DIY Facial Oil For Glowing Skin: Easy Customisable Blends
Most “glow oils” are the same handful of ingredients in a very pretty bottle.
Add a fragrance, a price tag that makes you wince, and a photo of a dewy model who has never sat under office lighting.
I’m not against them. Some are lovely.
But you can make something just as good in about five minutes. And you can make it for your skin, not “all skin types”.
There’s a catch, though.
With facial oils, the wrong choice doesn’t just do nothing. It can leave you shiny, congested or irritated. A few very popular “natural” oils can even work against your skin barrier.
So no random list of oils and a “good luck” from me.
Here’s how to choose them, blend them and keep them fresh, so you end up with glowing skin and not an expensive science project…
I’m Patri Hernández, a certified organic skincare formulator and dermocosmetic technician with a background in health coaching. I specialise in natural skincare, botanical ingredients and practical, evidence-informed approaches to wellness, so I care as much about why a blend works as how it feels.
Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. This never influences what I recommend, and I only mention products or resources I believe may genuinely be useful.
What five minutes and a few bottles of oil can do for you
Let’s be practical. Here is what you actually get.
- Five minutes, start to finish. No heating, no waiting, no special kit beyond a small bottle and a syringe.
- A bottle that lasts. At about 4 drops a night, a 30 ml bottle covers roughly 150 applications. Shelf life, not quantity, is your real limit.
- No more fragrance roulette. You know every ingredient, so if your skin complains, you know exactly what to remove.
- Fewer wasted purchases. Instead of buying a new bottle every time your skin changes, you adjust the recipe.
- A blend that follows the seasons. Richer in winter, lighter in summer, in the time it takes to make a cup of tea.
What actually creates the glow (and what doesn’t)
Oil doesn’t contain water, so it doesn’t hydrate skin by itself.
What it does is soften the surface and slow water loss. Smoother, well-conditioned skin bounces light back more evenly, and that’s the glow you can see.
Some oils also carry fatty acids and antioxidant compounds. A 2017 review of plant oils in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found real promise for barrier repair, though much of the evidence comes from small studies and lab work rather than large trials.
So oils are excellent for softness, comfort and radiance. They are not a treatment for wrinkles, dark spots or acne.
Choosing your base oils
Your base oils make up most of the bottle, so this is where the decisions matter.
A useful rule of thumb comes from a review of natural oils for skin-barrier repair. Oils richer in linoleic acid, compared with oleic acid, tend to have better barrier-repair potential. The same review favours cold-pressed oils, because gentle extraction keeps the beneficial lipids and avoids irritating by-products.
Wow moment: “natural” does not mean “good for everything”. In one small Sheffield study, 19 adults put six drops of olive oil on one forearm twice a day. After four weeks, the skin barrier was weaker and mild redness appeared. Sunflower oil on the other arm kept the barrier intact and improved hydration. It was a small study on forearms, not faces, but it’s a good reminder to choose by evidence, not by the word “natural”.
Here’s how the usual suspects behave:
- Jojoba: very stable and suits nearly everyone.
- Sunflower: rich in linoleic acid, light and inexpensive.
- Hemp seed: light and linoleic-rich, but it oxidises quickly.
- Argan: silky and comforting, lovely for dry and mature skin.
- Squalane (plant-derived): lightweight, stable and non-greasy.
- Sweet almond: a classic, but avoid it with a nut allergy.
Did you know? Jojoba isn’t technically an oil. It’s a liquid wax that closely resembles your skin’s own sebum, and it’s the only plant known to make this kind of wax. It also stepped in as a replacement for sperm whale oil after the US banned whale oil imports in 1971.
Best oils for glow
Once your base is chosen, a smaller amount of a “treat” oil adds the radiance.
- Rosehip: popular for tone and texture, and rich in linoleic acid. It oxidises fairly quickly.
- Argan: softness and a healthy-looking finish.
- Pomegranate seed: an unusual fatty acid profile with antioxidant interest. The evidence is mostly lab and animal work, so I’d call it promising, not proven.
- Squalane: not a “glow” ingredient in the chemical sense, but it leaves skin looking polished.
