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Design your own serum

desingserum

Design the perfect serum for your skin!

Oil serums are incredibly popular and for good reason. They're nothing but super concentrated goodness. Moisturisers and creams are approximately 80% water plus they contain emulsifiers and preservatives. We're not saying that emulsifiers and preservatives are a bad thing, they have an essential role in a great deal of skincare products, but if you prefer to avoid them, purely oil based serums are an excellent way to do so.

Here we've outlined some of our favourite carrier oils and essential oils so you can make an informed decision on which are right for your skin type. This is by no means a full list, there are plenty more to play with!

Here's an incredibly simple formula you can use to build your very own personalised face serum designed specifically for you. Or for a lucky friend! (Personalised serums make excellent gifts!)

We recommend using 2 -3 different carrier oils and 2 - 3 different essential oils but feel free to mix it up!

Ingredients
Makes 100g - use our Batch Size Calculator and the percentages provided here to easily adjust the volume of your batch.

99% | 99g carrier oil/s
0.5% | 0.5g (approximately 6 drops) essential oil/s
0.5% | 0.5g vitamin E (helps naturally preserve, giving your serum a longer shelf life)

Example 
Night repair serum formula

49.5% | 49.5g rosehip oil, certified organic
49.5% | 49.5g jojoba oil, certified organic
0.5% | 0.5g vitamin E
0.125% | 0.125g helichrysum essential oil
0.125% | 0.125g frankincense essential oil
0.125% | 0.125g geranium essential oil
0.125% | 0.125g myrrh essential oil

Method

  • Weigh out your ingredients (mini scales are great for this)
  • Stir until everything is evenly blended (a glass stirring rod is helpful for this but you can use a spoon)
  • Pour into bottles and you're done! 5ml and 20ml dropper bottles are great or you could use a 10ml roll on bottle so you can pop it in your bag and always have it on hand.


Now for the fun part, making your choices!

Note
Take notes! You may think that you will remember your ingredients and ratios but (if you're anything like me) I promise six months later when you come to recreate your favourite serum you'll have no idea!

A little about what it all means

You'll see these popping up in the descriptions for oils so it's good to have an idea of what their properties are to help you make you choices.

Linoleic Acid is an essential building block for ceramides, one of skin's main moisturising elements. Our bodies can't make this essential fatty acid, so we need get it from our food or put it on our skin. Topical use of linoleic acid helps reduce acne breakouts.

Vitamin E can help improve fine lines and wrinkles by providing an antioxidant boost that protects from sun damage and encourages the healthy growth of new skin cells.

Vitamin A thickens and stimulates the dermis where your collagen, elastin and blood vessels are, so it can reduce wrinkles and increase blood flow to the surface of the skin. Vitamin A increases the deposition of collagen and slows the normal ageing breakdown of your collagen and elastin.

Zinc aids in the healing of skin and prevention of acne by regulating the activity of the oil glands. Zinc promotes a healthy immune system and the healing of tissues. It is also an antioxidant which helps to fight and prevent the formation of free radicals. Acne can be a sign of zinc deficiency. Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, zinc is especially beneficial for inflammatory acne and related scarring.

Omega-3 fatty acids benefit skin by regulating oil production to boost hydration and prevent acne, and by delaying the skins ageing process to stave off wrinkles.

Omega-6 fatty acids replenish the lipid structure of the skin and are vital to maintaining your skin’s barrier, keeping it smooth, moisturised and elastic. By applying oils rich in both the omega-6 fatty acids, linoleic fatty acid (LA) and gamma-linoleic fatty acid (GLA), you are ensuring your skin is receiving the optimal fatty acid nutrition required to maintain healthy, glowing skin

Omega 7 fatty acids benefit your skin in many ways and aids the collagen in your skin, which helps heal various types of damage. Skin problems can also be eliminated with omega 7 fatty acids. This includes acne and other problems caused by inflammation. In addition, healthy, hydrated skin helps prevent loss of skin elasticity so that skin is protected against wrinkles.

