Finding the perfect skincare product is a challenge for many. With all the different options available on the market, it can feel like navigating through a jungle to find something natural, sustainable, and affordable that also suits your skin's needs. But we have the solution: oils!
Why make your own facial oil?
We often get questions about which creams are best for different conditions, e.g., for dry skin, problem skin, or oily skin. Mostly the results are quite good, but for some people, it seems impossible to find the right one. That's when we usually suggest a trick that rarely fails; take matters into your own hands and blend your own facial oil. You can adapt the ingredients to your unique conditions, you get full control over what goes into the bottle, and you can create many different combinations with just a few ingredients.
Is it difficult to make? Not at all. All you need for a homemade skin oil are three components: a base oil, one or more oils that provide bonus nourishment, and an essential oil that contributes luxurious aromas.
DIY recipe: How to make your own facial oil
Here we have compiled a small guide to different oils that work best for each component, as well as the healthy effects they provide. Hope it can help you!
1. First choose a base oil such as one of these:
Argan oil – for dry, aging, oily and normal skin. Intensely moisturizing.
Jojoba oil – for dry, normal, combination or oily skin as well as acne-prone skin. Balances sebum production.
Apricot kernel oil – for all skin types, especially good for normal, dry and aging skin. Universal oil.
Almond oil – for all skin types. Fantastic facial oil, mild and nourishing. Universal oil.
Grapeseed oil – for dry, normal, oily or acne-prone skin. Soothing for the skin and mildly astringent.
Green Avocado oil – for dry, aging skin and sun-damaged skin. Increases elasticity and moisturizes.
Camellia oil – for all skin types. Absorbs quickly and counteracts fine lines while deeply moisturizing. Universal oil.
Baobab oil – suitable for all skin types, even sensitive and oilier skin. True anti-aging oil that improves skin elasticity.
2. Then choose a "bonus nourishing" oil:
Kalahari Melon oil – lightweight oil yet moisturizing, without any greasy feeling, also works for acne-prone skin.
Rosehip oil – dry, aging and normal skin. Highly regenerating with anti-aging properties.
Raspberry Seed Oil – for all skin types, fantastic facial oil. Reparative, regenerating and soothing.
Macadamia oil – for dry, damaged, aging skin. Renews the skin, restores moisture and improves skin quality.
Marula oil – for mature skin, dry skin. Protects the skin against aging, counteracts fine lines and wrinkles.
Borage oil – most skin types, but especially oily skin and acne skin. Very rich in GLA (gamma-linolenic acid).
Evening Primrose oil – normal skin, mature skin, nourishes the skin. Rich in GLA (gamma-linolenic acid).
Tamanu oil – both dry skin and acne-prone skin. Known anti-aging oil and regenerating.
Pomegranate oil – normal, dry skin, even sensitive skin. Naturally anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, soothing and moisturizing.
Moringa oil – for mature, dry skin and oilier skin with acne. Rich in antioxidants that protect while cleansing the skin.
Black Cumin oil – all skin types, even sensitive skin. Prevents skin aging and nourishes deeply.
Hemp oil – for all skin types, soothing, moisturizing. Naturally anti-inflammatory, contains omega 3-6-9.
These two oils are already blended with other oils and work best as they are:
Carrot oil – for all skin types. Provides intense protection, even for sun-damaged skin, due to its high beta-carotene content.
Calendula oil – for problem skin such as itchy skin, acne, eczema or diaper rash. Stimulates the skin's healing process and cell renewal.
**3. Then choose an essential oil (optional)
Lavender – most skin types, normal, dry, oily, lavender heals and soothes.
Peppermint – for oily skin and acne-prone skin. Very astringent.
Cedarwood – for normal, oily skin and acne-prone skin. Astringent but also soothing.
Patchouli – for normal skin or simply because you love the scent.
Frankincense – soothes dry and sensitive skin and balances oily skin.
Geranium – most skin types, including oily skin. Balances the skin's sebum production.
Lemongrass – normal, oily skin and acne-prone skin. Stimulates overworked skin.
Rosemary – normal, oily skin and acne-prone skin. Stimulating oil.
Orange – normal skin, oily skin, impure skin, congested skin. Gives the skin radiance.
How to do it
You need a bottle or jar with some kind of lid, preferably made of dark glass, as well as the oils.
Fill your glass bottle/jar with 2/3 of your base oil.
Add your "bonus nourishing" oil until the bottle is almost full.
Optional: then add between 3-8 drops of essential oil depending on the size of the bottle. About 1 drop per 15 ml.
Shake the bottle after each drop so you can smell your way to how much essential oil you want. You should be able to detect the scent but it shouldn't be overwhelming. Essential oils have very different beneficial effects and fantastic scents which can sometimes be appreciated because not all oils are considered to smell delightful. For example, neem oil smells really bad, moringa smells like grass, black cumin very peppery, etc.
What is an essential oil?
Essential oils are produced from flowers, twigs, leaves, seeds, and roots of aromatic plants. Each essential oil is unique in its composition. Essential oil is a fragrant plant extract that is part of the plant's immune system. They are fatty soluble which allows them to penetrate the skin and can be absorbed through inhalation. In low doses, the oils are e.g. antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, stimulating and can increase blood circulation, etc. In too high doses, they can cause allergic reactions, hence they should be dosed carefully.Plants that contain essential oils include: lavender, basil, chamomile, sage, rosemary, anise...basically all plants that are richly aromatic.
PS: The term 'essentiell olja' is not correct in Swedish, but rather a poor translation from the English term 'essential oil'. So now you know.
And remember, always choose organic oils – whether it's a vegetable oil or an essential oil!
Need help choosing products? You can always contact our specialists at hej@glimja.se!
