6 min read

DIY After-Sun Facial Serum

Written By: Robin Lander

End of Summer is here! Beach time, swimming, hiking, and cookouts…there have been plenty of opportunities to drink up the sunshine. Before we know it, over-exposure to the elements can lead to changes in skin tone, texture, and condition. Thankfully, there are several carrier oils and essential oils that are known to help nourish and improve the appearance of sun-exposed skin.

Get ready to make your own After-Sun Facial Serum featuring our new antioxidant-rich Cranberry Seed Oil. Keep reading to learn how!

Start with Moisturizing and Supportive Carrier Oils

Vegetal carrier oils, typically pressed from nuts and seeds, are full of beneficial antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and nourishing vitamins that replenish moisture and help support the skin. Each oil has its own unique properties, aroma, color, and feel, so it’s worth reading a bit more about them at the links below and trying some samples to determine which oil is most suitable for your skin type. Here are some of our favorite carrier oils for improving the appearance of sun-exposed skin, starting with our new super-powered Cranberry Seed Oil - Organic:

Cranberry Seed Oil - Organic has Omega 3-6-9 fatty acids, all eight forms of vitamin E, and provitamin A carotenoids to help soften, support the skin’s natural protective barrier, and brighten the appearance of dark spots. Nutrient-dense, stable, and sustainable, Cranberry is ultra-light and gives a silky feel to products for after-sun, lips, baby care, hair and scalp care, creams, and body oils.

Rosehip Seed CO2 - Organic is rich in vitamins A and E to help soften and condition while improving skin tone and brightening the appearance of dark spots.

Cacay Seed Oil (pronounced Kah-KAI) is widely celebrated as a natural alternative to retinol. It’s packed with retinoids (precursors to vitamin A), prized for their ability to smooth, clarify, and brighten the skin’s appearance.

Raspberry Seed CO2 - Organic has a high antioxidant and phospholipid content that supports the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Tamanu (Foraha) Oil – Organic has a unique fatty acid and lactone said to be the origin of the oil’s remarkable effect on improving the appearance of the skin.

Cucumber Seed Oil is high in supportive phytosterols to soften skin, increase suppleness, and improve texture.

Jojoba Oil, Golden - Organic has vitamin E and free sterols to replenish skin and improve skin tone.

Plum Kernel Oil – Organic contains full-spectrum vitamin E for antioxidant-rich moisture-retention.

Pomegranate Seed Oil CO2 - Organic contains a supersaturated omega-5 fatty acid to improve skin tone and the brighten appearance of dark spots.

Sea Buckthorn CO2 – Organic is rich in beneficial carotenoids and has emollient properties (only 1-2 drops of this deep red-orange oil are needed in a blend).

If you see several carrier oils you like, no problem! Creating a blend of at least three different carrier oils helps create a beneficial synergy of ingredients while allowing you to dial in the exact texture and feel that you prefer for your skin.

Add Revitalizing Essential Oils for Your Skincare Needs

Next, you can add essential oils to target your specific skincare needs. Essential oils are rich in antioxidants and beneficial plant constituents for revitalizing sun-exposed skin. Keep in mind that essential oils must be diluted in a carrier oil before application, especially on delicate facial skin.

If you have particularly sensitive skin, or if you’d like to use your facial oil close to the eye area, you may want to omit the essential oils altogether.

Here are some of our favorite essential oils known to help improve the appearance of skin tone and texture:

Carrot Seed and Frankincense CO2, Somalia help improve skin tone and brighten the appearance of dark spots and sun exposed skin.

Helichrysum - Organic and Rosemary ct Verbenone - Organic are high in skin-beneficial ketones, helping improve the appearance of skin tone and imperfections.

Lavender, France – Organic helps potentiate a blend and boost its benefits while supporting skin, especially sensitive skin.

Rose is a classic of facial care blends for its tonifying, astringent, hydrating, and softening properties. The most suitable choice of Rose for skincare formulations are steam distilled Rose Ottos, although many formulators opt for the more intensely floral and economical Rose Absolutes.

Blue Tansy or Blue Chamomile help improve the appearance of skin tone and sensitive skin and will give a vibrant, emerald blue-green hue to facial formulations.

Sandalwood, Australian - Premium helps hydrate dry skin and clarify congested skin.

Neroli, Morocco - Organic has mildly astringent qualities to help improve the appearance of mature skin.

Dilutions for Facial Skin

Generally, for Facial Serums you’ll want to blend approximately 0.5% - 1% essential oils into 99.5% - 99% carrier oil – that’s 5-9 total drops of essential oils to every 1 oz. of carrier oil. You can learn more about how to dilute essential oils for skincare or other applications on our Dilutions Solutions page. Again, creating a blend of 3-5 different essential oils helps create an effective, beneficial synergy. Here is a recipe to get you started:

DIY After-Sun Facial Serum    

Materials: 

1 oz. glass bottle with pump

5 Large Measuring Stem Pipettes

4 Fine Stem Pipettes

3 ml Pomegranate Seed Oil CO2 - Organic (carrier oil)

3 ml Raspberry Seed CO2 - Organic (carrier oil)

7 ml Rosehip Seed CO2 - Organic (carrier oil)

7 ml Cranberry Seed Oil - Organic (carrier oil)

10 ml  Jojoba Oil, Golden-Organic (carrier oil)

2 drops Carrot Seed (essential oil)

2 drops Helichrysum - Organic (essential oil)

2 drops Frankincense CO2, Somalia (essential oil)

3 drops Lavender, France – Organic (essential oil)

Directions:

Set the 1 oz. bottle on a paper towel to absorb any spills. Use the large measuring pipettes to add each carrier oil (Pomegranate, Raspberry, Cranberry, Rosehip, Jojoba oils) to the bottle. Then, use the fine pipettes to add each essential oil (Carrot Seed, Helichrysum, Frankincense, Lavender). Twist on the pump top and gently shake to combine.

Apply a few drops of the Serum 1-2 times a day to damp skin after cleansing, or skin that has been spritzed with Rose Hydrosol, and gently massage in, avoiding the eye area.

Enjoy your summer fun!

We recommend performing a patch test when working with any of our ingredients topically, especially before use on the face. Please check the Safety Considerations under the "Details" section of the product pages and always check with your physician before using any oils if you are on medication or have a serious medical condition.