Castor Oil and Frankincense Face Serum Recipe (Anti-Aging)

I see you eyeing up those anti-ageing serums in the shops. £50 for 30ml? £80 for something that’ll last you six weeks?

Listen, I get it. We’re all looking for that magic potion that’ll keep our skin looking fresh without needing a second mortgage.

Here’s what nobody tells you: you can make something just as good (honestly, sometimes better) with two simple ingredients you probably already know about.

Castor oil and frankincense essential oil.

That’s it. That’s the base.

I’m going to show you exactly how to mix them, how to use them, and which version works best for your skin type. No fluff, no marketing nonsense — just practical recipes that actually work.

What Makes This Combo So Good for Anti-Ageing?

Note: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps me keep creating helpful content like this. I only recommend products I genuinely trust.

Before we get into the recipes, let’s talk about why this pairing works.

Castor oil is thick, rich, and packed with ricinoleic acid (makes up about 90% of the oil). This fatty acid is brilliant at:

• Boosting collagen production
• Reducing inflammation
• Deeply hydrating without clogging pores (yes, really — despite being thick)
• Improving skin elasticity

Frankincense essential oil brings the cellular regeneration power:

• Encourages new skin cell growth
• Fades age spots and sun damage
• Tightens and tones skin
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines

Together? They’re like a dream team for mature skin.

I’ve been using variations of this serum for years, and the difference is genuinely noticeable. My skin feels firmer, fine lines around my eyes have softened, and that dull, tired look? Gone.

Castor Oil vs Other Carrier Oils: Quick Comparison

Not sure if castor oil is right for you? Here’s how it stacks up:

Oil	Absorption Speed	Thickness	Best For	Anti-Ageing Benefits
Castor oil	Slow (penetrates deeply)	Very thick	All skin types, especially mature/dry	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ High collagen boost
Rosehip oil	Fast	Light	Mature, sun-damaged	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vitamin A & C rich
Argan oil	Medium	Medium	All types	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vitamin E rich
Jojoba oil	Fast	Light	Oily, combination	⭐⭐⭐ Balances sebum
Grapeseed oil	Very fast	Very light	Oily, acne-prone	⭐⭐ Light hydration only

The verdict? Castor oil wins for anti-ageing power, but it’s thick. That’s why we often blend it with lighter oils for daytime use.

Which Recipe Is Right for You? (Quick Decision Flowchart)

START HERE:

Is this your first time making a face serum?

• YES → Go to Recipe 1 (Basic Beginner Version)
• NO → Keep going

Do you have oily or combination skin?

• YES → Go to Recipe 2 (Lightweight Daytime Version)
• NO → Keep going

Are you dealing with deep wrinkles or very dry, mature skin?

• YES → Go to Recipe 4 (Night-Time Intensive Version)
• NO → Go to Recipe 3 (Advanced Anti-Ageing Version)

Recipe 1: Basic Beginner Version (Just Castor + Frankincense)

Perfect for: First-timers, testing sensitivity, keeping it simple

What you need:

• 30ml (2 tablespoons) castor oil
• 6 drops frankincense essential oil
• Small dropper bottle (30ml)

How to make it:

1. Pour castor oil into your clean, dry bottle
2. Add frankincense essential oil
3. Cap tightly and shake for 30 seconds
4. Label with date (shelf life: 6-12 months)

How to use:

Apply 2-3 drops to damp skin after cleansing, at night only. This version is quite thick, so a little goes a long way.

Press gently into skin rather than rubbing. Focus on areas with fine lines.

What to expect: Your skin will feel very nourished and slightly tacky for the first 10 minutes, then it absorbs. You’ll wake up with softer, plumper skin.

Recipe 2: Lightweight Daytime Version (For Oily/Combination Skin)

Perfect for: Daytime wear, oily or combination skin, warmer months

What you need:

• 15ml (1 tablespoon) castor oil
• 15ml (1 tablespoon) jojoba oil
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil
• 3 drops geranium essential oil (balances sebum)
• Dropper bottle (30ml)

How to make it:

1. Combine castor oil and jojoba oil in bottle
2. Add essential oils
3. Shake well for 30 seconds
4. Label with date

How to use:

Apply 2-4 drops to damp skin morning or night. This absorbs much faster than the basic version.

Pat onto face, neck, and décolletage. Wait 2-3 minutes before applying makeup or sunscreen.

What to expect: Much lighter feel. Still hydrating but won’t make your skin look shiny. Works beautifully under makeup.

Recipe 3: Advanced Anti-Ageing Version (Castor + Frankincense + Rosehip)

Perfect for: Mature skin, sun damage, pigmentation, serious anti-ageing

What you need:

• 10ml castor oil
• 20ml rosehip oil
• 6 drops frankincense essential oil
• 4 drops lavender essential oil (calming, healing)
• Dropper bottle (30ml)

How to make it:

1. Pour castor oil into bottle
2. Add rosehip oil
3. Add essential oils
4. Shake vigorously for 45 seconds
5. Label with date (use within 6 months — rosehip oxidises faster)

How to use:

Apply 3-5 drops to cleansed, damp skin morning and night.

