Learning how to make a custom DIY face oil is one of the easiest things you’ll ever do but it might be one of the best things you ever do! A custom DIY face oil is one of the best products you can make for your skin. Learn which ingredients go into making the perfect DIY face oil and which ones are right for your skin. Making your own DIY face oil is simple, contains zero fillers and you won’t believe how incredibly soft, smooth and radiant your skin will be!
When I first started DIYing skin care, I knew nothing of face oils. I still believed a cream or lotion was the only moisturizer your skin needed. I soon realized that a cream is at least 50% water and contains other unnatural ingredients that do not benefit the skin but are necessary for making a cream as well as keeping it bacteria free. I soon realized that simple is best. It was a powerful realization that our skin thrives on simple and that I could make a DIY face oil in minutes.
Since I have incorporated mostly oily based products in my beauty routine, my skin has never looked better.
On that note, you might also enjoy my article on The Oil Cleansing Method.
What is a Face Oil?
A face oil is typically a combination of carrier oils and essential oils. You can also add ingredients like Squalane and coQ10 to enhance the benefits of a face oil.
You might not know that every skin type can benefit from a face oil. Yes! Oily skin types can actually handle the correct oils appropriate for their skin and will experience balancing and even clearing!
Typically a face oil is 1 ounce and it only takes about 5 drops for each use. 5-18 drops of essential oils can be added to a 1 ounce face oil.
Always use glass bottles. It’s easy to find treatment pumps and dropper bottles on Amazon.
Because DIY face oils contain only oil based ingredients, you never need to worry about adding a preservative. A typical shelf life for a face oil is 6 mos.
Find all my DIY face oil recipes on this page.
DIY Face Oil Ingredient Options for Oily Skin:
Oil dissolves oil. Not to mention, oily skin is overproducing oil because often times harsh products are being used to “dry out” the skin. This causes the skin to fall out of balance and produce even more oil. It’s a vicious cycle.
Did you know that many oils rate a 0 or 1 on the comedogenic scale (a scale that determines if an oil will clog your pores 0 being the least likely).
I wrote an entire post on this matter so if you’d like to know more, read my post on oily skin and oils.
- Hemp Seed Oil
- Hazelnut Oil
- Sacha Inchi Oil
- Pumpkin Seed
- Tamanu Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Frankincense Essential Oil
If you’d rather not customize your own Oily skin face oil, check out my acne clearing moisturizer recipe.
DIY Face Oil Ingredient Options for Dry Skin:
Did you know that oily skin ages slower than dry skin? A lot of times dry skin can look ashy and lifeless. After a good exfoliation and a nourishing face oil, dry skin types can look years younger in minutes! There are many oils that work well for dry skin types that will help fade age spots and infuse the skin with age fighting antioxidants.
- Rosehip Seed Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Argan Oil
- Marula Oil
- Evening Primrose Oil
- Pomegranate Seed Oil
- Moringa Oil
- Vitamin E Oil
- Macadamia Nut Oil
- Meadowfoam Seed Oil
- Cypress Essential Oil
- Helichrysum Essential Oil
- Sandalwood Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Patchouli Essential Oil
- Rose Essential Oil
My Fountain Of Youth Face Oil Recipe:
- 1 TBSP. Rosehip Seed Oil
- 1/2 tsp. Macadamia Nut Oil
- 1 tsp. Squalane
- 1/2 tsp. Vitamin E Oil
- 1/4 tsp. coQ10
- 3 drops Helichrysum Essential Oil
- 2 drops Lavender Essential Oil
How to Make A DIY Face Oil:
Guess what? Making a face oil couldn’t be more simple! All you need to do is add all your ingredients to a 1 ounce glass jar. Screw on the top and gently shake.
How to Use a Face Oil:
A face oil can be used morning and night. It is best used on clean skin. Using a water based serum before you apply a face oil can actually help your face oil penetrate more deeply! Add 5-7 drops to the palm of your hand and press the oil gently into your skin.
You can apply makeup once the oil has soaked into your skin.
The biggest mistake people make when using a face oil is using too much. Because face oils do not contain anything but oil, only a very small amount is needed. Otherwise, you’ll end up feeling way too oily!
