November is upon us, which means colder weather and upcoming holidays. If the thought of drier skin and gift shopping has you stressin’, fret not–this DIY Luxury Body Oil is here to tackle both. Oh, yes!
Why Body Oil?
Body oil is an oil serum you can use everywhere (even on the ends of your hair!). It’s an easy, natural way to quench dry skin and can be used alone or over a traditional lotion to seal in all of that hydrating goodness. Also, body oil is your best friend when you want to give yourself (or your date) a loving massage. You can also add a small splash to your bath to scent the water and give it a moisturizing element. Finally, men with facial hair can use it as a beard oil!
I started using body oil in my early twenties when my skin began to exhibit dryness and feel itchy after showering—and I never looked back. I usually mix body oil with my regular lotion to enhance its emollient quality. I even use it during summer months for a gorgeous, full-body glow. In a pinch, I use body oil as an oil cleanser for my face!
Bottom line—a body oil is one of the most versatile beauty products you can own or gift.
Why DIY?
There are countless inexpensive body oils—ditto $$$ luxury options. I always try to combine the best of both worlds: affordability with five-star performance and an indulgent luxury vibe.
When you’re purchasing your own containers and ingredients, your money can go a lot further, possibly allowing you to splurge on a specialty ingredient.
Designing Your Bespoke Body Oil
Consider the weight of the oil. Is it light, medium, or heavy/rich? Lighter oils will absorb more quickly while heavier oils will leave a rich oily layer over the skin and are better suited for drier skin or those in very dry, cold climates. You will also want to think about the odor of the oil. While rosehip seed, tamanu, and olive oil, for example, have health benefits for skin, they all have a distinct odor that may not suit everyone.
You may also want to create a blend of carrier oils. The following are just a few of the many options for body oil carrier oils.
Light oils: argan, grapeseed, fractionated coconut oil (this type of coconut oil is possibly the only truly scent-free oil)
Medium oils: apricot, jojoba, macadamia, almond
Heavy oils: hazelnut oil, avocado, prickly pear, pomegranate, sunflower
Scenting Your DIY Body Oil
After you’ve mixed your base, you may want to stop there if you don’t want a scented oil. Many folks prefer to avoid fragrance (including essential oils) or may have extra sensitive skin that doesn’t respond well to fragrance of any kind.
If you are interested in scenting your body oil, check out our guide for blending your own perfumes for tips on layering essential oils. When it comes to body oil that you plan to gift, consider the individual for whom you’re making the oil—do they like heavy scents? lighter scents? floral or woody or spicy scents? If you’re not sure, err on the side of a light scent. (For a light blend, aim for no more than 2% essential oil—i.e., 6 drops of oil for every 10 mL of carrier oil.)
Because this oil will be applied over a large area of skin, avoid including photosensitive oil (oils that can make your skin more sensitive to sun damage). These mainly include citrus oils (such as bergamot, lemon, and grapefruit).
If you’re feeling fancy, treat yourself to a pre-blended essential oil. I’m partial to this gorgeous floral-resinous Synergy Blend from Edens Garden.
Packaging Your DIY Body Oil
Give your body oil a high-end boutique aesthetic by packaging it in a beautiful jar. I am partial to violet glass jars (they look black) because they filter UV light (thereby extending the life of the contents) while looking ultra-chic on any vanity. There are also several clear glass jars that look lovely, too! By choosing a glass jar of any color, you’ll be getting a container that you can use again and again (saving cash in the long run!).
Infinity Violet Glass 50 mL Dropper Bottle
Clear Glass 50 mL Dropper Bottle
Whether or not you’re gifting your body oil, you may want to add a label including the ingredients and suggestions for use. Attaching a pretty square of cardstock (which a hole punched in the upper lefthand corner) around the mouth of the bottle will give the whole thing a thoughtful, artisanal feel. You can use colored baker’s twine or a thin ribbon to tie the label on.
What are your favorite beauty products to DIY?
Related: Oil Cleansing Turned My Skin From Problem-Prone To Hydrated & Clear. Here’s My Regimen
Supercharge Your Facial Oil Obsession With These Serum-Makeup Hybrid
Get the Glow—Not Clogged Pores: 5 Best Non Comedogenic Oils for Your Face
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Photo: Respective brands, Amplitude Magazin on Unsplash, Hanna Postova on Unsplash
