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Get a perfect color match with this tinted moisturizer DIY! Fun to wear, enjoyable to make, and has a great effect each time you apply it.
Itโs that time of year – and weโre desperate for sunshine. Literally, thereโs just not enough warmth to sit outside and sunbathe yet.
So the next best thing is a decent tinted moisturizer to give our skin a warming glow and make us look a touch healthier.
I always faced a challenge when choosing the right tint of tinted moisturizer. Light? Medium? Is it to much?
Is it like a homemade foundation but just under a different name?
Or a different product altogether? I had so many questions!
Initially, I got confused by the swathe of shades and tones lining the store shelves, so I decided to make my own DIY tinted moisturizer a la Laura.
No longer are there concerns about which tint matches which skin tone. This recipe is awesome for getting a color match that is customized to you only.
And while tinted moisturizers are considered a makeup, intended to lightly cover or blend unwanted skin blemishes, it really is a moisturizer with color pigments.
What is tinted moisturizer?
A tinted moisturizer is a combination of moisturizer and color tint.
Itโs usually a lighter version (moisturizing-wise) than your standard moisturizer, and for certain people, it may not be suitable just on its own.
Think of it more as a layer on top of regular moisturizing lotion. You use it in addition to your standard moisturizer.
Saying that, I have been using just this product during this cold spell we have been in, and my skin has never been softer.
So I suggest experimenting with it and seeing how it feels on your skin.
Why youโll love this recipe
- You can follow along with me. Iโd love to say this recipe is โeasyโ to make, but itโs a touch more complex than some of my other recipes. But! Donโt worry. Simply follow my guidance.
- You can customize it. Iโve designed this recipe to match your skin tone perfectly. However, you need to do the color match! Again – no fear; Iโll take you through it step by step.
- Itโll save you money. Once you purchase the basic ingredients, you can make several batches of tinted moisturizer DIY!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.
How to make tinted moisturizer DIY
Tools you will need:
- Double boiler (or a saucepan with a bowl for a makeshift boiler)
- Bowl
- Spoon for mixing
- Storage container
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of shea butter
- 1/2 cup of cocoa butter
- 1/4 cup of fractionated coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon of beeswax
- 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder
- Colorant of choice (see โchoosing tintโ below)
Instructions:
Melt the shea butter, cocoa butter, fractionated coconut oil, and beeswax in a double boiler. Or place a bowl over a saucepan of water and slowly bring it to a boil.
Once melted, set it aside until it is set up slightly. You can place it in the freezer to speed up this part of the process. I find half an hour is the perfect amount of time for my freezer.
Once itโs set up, you should be able to press your thumb gently into the moisturizer, and it should form an indent.
Now add in your arrowroot powder and colorants. I use a teaspoon of lemon peel powder and a tiny pinch of brown oxide pigment to match my skin tone.
If you are unsure how much to add, I always suggest starting with less and adding more as needed.
We are not trying to dye our skin here; simply adding a subtle tint.
Finally, use an electric hand mixer to whip the ingredients until itโs light and airy; about 3 minutes should be enough.
Store in an airtight container.
How to apply
It may seem basic to have a section on applying moisturizer, but as this is a tinted moisturizer, I feel itโs needed!
The key with tinted moisturizer is to blend it in. Start with a small amount and rub it into your hands to warm it, spreading it out as you go.
Then start on your cheeks, work it up to your forehead, and round the sides of your face finishing with your nose and under-eye area.
Really do blend! You might need to rub it in more than youโre used to, and thatโs OK. It beats having blotches or patches of built-up tint.
You could always try a blending brush, too – I havenโt any experience with this as I tend to use my fingers, but Iโve heard blending brushes are quite useful.
How to choose a color tint
Here are suggestions for color tints. Be sure to experiment a bit, as it will take trial and error to get exactly what you are looking for.
And remember, skin tone changes naturally somewhat with the seasons.
I like using my inner wrist to guide me with the tint color.
Adding tiny amounts of brown oxide pigment bit by bit, I mix as I go and then test the color to see when it matches.
(I find testing on my wrist easier than smearing it on my face every time!)
Light Skin Tones
- 1 teaspoon of lemon peel powder
- a small pinch of brown oxide pigment
Medium Skin Tones
- 1 teaspoon of yellow Brazilian clay
- A pinch of brown oxide pigment
Dark Skin Tones
- 1/2 teaspoon of cocoa powder
- 1/8 teaspoon of brown oxide pigment
Adjust the amounts to fit your desired color. Start slowly and add more as you go. Starting with less means you can always add more as needed, but you canโt remove it once itโs added.
