Today’s store-bought beauty products often contain a myriad of ingredients, many of which might be synthetic in nature. Although these types of products often have a need of preservatives, in addition to other ingredients, due to their anticipated store shelf life, it is just as easy (and more natural) to make your own beauty products with essential oils at home.
The aromatherapy product recipes in this article don’t contain preservatives but they should last the recommended time if you use quality ingredients, practice good hygiene (in both making and using the products) and follow the guidelines of a certified aromatherapist for making such products.
Here are eight brilliant beauty products you can make with essential oils at home! All of these recipes are for adult use only.
1. Aromatherapy Facial Toner for Daily Use
Facial toners are predominately made up of water. I recommend making a simple aromatherapy toner with hydrosols vs. essential oils but I have listed the recipe both ways, in case you want to experiment. Oil and water do not naturally bond together, so make sure to include a solubol or polysorbate when combining essential oils with water.
You will need a glass 4-oz. spray bottle to get started.
Hydrosol Option:
- 2-oz. rose (Rosa × damascena) hydrosol
- 1-oz. geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) hydrosol
- 1-oz. frankincense (Boswellia carteri) hydrosol
Essential Oil Option:
This is a 1% dilution rate as it is used for the face.
- 4-oz. distilled water
- 1 tsp. solubol or polysorbate
- 5 drops rose (Rosa × damascena) essential oil*
- 9 drops geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil
- 10 drops frankincense (Boswellia carteri) essential oil
*if you don’t have rose essential oil, or it is too expensive, you can increase the amount of geranium essential oil to compensate.
Instructions for Use:
Add all of the ingredients to the spray bottle. Cap and shake well. Shake before each use. Wash face before each use. Spray a small amount of the toner onto a cotton pad. Wipe lightly over the face and neck area. Avoid getting into eyes. Wait for the toner to dry before applying any other products. Use twice a day, morning and evening, as part of your skincare routine.
Cautions: Avoid getting into eyes. If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use.
2. Aromatherapy Facial Serum for Daily Use
An aromatherapy facial serum is primarily made up of carrier oils, but you can add essential oils for additional benefits. If you are using a serum for the face, I recommend using a lighter carrier oil vs. a heavier carrier oil.
You will need a 1-oz. spray bottle to get started.
This is a 1% dilution rate as it is used for the face.
Ingredients:
- 0.75-oz. sweet almond (Prunis dulcis) carrier oil
- 0.25-oz. rosehip seed (Rosa canina) carrier oil
- 2 drops neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara (flos)) essential oil
- 3 drops petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var. amara (fol)) essential oil
- 1 drop sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil
Instructions for Use:
Add all of the ingredients to the spray bottle. Cap and shake well. Shake before each use. Wash face before each use. If you are using a toner, apply the toner first. Spray a small amount of the serum onto a cotton pad. Wipe lightly over the face and neck area. Avoid getting into eyes. Use twice a day, morning and evening, as part of your skincare routine.
Cautions: Avoid getting into eyes. If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use. Avoid use if you have a nut allergy.
3. Aromatherapy Facial Cream for Daily Use
An aromatherapy facial cream is made up of carrier oils, water, and a number of other ingredients. I recommend purchasing a basic base cream, from a cosmetic supplier, to start making your own aromatherapy creams.
You will need a 4-oz. jar to get started. This is a 1% dilution rate as it is used for the face.
Ingredients:
- 4-oz. unscented face cream
- 10 drops sandalwood (Santalum album) essential oil
- 10 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
- 4 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil
Instructions for Use:
Add all of the ingredients to the jar. Combine well and cap. Wash face before each use. If you are using a toner and a serum, apply the toner and serum first. Add a small amount to the palm of your hand and massage gently over face. Avoid getting into eyes. Use twice a day, morning and evening, as part of your skincare routine.
Cautions: Avoid getting into eyes. If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use.
4. Aromatherapy Body Spray for Daily Use
Aromatherapy body sprays, just like facial sprays, are made up primarily of water. You can use either hydrosols or essential oils with water for your spray. Again, I am listing both options to try. Oil and water do not naturally bond together, so make sure to include a solubol or polysorbate when combining essential oils with water.
