How to Make Your Own Essential Oil Blend for Mature Skin (Recipe)

With all the wonderful natural facial serums on the market today, it can be a little overwhelming choosing the correct formula with safe, non-toxic ingredients, all at a reasonable price. The good news is that it’s easy and fun to make a quality product on your own using the miracle of nature – essential oils. 

When I started working with skincare formulas in 2003, one of the first products I was excited about making was an essential oil-based facial serum. My skin needs were changing, and a moisturizing oil made perfect sense for dry, maturing skin.

I decided to work with four wonderful healthy aging essential oils I had discovered: Lavender, Frankincense, Rose Geranium, and Carrot Seed.

The natural and highly effective nature of essential oils makes them perfect for skincare. When blended for their various properties and used with a carrier oil that matches your skin type, you can create a serum tailor-made for your skin.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are the essence of plants. Hidden away in many parts of the plant, like the flowers, seeds, and roots, they are very potent chemical compounds. They can give the plant its scent, protect it from harsh conditions, and help with pollination.

The benefits of essential oils on humans are diverse and amazing. Lavender flower oil, for example, contains compounds that help soothe skin irritation and redness, while the scent reduces feelings of anxiety and stress.

The beautiful Rose essential oil is hydrating to the skin and sometimes used to treat scarring, while the scent is known to help lift depression. 

There are many essential oils to choose from for specific skincare needs. I have used a myriad of different combinations but keep coming back to the tried and true blend from my very first serum.

The four essential oils used are the workhorses of skincare for mature skin, as well as being wonderfully uplifting for mind, body, and spirit. 

The Base Oil Blend Formula

Here’s what you’ll need:

Bottle

1 oz. amber dropper bottle. You can find those in pharmacies or online.

Base (Carrier) Oil

As a base, you can use one of the oils below or a combination of several that meet your skin’s needs:

• Jojoba oil is my base oil of choice. It’s incredible for most skin types: it’s extremely gentle and non-irritating for sensitive skin, moisturizing for dry skin, balancing for oily skin, ideal for combination skin, and offers a barrier of protection from environmental stressors. It also helps skin glow as it delivers deep hydration.
• Rosehip oil smooths the skin’s texture and calms redness and irritation.
• Argan oil contains high levels of vitamin E and absorbs thoroughly into the skin leaving little oily residue.
• Avocado oil is effective at treating age spots and sun damage, as well as helping to soothe inflammatory conditions such as blemishes and eczema.
• Olive oil is a heavier oil and the perfect choice if your skin needs a mega-dose of hydration. Just be aware that olive oil takes longer to absorb and leaves the skin with an oily feeling. This may be desirable for extremely dry, red, itchy skin.

Essential Oils

• Lavender essential oil is very versatile and healing. It helps reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, and clear pores. Its scent is also calming and soothing.
• Frankincense essential oil helps to tone and strengthen mature skin in addition to fighting bacteria and balancing oil production.
• Rose Geranium essential oil helps tighten the skin by reducing the appearance of fine lines, helps reduce inflammation and fight redness, and offers anti-bacterial benefits to help fight the occasional breakout. The scent is also known to be soothing and balancing.
• Carrot seed oil is a fantastic essential oil for combination skin. It helps even the skin tone while reducing inflammation and increasing water retention.

The Recipe

Let’s start with a simple recipe:

• 1 oz. Jojoba oil (or carrier oil of your choice)
• 10 drops Lavender
• 10 drops Frankincense
• 10 drops Rose Geranium
• 10 drops Carrot seed oil 

Place the essential oil drops in the amber dropper bottle then fill with Jojoba/carrier oil. It’s that simple!

Read more: Harnessing the Power of Essential Oils for Skin Care after 50.

Applying Your Homemade Serum

Use this serum morning and evening as part of your regular skincare routine. Serums work best when applied after cleansing your face. You can cleanse with Coconut Oil or a mixture of oils for enhanced hydration or use your regular facial cleanser.

Essential oils will not interfere in any way with your normal skincare products.

Keep in mind that the serum is concentrated. Use only a pea-sized amount, work it into your fingertips, and apply evenly over the face without tugging or pulling.