Carrier oils and their benefits

avocado barbary

Avocado oil

  • Comedogenic rating: 3
  • Slow absorption rate
  • Good for dry and acne prone skin
  • Contains vitamins A, D and E
  • Can help replenish dry skin
  • Helps calm irritated or itchy skin
  • Fatty acids can help retain skin elasticity
  • Can help prevent the formation of fine lines

Barbary fig seed oil

  • Comedogenic rating: 1-2
  • Fast absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types, particularly oily/combination skin
  • Exceptionally high in vitamin E and linoleic acid
  • Rich essential fatty acids, antioxidants, active minerals and amino acids
  • Said to protect against free radicals
  • Can help stimulate cellular renewal
  • Can help calm inflammation
blackcurrant borage

Blackcurrant seed oil

  • Comedogenic rating: 0-1
  • Slow absorption rate
  • Good for dry or sensitive skin
  • High in linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid
  • Natural antioxidant
  • Can help increase skin elasticity
  • Can help regenerate skin cells
  • Can help moisturise and prevent dryness
  • Can help slow the formation of fine lines and wrinkles

Borage seed oil

  • Comedogenic rating: 2
  • Slow absorption rate
  • Good for combination, oily, sensitive and acne prone skin
  • Can help rebalance skin's natural oils
  • Very high gamma-linolenic acid content
  • High in linoleic acid
  • Can help calm and heal dry and damaged skin
  • Often used to treat eczema, psoriasis and rosacea
 
calendula camellia
Calendula infused oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 1
  • Average - slow absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types
  • Rich in vitamin E
  • Gentle and soothing
  • Assists with dry and damaged skin
  • Good for sensitive skin
  • Can help protect skin from drying out
  • Can help skin inflammation such as acne and eczema
  • Said to help boost collagen and aid in tissue regeneration
 Camellia oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 1
  • Fast absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types
  • Can help skin retain moisture
  • High in omega-9
  • Can help firm and tone skin
  • Can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles
  • Soothing for irritated skin

 
 
cherry chia
Cherry kernel oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 2
  • Average absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types, particularly dry or irritated skin
  • High in vitamin A
  • High in omega-9
  • Said to promote collagen production
  • Can help cell rejuvenation
  • Can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles
 Chia seed oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 3
  • Average absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types, particularly good for use as a body oil
  • Rich antioxidant oil
  • Said to be a great source of zinc
  • Said to be the richest botanical source of omega-3 fatty acids
  • Can help plump skin
  • Can help relieve dry skin
  • Can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles
 
grape hazelnut
Grape seed oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 1
  • Fast absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types
  • Can help balance out dry and oily skin
  • Soothing for acne and ezcema
  • High in linoleic acid
  • Can help reduce scarring
  • Can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles
  • Can help firm and tighten skin
  • Can help restore collagen
 Hazelnut oil
  • Comedogenic rating: 1
  • Slow absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types, particularly sensitive and acne prone skin
  • Hydrating
  • Good for sensitive skin
  • High in vitamin E
  • Can help cleanse and shrink pores
  • Can help improve skin elasticity
  • Can help boost collagen
  • Can help reduce fine lines
  • Smells amazing!
 
hemp jojoba
Hemp seed oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 0
  • Average absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types, including oily and acne prone skin
  • Nutritious and moisturising for dry skin
  • Can help balance oil production
  • Said to help regenerate skin cells
  • Contains omega 6 gamma-linoleic fatty acid (GLA)
  • Calming on irritated skin such as acne and eczema
  • Can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles
 Jojoba oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 2
  • Average absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types, including oily and acne prone skin
  • Resembles skins natural sebum
  • Can help balance out oil production
  • Full of nutrients such as vitamin E, as well as antioxidants and minerals like chromium, copper, and zinc, which all nourish and protect skin.
 
