Facial serum ingredients can include oils, acids, and many other different ingredients. Like most products, you'll find natural options and not-so-natural ones.
Facial serums bring a lot of oomph to your skincare routine. They're highly concentrated with active ingredients
Since using a facial serum is such an important skincare step, it's crucial to make sure you're using the right one. If you really want to take the custom approach, you might consider making your own facial serum. Ingredients can be tailored to fit your exact needs.
Blending facial serum ingredients
Blending facial serum ingredients takes a little thought and planning. Since oil and water don't mix, you'll need to either:
- Use only oil-based ingredients
- Use only water-based ingredients
- Use an emulsifier to combine oil and water based ingredients
The first two options will make your project a lot easier. Emulsifiers aren't ideal in a serum, anyway, since they are usually more of a "filler" ingredient - not something we want in what is supposed to be a highly concentrated product. I prefer to just stick with creating an oil- or water- based serum since it's easier to create a more shelf stable product.
Types of face serum ingredients
- Oils
- Acids
- Gels
- Extracts
Essential oils are also beneficial ingredients for facial serums, due to their various beneficial properties that promote skin wellness. For example, lavender is often used in skin products, due to its ability to treat inflammatory conditions, such as acne and psoriasis. Also, rose oil and tree oil are commonly used.
One acid you'll see in serums is salicylic acid, which is great for treating acne, as well as blackheads.The acids you see used in skincare are usually (but not always) soluble in water. (You can ask about specific ones in the comments for help.) Alpha- and Beta hydroxy acids (AHAs/BHAs) are also used and in fact are great in serums as opposed to cleansers and such, since they need to sit on the skin for a longer period to create results.
Have you ever made your own facial serum? You're welcome to share your favorite ingredients and formulations in the comments!
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Dede
I currently make a face serum for mature skin using Rosehip Seed Oil as the base, frankincense EO, Helichrysum EO and lavender EO. I’m waiting to buy Rose EO and geranium EO, when I can afford them, to add to the serum. So far the serum feels good but I haven’t seen any big difference.
Chitra
Hai....
In what proportion we need to take carrier oils and essential oils?
Jessica
I want to mix instant natural vitamin C serum with my own diy serum that has rosehip oil and some essential oils. Would that work?