If your skin feels tacky, reduce the amount on the next application. Your skin should feel soft, not oily. Follow with your regular moisturizer if you like. 

Read more: 13 All-Natural Skin Moisturizer Brands for Women Over 50.

What to Know Before You Start

Making your own essential oil blend is a rewarding way to personalize your skincare routine, but there are a few important things to keep in mind before you get started – especially if you’re new to using essential oils.

Always Do a Patch Test  

Even natural ingredients can cause reactions. Before applying a new blend to your face, test it on a small patch of skin – like the inside of your wrist or elbow. Wait 24 hours to see if there’s any redness, itching, or irritation. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin or a history of allergies.

Choose High-Quality Oils  

Not all essential oils are created equal. Look for brands that clearly label their oils as 100% pure or therapeutic grade. Reputable companies often share details about how their oils are sourced and tested. Avoid oils labeled as fragrance oils or perfume oils, which often contain synthetic ingredients that aren’t safe for skin.

Never Use Essential Oils Undiluted  

Essential oils are highly concentrated and can irritate or damage the skin if used straight from the bottle. They should always be diluted in a carrier oil (like jojoba, rosehip, or argan) before applying to your face. A typical dilution for facial use is about 2–3%, which equals roughly 10–15 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.

Be Mindful of Storage 

Essential oils can degrade over time, especially when exposed to heat or sunlight. Store your homemade blend in a dark glass bottle – amber or cobalt blue is best – and keep it in a cool, dry place like a drawer or cabinet. Proper storage not only extends the life of your serum but also helps maintain the potency and effectiveness of the oils.

Check for Photosensitivity  

Some oils, especially citrus ones like lemon or bergamot, can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. This is called photosensitivity and can lead to irritation or sunburn. If your blend includes a citrus oil, it’s safest to use it at night or be extra cautious about sun exposure.

Less Is More  

With essential oils, a little goes a long way. Using more drops won’t make the serum more effective – it could actually irritate your skin. Stick to recommended amounts, especially when creating blends for delicate facial skin.

Read more: The Healing Properties of Aromatherapy Blends and Essential Oils for Mature Skin Barrier Protection and Microbe Balance.

How Long Does It Last?

One of the perks of making your own essential oil serum is that you can mix small batches as needed – but it’s still good to know how long your blend will stay fresh and effective.

Typical Shelf Life: 6 to 12 Months 

The longevity of your serum depends mostly on the freshness and type of carrier oil you use. Most carrier oils – like jojoba, rosehip, or argan – have a shelf life of about one year when stored properly. Some, like jojoba oil, are more stable and can last even longer. Oils that are high in polyunsaturated fats (like rosehip) may oxidize more quickly and should be used within 6–9 months.

Store It the Right Way  

To extend the life of your homemade serum:

• Use a dark glass bottle (amber or cobalt blue) to protect the oils from light exposure.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed and stored in a cool, dry place – such as a cabinet or drawer away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Avoid leaving your serum in the bathroom, where steam and temperature changes can degrade the oils faster.

Signs It’s Time to Toss It  

Your serum may no longer be safe or effective if:

• The scent has changed or smells unpleasant (rancid, sour, or “off”).
• The texture feels thicker, sticky, or separated in an unusual way.
• You notice your skin reacting differently when using it (e.g., irritation or breakouts when that wasn’t happening before).

When in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution and make a fresh batch. Since the recipe is easy and affordable, there’s no need to hang on to a questionable bottle.

Optional: Add Vitamin E Oil  

Adding a few drops of vitamin E oil can help extend the life of your serum. It acts as a natural preservative by slowing down oxidation, especially in more delicate oils like rosehip.

Making your own facial serum is fun and rewarding! I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas on essential oils and making personalized serums and skincare.

Read more: Dead Sea Salt and Essential Oils Improve Skin Cell Function for Aging Skin.

Editor’s Note: Article updated by Sixty and Me.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What facial serum do you use? Have you made one yourself? What is your favorite essential oil for skin care? Please share your thoughts with our community!