Herbal DIY Face Oil

There are plenty of retinol creams and conventional skincare products promising greater skin. But these often contain ingredients I don’t want on my face or in my body. This DIY herbal face oil features skin soothing and anti-aging ingredients for amazing skin. 

I was blessed with the naturally oily skin that many of my relatives have. It was a tremendous pain in the teenage years, but I say “blessed” because everyone in the family with that skin type has aged incredibly well. In fact, it has only been recently after 6 kids and much stress that I have ever experienced dry skin or the beginnings of wrinkles.

Many of my friends are turning to botox (which kind of blows my mind because they look great without it). But not being one to spend money to inject “the bacterial toxin botulin” into my face shudder I wanted to find a natural way to ward off wrinkles.

DIY Face Oil

This herbal face oil is amazing for skin. It’s somewhat expensive to make, although I’m guessing it’s still cheaper than injecting botulin. It smells incredible and works even better.

I only need a tiny drop each day, so my small bottle should last about 6-8 months. And it’s the only face moisturizer I need. It took me a while to find my perfect skincare routine, but so far I’m really happy with this facial oil. If you want glowing skin, hydration, and natural active ingredients, then give it a try!

Herbal Face Oil Ingredients

These are the ingredients I used in my anti-aging face oil.

• Argan oil 
• Rose essential oil
• Lavender essential oil
• Frankincense essential oil
• Myrrh essential oil

Best Face Oil Ingredients

The special blend of oils in this recipe is especially good for skin. Another great thing about this recipe is that it takes seconds to make. We’re just mixing oils with other oils and no water or emulsification is needed. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients and why they’re so good for you.

Argan Oil

Traditionally argan kernels were harvested from the poo of the goats munching on the argan fruit. Lucky for you there are more modern methods of harvesting! This liquid gold is great for problem skin or to generally nourish the skin. It seals moisture into the skin and protects against sun and wind damage.

Argan oil is also light and easily absorbs deep into skin. You’ll find vitamin E, antioxidant polyphenols, squalane, and carotenes. It calms inflammation, fights free radicals, and helps us age gracefully.

If your skin is on the drier side, then a heavier carrier oil may work better. Pure olive oil, avocado oil, or baobab oil are all good options here. There are lots of different options for aging or mature skin, just use what best fits your needs. You can even mix and match and use a blend of several carrier oils if preferred.

Olive Oil

While it tastes great drizzled over salad, olive oil is often a go-to for skincare. This oil is a major source of squalane, a lipid our skin cells make. Olive moisturizes and soothes damaged skin and acts as a humectant to protect the skin’s barrier.

Avocado Oil 

This nutrient-rich oil with vitamins A, B, and E is a popular choice for skincare. It replenishes the skin’s collagen to help prevent age spots, and soothe inflammation. It’s firming and improves skin tone. It’s also great for softening scaly skin. Avocado oil is pressed from the fleshy fruit, while avocado seed oil comes from the seed (and isn’t so tasty). Both are good for skincare.

Baobab Oil

Improves elasticity and supports collagen health. This oil soothes damaged skin and also helps with breakouts, acne-prone skin, and rosacea. It regenerates, moisturizes, and softens skin. It has a blend of fatty acids, primarily oleic and linoleic fatty acids.

Rosehip Seed Oil

I like adding vitamin C-rich cold pressed rosehip oil to anti-aging skincare products. It’s one of the only drying oils which makes it good for oily skin. Even if you have dry skin or combination skin, it works beautifully in any anti-aging blend. You only need to add a tiny amount in with another carrier oil. You can find it in my rosehip seed oil facial moisturizer here.

Evening Primrose Oil 

High in GLA fatty acids, evening primrose is great for eczema. GLA also reduces inflammation and supports healthy hormone balance. I wouldn’t necessarily use this carrier oil by itself, but it works well mixed with another oil like olive, jojoba, or argan. It’s a little heavier and too much may clog pores. Some dermatologists recommend not using it on very oily or acne-prone skin. 

The Best Essential Oils for Face Oil

There are tons of good botanicals out there, but a few essential oils really stand out when it comes to skincare.

If you’re looking for a natural, anti-aging, and skin smoothing serum or face oil, then give this a try! It’s brightening, good for sensitive skin and dryness, and leaves skin feeling amazing. While these are more expensive oils, they last a long time when diluted. And I use them in other recipes to get the most out of my purchase.

• Rose – Not only does rose soothe the heart in times of grief, but it soothes damaged skin too.
• Frankincense – I include this essential oil in my gold, frankincense, and myrrh lotion bars. It’s great for scars, stretch marks, and irritated skin. Studies have looked at frankincense’s ability to soothe inflammation and repair damaged skin. In a 2010 trial, frankincense extract significantly improved skin smoothness and fine lines in women with photoaging.
• Myrrh – A very thick oil that’s distilled from myrrh resin and has an earthy smell. It’s been used in wound care for centuries. Myrrh is naturally antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Scientists continue to explore its use in infection and wound care, like sepsis cases.
• Lavender – The most economical of the bunch, lavender is one of the world’s most popular essential oils. It’s calming and soothing and helps to repair damaged skin. It’s antibacterial, good for acne, oily skin, and just damaged skin in general.

How to Use Face Oil

I keep this by my bathroom sink and use a drop after my oil cleansing routine at night. Sometimes I’ll use it after washing my face with honey in the morning. It smells incredible and I love smelling the essential oils as I drift off to sleep or work in the morning.

Since I use oil cleansing and my face is already somewhat moisturized before applying this I can use 1-2 drops. If you’re using a soap based face wash, those dry skin out more so you’ll probably need to apply more face oil than me.

This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

What do you use on your face? Leave us a comment and let us know!