This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.
Congratulations! Your order qualifies for free shipping spend $100 more for free shipping

DIY Face Serum Recipe

DIY Face Serum Recipe - - local - letsbelocal.ca

What is face serum & when to apply it

Serums are formulated to be super concentrated and deliver quick benefits to the skin but did you know that there is a technique behind skincare regimes and the order in which products are applied?

Begin by using a facial cleanser to remove any surface-level dirt, oil, and makeup. 

Next, apply a facial toner using a cotton pad to remove anything you missed in the first step while providing light hydration and balancing the pH levels of your skin. You can make your own toner, using our recipe here.

Next, you’ll want to apply your face serum to give your skin that much needed boost. Serums will quickly restore moisture and deliver other benefits to your skin. Our recipe section below includes different serum recipes based on your skin type. Choose from blends for combination, dry/sensitive, oily, acne-prone and mature skin; each recipe with its own set of unique benefits.

If you’re on board with the latest health and beauty trends, then now is a good time to put that facial roller to use. If you don’t own one yet, you can buy a double-ended one here (choose from Jade, Rose Quartz and Amethyst). Some of the believed benefits of facial rolling include:

  • May minimize the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Massaging is said to help stimulate the flow of fluid and oxygen.
  • May promote collagen production and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. 
  • May help with the absorption of your serum and facial formulations by working them into the skin.
  • If you use an eye cream or serum, you can apply it now and use the small end of the facial roller in upward motions to lightly massage your eye area.
  • If you want extra stimulation, pop your facial roller in the fridge before using it. Trust us! It will have a cool, soothing effect that feels amazing especially if you’ve just woken up.

Follow with any spot treatments before applying your moisturizer.

 

DIY Face Serum Recipes

We have put a lot of thought and care into making different recipes depending on the type of skin you have, whether that be combination, oily, dry/sensitive, acne-prone or mature skin.

Of course, essential oils may react differently with each body so feel free to adjust the drop amounts or essential oils used in each recipe.

Each recipe follows a base formulation consisting of Carrot Seed Carrier Oil, Jojoba Oil, and then specific essential oils depending on the skin type. Some recipes also call for Vitamin E.

 

Carrot Seed Carrier Oil (extra virgin cold-pressed)

We used extra virgin cold-pressed Carrot Seed Carrier Oil, meaning it is unrefined, 100% pure and more expensive as it is of a higher grade. It is not to be confused with carrot seed essential oil or carrot seed macerated carrier oil which is mixed or diluted with other vegetable oils. This is the real deal, and will work wonders for your skin!

Carrot seed carrier oil is appropriate for all skin types. Some benefits include: 

  • Balances moisture levels
  • Rich in antioxidants (known as carotenoids) which helps defend against damage caused by UV rays and other environmental elements (free radicals)
  • Promotes cell regeneration for smooth, toned, healthy, firm skin
  • High in vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids

 

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil closely resembles your body’s natural oil (known as sebum) making it an excellent choice to use in your facial serum; it replenishes any moisture that was lost after washing your face while also minimizing excess oil (sebum) from accumulating. Not only is jojoba oil phenomenal at balancing oil levels without clogging your pores, but it also helps to seal and retain moisture in the skin because it is technically a liquid wax.

Jojoba oil helps to distribute the benefits of pure essential oils over a larger surface area of the skin while ensuring they last long enough to be absorbed by the skin (essential oils evaporate are volatile and evaporate quickly). Jojoba also dilutes pure essential oils which are potent and concentrated in nature, to prevent any irritations for those with sensitive skin or acne.

Jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory properties and is rich in both omega fatty acids and antioxidants (including Vitamin E) which provide your body with nutrients essential for cell regrowth, help protect your skin from environmental factors (free radicals) and minimize the characteristics of mature skin. Hooray!

Because of all of the wonderful benefits of Jojoba oil, we decided to use it for our facial serum recipes but you can also opt for other carrier oils.

Fractionated coconut oil is hydrating, moisturizing and doesn’t clog your pores. FCO has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.

Grapeseed oil is known to leave your skin with a glossy finish without being greasy. It has astringent, anti-aging, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal properties making Grapeseed another excellent choice for oily, mature or acne-prone skin.

Essential Oils

Blend For Normal/Combination Skin

If you have skin that fluctuates between dry and oily throughout the day, this serum recipe is for you! The lovely combination of lavender, geranium, and frankincense essential oil is gentle, soothing and rejuvenating. Geranium, in particular, is known to help balance oil levels to keep your skin at its best. With anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent and antioxidant properties, this serum will keep your face clean and healthy. 