Squalane, sorted: squalene (with an “e”) is a natural part of your own skin oil. Squalane (with an “a”) is the stable, hydrogenated version made for skincare. It was once sourced from shark liver. Today it usually comes from plants such as olives and sugarcane.
Choosing oils for your skin type
Use this as a starting point, then adjust.
| Skin type | Good base oils | Good treat oils |
|---|---|---|
| Normal to combination | Jojoba, sunflower | Rosehip |
| Oily or blemish-prone | Jojoba, hemp seed, squalane | Small amount of rosehip |
| Dry or mature | Argan, sunflower | Rosehip, pomegranate seed |
| Sensitive | Jojoba or sunflower only | Skip essential oils entirely |
A note on comedogenic ratings. Those 0 to 5 scores you see online come largely from the rabbit ear test. Later work found it was overly sensitive and not always predictive of acne risk in people. Treat ratings as a rough hint, never a rule.
If you’re prone to fungal acne, take care. Some skin yeasts (Malassezia) can’t make their own fatty acids, so they take them from the lipids on your skin. That’s why some oils may aggravate fungal acne or seborrhoeic dermatitis. The evidence is mostly indirect, so speak to a dermatologist before adding a facial oil.
Antioxidants: what they do in the bottle and on your face
Antioxidants matter in two ways.
On skin, they help neutralise free radicals from UV and pollution. In the bottle, they slow the oxidation that turns oils rancid.
Rosehip and pomegranate seed oils are often praised for their antioxidant content. Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) is mainly there to protect your blend from going off.
Nothing here replaces sunscreen. If glow is the goal, daily SPF will do more than any oil.
Four DIY facial oil formulas
Each recipe makes 30 ml (1 fl oz). Vitamin E is optional but helpful.
1. Everyday glow (normal to combination skin)
- 15 ml jojoba oil
- 9 ml sunflower oil
- 6 ml rosehip oil
- 5 drops vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)
2. Light and balanced (oily or blemish-prone skin)
- 12 ml jojoba oil
- 10 ml hemp seed oil
- 8 ml plant-derived squalane
- 5 drops vitamin E
3. Rich and radiant (dry or mature skin)
- 12 ml argan oil
- 10 ml rosehip oil
- 8 ml sunflower oil
- 5 drops vitamin E
4. Antioxidant boost (most skin types except very oily)
- 14 ml jojoba oil
- 8 ml argan oil
- 5 ml rosehip oil
- 3 ml pomegranate seed oil
- 5 drops vitamin E
Adding essential oils (optional)
Honestly? Leave them out.
They add scent, not glow, and they’re the most common cause of irritation in homemade blends.
If you want one, keep to 0.5 to 1 per cent for the face. Here’s the quick maths for a 30 ml bottle, assuming about 20 drops per ml (droppers vary, so err low):
| Dilution | Drops in 30 ml |
|---|---|
| 0.5% | about 3 |
| 1% | about 6 |
| 3.3% | about 20 |
That last row is why I raise an eyebrow at recipes calling for 15 or 20 drops in a small bottle. It’s well above what I’d use on a face.
Avoid phototoxic essential oils on skin that will meet the sun. Cold-pressed bergamot and some other citrus oils are the classic culprits. If you’re pregnant or taking medication, skip essential oils or check with a healthcare professional first.
How to measure the ingredients
Small amounts need accurate tools.
- Use a clean 10 ml or 20 ml oral syringe (no needle) or a small glass beaker.
- For reference, 5 ml is about 1 teaspoon and 15 ml is about 1 tablespoon.
- A gram scale works too. Most oils weigh about 0.91 to 0.92 g per ml, so 30 ml is roughly 27 to 28 g.
- Measure the thickest oils first and the lightest last.
How to blend and bottle
- Sanitise your bottle. Wash a 30 ml dark glass bottle with hot, soapy water, rinse, wipe with 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol and air-dry completely.
- Keep everything dry. Even a few drops of water can invite microbial growth in an oil blend.
- Measure your oils into a clean beaker or straight into the bottle with a small funnel.
- Add the vitamin E and any essential oil.
- Cap and roll the bottle gently between your palms for about 30 seconds.
- Label it with the recipe and the date.
