As for spending, I still have yet to buy anything beauty-related this month. My inbox has been inundated with emails about January sales and while I've given several of them a browse, I'm still holding strong. It's been a busy month, so I also haven't just reallocated that money into other spending, which is what I half expected to happen.
#NoBuyJanuary also seemed like a great time for another DIY post. It's been a while since my last one! Let's talk about mixing your own face oils and serums...
As much as I love the many gorgeous oil blends being made by green skincare companies, I also love the both the creative element and flexibility of mixing up my own. Face oils are probably one of the easiest things you can DIY and the results can be pretty phenomenal. It's also a great way to use up oils that individually might not do everything you want them to.
Sometimes I combine oils in a bottle, but more often I just mix a few different oils in the palm of my hand before each application.
 |
| Just stir together and apply to your face! |
Pai's Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil - contains both rosehip seed and fruit oils and is one of the most concentrated rosehip oils on the market. High levels of Trans Retinoic Acid act as a "natural retinol" and converts to Vitamin A without causing irritation. Rosehip has been proven to improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, sun damage, and fine lines.
Goji Seed Oil - is high in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, which protect and repair the skin. It also contains large amounts of vitamin E that helps neutralize free radicals and improves skin elasticity and firmness.
Jojoba Oil - is a liquid wax that closely resembles your skin's own sebum. It's both moisturizing and good for helping regulate oil production.
The combination of the three has been keeping my skin happy and healthy for about two months now. It hydrates well and also absorbs quickly without leaving any greasy residue.
And the best part of making your own face oils/serums?
You can use almost any oils you like! I recommend using oils that are organic, when possible, as well as cold-pressed and unrefined, since these retain the most nutrients and are extracted without chemical additives.
Some other basics to keep in mind:
Individual Qualities of Each Oil
If there's a specific skin concern you're trying to address (ie. acne, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, etc.), what oils are best for it? Also consider the 'feel' of the oils - are they light in texture or heavy? How quickly do they absorb into the skin?
Do you want to include essential oils and/or herbs?
Both can be used for fragrance and/or their individual properties. If you don't mind taking the time, it's simple to infuse your oils with dried herbs. When selecting essential oils, I recommend avoiding citrus oils (and others) that increase sun sensitivity.
Will you need to include a preservative?
If your blend is just oils, then the answer is probably no, although you may want to include antioxidants like Vitamin E or rosemary extract to prolong shelf life.
Now, go forth and blend your own face oils! Super easy and you just might be surprised by how great it turns out...
This is a great idea, I do this with oils for hair as I like to mix argan and avocado oil and use it straight away. I must start doing more DIY I used to do lot's then got a bit lazy Xx
ReplyDeleteI usually use straight argan oil on my hair, but that's a great idea! I'll have to try mixing up hair oils next :)
DeleteThis is a lovely idea. I was thinking of doing a diy project with bath and body oils x
ReplyDeleteThanks! I've done body oils before, but never bath. You'll have to keep us posted on how it goes!
DeleteI really like Prickly Pear oil & some tamanu and mix them with geranium: I once learned at a aromatherapy-class that the scent you're most attracted to is most likely to be most beneficial for your skintype
ReplyDeleteI've yet to try either of those, but prickly pear is at the top of my list! I've heard the same about scents you're attracted to, but then I've also heard from different sources that scents you have a strong dislike of are the ones that your body need the most. I'm not sure which way is right...
DeleteI'm always intrigued my by oil mixing, and personally I'm afraid to do so since my skin is sensitive and prone to breakouts.
ReplyDeleteI can relate, my skin can be sensitive too! That's one of the reasons I usually mix my oils before each application. That way if my skin doesn't react well, I don't wast any by having mixed up a big bottle. You might also look at products that you know work for your skin to see what oils are in them and go from there!
DeleteIs there a particular website or book you'd recommend for knowing which oils have the properties we're looking for? mixing oils is something I'd like to get more into :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have any one website to suggest, but I often find ingredients suppliers have useful information, even if you aren't buying your oils from them. Lotioncrafter and Mountain Rose Herbs are good starting points and then I'll usually search for more information on a specific oil or ingredient that interests me. I'm also totally guilty of scouting out companies websites to see what ingredients they're using (and often an explanation of why they've included it) and then perhaps using it or something similar in my own concoctions. Hope that helps!
DeleteUu Goji seed oil is something I need! I'm just using face cream with it and i love it! :) xx
ReplyDeleteDefinitely give it a try! I like it a lot :)
DeleteWould Rosemary Essential Oil be the same as Rosemary extract? I've been meaning to make my own oil blend forever, but never get around to it.
ReplyDeleteNope, they aren't the same thing. The essential oil is distilled, either by steam or another method, whereas, as I understand it, to make the extract, rosemary is infused in alcohol (similar to something like vanilla extract) and then the alcohol is evaporated off, leaving a thicker, resinous substance behind. The extract manages to isolate more of the antioxidant properties than the essential oil. So, while the essential oil could have the same properties, in theory, it would be somewhat weaker and less effective. Hope that makes sense!
DeleteIt does make sense. Thanks for the explanation!
Delete