This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
DIY natural skincare is growing in popularity because of how effective it is at improving the health of the skin. And while transitioning to using coconut oil for skin care is fairly easy to do, creating your own DIY facial serum recipe can be a bit more intimidating.
So, to help you in your quest to create the perfect DIY facial serum, let’s explore why using a DIY facial serum just might prove to be amazing for your skin.
What are Facial Serums?
Facial serums are lightweight moisturizers that contain a concentrated amount of nourishing ingredients. Typically, facial serums are a mixture of high quality oils and extracts that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.
Facial serums are best applied to clean skin, and can be applied both in the morning and at night depending on your needs. When following a natural skincare routine, facial serum should be applied after cleaning your face with coconut oil or another oil, and after using a toner like an apple cider vinegar facial toner.
While serums aren’t absolutely necessary for healthy skin, they are very helpful for improving lipid barrier function, decreasing dryness, and adding a bit of additional moisturizer to the face post-cleanse.
Now, let’s find your perfect diy facial serum combination, shall we?
Finding Your Perfect DIY Facial Serum
Below, I have listed a nourishing DIY facial serum recipe that is suitable for all skin types. In this recipe, jojoba oil is the base oil, and argan oil is the premium oil. Premium oils tend to be a bit more expensive because they have unique characteristics; however, because they are so nourishing, a little goes a long way.
Under “other options,” I’ve listed additional DIY facial serum recipes you can try out based on whether your skin tends to be dry, oily, or normal. While the original recipe is a great place to start as it’s great for all skin types, there is always room to explore other options.
No matter what your skin type is, it’s best to do a patch test on your skin to see how it reacts to a specific oil blend before applying it to your entire face. If you are allergic to a specific food ingredient like nuts, please do NOT apply it to your skin.
And lastly, please be aware that essential oils should be used with care. Please educate yourself about an essential oil and its affects before applying it to your skin.
DIY Facial Serum Recipe
Ingredients:
1 tbsp jojoba oil
1/2 tbsp argan oil
2-4 drops lavender essential oil
Directions:
Pour the base oil and premium oil into a 1 oz amber glass bottle using a small funnel. Add drops of essential oil. Close the bottle, and shake well to combine ingredients. Store in a cool, dark place away from sunlight.
When applying to face, just a few drops will do the trick. Be sure to apply the DIY facial serum after cleaning and toning. After applying, allow 10-15 minutes for the DIY facial serum to fully absorb.
Other options:
DIY Facial Serum for Dry Skin:
Base oil: Avocado oil
Premium oil: Emu oil
Essential oil: Myrrh oil
DIY Facial Serum for Oily Skin:
Base oil: Hemp Seed Oil
Premium oil: Evening primrose oil
Essential oil: Lemon oil
DIY Facial Serum for Normal Skin:
Base oil: Sweet almond Oil
Premium oil: Rosehip seed oil
Essential oil: Ylang Ylang oil
Is it OK to use an oil-based facial serum if I have dry/oily skin?
Short answer: YES!
Long answer: Dry skin occurs when our skin lacks appropriate oil, resulting in rough, dry or flaky skin. Applying nourishing oils topically helps restore the lipid barrier, which reduces water loss, inhibits peroxidative and oxidative damage (because wrinkles), and improves antimicrobial function on the surface of the skin.[5][6]
If your skin overproduces oil, applying nourishing oils can also help to exfoliate skin because it breaks up and dissolves excess oil without striping the skin of its natural lipid barrier. It also helps to restore lipid barrier function, which can help your skin regulate oil production.
Got questions about this DIY facial serum? Want to share your favorite serum combinations? Share below—I’d love to hear about it!
Live empowered,
Rachel says
Hi!
Inwas wondering if you have a body moisturizing recipe, also what could help me with acne scars, ive been using a burts bees face soap with the toner and a natural clay mask a few times a week and my face has really improved, but im getting married in a few months and people have recommended a peeling but i just feel it could be too strong for my face, any suggestions!
Love your site, is a life changer 🙂
Noelle says
Hi Rachel! I do! I use this aloe vera moisturizer as an overall body moisturizer. It’s a recipe I created as a guest post for another site. I typically feel that face peels are bit harsh—especially for sensitive skin. The clay mask should be enough for exfoliating. Try cleaning your face with coconut oil using the oil cleansing method. Coconut oil has been shown to help with wound healing! 🙂
Machi says
Hi Noelle
I followed the OCM and feeling great. I live in the bay area. Even if not directly out in the sun, I get enough sun exposure while driving/walking around. What should be steps to follow after OCM and toner before getting out of my house. Should I apply the serum followed by a store bought moisturizer that contains SPF. I am not a big fan of sunscreen and concerned that just OCM and toner might not protect my skin on hot days.
