, melt the shea butter, coconut oil, almond oil, and beeswax together until fully melted.
  2. Remove from heat and stir in the vitamin E oil (if using).
  3. Pour the mixture into a blender or food processor and let it cool for a few minutes until it starts to thicken.
  4. Blend the mixture until it becomes a smooth and creamy consistency.
  5. Transfer the cream to a clean jar or container with a lid.

This homemade base cream is a simple basic lotion recipe yet effective recipe that can be customized by adding essential oils or other natural ingredients based on individual preferences and skin types. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids that nourish and hydrate the skin, making it an ideal base for a variety of DIY skincare products such as lotions, body butters, and face creams.

Make sure that the lotion is to your liking. You can always make a natural simple recipe by combining other ingredients into your recipe, for example adding aloe vera gel (the ones you buy at the stores will already be preserved which is good). To make a homemade lotion which incorporates aloe vera gel simply mix the gel into your recipe above once your mix has cooled down. You can use a different carrier oil also if coconut oil or almond oil are not oils you usually would go for.

The above oils are also suitable for sensitive skin by the way so you shouldn’t be experiencing any skin irritation.

Homemade Cream Base for People with Oily or Acne-Prone Skin

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. In a double boiler, melt the grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera gel, and beeswax together until fully melted.
  2. Remove from heat and stir in the vitamin E oil (if using) and tea tree essential oil (if using).
  3. Pour the mixture into a blender or food processor and let it cool for a few minutes until it starts to thicken.
  4. Blend the mixture until it becomes a smooth and creamy consistency.
  5. Transfer the cream to a clean jar or container with a lid.

This homemade base cream is lightweight and non-greasy, making it suitable for oily or acne-prone skin. Grapeseed oil and jojoba oil are both known for their ability to balance the skin’s natural oils and help to prevent breakouts. Aloe vera gel is soothing and hydrating, and can help to reduce inflammation and redness. Beeswax provides a protective barrier on the skin without clogging pores, making it an ideal ingredient for acne-prone skin. Tea tree essential oil has antibacterial properties that can help to fight acne-causing bacteria.

As with any new skincare product, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test before using on your face. If you experience any irritation or allergic reactions, discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.

DIY Skincare: How to Make Homemade Lotion and Face Cream – Summary

The above article provides guidance on learning to make a lotion at home. It suggests using a water bath to melt a carrier oil blend with beeswax, etc, then adding additional ingredients to customize the lotion for specific skin care needs (i.e. essential oils).

The resulting lotion can be used as a base for a range of skin care products, including hand lotion. However, if the lotion is going to be sold or stored for more than a few days, a preservative will need to be added to prevent the growth of bacteria. Read from my blog to learn about a complete list of ingredients which I provide to help readers get started making their lotion.

Conclusion: Making a Cream Base and Lotion Recipe is Easier than What People Think!

In conclusion, making your own lotion at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. With the right ingredients, such as emulsifying wax and grapefruit seed extract, it is possible to create a stable emulsion that will keep the oils and other active ingredients well-mixed.

While some people may prefer to use a carrier oil and beeswax to make lotion bars, others may find it easier to blend oils and emulsifying wax together to create a smoother lotion. Once the ingredients are melted together, it is important to let the mixture cool to room temperature before adding any fragrances or other additives.

By following these simple steps, you can create a lotion without the use of harmful chemicals and tailor it to your specific skin care needs.

Related posts:

  1. Natural Lip Balm Recipes: Different DIY Lip Balm Formulas for Different Consistencies
  2. DIY Lip Balm: The EASIEST DIY Lip Balm Recipe in The World (My Favourite Recipe!)
  3. A Truly Wonderful DIY Facial Oil Blend for Ageing Skin

Patri Hernandez, CHC, Certified Health Coach & Certified Organic Skincare Alchemist
One day, during my menopausal rollercoaster, I had a spiritual awakening that connected me so deeply with nature, I thought I might sprout leaves. Suddenly, natural ingredients became my obsession—like an addiction, really. My body was magnetically drawn to them, and it wasn’t long before I found myself knee-deep in essential oils, herbs, and all things organic.

From there, it was a slippery slope (a delightfully scented one) into organic skincare formulation. The intoxicating aroma of essential oils, the thrill of crafting something pure with my own hands—I was hooked. It wasn’t enough to just use these natural wonders; I had to create them, surround myself with them. Now, I live on a piece of land where I grow my own organic fruits and vegetables (when the weather isn’t playing tricks on me), and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

When people ask what I do, I like to think about the view from my window—the endless sea—and say, “I live the life dreamers dream of.” It's All about the richness of living in harmony with nature. Watching others turn to natural ingredients because of something I shared with them—that’s my proudest achievement.

Oh, and just to keep things interesting, I’m also a bit of a nerd. I love computers, software, and all the techy stuff that seems like it wouldn’t fit with my earth-loving, oil-sniffing lifestyle. But hey, who says you can’t have the best of both worlds?

My ultimate goal? To help people kick the commercial product habit and embrace the natural, the organic, the truly nourishing. Life’s too short to settle for anything less.