Amber or cobalt glass protects the oils from light. A pump keeps your fingers out of the oil, which is better for hygiene than a dropper.
How much to apply
Less than you think. Three to five drops covers the face and neck.
Warm the drops between your palms and press them in. Don’t rub.
The damp-skin trick: oils seal in water rather than adding it. Reviews of moisturiser use note that occlusive oils work best on moistened skin. Damp means a light film of moisture, not dripping.
If you look shiny an hour later, you’ve used too much, or the blend is too rich for you.
When to use it
Evenings are the easiest slot.
After cleansing, apply any water-based products first, such as a hydrating toner or serum. Finish with your oil as the last step.
In the morning, a very small amount can work under sunscreen. If your sunscreen starts to pill, save the oil for night.
Start with two or three evenings a week and build up if your skin likes it.
Patch testing and safety
This step is not optional, even with ingredients you already know.
- Apply a small amount to your inner forearm or behind the ear once a day for two or three days.
- Watch for redness, itching, bumps or stinging. If any appear, don’t use the blend on your face.
- With a nut allergy, avoid sweet almond oil and be cautious with argan.
- With eczema, rosacea, seborrhoeic dermatitis or persistent acne, check with a dermatologist first.
- Keep essential oils away from children and pets.
Shelf life and storage
Oils go rancid, and rancid oil can irritate skin.
Oxidation is driven by oxygen, light and heat, which is why dark glass, tight lids and cool cupboards matter.
Here’s my rough rule of thumb once a bottle is opened. Check your supplier’s guidance too.
| Oil | Rough shelf life |
|---|---|
| Jojoba, squalane | 1 to 2 years |
| Argan | around 1 year |
| Sunflower | 6 to 12 months |
| Rosehip, pomegranate seed | around 6 months |
| Hemp seed | 3 to 6 months |
Your blend is only as fresh as its shortest-lived oil. If it contains hemp or rosehip, use the whole bottle within 3 to 6 months.
Storing the bottle in the fridge helps a little. Vitamin E slows oxidation but isn’t a preservative against microbes, which is why keeping water and dirty fingers out matters.
Toss it if it smells sharp, paint-like or crayon-like. Fresh oil smells mild or nutty.
Common mistakes
- Using too many essential oils.
- Choosing oils by trend instead of by skin type.
- Buying a big bottle of a fast-oxidising oil and using it slowly.
- Storing the bottle on a sunny bathroom shelf.
- Skipping the patch test.
- Expecting oil to replace sunscreen or moisturiser.
FAQ
Can I use facial oil if I have oily skin?
Often, yes. Lightweight, linoleic-rich oils such as hemp seed and squalane suit many oily skin types. Start with a couple of drops.
Do I need a moisturiser as well?
Usually. Oil seals in moisture but adds none, so apply a water-based product first.
Can I use kitchen olive oil?
I wouldn’t. Olive oil is very high in oleic acid, and culinary oils aren’t made for cosmetic use.
Can I make it without vitamin E?
Yes. The blend will oxidise a little sooner, so make smaller batches.
Can I use it every day?
Many people can. Build up gradually and cut back if you notice congestion or shine.
Will it make me break out?
It can, especially if the oils don’t suit you or you use too much. That’s why the patch test and a slow start matter.
Conclusion
A good facial oil should be boring in the best way.
A few well-chosen oils, a sensible dose of antioxidant, no unnecessary fragrance and a bottle that stays fresh.
Pick the formula that matches your skin, make a small batch and use it consistently for a few weeks before judging it. The glow comes from healthy, well-conditioned skin, not from adding more ingredients.
References
- Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci, 2018
- Vaughn AR, Clark AK, Sivamani RK, Shi VY. Natural Oils for Skin-Barrier Repair: Ancient Compounds Now Backed by Modern Science. Am J Clin Dermatol, 2018
- Danby SG, et al. Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care. Pediatr Dermatol, 2013
- Comedogenicity in cosmeceuticals: A review of clinical relevance, regulatory gaps, and future directions. JAAD Reviews, 2025
- The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review. PMC
- Tisserand Institute. Oxidation and the Shelf Life of Essential Oils
Love, Patri xx
