Essential Oils & Facial Moisturizers

Moisturizing is one of the most vital steps of skincare.

Because the simple truth is—apart from oxygen, water is the #1 commodity our bodies need to function well and be healthy! And our skin, as the largest organ of the body, needs its fair share of it!

Fortunately, moisturizers don’t have to work all by themselves. Certain essential oils can be mixed into moisturizers—enhancing their effects, helping the skin retain moisture, delivering other benefits to the skin, and enhance your skincare experience with a great smell!

That said, it takes a little know-how in order to use moisturizers, with or without essential oils, to their greatest effect.

Why Use a Moisturizer?

Your skin needs moisture in order to stay healthy, vibrant, and (most importantly) to continue its job protecting your insides from chemical or physical damage.

And though your skin can get some moisture from your daily drinking, it isn’t enough!

That’s where moisturizers come in.

They help your skin both take in and lock in moisture so that your complexion stays pretty and healthy! And since being properly moisturized benefits every skin type (even more naturally oily skin types)—moisturizers are a staple of skincare!

What Kind of Moisturizer is Good for My Skin Type?

If you have…	You may favor a commercial moisturizer that is/with…	You may favor a homemade moisturizer made with…
Dry/Aging Skin	Thicker Oil-based Ceramides Niacinamide Hyaluronic acid Lipids Natural cholesterol Glycerin Glyceryl stearate Squalane	Sweet Almond Oil Oatmeal Olive Oil Beeswax Honey Vitamin E Coconut Oil Avocado Oil Rose Water
Oily Skin	Lighter Gel/Water-based Vitamin B5 Ceramides Retinoids Niacinamide	Jojoba Oil Aloe Vera Milk Sunflower Oil Green Tea Lemon Olive Oil
Normal/Combination Skin	Gel-based Glycerin Algae Green tea	Avocado Oil Jojoba Oil Sesame Oil Hazelnut Oil
* Solutions with Hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C are recommended for all skin types.
		*Note: Popular ingredients for homemade moisturizers also include shea butter and aloe vera

How Do I Use Moisturizer?

Ideally, applying moisturizer should be one of the very last steps of your skincare routine.

Firstly, because you don’t want to support the growth of any bacteria on your face or cause any pollutants on your skin to sink deeper into your pores—that’s why cleansing and exfoliating are done first. And secondly, because putting on your moisturizer after your toner and/or serum can help their beneficial ingredients sink deeper into your skin.

How to Apply Your Moisturizer

Wet your face a little with lukewarm water. This will help the moisturizer go on smoothly and help hydrate your skin even further.

After that, scoop, squirt, or otherwise get a small amount of moisturizer into your hand (a roughly marble-sized amount should do). And then gently massage it into your face, neck, and decolletage with sweeping motions that generally move upwards and outwards.

Can I Use Essential Oils in My Moisturizer?

Yes—some oils.

And of course, there are a few rules for how to use them safely.

See our Blogpost: The Basics of Skin Care & Essential Oils for general safety considerations and read on to learn specifically about essential oils in facial moisturizers.

And note here that, as with any oil you use in skin care, you may have to do a little work to find the oil that best works for you. Just make sure to:

Do your research
Do patch tests
Be willing, while still following safety protocols, to experiment.

To get you started, here is a breakdown of a few oils that are popular mix-ins for moisturizers:

Essential Oil	Pros	Cons
Helichrysum Oil	Traditionally known for its skin benefits, anti-inflammatory properties, and ability to promote wound healing	Expensive compared to many other essential oils
Rosemary Oil	Antibacterial, antioxidant, and astringent properties Often recommended against acne and for dry skin	More often recommended for toners
Frankincense oil	Often recommended against acne and wrinkles Potential anti-proliferative properties	Expensive compared to many other essential oils More often recommended for moisturizers and toners
Roman Chamomile	Anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties May be especially helpful for dry and combination skin types	Not recommended for those with seasonal allergies of asthmatic conditions
Rose	Antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, antiseptic, astringent, and antidepressant properties May help against acne, inflammation, and skin redness	Potential respiratory irritation, so use and inhale only with due caution.
Ylang Ylang	antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties May reduce breakouts, diminish blemishes, and boost cell regeneration	Potential allergic reaction so be sure to patch test
Lavender Oil	Gentle on skin compared to other essential oils Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-anxiety properties	Slight chance of a negative hormonal reaction.
Clary Sage Oil	Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant properties. May improve mental function or reduce menopausal symptoms	Should not be used before or after drinking alcohol—
Geranium Oil	Antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties May reduce wrinkles and fine lines May support mental health	Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women Possible diuretic effects
Melissa Oil	Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial May support the immune system	More expensive than most oils May cause drowsiness or interfere with thyroid functioning
Sandalwood Oil	Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial May improve sleep and have anxiolytic effects	More expensive than most oils May irritate skin if not properly diluted
Myrrh Oil	Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial	More expensive than most oils Potential allergic reaction so be sure to patch test
Learn more about specific essential oils, their benefits, contraindications, and more here.

Conclusion

Exfoliators, toners, and serums can be fun, fancy, and useful in their way—but skincare experts across the world agree that moisturizing is a core step for any effective skincare routine!

Which is why it’s best to moisturize regularly with sound ingredients, including essential oils, that agree with your skin.

Fortunately, moisturizing can be quite an easy habit to develop, a soothing part of your daily routine, and an absolute game-changer for the health and appearance of your skin!

If you liked this review on essential oils and facial moisturizers, feel free to leave a comment below and check our other blog posts:

Essential Oils & Facial Cleansers