Homemade Acne Moisturiser- DIY by Dermatologist: Dermatocare review

• Aloe vera gel – A non-comedogenic base that hydrates oily skin, soothes inflammation, and offers added anti-acne, anti-ageing, and skin-lightening benefits.
• Tea tree essential oil – A powerful natural antiseptic shown in studies to be as effective as benzoyl peroxide in treating acne. Its active compounds oxidize on exposure to air and light. The oxidized form is more likely to irritate skin — so it should always be paired with an antioxidant or kept in a dark, airtight container.
• Vitamin E oil (tocopherol) – An antioxidant that slows oxidation of the tea tree oil, keeping it safer to use for longer. (optional)

In an amber-colored airtight container, mix the following ingredients:

• Aloe vera 15 ml
• Tea tree oil - 0.3–0.6 ml or 6-12 drops for the face; 0.9–1.2 ml or 18-24 drops for the body

Note: Roughly 2 drops of tea tree oil ≈ 0.1 ml, but this is highly variable so always start with lowest concentration.

• For face - start with 0.3 ml per 15 ml of aloe vera and increase gradually up to 0.6 ml only if your skin tolerates it.
• For body use, you may increase up to 1.2 ml.
• You can add 0.1 ml vitamin E (2-3 drops) oil from any pharmacy or cosmetic-grade brand at the same time to prevent oxidation.
• Measuring with a dropper/syringe gives more consistent strength than counting drops, since drop size varies by bottle.

• Wash and gently pat dry your face.
• Take 2–3 drops in your palm, dot across your face.
• Gently massage in circular motions until absorbed.

• Generally well-tolerated, but may irritate sensitive skin.
• Always do a patch test before first use.
• Discontinue if you experience redness, rash, or burning.

Keeps well for 30+ days if stored airtight and dry. No need for refrigeration — but choose an aloe vera gel that's paraben-free and preserved (look for potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate on the label), not a genuinely preservative-free "chemical-free" gel, which will spoil regardless of how carefully you store it.

Avoid water contamination to prevent spoilage. Discard the batch if the oils separate and won't remix, or if it develops a sour/rancid smell or color change — signs the tea tree oil has oxidized.

May prevent new pimples and help heal small breakouts. Not a substitute for medical treatment—consult a dermatologist for severe, cystic, or non-responding acne. For red or pus-filled spots, use a concentrated anti-acne spot treatment version of this DIY formula.

Sensitive skin Compatible: Does not contain ingredients flagged in our database as common contact sensitizers ↗. While this aligns with our sensitive skin benchmarks, individual skin reactivity varies. Performing a 24-hour patch test prior to use is still recommended.

Pregnancy: Compatible - Free from ingredients flagged on our Pregnancy Ingredient Database ↗.

Teens Compatible: Free from ingredients currently flagged under our Teens database criteria. Refer to our Teen Skincare Guide ↗ for full screening details.

No. It does not contain any ingredients currently flagged under Dermatocare's internal evaluation criteria. Refer to our Ingredients Under Review Guide ↗ for full database benchmarks.

No. It does not contain ingredients currently flagged for environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, or aquatic toxicity under Dermatocare's database criteria. Refer to our Environmental Screening Guide ↗ for full evaluation benchmarks.