Argan Oil Facial Moisturizer

Yesterday’s blog was a feature on Argan Oil. You can read it here.

Today I’m going to create a formula for a facial moisturizer featuring Argan Oil.

When formulating this moisturizer, I was looking at maximizing Argan Oil’s wonderful skin benefits, so I began by looking at some extracts.

Comfrey Leaves Extract is emollient, healing, anti-inflammatory, astringent, promotes tissue repair, and is moisturizing to the skin.

I chose Chamomile Extract because it is relaxing, cleansing, moisturizing, soothing, calming, cooling, and anti-inflammatory. It’s a great complement to Argan Oil!

Ivy Extract is full of wonderful properties. It has long been known to be an astringent, stimulant, anti-cellulitis, anti-blotchiness, and a wonderful skin healer.

Then I looked at what other oils would be good to add. I chose Marula Oil to bring in the awesome benefits of its high oleic acids, which are perfect for dry or aging skin because they can easily penetrate to help soothe skin and prevent moisture loss.

Squalane Oil is a wonderful addition because it is a natural moisturizer and lubricator of the skin.

Finally, I’ll add Dimethicone. It adds slip and glide, allows normal skin transpiration, reduces stickiness imparts velvety skin feel, conditions the skin, and is a protectant.

For a humectant, I’ll use Glycerin. And I am not going to use a fragrance in this. I think the oils will smell great on their own.

Let’s get to the workroom and make up a batch of this moisturizer.

What You’ll Need

Formula

73.5% Distilled Water
7% Argan Oil
4% Marula Oil
4% Squalane Oil
2% Dimethicone
3% Glycerin
3% Emulsifying Wax
1% Comfrey Leaves Extract
1% Chamomile Extract
1% Ivy Extract
0.5% Liquid Germall Plus

Instructions

Weigh all but the extracts and preservative. Heat in short time bursts in a microwave or gently in a double boiler until all ingredients are liquid. Stir well and check the temperature.

Once the temperature has fallen below 120ºF, add the extracts and preservative, stick blending or stirring well to combine.

Pour finished lotion into bottles and allow to cool, uncapped, until the lotion has reached room temperature. Then cap, label, and enjoy.

Notes

First, a note about how this unscented moisturizer smells. It has a very faint nutty aroma that is not unpleasant. It might be nice with a little bit of an essential oil like Lavender or a very light fragrance oil such as Alice.

As you can see in the photo, this is a very light and fluid moisturizer. It rubs in very quickly, leaving behind a dewy feeling. I really like it! I first tried it on the back of my hand, but I had to see how it felt on my face. After a quick face wash, I applied the Argan Oil Facial Moisturizer. It wowed me! Very smooth, easy to spread, nice texture. Overall, a formula I think will be a favorite!