Face Cream Recipe: A Simple Preserved DIY Moisturizer

This face cream is a small-batch, unscented moisturizer made by blending distilled water with glycerin, plant oils, and an emulsifying wax. A broad-spectrum cosmetic preservative helps protect the water-based mixture from microbial growth; it is not optional, and this homemade formula is best made in a clean workspace and used promptly.

Ingredients

Distilled water: 70.5 g (about 1/4 cup plus 2 1/4 teaspoons, or 70.5 ml)
Vegetable glycerin: 4 g (about 3/4 teaspoon)
Sunflower oil: 10 g (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
Jojoba oil: 5 g (about 1 teaspoon)
Emulsifying wax NF: 6 g (about 1 1/2 teaspoons of flakes; volume varies by brand)
Cetyl alcohol: 2 g (about 1/2 teaspoon of flakes; volume varies by brand)
Shea butter: 2 g (about 1/2 teaspoon)
Liquid Germall Plus or another broad-spectrum preservative specifically suitable for emulsions: 0.5 g (roughly 1/8 teaspoon, depending on the product)

The formula makes about 100 g (3.5 oz by weight), enough to fill one small, clean jar. A digital scale that measures in 0.1 g increments is strongly recommended, especially for the preservative. Spoon conversions are approximate: flakes, powders, and liquids pack differently, so weighing is more dependable than measuring by volume. Use only a cosmetic-grade preservative and follow its supplier’s usage rate, temperature limits, and ingredient documentation; the amount above is for Liquid Germall Plus, not a universal dose for every preservative.

Instructions

Clean and prepare the workspace. Wash your hands and clean the work surface, small heat-safe bowls, spoon, thermometer, spatula, and blender head. You can sanitize suitable tools with 70% isopropyl alcohol, then let them dry completely; keep alcohol away from heat and flames. Set out a clean, dry, airtight container for the finished cream. Measure every ingredient before heating.
Make the water phase. Weigh the distilled water and glycerin into one heat-safe bowl and stir. Do not replace distilled water with tap water: dissolved minerals and the possibility of contamination make the result less predictable. Covering the bowl loosely while it warms helps limit evaporation, but do not seal a container being heated.
Make the oil phase. In a separate heat-safe bowl, combine sunflower oil, jojoba oil, emulsifying wax, cetyl alcohol, and shea butter. Set both bowls over a gentle water bath. Heat until the wax, cetyl alcohol, and shea butter are fully melted and both phases are around 70–75°C (158–167°F), stirring the oil phase occasionally. Avoid direct high heat, which can scorch ingredients or make temperature control difficult.
Combine and emulsify. Remove the bowls from the water bath. Slowly pour the oil phase into the water phase while blending with a small immersion blender. Blend in short bursts for about 1–2 minutes, keeping the blender head submerged to avoid whipping in excess air. The mixture should turn opaque and creamy. If you do not have a mini immersion blender, use a clean small whisk and whisk steadily, though the cream may be less uniform.
Cool while stirring. Stir the mixture every few minutes as it cools, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl. Let it cool to below 50°C (122°F), usually about 25–35 minutes depending on the bowl and room temperature. A thermometer is useful here: adding the preservative while the mixture is too hot may reduce its effectiveness.
Add the preservative and package. Weigh in 0.5 g Liquid Germall Plus, or the exact amount required by the instructions for the suitable preservative you selected. Stir thoroughly for about 1–2 minutes, reaching the full mixture rather than just the surface. Transfer the cream into the prepared container with a clean spatula and close the lid. Label it with the date and ingredients. The total hands-on preparation and heating time is about 35 minutes; cooling accounts for the remaining time in the total.

Tips

Choose a scale over volume measures. A difference of even a fraction of a gram matters more for a small batch than it would in a large production run. In particular, do not estimate preservative by eye. If your scale cannot measure small amounts accurately, make a larger batch only if you can calculate every ingredient precisely and have a suitable clean container.
Keep water out of the finished jar. Use a dry spatula or clean hands, and avoid dipping wet fingers into the cream. A pump bottle or airless container reduces repeated contact, if you have one that can be cleaned and filled properly.
Do not skip or casually swap the preservative. Vitamin E can slow oxidation of oils but does not preserve a water-based cream against bacteria, yeast, and mold. Essential oils are not a reliable substitute either, and they can irritate some skin. If you cannot source a suitable preservative, choose a simple anhydrous balm recipe instead of leaving the water in this one.
Change one thing at a time. If you replace an oil, use another liquid cosmetic-grade oil at the same weight and expect a change in feel. Avoid adding fresh herbs, fruit, tea, or kitchen ingredients; they add water or contaminants and make preservation less predictable. Keep the first batch fragrance-free so you can assess its texture without extra variables.

