DIY: Hydrating Face Serum + Anti-Wrinkle Eye Oil

Have you found your first gray hair yet? A recent inspection of my roots (to determine how long I could put off a highlighting appointment) found a whole crop of them. My head had been invaded! It was an aging slap in the face. Because, of course, I then went on a wrinkle hunt, and the evidence of my denial mounted.

Let the anti-aging research begin! I’ve discovered how good natural fruit acids are for reducing age spots and how older skin needs tons of moisture. Where did the oily days go? Now my face always feels like a poor man dying in the dessert. I’ve even changed my mind about face misters. Aren’t people who spritz their faces on planes were completely self-absorbed nuts? No! Giving your skin moisture throughout the day is definitely a good anti-aging idea.

Hydrating Face Serum

That’s where this serum comes in. It’s a light moisturizer that hydrates with only a small amount of oil – your face feels soft and pampered but not greasy. Aloe hydrates and heals skin (though natural versions must be refrigerated) and glycerin is a natural humectant, which means that, like honey, it draws in moisture from the air.

Hydrating Serum Ingredients

1/4 cup aloe vera gel
2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin
1 teaspoon jojoba oil
1 vitamin E capsule (optional)
2-4 drops of essential oil like lavender, chamomile or rose

Combine ingredients in a small glass pump and shake well to combine. Apply to clean skin at night for a light, overnight moisturizer. Shake before each use if including the vitamin E capsule. Will last indefinitely if stored in the refrigerator.

Why jojoba oil?

Jojoba and avocado oil (see below) are two of my favorites for skin care recipes. Jojoba is an oil that’s very close to our skin’s natural oil, and you can use it for just about anything (much like coconut oil). It’s non comedogenic, so it won’t block pores, and, in fact, it helps oily skin level out oil generation. Plus it’s loaded with vitamin E, linoleic acid and antioxidants that regenerate skin cells.

But if you don’t have any jojoba on hand you can totally make this recipe without it, and it will still be excellent for your skin.

Anti-Wrinkle Eye Oil

Now for the eyes! You can definitely use a heavier (read: oilier) combination here as the tissue around your eyes is very thin and obviously more prone to wrinkles.

Why avocado oil?

Avocado oil is perfect for your eyes because its abundant fatty acids help balance skin’s moisture levels, and the high levels of vitamins A, C and E rejuvenate dry skin and remove those pesky free radicals that age skin.

After you apply the facial serum at night, tap a tiny amount of eye cream around the crease of your eye. A little goes a long way – if you go overboard slathering it on you’ll get it in your eyes and it will sting a bit (yep, learned this the hard way!).

Anti-wrinkle eye oil

2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/8 – 1/4 cup aloe vera
1 vitamin E capsule (optional)

Melt the coconut oil if needed and combine ingredients in a dark glass bottle, preferably one with a dropper. Shake well to combine. Put 3-5 drops onto your finger and pat into the skin around your eye before bed. If you add the vitamin E capsule you’ll need to shake before each use.

Note: you can add a couple of tablespoons of cocoa butter to the recipe if you prefer a more solid cream. Cocoa butter is another major moisturizer and can make it easier to apply (it won’t slide around as much).