If you’ve shopped for skincare products lately, you may have noticed that facial oils are all the rage. It seems that just about every skin care line out there is launching their own version. Even though this ancient beauty secret has been used for thousands of years, it is making a comeback in the beauty industry, for good reasons. Natural oils from plants and seeds are packed with essential nutrients, fatty acids, and antioxidants that are necessary for healthy skin and a glowing complexion.
Facial oils are beneficial for ALL skin types.
Yes, that’s right! Anyone with skin from oily and blemish-prone, to dry and aging, can benefit from their healing properties. The trick is to find the right oils for your own skin type and skin concerns.
Those of you with oily skin may fear that facial oils will increase breakouts, but they may actually decrease breakouts by balancing the oil production of the skin. If we are prone to breakouts, common sense tells us we want to use products that will dry up the oil. However, no matter what our skin type, our skin needs oil and when we use products that strip the oil from our skin, we cause it to produce more, increasing breakouts.
Facial oils can also help to heal skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, acne and premature aging due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
Be aware that not all brands of facial oils are created equal.
Many brands can be pricey, ($50 to $100 and more for a 1-ounce bottle) and price certainly doesn’t always equal quality, but most importantly, some of the ingredients in store-bought brands may not even be safe or natural. This is the reason I like to create my own oils blends for myself and my clients.
By using natural raw materials in my blends, I know exactly what is going into them. I use pure, cold pressed plant oils and pure essential oils to create elixirs that nurture and heal the skin. There are no synthetic fragrances, preservatives, or harsh chemicals that can irritate and damage the skin.
Contact me for a complimentary “Get Your Glow On” skin consultation and I will create an elixir just for you, or read on and I will show you how you can make your own.
How to make your own custom facial oil.
First, it is important to determine which oils or combination of oils are appropriate for your unique skin. Remember every “body” is different. I will give you a guide for that later in this post, but you will need two different types: carrier oils and essential oils.
There are many different oils you can use and it can get overwhelming for beginners, so I’m going to keep it simple for you and include some basic oils that are easily attainable at your local health food store, natural grocery store, or from reputable online companies, and are relatively inexpensive.
Two types of oils needed for your custom facial oil
1. Carrier oils: These are usually plant-based oils extracted from the nuts or seeds of plants. They will make up the bulk of the mixture and are used to “carry” essential oils which need to be diluted and not used directly on the skin. It is best to use cold pressed and when available, organic varieties of these oils, since refined versions do not have the same benefits.
2. Essential oils: These have been used for thousands of years in various cultures for medicinal and health purposes. Essential oils come from distilling or extracting all parts of plants including flowers, leaves, barks, roots, resins, and peels. The healing benefits of these oils come from their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making them very beneficial for our skin.
***It is important to use pure essential oils from a trusted company, as many oils on the market may be filled with added ingredients and undesirable chemicals. My oils of choice are from Neal’s Yard Remedies.
Basic formula for ratio of carrier oils to essential oils
To keep it simple, I recommend using up to 10 drops of essential oils to 2 Tbsp. (approximately 1 ounce) of carrier oils. Different combinations of oils can be used, but be sure not to exceed 10 drops of essential oils. They are very powerful and a little goes a long way.
Note: For those of you with very sensitive skin, you may choose to use fewer drops of essential oils to determine how your skin reacts. You can even eliminate the essential oils and just use carrier oils, as they provide many healing properties on their own.
Which oils are appropriate for your skin type?
Below is a list describing each oil and which types of skin they are recommended for.
Carrier Oils: These oils are listed from the lightest to the richest.
1. Grapeseed oil: A light and easily absorbed oil, good for all skin types, but especially ideal for acne-prone and oily skin. Grapeseed oil is high in linoleic acid, which has been found to be low in those that suffer from acne. It has astringent properties which help to tighten skin and reduce large pores.
2. Jojoba oil: Technically considered a wax, but feels like oil, Jojoba has a similar composition to our own natural sebum in the skin, making it great for all skin types including oily/acne and sensitive skin. Jojoba is high in vitamin A, is deeply moisturizing, but has a thin texture and is easily absorbed. When in doubt, use jojoba, you can’t go wrong.
3. Almond Oil: Good for normal, dry, and sensitive skin, almond oil has been shown to protect the skin from UV damage due to its high antioxidant content.
4. Argan Oil: Great for anti-aging, dry, and mature skin. High in skin-loving vitamin E. Agran is also a wonderful hair conditioner.
5. Avocado Oil: Great for dry, sensitive, and irritated skin including eczema and psoriasis. It has a thicker texture than the above oils and is often better mixed with other carrier oils.
Essential Oils: Below is a list of my favorite essential oils to add to facial elixirs. If you haven’t had experience with essential oils, it can be overwhelming because there are so many to choose from. These 4 oils are all you really need.
1. Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca): Great for acne due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also anti-fungal and is beneficial for athletes foot and nail fungus.
2. Lavender: One of the most widely used essential oils in the world, Lavender is great for all skin types due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. It also calms and regulates the nervous system and helps with sleep, headaches, and anxiety.
3. Geranium: Good for all skin types especially acne/oily skin. Helps improve circulation and acts as an astringent, reducing pore size. Antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory.
4. Frankincense: Known as the “King of Oils” and my favorite, frankincense can be a bit more pricey than the above oils, but is worth the investment. It is beneficial for all skin types due to its strong anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Especially good for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, frankincense helps to calm our nervous system and boost our immune system.
***Again, choose carrier oils and essential oils based on your unique skin.
Below are some recipes you can use as a guide. These are formulations I’ve had good success with for the corresponding skin types. It’s a good idea to start with 1/2 of a recipe and see how you like it before making a larger quantity. Make sure you like the smell of the oils and how they feel on your skin. It’s like cooking, get creative, make changes if needed.
Each recipe makes approximately 1 ounce. Store in a 1-ounce blue or amber glass bottle with a dropper. Store in a cool, dry place and most oils will last up to a year.
Acne/ Oily Skin
2 Tbsp. Grapeseed oil, 6 drops Tea Tree Oil, 2 drops Lavender, 2 drops Geranium
Combination Skin
*1 Tbsp. jojoba oil, *1 Tbsp. Grapeseed oil, *3 drops Tea tree oil, *3 drops Lavender, *3 drops geranium
Normal Skin
*1 Tbsp. Almond oil, *5 drops frankincense, *5 drops lavender
Aging/Normal to dry skin
*1 Tbsp. Argan Oil, *1 Tbsp. Almond oil, *5 drops frankincense, *5 drops Lavender
Aging/dry/sun damaged
*1 Tbsp. Avacado oil, *1 Tbsp. Argan oil, *3 drops Lavender, *4 drops Frankincense, *3 drops Geranium
How to use your Custom Facial Oil.
Use morning and night on damp skin directly after cleansing. Apply 4 to 5 drops and pat onto face. A little goes a long way. Then follow with a moisturizer. Facial oils can be substituted for serum and often have a more beneficial effect on the skin.
I hope that you will explore this ancient beauty and discover the healing benefits that facial oils can deliver. Our skin needs both water and oil, no matter what type of skin we have. So for healthy glowing skin, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, infuse your skin with antioxidants and vitamins by using natural carrier and essential oils, and use natural skin care products that are free from harsh chemicals that can damage and irritate your skin.
Please comment below about your experience with these oil,s or contact me with any questions at shelly@shellyabel.com. Also, check out my complimentary “Get Your Glow On” skin consultation and I can help you create your own natural face elixirs
Written By:
Shelly
LMT & Esthetician