Design and create 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 99% | 99g Carrier oils 0.5% | 0.5g (approximately 6 drops) Essential oils 0.5% | 0.5g Vitamin E (helps naturally preserve, giving your serum a longer shelf life)
Adjust batch volume with Go Native NZ's Batch Size Calculator 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
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 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 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
Frankincense essential oil
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
Tighten and firm skin
Dry and chapped skin
Prevent fine lines and wrinkles
Lighten mood
Heal scarring
Moisturise and prevent excess oil
Lavender essential oil
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
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 essential oil
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
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.