This is my personal favourite blend. The rosehip adds vitamin A (natural retinol alternative) and vitamin C for brightening.

Press into skin, focusing on areas with hyperpigmentation, fine lines, or sun damage.

What to expect: Visible improvement in skin tone and texture within 2-3 weeks. Fine lines soften, dark spots fade gradually. Skin looks brighter and more even.

Recipe 4: Night-Time Intensive Version (For Very Dry/Mature Skin)

Perfect for: Deep hydration, very dry skin, winter months, intense repair

What you need:

• 20ml castor oil
• 8ml argan oil
• 2ml sea buckthorn oil (bright orange, incredibly healing)
• 8 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops sandalwood essential oil (regenerating)
• Dropper bottle (30ml)

How to make it:

1. Combine all carrier oils in bottle
2. Add essential oils
3. Shake well
4. Label with date

Warning: Sea buckthorn is bright orange. It can temporarily stain skin (fades in 20 minutes) and will stain pillowcases if you use too much. Use at night only.

How to use:

Apply 4-6 drops to damp skin before bed.

Use slightly more on very dry areas (cheeks, around mouth). Less on forehead and nose.

Let it sink in for 10 minutes before bed to avoid pillow staining.

What to expect: This is serious overnight repair. You’ll wake up with deeply nourished, plumped skin. Perfect for cold weather or after being in the sun/wind.

Serum vs Face Oil vs Cream: What Are You Actually Making?

Let’s clear this up because there’s confusion around these terms.

Product Type	What It Is	Key Ingredients	When to Use	What We’re Making
Face Serum	Lightweight, fast-absorbing liquid	Water-based with active ingredients OR light oils	Morning/night, before moisturiser	❌ Not quite
Face Oil	Pure oils, no water	Carrier oils + essential oils	Morning/night, instead of or mixed with moisturiser	✅ YES, this
Face Cream	Emulsion (oil + water)	Oils, water, emulsifier	Morning/night, after serum	❌ Nope

So technically, we’re making a face oil, not a serum. But people search for “serum” more, and honestly, the line’s pretty blurred these days.

What matters: these recipes work. They’re concentrated, effective, and you use them the same way you’d use a serum.

How to Use Your Castor Oil & Frankincense Serum (Step-by-Step)

Morning Routine:

1. Cleanse your face with your usual cleanser
2. Tone (optional — I use rosewater or witch hazel)
3. While skin is still damp, apply 2-4 drops of your chosen recipe
4. Press into skin (don’t rub)
5. Wait 2-3 minutes for absorption
6. Apply sunscreen (non-negotiable if you’re using this for anti-ageing)
7. Makeup if desired

Tip: For daytime, use Recipe 2 or 3. Recipe 1 and 4 are too heavy for most people during the day.

Evening Routine:

1. Double cleanse (oil cleanse, then regular cleanser)
2. Tone if desired
3. While skin is damp, apply 3-6 drops (you can use more at night)
4. Press into face, neck, décolletage
5. Wait 5-10 minutes before bed (especially with Recipe 4)

Tip: Apply to damp skin. This helps the oil spread more easily and locks in moisture.

Where to Apply (In Order of Importance):

1. Eye area — gently press around orbital bone
2. Forehead — horizontal lines and between brows
3. Cheeks — where volume loss is most noticeable
4. Around mouth — smile lines and above lips
5. Neck — use upward strokes
6. Décolletage — often forgotten but ages quickly

Storage & Shelf Life

Where to store:

• Cool, dark place (bathroom cabinet is fine if it’s not steaming hot)
• Away from direct sunlight
• Keep bottle tightly closed

Shelf life:

• Basic version (Recipe 1): 12 months
• Versions with jojoba/argan (Recipe 2 & 4): 12 months
• Version with rosehip (Recipe 3): 6 months (rosehip oxidises faster)

Signs your serum has gone off:

• Rancid smell (smells like old cooking oil or crayons)
• Cloudy appearance
• Colour change (darker or murky)

If any of these happen, bin it and make a fresh batch.

Tip: Make smaller batches if you’re trying a new recipe. 15ml (half the amount) means you can test it without wasting ingredients if it doesn’t suit your skin.

Troubleshooting: “If This Happens… Do This”

Problem	Likely Cause	Solution
Skin feels greasy/shiny	Using too much OR wrong recipe for skin type	Use 1-2 drops less. Switch to Recipe 2 for daytime.
Breakouts after starting	Purging OR sensitivity to castor oil	Reduce to every other night. If continues after 2 weeks, try Recipe 3 (less castor oil).
No results after 4 weeks	Not using enough OR not using consistently	Increase amount slightly. Use twice daily. Be patient — real change takes 6-8 weeks.
Stinging or redness	Sensitivity to essential oils	Reduce essential oil drops by half. Do patch test on inner arm.
Serum won’t absorb	Applying to dry skin OR using too much	Always apply to damp skin. Use less product.
Orange-tinted skin (Recipe 4)	Sea buckthorn staining	Totally normal! Fades in 20 minutes. Use less OR skip sea buckthorn.
Smells weird/off	Oils have oxidised	Throw it away. Make fresh batch. Store in cool, dark place.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE:

Patch test before first use. Mix your serum, then apply a small amount to inner forearm. Wait 24 hours. If no redness, itching, or irritation — you’re good to go.