Please advise.
Noelle says
Hi Machi! What do you typically do? If you usually apply a moisturizer with SPF, feel free to do so post-cleanse. I personally find I don’t need moisturizer after I do the OCM, so I don’t use moisturizer. But, that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. If you’d like to apply sunscreen, I recommend using a simple mineral-based sunscreen on your face in the morning before you go outside if need be.
Tina says
Hi thanks for all the great info! ? Just wondering which combination would be best for dry/combination skin please? I’ve tried coconut oil cleansing but this made my face oily and bumpy. I do wear makeup regularly so assume I would need a serum as well as a cleanser. Thanks so much! X
Noelle says
Hi Tina! I recommend trying the original recipe for the serum. Give avocado or sweet almond oil a try for cleansing.
Emily says
Hi Noelle,
I have EXTREMELY oily skin (like oily within the hour after washing). I am considering trying coconut oil as a face wash and following with ACV toner and a DIY facial serum as a moisturizer. I have read in the comments that some with oily skin still struggle with oil even when using the oily skin serum you recommend above. Would you mind recommending which formula I should use? I don’t have much acne (just now and then, maybe a spot or two), I just REALLY struggle to keep my face oil free. Thanks for your time!
Noelle says
Hi Emily! I would recommend cleaning your face with coconut oil, doing the apple cider vinegar toner, and holding off on the DIY face serum all together. See how your skin does with just those changes. Then, if you feel your skin is a bit dry, I would recommend going with the recipe for the oily skin, as that’s going to be a good place to start. Hope that helps!
Anne says
Hi Noelle
I have very sensitive skin and quite bad acne rosacea across my cheeks and chin. I tend to find putting oil on my skin can aggravate the rosacea but am keen to try more natural skin care. Can you make a recommendation as to the best things to try first? Currently I use a cleansing water and rosex cream but keen to ditch the chemicals!
Noelle says
Hi Anne! I would actually recommend using a gentle oil, like virgin coconut oil or jojoba oil using the oil cleansing method. You may find that this is the perfect solution for cleaning your face, and moisturizing it at the same time. Note: Because your skin is sensitive, you may need to be open to trying a few different oils until you find the one that works for your skin. Hope that helps!
Steve says
Just wondering how u got on with using acv and coconut oil on your rosacea?
Is the any particular oils that work well with this condition?
Every time I try oil on my face it makes my eyes go really red : (
Thank u
Nabeelah jattiem says
Hi for the dry skin facial serum. What are the quantities. You only put the oils but without the instructions of how to mix it and how much oil to use. Thank you
Noelle says
Hi Nabeelah! All the ratios and instructions are clearly listed in the recipe. With the alternative options, all you do is use the alternative oil options. Please read the post above to see this described.
Jenna says
Hey Noelle!
I’ve been DIY-ing my skincare for about a year now, and saving a lot of money on expensive face creams. Thanks! What are your thoughts on anti-aging products like eye-cream, or something that has daily spf in it? Are these necessary? If so do you have any DIY hacks for that, or recommend a good brand with not a lot of junk in it and also not too pricey? I worry that I’m going to start to regret giving up my anti-aging products in a few years…
Noelle says
Hi Jenna! If you feel like it’s working well for your skin, then I would continue to use it. Personally, the natural oils I use keep my skin very supple and soft. The only product I use is Vitamin C-ex, which I consider to be anti-aging as it’s full of anti-oxidants. Primal Life Organics is high quality and slightly pricey, however I consider it worth it and always purchase during sales. 🙂 Hope that helps!
Azra sheikh says
Hi, mine is combination skin oily/normal . What is the recipe for combination skin
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Just follow the recipe for all skin types. Good luck!
Amber says
Is the essential oils manditory?
Noelle says
Hi Amber! No, they are optional.
Difla says
Hi Noelle,
Thanks for your amazing recipes.
I have an oily skin, but it’s hard to find evening primrose oil here in my country.
What oil(s) do you suggest to substitute it?
Thanks…!