In a 30 ml lotion pump bottle, add the ingredients below and top with jojoba oil.

12 drops Lavender 

12 drops Geranium

12 drops Frankincense

¾ tsp Carrot Seed Oil (approximately 12% of formulation)

 

Blend For Oily Skin

Sometimes our bodies naturally produce excess amounts of oil (sebum) for different reasons such as hormone levels but don’t worry because this serum was curated with oily skin in mind! With antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and astringent and properties, this blend of cypress, grapefruit, geranium and ylang ylang essential oil will help your skin to feel fresh but not greasy by balancing your skin’s oil production levels.

In a 30 ml lotion pump bottle, add the ingredients below and top with jojoba oil 

or grapeseed oil.

10 drops Cypress 

10 drops Grapefruit* or Bergamot*

10 Geranium

10 Ylang Ylang

¾ tsp Carrot Seed Oil (approximately 12% of formulation)

*Photosensitive - Take extra caution when using citrus essential oils topically. Avoid sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying serum. Read our blog for more info on photosensitivity here.

 

Blend For Acne Prone Skin (non-cystic acne)

If your skin is prone to acne or breakouts then we've got a facial serum for you! The soothing and gentle effects of lavender, clary sage and copaiba will calm any inflammation or irritation. And when combined with the antibacterial and antiseptic properties of tea tree, juniper berry, and grapefruit, your skin will feel healthy and clear. Clary sage may also help balance the skin’s oil levels, making it the perfect addition to this blend.

In a 30 ml lotion pump bottle, add the ingredients below and top with jojoba oil.

8 drops Melaleuca 

8 drops Copaiba or Cedarwood 

8 drops Juniper berry 

5 drops Grapefruit*

5 drops Clary Sage

5 drops Lavender

¾ tsp Carrot Seed Oil (approximately 12% of formulation)

*Photosensitive - Take extra caution when using citrus essential oils topically. Avoid sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying serum. Read our blog for more info on photosensitivity here.

 

Blend For Sensitive or Dry Skin

If you have dry sensitive skin, winter is probably your least favourite season. Luckily this wonderful blend of essential oils, carrot seed oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E will work wonders for your skin and hopefully revive it back to life. Lavender, geranium, and chamomile essential oil are all known to be gentle, calming and soothing to avoid any skin sensitivities or inflammation. Together, sandalwood and geranium essential oils promote skin cell regrowth. While sandalwood and patchouli are good for healthy, smooth, glowing skin. This serum will provide your face with the moisture it needs and lock it in without causing any irritations.

In a 30 ml lotion pump bottle, add the ingredients below and top with jojoba oil.

10 drops Lavender 

10 drops Geranium

10 drops Chamomile 

5 drops Sandalwood 

5 drops Patchouli

¾ tsp Carrot Seed Oil (approximately 12% of formulation)

½ tsp Vitamin E Oil - (approximately 8% of formulation)

Vitamin E is a nutrient with intense moisturizing properties and may help protect your skin from environmental elements (free radicals) including UV rays.

 

Blend For Anti-Aging

If you have mature skin with signs like fine lines, age spots or softening of the skin, then this serum is for you! It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, restorative and astringent properties that may protect your skin while promoting a toned, smooth, hydrated and glowing complexion.

In a 30 ml lotion pump bottle, add the ingredients below and top with jojoba oil.

8 drops Frankincense

8 drops Helichrysum

8 drops Myrrh

8 drops Sandalwood

8 drops Patchouli 

¾ tsp Carrot Seed Oil (approximately 12% of formulation)

½ tsp Vitamin E Oil - (approximately 8% of formulation)

Vitamin E is a nutrient with intense moisturizing properties and may help protect your skin from environmental elements (free radicals) including UV rays.

Luxe oils to add in if you have them:

Jasmine - Known for promoting a healthy, glowing complexion

Rose - Known to balance moisture, reduces the appearance of skin imperfections and promote a healthy, even skin tone

Yarrow | Pom - Known to soothe and moisturize the skin while preventing the breakdown of collagen 

 

We hope you enjoyed this blog post! If you make your own face serum, tag us in your photos on Facebook or Instagram! To shop Facial Rollers, Lotion Bottles, Carrot Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, or Vitamin E Oil visit our shop here!

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published