DIY Facial Oil Serums
Facial serums are great for adding some much-needed moisture in the skin, as well as for applying regularly to usual problem areas such as directly on frown and smile lines, around the eyes, or when your skin just needs a little extra care. The best facial serums are completely natural and made from ingredients that can be understood and pronounced, meaning no chemicals or other harmful ingredients should be in your facial serum. Facial serums can be made from many different types of essential oils such as sandalwood, lavender or geranium added to a carrier oil or base oil. It truly is your choice what type of oil works best on your skin, since each of our skin make ups is different.
Add a few drops of one essential oil into a glass bottle with a dropper containing a base oil such as sweet almond, jojoba or rose hip oil. Feel free to add a few drops of another essential oil. It is your choice and your customized facial serum, so create it according to your specific skincare needs and desires or you can try some of the following recipes:
Serum for oily skin
- 1 oz light vegetable oil such as safflower or grape seed oil
- 5 drops ylang ylang oil
- 5 drops geranium oil
- 2 drops clary sage oil
Serum for dry skin
- 1 oz apricot kernel, avocado or almond oil
- 5 drops lavender oil
- 5 drops geranium oil
- 2 drops chamomile or sandalwood oil
Mix all the ingredients in a glass amber bottle and shake well before use. Massage well into cleansed skin using upward motions. The oil blends will keep for a number of weeks. In summer it is best to keep them in the refrigerator.
The Benefits of Facial Massage
Applying your facial oil or serum is the perfect opportunity to give you skin an anti-aging massage.
After cleansing, apply a light layer of oil to your face and neck. You can use one of the serum recipes above or a light oil such as rose hip, argan or jojoba oil. Refer to the arrows in the image above for the directions you should follow for the facial massage.
Use the pads of your fingers or the palms of your hands and start smoothing the oil upwards over your neck and across your jaw. Repeat this about 10 to 15 times. Then perform sweeping motions along your jawline and upwards towards your temples. Repeat about 10 to 15 times. Next, gently use your finger tips to smooth the area around the eyes and nose, repeating these motions for about a minute. And finally, with slightly firmer pressure, smooth the forehead with upward strokes using the pads of your fingers or the palms of your hands. Focus on this area for about a minute.
If performed daily, facial massage is wonderful ritual for lifting and firming, encouraging blood circulation to the face and neck, helping your complexion appear more youthful and radiant. The oil will nourish and moisturize helping to minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles. And the action of massaging in the directions indicated in the image above, encourages lymphatic drainage helping to remove toxins and reducing puffiness around the eyes.
Giving yourself a daily facial massage is a simple yet effective ritual you can perform to pamper your skin. It is also so relaxing, helping to ease stress and tension. It only takes a few minutes but the benefits are just beautiful!