Where to Get the Best Ingredients?
I typically get most of my ingredients at Mountain Rose Herbs. They offer high quality, organic ingredients. I also like Plant Therapy for essential oils. They have organic oils at a fraction of the cost of most and they have free shipping! I’ve created an Amazon Store Front that includes all the ingredients I’ve used and like at Amazon. I get botanicals and other additives at Lotion Crafter.
If you’re new to DIY Skin Care, making a DIY face oil is a fantastic place to start.
xx, Jenni
Is there an oil I can substitute the macadamia oil with? I have Tamanu, Sweet Almond, Hazelnut, borage seed, grapeseed….
Erika-Absolutely-Use any of the ones you have-they are all great-especially tamanu.
Hi Jenni, I bought ingredients to make either your anti aging skin serum or the rejuvenating skin oil. I’m 46 and looking for anti aging and firming. Which one would you suggest? What are the major differences?
Hi Jenni! I saw this on Pinterest a few months ago, and it’s what first stimulated my interest in EOs. It took me awhile to gather all the oils – and a whole lot more! – and a lot of experimenting just for fun before I got around to making this one, but I’ve been using it for about 3 weeks now. Jenni…I am blown away by it! I love the scent and the way it feels, so I’ve been using it morning and night. The improvement in my skin is amazing. Let me say first, I’m 64 years old, and while I don’t look it, I was looking for something to actively nourish and support my skin. I wasn’t looking for miracles, but I almost feel like that’s what I got! Fine lines have smoothed out; my skin is noticeably brighter, smoother, tighter, and more evenly-toned. I’ve even been using it on the back of my hands, where I have a couple of large freckles that aren’t age spots but look too much like them! They are now lighter and less noticeable, and my hands look just better overall. Thank you for the education AND the miracles!
Laine-Thanks so much for sharing! I’m so glad to hear that!! You make me want to start putting this on my hands!! You are so welcome!
Hi Jenni,
What is the shelf life for this serum? How often do you suggest making it?
Carrie-The shelf life is 6 mos. or more. Oils don’t go bad very quickly at all. I would just remake when you have finished your bottle. That’s one reason I love facial oils-they last forever, stay fresh and are so good for your skin!
Hallo Jenni,
thank you for inspiring me eveyday with your recipes, outlook on life and creativity! DIY beauty products have really become a passion of mine, and your blog is where it started 2 years ago. However, I am still a newbie and need some advice:)
I am 31 years old, from South Africa and have some hyperpigmentation. For the past few months I have been using oils as moisturizer – Rose Hip as base, with especially Carrot seed and African Immortelle (Helichrysum) essential oils added to the mix. Recently I started adding Passion Fruit oil and Frankincense, and I have Namibian Myrrh here too. Is it wise to combine all of these in one powerhouse packed serum? Or is it too hectic? My skin seems to be soaking it up and nothing bad is happening, I just probably don’t want to overdo it and loose the effectiveness of the oils. Also, if I’m trying to even out my skin tone a bit, I guess Rosehip and Frankincense is good, but is there anything else I can add to the mix?
Thank you!! Have a great day:)
Hi Anneen! I love to hear that you have a passion for DIY skin care-it really is so addictive! I love your homemade facial oil. I would say that if your skin is responding well to it then you are fine adding those oils. I think everyone’s skin is different and some skin types to benefit from a very simple facial oil more then a power packed one but it all depends on what your skin is doing.
I like geranium for evening skin out too. Frankincense and rosheip are awesome though.
Thanks so much more sharing your own DIY-I love it!!
Hi Jenni,
I prefer serums to face lotion or creams. I’ve been wondering about trying retinol but that seeems to be used mainly in creams do you think it would work in a serum>
Hi Jenni
Can this oil be used for mature skin (50+ years) and what kind of result can I expect?
Katy-Yes for sure!! It will be very hydrating and smoothing. I suggest exfoliating regularly and that will help with absorption. I think you’ll enjoy a facial oil-they are so much more effective then a lotion.
I was wondering if I could substitute evening primrose oil for the macadamia oil.
Grimm-Absolutely! that’s a great choice.