For glowing skin, create this natural, homemade, facial serum with essential oils. This recipe customizes easily to embrace your own skin type. 

homemade serum with essential oils in a white bottle with dried lavender and essential oils around the bottle

Having six kids, including a baby who still nurses through the night, while also homeschooling, and running a business from home … can sometimes be a little stressful. 

At the same time, we truly are living our dream life, and I love doing life side-by-side with my favorite people in the world. But with so many plates spinning at one time, my skin can sometimes get pushed to the back of the line and show some neglect. 

Combine that with the dry winter months, and this mom needs a little extra help. To work towards a solution, Iโ€™ve really been focusing on perfecting a skin care routine. 

My skin tends to be dry, and since Iโ€™m not getting any younger, Iโ€™ve been concentrating on anti-aging methods using natural, healthy oils and essential oils. 

Combining this DIY facial serum with my favorite homemade toner, my skin feels much more hydrated and healthier than even just a few weeks ago.

If you are new to essential oils, check out this post about how to use them, and I share the company Iโ€™ve chosen to use for years.

homemade toner and serum in bottles on a wood cabinet with dried lavender

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

My Personal Anti-Aging Facial Serum Recipe

10 drops vitamin E oil

Sweet almond oil

Frankincense – 5 drops

Yarrow pom – 5 drops

Geranium – 5 drops

Lavender – 5 drops

homemade face serum ingredients on a white countertop

Best Carrier Oils To Use For Serum:

Grapeseed โ€“ Anti-bacterial properties make grapeseed oil a great choice for those who have acne-prone skin. It has also been shown to help moisturize, soften the skin, and increase skinโ€™s elasticity. (source)

Argan โ€“ High in both omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids, argan oil helps reduce inflammation, so it’s great for acne-prone skin, and it’s very moisturizing. This oil is also high in antioxidants and vitamins E and A. (source)

Jojoba โ€“ Jojoba oil is amazing for your skin. It is thought to mimic the natural oils in human skin, called sebum. These natural oils maintain moisture in the skin and protect it from infection. Jojoba may also help the skin absorb other ingredients more effectively. (source)

Sweet almond โ€“ Containing omega 3s and vitamins A and E, sweet almond has been shown to help reduce under-eye circles and decrease puffiness, improve skin tone, and it’s fantastic for dry skin. (source)

Avocado โ€“ While it’s amazing for dry skin, avocado oil is also very moisturizing and has anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. (source)

Hemp โ€“ Hemp is great for most skin types and is very moisturizing without clogging pores. Hemp also has anti-inflammatory properties and may help psoriasis. (source)

Rose hip – Rose hip oil is the cold pressed oil from wild rose seeds. It is high in vitamins A and C, which may help reduce the signs of aging and help collagen production. It is moisturizing, while also helping calm the skin, and it may even help acne-prone skin. (source)

homemade face serum in a white bottle on a blue and white stripped towel with dried lavender and essential oils around the bottle
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Carrier Oils Per Skin Type

Dry skin: Try grapeseed, argon, sweet almond, or avocado oil.

Oily skin: Try hemp or grapeseed.

Normal/combination: Try jojoba, grapeseed, or sweet almond.

Aging skin: Try rose hip, grapeseed, sweet almond, and/or argan.

doterra essential oils on a wood cabinet

Essential Oils For Face Serum:

Frankincense โ€“ Great for all skin types, frankincense is really wonderful for the skin and anti-aging effects. It has anti-inflammatory properties and may help improve skin elasticity.

Lavender โ€“ Lavender is calming to the skin and may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Geranium โ€“ Geranium has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and can help reduce skin irritation, acne breakouts, and may help with signs of aging.

Cypress – Can help those who deal with oily or acne prone skin. Cypress also has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. (source)

Tea tree oil โ€“ Great for acne-prone skin due to anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Rose (expensive, but so good for skin) โ€“ Rose oil can help fight signs of aging, reduce the appearance of scars, and aid acne-prone skin or other skin conditions. (source)

Yarrow|Pom โ€“ This is a blend of yarrow essential oil and pomegranate seed oil. It can help reduce the appearance of skin imperfections and give a more youthful appearance.

Copaiba โ€“ Copaiba is anti-inflammatory and great for your skin. Copaiba contains beta-caryophyllene and, when applied to the skin, it can stimulate the skin to release beta endorphins (aka โ€˜the happy hormoneโ€™). (source)

Helichrysum – Is very beneficial to the skin. It can help reduce fine lines, blemishes, and is soothing to the skin. (source)

Clary sage – Clary sage has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great choice for skincare.

Roman chamomile โ€“ Is very calming to the skin and can help with atopic dermatitis. It may also help with wound healing. (source

Myrrh – Myrrh can help give a more youthful complexion, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and sooth irritated skin. (source)

applying personalized label to a white pump bottle

Facial Serum Essential Oil Blends By Skin Type

Anti aging โ€“ frankincense, lavender, myrrh, rose, geranium, helichrysum, cypress, yarrow|pom

Dry skin โ€“ clary sage, frankincense, lavender, myrrh, rose, geranium, yarrow|pom

Oily skin โ€“ roman chamomile, rose, clary sage, frankincense, lavender, tea tree, geranium, cypress

Normal/combination โ€“ frankincense, lavender, geranium

Acne prone โ€“ tea tree, lavender, rose, and geranium

Do I need both serum and moisturizer?

