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.
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.
Herbal DIY Face Oil
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces argan oil or other carrier oil(s) of choice
- 12 drop rose essential oil
- 12 drops frankincense essential oil
- 12 drops myrrh essential oil
- 12 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops vitamin E oil optional antioxidant to extend shelf life
Instructions
- Add the essential oils to the bottle.
- Add the carrier oil(s) to the bottle until it's almost full. Be sure to leave room for the dropper or pump lid!
- Shake well to combine.
Notes
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!
Hi, Katie
Would you mind me asking how you choose how many drops of essential oils to add?
Thank you!
Trial and error 🙂
Can I use a little coconut oil, as well as olive oil? I love the feel of coconut oil on my face, and I made a mixture of coconut oil and vitamin C powder. It makes my skin glow, and is wonderful for the wrinkles I am getting, being 60 years old. I do have great skin, not sensitive, and no blemishes ever, so….?
Would coconut oil work instead of argan? Im new to this stuff and I only have coconut oil. I dont even know if its the right coconut oil lol.
Use Apricot Seed oil for cleansing. It’s the bomb and will literally melt makeup off. Also rosehip seed oil would be a wonderful addition to her recipe.
Love all your recipes. can I put it around my eyes?
If you use any EOs do NOT put it around your eyes!! If you accidentally get some in your eye then wash out with some kind of milk product that has some fat in it – I do believe any milk will do except nonfat, as you need a fat to wash out a fat and then afterwards rinse with water. Be careful with EOs!
Cynthia
Do the essential oils help with the wrinkles or are they just for smell? I ask because I tried the incredibly expensive Josie Maran argan oil for over a year and wasn’t impressed. In fact I developed a laugh line during the last year. (I’m 36).
The oils are very healthy for the skin, and do help with the wrinkles and other facial topography.
Love this recipe! I’m going to add these oils to my maracuja oil, which I prefer on my skin to argan oil
Where did you get the glass bottle?
Check out the bottles at mountainroseherbs.com – they rock (although I’m not sure which one she used (if you’re interested in plastic bottles, I know off topic but good info, go to midwestbottles.com – sooo cheap!))
And finally if you need them in bulk bulkapothecary.com is best in my opinion for the brown .5oz or 2oz bottles. Good luck ( oh and I’ve gotten bottles off Amazon and ebay for good prices – if you go to Amazon for anything use Katie’s link so that she’ll make a little cash!!).
Cynthia
I’ve checked Mountain Rose Herbals for the bottles, but I’m also interested in that pump top – where can I purchase some of those for facial oils? Thanks!
if you don’t have argan oil what other oil can i use for oily skin, or do I have to use that, also I have rose/geranium not rose… will this work just curious I made your magnesium oil spray and I love it gave some as a gift to my foot zoner for Christmas she loved it!!!!
It depends on your age, any additional skin issues you might have, whether you’re prone to breakouts & why you might be getting breakouts, etc etc. Hazelnut, jojoba, macadamia, calendula, kukui & many others are great for oily skin, especially when mixed with specific essential oils. But some of these oils are made by infusing herbs into an oil, while others are extracted directly from the raw materials. You need to know which are which, and also need to know *why* this is important to know.
Do a little research on carrier oils & infused oils to determine their properties/benefits & then test out which works best for your skin. Some may not work well for others with oily skin but they may work great for you.
I have extremely dry and sensitive skin so I got on the non chemical cosmetics and cleansing path and have found that by the end of the day I won’t have burn spots on my cheeks. I’m just having a really hard time finding something that soothes and moisturizes my face that doesn’t seem to be fading off within an hour. I wash with honey and used emu oil for a while but after a couple of months I started getting mild cystic acne and read other comments of people getting the same reaction from the emu oil. I now take makeup off with jojoba + 1 vitm E capsule mixture, wash with honey, and had to start using emu oil again to clear up the burning redness that started up again. I just purchased some argan oil after reading that it does wonders for the face hoping that will do the trick. I see that you mentioned to use a different oil for drier skin for this recipe and would like your opinion on a better oil or if the argan oil is a better choice for dry sensitive skin.