kiwi kukui
Kiwi seed oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 1
  • Fast absorption rate
  • Good for dry or flaky skin
  • Natural antioxidant
  • High in vitamin E
  • High concentrations of Omega 3 fatty acid
  • High in alpha-linolenic acid
  • Can help stimulate collagen production
  • Can help improve skin elasticity
  • Can help relieve skin irritations such as psoriasis and eczema
  • Can reduce fine lines and wrinkles
 Kukui nut oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 2
  • Slow absorption rate
  • Good for dry skin
  • High in vitamins A & E and antioxidants
  • Contains healthy fatty acids, linoleic and Omega 3
  • Soothing for the skin
  • Excellent moisturiser
  • Soothing for dry skin, eczema or sunburn
  • Can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles
 
macadamia marula
Macadamia nut oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 2-3
  • Very slow absorption rate
  • Good for dry skin
  • Close match to naturally occurring sebum of the skin
  • Can help skin cell regeneration
  • Softening and moisturising
  • Contains omega 6 linoleic fatty acid (LA) and omega 7
  • Rich in vitamin E
  • Can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles
 Marula oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 3-4
  • Fast absorption rate
  • Good for dry and sensitive skin
  • Rich in protein, amino acids, antioxidants
  • Contains omega fatty acids 6 and 9
  • Great source of vitamin E
  • Said to boost skins natural ability to produce collagen, regenerate and repair itself
  • Can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and redness
  • Said to help skin firmness and elasticity.
 
moringa passionfruit
Moringa oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 3-4
  • Fast absorption rate
  • Good for dry, mature and/or combination skin
  • Exceptionally high in oleic acid
  • Rich in vitamins A and E
  • Deeply moisturising
  • Said to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
  • Can help soothe inflammation
  • Can help protect from environmental damage
  • Can help rebalance and restore natural oils
  • Can help improve the overall appearance of the skin
 Passionfruit seed oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 1-2 
  • Fast absorption rate
  • Good for oily, irritated and acne prone skin
  • Contains essential fatty acids (linoleic and oleic), magnesium, calcium
  • Rich in Vitamin A
  • Non-greasy
  • Can help protect against free radicals and environmental stresses
  • Can help moisturise and plump skin
  • Can help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles
  • Beautiful fresh passionfruit scent!
 
pumpkin rosehip
Pumpkin seed oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 2
  • Average absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types
  • High in Zinc, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and antioxidants
  • Rich in Vitamin E
  • Good for the treatment of acne
  • Can help reduce scarring
  • Said to help regenerate skin cells
 Rosehip oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 1
  • Very fast absorption rate
  • Good for oily and acne prone skin
  • Excellent moisturiser
  • High in vitamin A and vitamin E
  • Said to help regenerate skin cells
  • Said to boost collagen
  • Can help brighten skin
  • Can help reduce fine lines, scarring and damage to sun exposure
 
seabuck squalane
Sea buckthorn fruit oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 1
  • Average - slow absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types, particularly dry and mature skin
  • Rich in vitamins A & E
  • Contains omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9
  • Said to boost collagen
  • Can help brighten skin
  • Can help plump skin and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles
  • Can help reduce inflammation
  • Can help reduce acne breakouts
  • Said to repair damage from free radicals
  • Said to help diminish hyperpigmentation
 Squalane - olive
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 0
  • Fast absorption rate
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Good for dry, sensitive and acne prone skin
  • Highly stable with a longer shelf life than other carrier oils
  • Penetrates the skin easily so is a great carrier for other ingredients
  • Can help improve skin elasticity
  • Said to help dry and irritated skin such as eczema and psoriasis
  • Said to help help regulate oil production
  • Can protect against moisture loss
  • Can help with fine lines and wrinkles
sunflower tamanu
Sunflower oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 1
  • Average absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types
  • Rich in vitamins A and E
  • Contains omega 6 fatty acid
  • Said to protect skin from free radicals
  • Said to help skin maintain skin’s natural barrier
  • Said to help skin cell regeneration
  • Can help reduce inflammation
  • Can help eliminate acne causing bacteria
 Tamanu oil
 
  • Comedogenic rating: 2
  • Slow absorption rate
  • Good for most skin types, particularly sensitive or scarred skin
  • Potential properties include: antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory
  • Said to accelerate healthy tissue growth
  • Good for treatment of scarring, bruising, acne, rashes, eczema and after sun care
  • Promotes water retention
  • Can help skin stay soft and elastic
  • Said to smooth and soften fines lines and wrinkles.
 