You will need 4-oz. spray bottle to get started.
Hydrosol Option:
- 0.5-oz. lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) hydrosol
- 1-oz. myrtle (Myrtus communis) hydrosol
- 2-oz. cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) hydrosol
Essential Oil Option:
This is a 1% dilution rate as it is used for the face.
- 4-oz. distilled water
- 1 tsp. solubol or polysorbate
- 12 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
- 4 drops myrtle (Myrtus communis) essential oil
- 8 drops cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) essential oil
Instructions for Use:
Add all of the ingredients to the spray bottle. Cap and shake well. Shake before each use. Use daily as required.
Cautions: Avoid getting into eyes. If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use. Avoid use in pregnancy.
5. Aromatherapy Body Oil for Daily Use
Body oils are both luxurious and nourishing to the skin. Like facial serums, they are primarily made up of carrier oils, but you can add essential oils for additional benefits. You also have greater freedom with body oils vs. facial serums, as you can use heavier carrier oils if you prefer.
You will need a 4-oz. jar to get started.
Ingredients:
- 4-oz. jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) oil
- 14 drops geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil
- 10 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
Instructions for Use:
Add all of the ingredients to the jar. Combine well and cap. Add a small amount to the palm of your hand and massage gently over the body after your shower or bath. Use once a day.
Cautions: If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use.
6. Aromatherapy Salts for Soaking the Feet
Aromatherapy salts are great for soaking tired feet in a bowl of warm water.
You will need an 8-oz. jar to get started.
Ingredients:
- 8-oz. Epsom or Dead Sea salts
- 1 tsp. solubol or polysorbate
- 18 drops petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var. amara (fol)) essential oil
- 20 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
- 10 drops spearmint (Mentha spicata) essential oil
Instructions for Use:
Combine all of the ingredients together in the jar. Add one scoop of salts to a bowl of warm water, large enough to accommodate your feet. Swirl the salts round in the water before putting your feet in. Sit and soak for ten minutes. Remove feet and pat dry.
Cautions: If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use.
7. Aromatherapy Sugar Scrub for Body Exfoliation
I personally love sugar scrubs! Use this sugar scrub once a week to exfoliate dead skin cells from your body. Do not use on the face.
You will need a 4-oz. jar to get started.
Ingredients:
- 3-oz. turbinado sugar (turbinado sugar is naturally coarser, making for a great scrub ingredient.)
- 0.75-oz. apricot kernel (Prunus armeniaca) oil
- 0.25-oz. rosehip (Rosa canina L.) oil
- 9 drops geranium (Pelargonium gravolens) essential oil
- 5 drops neroli (Pelargonium graveolens var. amara (flos)) essential oil
- 10 drops mandarin (Citrus reticulata) essential oil
Instructions for Use:
Combine all the ingredients in the jar. Apply the scrub liberally, using small circular movements, to wet skin. Leave on for ten minutes and then wash off.
Cautions: If skin irritation occurs, wash off immediately.
8. Aromatherapy Perfume Oil
An aromatherapy perfume oil can act as your own custom perfume, in place of a synthetic aroma. Try this aromatherapy blend to start!
Note: Aromatherapy perfumes are made at a higher dilution rate than regular aromatherapy products as you are applying a small amount to a small part of the skin. However, start with a lesser dilution rate if you have skin sensitivities.
You will need a 0.33-oz. roll-on bottle applicator to get started.
Ingredients:
- 0.33-oz. jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) oil
- 5 drops patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) essential oil
- 7 drops vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) essential oil
- 8 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil
Instructions for Use:
Add the jojoba to the roll-on bottle applicator. Add the number of drops for each essential oil. Fix the applicator tightly. Cap. Shake well. Roll a small amount of the blend onto wrists. Apply as necessary.
Cautions: If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use.
General Cautions for Using Essential Oils in Beauty Products
Storage: Store all products in a cool, dry, dark place, away from heat, sunlight, and water.
Shelf Life: Use salts and scrubs as soon as you’ve made them. Use water-based products within one to two weeks and store correctly. Use oil-based products within a few months, if stored correctly.
Take note of any additional cautions as listed for each recipe above. Consult a certified aromatherapist for further advice.