Serving Suggestions

Think of “serving” this recipe as applying it: start with a small amount on clean, dry hands and smooth a thin layer over clean skin. The cream is designed as a basic leave-on moisturizer, not a cleanser, sunscreen, or treatment product. If you use other skincare products, apply them according to their labels and allow each layer to settle before adding another. During the first use, try a small amount on a limited area and wait to see how your skin responds before applying it more widely.

Texture can feel richer in cool weather and more noticeable in warm, humid conditions. Use less if the cream feels heavy, and do not apply it to broken or irritated skin. Keep the jar away from the eyes and the inside of the nose or mouth. Stop using it if you notice a rash, burning, swelling, or persistent discomfort; do not try to mask an unpleasant reaction by adding fragrance or changing the formula on your skin.

Variations

Make it lighter: Replace the 2 g shea butter with 2 g additional sunflower oil. This reduces the butter content and may give the cream a slightly less rich feel, while leaving the total formula weight unchanged. Texture depends on the exact oils and waxes used, so do not expect a precise result from a different supplier’s ingredients.

Use a different liquid oil: You can replace the sunflower oil or jojoba oil gram for gram with a cosmetic-grade liquid oil such as sweet almond or rice bran oil, provided you have no known sensitivity to it. The finished cream may feel more or less rich, and each oil has its own scent and storage characteristics. Keep the total oil amount the same for the most predictable texture.

Leave out the shea butter: Replace its 2 g with 2 g of sunflower oil for a simpler oil blend. This will make the formula less buttery and may soften the texture a little. Do not add extra butter without adjusting the formula; changing the oil-to-water balance can affect how well the emulsion holds.

Use a different preservative only by its specification. A replacement must be broad-spectrum, intended for a water-containing leave-on cosmetic, and compatible with the formula’s pH and process temperature. Preservatives have different use rates and limits, so do not assume that the same 0.5 g amount applies. Follow the manufacturer’s documentation, including any pH range or testing requirements, rather than relying on a generic online substitution.

Storage and Reheating

Store the finished cream in a clean, tightly closed container in the refrigerator and use it within 4 weeks. This is a cautious home-use window, not a laboratory-verified shelf life: a suitable preservative reduces risk when used correctly, but it does not make a home-prepared product sterile or guarantee that it remains safe. Refrigeration does not replace the preservative. Keep the container closed between uses, and do not leave it in a hot car, in direct sun, or beside a steamy sink.

Discard the batch sooner if you see mold, unexpected discoloration, a change in smell, watery separation that does not resolve, or any other unusual change. Do not taste it, attempt to rescue it by stirring, or mix a questionable batch with a fresh one. There is no reheating step for this cream, and warming a stored batch will not make it safe or restore a failed emulsion. Make a new small batch when you run out, and refrigerate it promptly after preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this face cream without a preservative?
No. The formula contains a substantial amount of water, which can support microbial growth. Refrigeration and clean handling are helpful but are not substitutes for a compatible broad-spectrum preservative. If you do not want to use one, choose a formula with no water and no water-based ingredients, and follow an appropriate recipe for that product instead.

Can I use tap water, rose water, or aloe juice?
Use distilled water for this version. Tap water varies in mineral content and may introduce microorganisms; rose water and aloe juice are also water-based ingredients, not preservation systems. Replacing the water can change the formula and may require different preservation and stability checks. Do not simply add them to the finished cream.

Why did my cream turn runny or separate?
Possible causes include inaccurate measurements, phases at very different temperatures, incomplete melting of the emulsifying wax, or insufficient blending. Ingredient brands and equipment can also affect texture. Do not use a separated batch if it looks or smells unusual. For a fresh attempt, weigh ingredients carefully, confirm both phases are fully melted and close in temperature, and blend while the mixture is still warm.

Can I add essential oils or fragrance?
This basic recipe is intentionally unscented. Fragrance materials can cause irritation or sensitivity, and safe use levels depend on the specific material and intended product. Adding them also changes the formula. If you choose to formulate with fragrance, use cosmetic-grade materials and their supplier’s safety and usage guidance; do not add drops by guesswork.

Is this recipe suitable for every skin type?
No single homemade formula is suitable for everyone. Individual sensitivities vary, and an ingredient that works for one person may not suit another. Check ingredient labels, avoid anything you know you react to, and try a small amount on a limited area first. This recipe is not a medical product and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent a skin condition.

Can I make a double batch?
You can scale each ingredient proportionally, but larger batches cool and emulsify differently and need a blender and container that suit the increased volume. A larger batch also means more product to discard if preservation or handling fails. For a first attempt, make the 100 g batch and use a scale; do not double only some ingredients or estimate the preservative.

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