I have the same problem. I’m already prone to dry skin, plus I live in the Southwest, so it can be difficult to stay moisturized. I’ve discovered plain old shea butter works wonders! I use it just like face cream (without adding anything to it) and it lasts all day without drying out. Been a life saver! In addition (in case you care) I use honey for face wash and almond oil to take makeup off. Good luck! =D
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
ITS ACTS LIKE A PEEL WHEN MIXED WITH BAKING SIDA OR CRUSHED AIRIN? MY SOLUTION WAS PURE ALOE CUT FROM MY PLANT.
ITS NOT IMMEDIATE BUT DOES ELIMINATE THE RED ABOUT AN HOUR OR SO.
Hi, I’ve had the same issues with my skin and so far it sounds like you’re making all the right choices. A big part of your skin care routine starts with what you put in your mouth as well. Eliminating things like daily or wheat can possibly really help you as well. Dairy was a big one for me. Hope you find relief!
Hi there, always love all of your recipes and this one seems wonderful!! Just wondering which Rose essential oil you recommend? There seem to be a few to choose from the Mountain Rose herbs site. I’m guessing it’s the Rose Bulgarian Essential Oil?
I use the Chinese Rose, but this oil can be omitted if needed and any good quality rose essential oil will work.
My skin is oily but I cannot afford Argan oil. Can u suggest any replacement ? And also don’t have Myrr essential oil. Candy I use sandalwood essential oil instead of it ?
Which one of these Rose essential oils did you use for your recipe?! The link you provided just directs my browser to Mountain Rose Herb’s main Essential Oil page and there are 3 different types of Rose oil offered by MRH! I really want to try this recipe!!!! Thank you for ALL the AMAZING information/recipes you bring us…I have no idea how you do all you do but BRAVO, sister!!!
Holiday Blessings to you and your family!
Here are the three different types of Rose I found on MountainRoseHerbs.com:
ROSE ABSOLUTE (SOLVENT EXTRACTED)
Rosa damascena
From $43.75
or…
OG
ROSE, BULGARIAN ESSENTIAL OIL
Rosa damascena
From $179.50
or…
ROSE, CHINESE ESSENTIAL OIL
Rosa rugosa
From $63.00
I use the Chinese Rose, but this oil can be omitted if needed.
Katie I love your site! I can’t figure out how to post, only “reply” as a piggyback on someone else ???? sorry! I love using so many of your recipes and this one made me wonder if you’ve ever tried Nerium AD? I have similar skin and have had tremendous success with it!
How about Rose Absolute?
I say helllooo YES!! The rose absolute is not of the same quality as the EO. They use fat (there are some chemicals used unfortunately but it is MOST controversial as to whether enough of the chemical residue goes into the absolute to make it “unhealthy” – when something is THAT heavily debated it’s usually cuz the difference is too small, like borax Vs no borax – we’re talking itty, itty, bitty difference in terms of safety if there is any at all. I don’t think so!!! But technically there are trace chemicals in it, maybe, I don’t think it’s even measurable!!) to render the oil instead of water but we’re still talking really good stuff!! I would SOOO buy it in an instant if I could afford to. Alas rose geranium will have to do for me. The differences in terms of what each of these oils do for you, including the Rose geranium EO – mountainrosehrbs.com just calls it geranium but it is technically Rose geranium and it smells similar -therapeutically is not much. JImy-not-so-HO. And when you get into the pricier rose EOs the differences therapeutically are practically nil. The point in getting one over another is fragrance preference. (Gosh what I wouldn’t give to be able to buy ANY of them!!! If you can afford it, get it. I’ve smelled it once and it’s divine!!, like I could happily die right now lovely! You can probably tell I’m really into EOs lol 🙂 ).
Do it!!
Cyn
If I leave out the Rose oil as you suggested could I substitute it with another oil like; lavendar, Rosemary, fennel, or lemon? I have read a little about these
I don’t know about the others, but lemon might be a bad idea as I believe it can make you sensitive to light.
Geranium EO would be a great substitute for Rose EO. It is excellent for the skin (always use diluted as in this formula by Wellness Mama). It is much more affordable, too.