Noelle says
Hi Difla! I would start with the original recipe as that works really well for all skin types. Good luck! 🙂
Belle says
Hi I found your blog so interesting! I want to make my own serum! However I want your recommendations
1. Is there a rule on how many oils you can blend together?
2. I tried making my own lotion (shea butter+ coconut oil + lavender + jojoba oil + geranium + vitamin E) but it’s so greasy, what should I do?
3. For the serum how many oils can I mix in? What are your recommendations ( I love rose, geranium and lavender)
4. Is it not recommended to mix two carrier oil together?
Noelle says
Hi Belle! I can tell you that there are no “rules” in blending oils together when it comes to moisturizers, but, the more you add together, the more chance you have of reacting to one. Make sure to test each oil out on your skin individually before trying the oils combined together. You can absolutely mix two carrier oils together, and if you’re looking for a good whipped body butter recipe, try this one. More recommendations for combinations are above! 🙂
Eru says
I’ve read about jojoba oil that it shouldn’t be used on face. Presumably it has similar size and structure to our own sebum and it tricks the skin cells to produce less sebum overtime, which is of course not good for the skin, you will lose more moisture and wrinkle more. I don’t know how true this is but I’d stay away from jojoba oil just in case… Just thought I’d share! Coconut oil is safe though.
Noelle says
Hi Eru! I’m excited to tell you that this isn’t true, and jojoba oil is incredibly nourishing as a moisturizer for the face and skin—just like many other oils. There is no evidence whatsoever showing that using jojoba oil makes cells produce less sebum overtime, and in fact, jojoba oil has been found to benefit the skin in a number of different ways. It’s fantastic for all skin types as a serum, and can greatly improve the skin’s acid mantle. For more information on coconut oil’s uses for the skin (including when and when not to use it), check out this post.
Pamela says
What is OCM
Noelle says
Oil cleansing method. See more here.
Jennifer says
Hi Noelle! I just discovered your site after a friend recommended I start cleansing with coconut oil. Thank you for all the info! I plan to start trying the OCM as well as using your DIY toner recipe and then after a couple of weeks, once I see how my skin reacts to that, potentially adding this serum. My skin is combo – oily T-zone, dry elsewhere. Do you recommend the original serum recipe with jojoba oil for this skin type? Also, I have hereditary dark circles under my eyes (and dark skin on my eyelids). Is there any natural product I can use to try to help with that?
Thanks so much!
Noelle says
Hi Jennifer! I recommend using the original recipe first, seeing how your skin responds, and then going from there. Focus on just the OCM and finding the right oil for your skin first, and then see how your skin does with the serum. I don’t have a product for the dark circles, but I do think the OCM method and the ACV toner can absolutely help improve the tone/function of your skin. Hope that helps!
Rebecca says
Blessings Noelle! Found your site a few weeks ago and using the coconut oil cleanse and vinegar toner! I’ve always had oily skin and using oil to clean just didn’t seem logical, but now I’m a believer! I’m 54 and going through menopause with hormonal breakouts along the jaw line/upper neck. I’m hopeful this regimen will clear this up!
Thank you so much for all the helpful information!
Noelle says
You are so welcome! Thank you for sharing that. So glad it’s helped!
Kate says
Hi Noelle,
I have started the OCM in the evening followed by the toner however since you suggest only doing the OCM once a day what can I put on my face in the morning if my skin feels dry? Thanks for the great information!
Noelle says
Try my DIY Facial Serum. 🙂
Kate says
I will definitely try that, thanks! Do you think I could replace the jojoba oil with Grapeseed oil?
Noelle says
You can do whatever works best for your skin! 🙂
Gee says
Hi noelle! Where can I find amber containers for this serum? Can i use the regular white/clear plastic ones?
On a side note, the coconut oil facial wash and acv toner is working great on my skin! Almost immediate results and it hasent even been a week!
Noelle says
Hi Gee! They are linked above! 🙂
Gee says
Hi Noelle! Does it need to be an amber bottle? Can I use a plastic bottle instead?
Noelle says
I recommend the amber bottle because it will ensure the oils are not exposed to light, which can eventually degrade the oil quality and change the structure.
Cindy says
Hi Noelle
Can I replace jojoba oil with almond oil?
Noelle says
Absolutely!
Erika says
Hi noelle.
Can I add some tea tree oil and also lavender oil together?
Noelle says
Absolutely!
Jannie says
I have extremely sensitive skin to the point where I pretty much break out/react from every product I’ve used plus I have extremely dry itchy skin on my face, neck and most of my body. I need a good moisturizer along with a recipe for washing my face and effectively removing makeup. Thank you!