Essential oils and their benefits

bergamot carrotseed
Bergamot essential oil

Can help:

  • Even out skin tone
  • Promote healing of acne and eczema
  • Remove dirt from pores
  • Reduce scarring
  • Boost blood circulation
  • Relieve stress and uplift mood
*Citrus essential oils are photosensitive so exposure to sunlight should be avoided. Best not used in day serums.
 Carrot seed essential oil

Can help:

  • Stimulate the growth of new cells
  • Prevent the development of wrinkles
  • repair free radical damage
  • Fight bacteria
  • Soothe skin
  • Rejuvenate skin
 
frank geranium
Frankincense essential oil

Can help:
 
  • Prevent fine lines and wrinkles
  • Regenerate skin cell and tissue growth
  • Prevent acne
  • Regulate oily skin
  • Dry and sun damaged skin
  • Soothe inflamed skin
 Geranium essential oil

Can help:
 
  • Tighten and firm skin
  • Dry and chapped skin
  • Prevent fine lines and wrinkles
  • Lighten mood
  • Heal scarring
  • Moisturise and prevent excess oil
 
lavender lemon
Lavender essential oil

Can help:
 
  • Heal acne and eczema
  • Reduce redness and blotching
  • Brighten skin
  • Relieve stress
  • Firm skin
  • Boost circulation
  • Regenerate skin cell and tissue growth
 Lemon essential oil

Can help:
 
  • Fight acne
  • Prevent fine lines and wrinkles
  • Reduce excess oil
  • Tighten and lift skin
  • Reduce large pores
  • Prevent blackheads
  • Brighten skin tone
  • Fade acne scarring
*Citrus essential oils are photosensitive so exposure to sunlight should be avoided. Best not used in day serums.
 
manuka orange
Manuka essential oil

Can help:
 
  • Fight acne and blemishes
  • Fight inflammation
  • Promote skin clear
  • Fight bacterial growth
  • Promote the regeneration of new skin
  • Treat damaged skin and scarring
  • Insect bites
 Orange essential oil

Can help:
 
  • Control and balance oil
  • Fade dark spots and acne scarring
  • Prevent acne
  • Prevent wrinkles
  • Improve skin elasticity
  • Boost blood circulation
  • Reduce pores
  • Tighten and tone skin
*Citrus essential oils are photosensitive so exposure to sunlight should be avoided. Best not used in day serums.
 
rose patchouli
Rose de mai absolute

Can help:
 
  • Keep skin smooth and shiny
  • Moisturise dry and chapped skin
  • Lighten stress and tension
  • Smooth fine lines and wrinkles
  • With the regeneration of skin cells
 Patchouli essential oil

Can help:
 
  • Reduce scarring
  • Dry and chapped skin
  • Boost blood circulation
  • Prevent and reduce fine lines and wrinkles
  • Reduce puffiness
  • Balance sebum production
 
teatree ylang
Teatree essential oil

Can help:
 
  • Relieve dry and irritated skin
  • Remove excess oil
  • Prevent acne
  • Heal scarring
  • Reduce and unclog large pores
  • Firm and tone skin
 Ylang ylang essential oil

Can help:
 
  • Balance sebum production
  • Prevent fine lines and wrinkles
  • Prevent acne and speed up healing
  • Soothe irritated skin
  • Balance out combination skin
  • Calm and uplift mood
 

 

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