Avoid if: You’re pregnant (frankincense isn’t recommended), you have sensitive skin prone to reactions, or you’re allergic to any ingredient.

Dilution matters. Never use frankincense essential oil undiluted on skin. The recipes above are properly diluted (around 1-2% essential oil concentration).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this if I have oily skin?

Yes — try Recipe 2. Castor oil is actually great for oily skin because it balances sebum production. Just use less (1-2 drops) and mix with jojoba.

Will this clog my pores?

Unlikely. Despite being thick, castor oil has a comedogenic rating of 1 out of 5 (very low). Jojoba is 2/5. Rosehip is 1/5. Most people don’t have issues.

That said, everyone’s skin is different. Start slowly (every other night) and see how your skin responds.

Can I add other essential oils?

Absolutely. Good additions for anti-ageing:

• Lavender (healing, calming)
• Geranium (balances oil production)
• Carrot seed (vitamin-rich, regenerating)
• Helichrysum (expensive but incredible for scars and ageing)
• Sandalwood (smoothing, regenerating)

Keep total essential oils to maximum 10-12 drops per 30ml.

Why can’t I just use straight castor oil?

You can! But it’s very thick. Most people find it easier to work with when blended with lighter oils.

The essential oils also bring extra anti-ageing benefits — frankincense especially is backed by research for skin regeneration.

How long until I see results?

Immediate: Skin feels softer and more hydrated.

2 weeks: Fine lines start to look less pronounced.

4-6 weeks: Noticeable improvement in skin texture and tone.

8-12 weeks: Visible reduction in deeper lines, improved firmness, more even skin tone.

Patience is everything with natural skincare. You’re working with your skin’s natural renewal cycle (28-40 days for mature skin).

Can I use this around my eyes?

Yes, but gently. The skin around eyes is delicate. Use 1 drop for both eyes, press very gently around orbital bone (don’t get in eyes).

Recipe 2 or 3 work best for eye area.

Does castor oil really help with wrinkles?

The research is promising. Castor oil increases collagen and elastin production, which directly impacts wrinkle depth and skin elasticity.

One study (FACTCHECK – need to verify this specific study) showed significant improvement in skin hydration and elasticity after 4 weeks of castor oil use.

But here’s the truth: no oil will give you Botox-level results. What castor oil will do is keep your skin hydrated, support collagen production, and help with overall skin health. That means fewer new wrinkles and existing ones looking less prominent.

Can I use this with retinol?

Yes, but not at the same time.

If you use retinol at night, use your serum in the morning. Or use retinol on some nights and this serum on others.

Don’t layer them — retinol needs to penetrate skin, and oils can interfere with that.

I’m allergic to nuts — are these recipes safe?

Recipe 2 contains jojoba, which is technically a seed, not a nut — but if you have severe nut allergies, be cautious.

Recipes 1 and 3 are nut-free.

Recipe 4 contains argan oil (from argan tree nuts). Skip that one if you’re allergic.

When in doubt, consult your doctor or dermatologist.

Can I add vitamin E?

Yes! Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a brilliant preservative and antioxidant.

Add 1-2 drops of vitamin E oil to any recipe. It’ll extend shelf life slightly and boost anti-ageing benefits.

Make sure it’s natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol), not synthetic (dl-alpha tocopherol).

My Final Thoughts

Listen, I know it feels weird making your own skincare at first.

We’re so used to buying products in fancy packaging with impressive ingredient lists and promises of miracle results.

But here’s what I’ve learned after years of formulating: simple often works better.

These recipes use ingredients that have been proven to work. Castor oil for collagen support. Frankincense for cell regeneration. Rosehip for vitamin A and C. No fillers, no preservatives you can’t pronounce, no markup for marketing.

Start with Recipe 1 if you’re nervous. You literally cannot mess it up — it’s two ingredients.

Give it 8 weeks of consistent use. Take a photo now, another in 2 months. You’ll be surprised.

And if you make one of these and love it? Come back and tell me. I genuinely love hearing what works for people.

Your skin deserves good ingredients. Not expensive ones — good ones.

Related Articles You Might Find Helpful:

• 🌿 How to Use Rosehip & Frankincense Oils for Premature Ageing (VERY SIMPLE!)
• The best oils for wrinkles in my honest opinion
• My 2 Favourite Ways of Using Frankincense for Wrinkles
• Castor Oil on Face Overnight: What Happens, What to Avoid & Best Tips
• The Bad Side of Castor Oil for Skin (Are You Aware?)
• Best oils for your skin type: GET THAT GLOW!
• 3 Natural Oils for Mature Skin (With Real Tips, Not Just the Basics)
• Glow Up Tips for Mature Skin with ONLY Natural Ingredients
• 5 Dangerous Mistakes People Make with Frankincense Oil
• STOP Using Castor Oil Like This! (You’re Wasting Its Benefits)

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