If you like, you could add a couple of drops of essential oil to your tinted moisturizer DIY for added fragrance. Or try your hand at this homemade face moisturizer!
Note: If you donโt have brown oxide pigment, ground cloves make a good substitute and add a lovely scent, too.ย
Tips/FAQs
Is the color really noticeable? Using the exact amounts recommended below will lightly blur any imperfections or even out your complexion without looking like you are wearing makeup.
If you want something to completely cover the skin, I suggest using a natural DIY concealer.
What if I donโt have cocoa and shea butter? For the most part, cocoa butter and shea butter are interchangeable.
They both have their own unique benefits, and cocoa butter is a much harder product, something to consider if you substitute for one or the other.
Can you use tinted moisturizer as a regular moisturizer? Yes, they are essentially the same, with the exception of the added color in tinted moisturizer.
Storage
This tinted moisturizer DIY will last up to one year if stored correctly in an airtight container in a cabinet or in your makeup bag.
Itโs best to store it away from direct sunlight – so windows are a no-go.
Takeaway
This tinted moisturizer provides the best of both worlds; its two-in-one formula gives your skin a luminous, natural glow while also providing long-lasting hydration.
And it is formulated perfectly for blending away any skin spots and blemishes to give you a smoother complexion.
I hope you enjoy making this tinted moisturizer DIY! Let me know how it turned out in the comments below! And if you loved it, give it a 5 star!
For more great skincare/makeup recipes, enjoy making one of these next!
- Moisturizing tallow body butter recipe
- DIY glowing skin body butter
- DIY body oil
- My top 15 oils for natural skin care
- How to make tinted lip balm
Tinted moisturizer DIY
Equipment
- Double Boiler
- Bowl
- Spoon for mixing
Ingredients
- ยฝ cup of shea butter
- ยฝ cup of cocoa butter
- ยผ cup of fractionated coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon of beeswax
- 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder
- Coloring tint, see notes below
Instructions
- Melt the shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in a double boiler.ย
- Then set it aside until it set up slightly. You can place it in the freezer for about a half hour to speed up this part of the process.
- Once it's set up, you should be able to press your thumb gently into the moisturizer, and it should form an indent.
- Now add in your arrowroot powder and colorants. I use a teaspoon of lemon peel powder and a tiny pinch of brown oxide pigment to match my skin tone.
- Finally, use an electric hand mixer to whip the ingredients until it's light and airy; about 3 minutes should be enough.ย
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Light Skin Tones
- 1 teaspoon of lemon peel powder
- a small pinch of brown oxide pigment
Medium Skin Tones
- 1 teaspoon of yellow Brazilian clay
- A pinch of brown oxide pigment
Dark Skin Tone
- 1/2 teaspoon of cocoa powder
- 1/8 teaspoon of brown oxide pigment
Hi!
I made this the other day and went to use it today and found it was rock hard, is it suppose to be that way?
I followed all the steps and used all the ingredients that you suggested for the light skin tones. Is there an easy way to get it out of the jar without melting it all, just to use a small bit each day?
I look forward to your thoughts and help as I love the thought of making my own products and knowing what goes in them ๐
I would try whipping it again with the blender and see if that helps soften it. I’m not sure why it would have hardened.
Hi again, I tried what you suggested but it didnโt work. It had just hardened up again when I checked it this morningโฆ.
But! I have found it great for dry skin on my feet!โบ๏ธ
I love all your products. This seems like a cost affective way of replacing my current tinted moisturiser,
From U.K
Hi! I love this idea for a tinted moisturizer, but coconut oil is very comedogenic and I have problematic skin. Are there any ingredients you would recommend to put in coconut oilโs place? Thank you!
argan maybe, I have read that it’s good for sensitive skin
What is the brown oxide pigment that you use?
You can use mica powder or cocoa powder. I have everything I used linked in the post.
What is lemon peel powder and what does that do?
It is a natural colorant. It is used to tint the moisturizer.
An ultimates tinted moisturizer would include SPF protection. Is this possible?
You can add zinc oxide to make it SPF. Check out my DIY sunscreen post for more information on that!
Hi there! Beautiful recipe! Iโm wondering if natural mica powders would be an acceptable alternative to the oxide (which I currently donโt have access to). Thanks in advance!
Yes, you can use mica powder to color the moisturizer.