Some people can get away with just using a serum, while others need both to achieve proper hydration and moisturized skin.

hands holding DIY serum

How To Make A Homemade Facial Serum

In a 2 oz bottle, add vitamin E oil.

vitamin e oil being poured into a white bottle

Add essential oil combination of your choice.

adding essential oils to DIY face serum

Top with carrier oil of your choice. You can also mix carrier oils, depending on the type of moisture and what benefits you are looking to achieve.

adding sweet almond oil to a white bottle

To use:

Wash face with cleanser of choice, spritz on toner, and apply homemade serum with your fingers in an upward motion.

Allow to absorb for a minute or two and then apply moisturizer if desired.

Grab A Label

serum label printable

Find More Homemade Natural Products:

If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you could come back and give it 5 stars! 

Homemade Serum

4.30 from 68 votes
DIY facial serum with essential oils for hydrated and glowing skin. Made with just a few simple and natural ingredients, you will want to keep this recipe to make over and over again.

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 oz
hands holding DIY serum
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Equipment

  • 2 oz pump bottle or dropper
  • Funnel

Ingredients 

  • 5 drops frankincense
  • 5 drops yarrow | pom
  • 5 drops geranium
  • 5 drops lavender
  • 10 drops vitamin E oil
  • Carrier oil of choice – about 3 tbsp

Instructions 

  • In a 2 oz bottle, add vitamin E oil and essential oil combination of choice.
  • Top with carrier oil of choice.

TO USE:

  • Wash face with cleanser of choice, spritz on toner, and apply serum with your fingers in an upward motion.

    Allow to absorb for a minute or two and then apply moisturizer if desired.

Notes

  • My skin tends to be dry, and since Iโ€™m not getting any younger, Iโ€™ve been concentrating on anti-aging methods using natural, healthy oils and essential oils.ย 

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.30 from 68 votes (66 ratings without comment)

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25 Comments

  1. Kate says:

    Wow, thank you!

  2. Jenn says:

    These are great. I do use Sea buckthorn with jojoba plus frankincense and rose 2x daily. I’m 52 and everyone thinks I am younger since my skin is not aging that much. I used to be a distributor for doterra. I have lots of oils left. You have beautiful skin.

    I also make the acne version first my youngest since she has a few breakouts.

    Keep up the good work.
    โค

    1. Lisa says:

      I’ve heard great thing about sea buckthorn and jojoba!

  3. trisha says:

    That brand of essential oils is over $100 for just one. Are other brands okay? I see some for $15…

    1. Stacy says:

      If you are with doTERRA and have an lrp account, it would cost less than that. I love doTERRA products, but just recently left after over 8yrs with them. There are other companies out there that are not mlm, that are just as goodโ€ฆjust my opinion.
      You want to make sure theyโ€™re 100% pure and nothing added to them. Not trying to take business away, because doTERRA is great, I just couldnโ€™t keep spending that much every month.

  4. L says:

    Is Blue Yarrow the same as Yarrow Pom?

  5. Anita says:

    I have made and sold a herbal oil for the skin, hair and face that is absolutely wonderful. The recipe is in The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood, the recipe is on page 159 in the book. The recipe in the book is actually called conditioning treatment and is meant as a hot oil treatment for the hair, but Iโ€™ve used it for my body, face and I put it in my damp hair after washing.

    There are a lot of recipes and knowledge sharing in this book.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/0931432820/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_99DEN9YTREQ9JMVXV97W

    You should check it out.

  6. Grace Fields McIntyre says:

    So, Lisa, if you were selling this product ready-made I would gladly order the product but since you’re not doing this (I do understand your busy schedule), I suppose I will decline. I do not have a Dotera account, etc.
    Your skin is beautiful.
    Thanks,
    Grace

    1. Paula says:

      You don’t need a doTERRA account. You can purchase essential oils elsewhere.

    2. Hรฉlรจne says:

      Edenโ€™s Garden is an excellent brand n will never tell u to ingest EOs. Way less expensive than mlms too.

  7. Patty Lanz says:

    Cant wait to mix it up I have everything nun already I love the oils I diffuse in my bedroom and home also .just did rosemary today.thankyou this is great.

  8. Daisy says:

    I love this easy facial serum! I made mine with sweet almond oil, Frankincense and vitamin e. Can you please advise which vitamin e oil you’re using?

    I’m not sure if mine is that good. Thanks!

  9. Gayla MOUDRY says:

    I would love to grab a label but I don’t see how. Thanks

    1. snafuzy says:

      Click on a label under:
      Grab A Label
      Download options will popup

  10. Stephanie says:

    Have you researched helichrysum to add to your facial serum ?