Sign in
Register now
My Reward PointsIndian winters can dry, roughen, and dehydrate skin. DIY moisturisers are cheap, natural, and chemical-free, despite market saturation. These simple moisturisers satisfy your skin's needs, whether you prefer light or heavy moisture.
This blog will explain why Homemade Winter Cream is essential, how to make it, its usage & storage guidelines, and the differences between DIY Winter Moisturiser and Commercial Creams.
Why Skin Needs Extra Moisturisation in Winter
Winter skin needs extra moisturisation because cold air has low humidity, which removes natural oils, and indoor heating further dries the skin, destroying its protective barrier and leading to dryness, flakiness, itching, and sensitivity. A homemade moisturiser for winter reestablishes this barrier, locks in hydration, and relieves irritation, preventing unpleasant cracking and dullness that occur during colder, drier months.
What Makes a Good Homemade Winter Moisturiser
A good homemade winter moisturiser combines rich butters, nourishing oils, humectants, and optional essential oils to hydrate and protect the skin deeply.
1. Natural Oils and Butters
Shea butter, cocoa butter, or clarified butter (ghee) give intense hydration and form a protective layer, whilst Coconut, almond, olive, jojoba, and sunflower oils all profoundly hydrate and soften the skin.
2. Humectants and Natural Hydrators
Humectants such as Aloe vera gel (soothing), honey (hydrating, anti-inflammatory), and milk cream (malai) attract moisture to the skin, while natural hydrators (which frequently double as emollients or occlusives) soften, smooth, and seal in that moisture.
3. Soothing / Skin-Healing Ingredients
Soothing and skin-healing ingredients like Natural butters nourish deeply, oils strengthen the skin barrier, humectants attract moisture, and healing additives protect and repair, working together to keep skin soft, hydrated, healthy, and supple.
4. Oil-Water Ratio
For the best homemade moisturiser for dry skin in winter, the oil phase should account for a greater proportion of the whole mixture than in a regular lotion. The ideal oil-to-water ratio will be 60:40.
5. Suitability for Skin Type
An excellent DIY winter moisturiser must be appropriate for your unique skin type. The optimum ingredients for a DIY recipe will differ significantly depending on whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or mixed skin.
DIY Homemade Winter Cream Recipes
You know the what and why of homemade cream for winter, now it's time to understand how to make one. Here, we will provide you with three of the best recipes.
Recipe 1: Homemade Winter Cream for Dry Skin
Homemade winter cream for dry skin uses natural oils, butters, and humectants to deeply moisturise, soothe dryness, protect skin, and enhance softness and glow.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp VedaOils Shea Butter
- 1 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1 tbsp VedaOils sweet Almond Oil
- 1 tsp Honey
- Optional: 2 drops VedaOils lavender essential oil
How to Make
- Put the coconut oil and shea butter in a heatproof bowl. Use a double boiler to melt the oils slowly. Take the bowl off the heat and add the almond oil, and stir the mixture well.
- Allow the mixture to warm slowly until it is slightly warm.
- Now whisk or blend the honey and lavender essential oil until thoroughly combined.
- After adding everything, allow the mixture to cool and whip it with a hand mixer until it has a frothy, creamy texture.
- Finally, transfer this DIY winter lotion or cream into a clean, dry jar.
Recipe 2: Homemade Winter Cream for Glowing Skin
This cream gently hydrates, calms, and brightens the skin, making it ideal for nighttime use; however, always patch test beforehand and store in the refrigerator for optimal results.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp VedaOils Aloe Vera Gel
- 1 tbsp Almond Oil or Jojoba Oil
- 1 tsp VedaOils Rose Water
- 3 drops Vitamin E Oil
- ½ tsp Glycerin (optional)
- 2-3 drops Essential oil (optional) (Lavender, Rosemary, etc.)
How to Make
- Put the rose water and aloe vera gel in a clean bowl and mix until smooth.
- Add the vitamin E oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil, and mix well until thoroughly combined.
- Now add the glycerin and, if using, the essential oils, and blend thoroughly.
- Whisk or combine until the mixture is light, creamy, and smooth, similar to a whipped serum or light cream.
- Transfer to a clean, airtight glass container or bottle. Refrigerate for maximum freshness and shelf life (about two weeks).
Recipe 3: Homemade Winter Cream for Oily Skin
You can make a lightweight, hydrating winter gel-cream for oily skin with aloe vera, rose water, honey, and tea tree or rosemary oil. Here is the recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp VedaOils Aloe Vera Gel
- 1 tbsp VedaOils Rose Water
- ½ tsp Honey
- 2–3 drops VedaOils Tea Tree or Rosemary essential oil
- 1 tsp VedaOils Sweet Almond Oil or Glycerin (optional)
How to Make
- In a clean bowl, combine the aloe vera gel and rose water until well combined.
- Stir in the honey until thoroughly mixed.
- Add 2-3 drops of your preferred essential oil (tea tree for oily/acne-prone and rosemary for energising).
- Blend everything until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer to a small, clean glass bottle or jar, and refrigerate to keep it fresh.
How to Use & Storage Tips
After cleansing your skin, apply a tiny amount of your DIY winter cream to dry areas (face, neck, hands), then gently rub it in until absorbed. Keep food recipes refrigerated to avoid spoilage. Winter cream at home should be stored in a clean, sealed glass jar in a cold, dark, and dry place away from heat and sunlight to prevent ingredient breakdown and contamination.
Why is a DIY Winter Moisturiser better than Commercial Creams?
DIY winter moisturisers offer natural, customisable, chemical-free hydration using nourishing ingredients, making them gentle, cost-effective, and ideal for protecting skin in harsh winter conditions.
1. Full Control Over Ingredients
A DIY winter moisturiser gives you complete control over the substances you use, allowing you to choose high-quality, natural components while avoiding potential allergens found in commercial lotions.
2. Cost-Effective
DIY winter moisturisers can be substantially less expensive than commercial creams, particularly high-end ones, because they use bulk natural components such as shea butter, oils, and honey at a fraction of the cost.
3. Easy to Make in Small Batches
Creating easy, oil-based winter moisturisers (such as body butters) in small batches is a more straightforward, less time-consuming alternative to reproducing complex, stable commercial creams.
4. Gentle on Skin
Using homemade moisturiser in winter can be gentler on the skin for specific individuals, as you have control over the ingredients, thereby avoiding potential irritants such as synthetic perfumes and certain preservatives commonly found in commercial solutions.
Conclusion
In the end, the best homemade moisturiser for winter offers an efficient and natural alternative for combating dry skin during the harsh winter months, providing personalised hydration without the chemicals commonly found in commercial products. These DIY moisturisers for winter use basic, nourishing ingredients to replenish moisture while empowering people to take responsibility for their skincare routines, resulting in healthier, more resilient skin.
