Plant oils

Plant oils for DIY cosmetics – essential ingredients for skin and hair care and massage blends

 

Plant oils are among the most important ingredients in natural and homemade (DIY) cosmetics. We use them as a base for serums, creams, balms, ointments, scrubs, oil gels and massage blends. They are also essential carrier oils for the safe use of essential oils, as they allow us to apply them to the skin without irritation.

A quality plant oil softens the skin, protects it from drying out and helps maintain the natural skin barrier. It nourishes the skin with fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants that support regeneration and improve its elasticity. Regular use of plant oils can help improve the appearance of dry, sensitive or tired skin and restore a feeling of comfort.

In the plant oils category you will find oils suited to different skin types and different purposes. They range from ultra-light oils for combination and oily skin to rich oils for dry, sensitive or mature skin. There are also oils that are excellent for massage, hair care, after-sun care or for preparing homemade cosmetic formulations.

Plant oils are extremely versatile, which makes them an indispensable ingredient for beginners in DIY cosmetics and experienced formulators alike. You can use them on their own or as part of formulations, where they are combined with hydrosols, butters, emulsifiers, aloe vera, clays and other natural ingredients.

 

What are plant oils in natural cosmetics?

Plant oils are fatty substances obtained from the seeds, fruits or nuts of plants. They are most often obtained by cold pressing, which preserves the valuable fatty acids, vitamins and other bioactive substances.

In natural cosmetics they have several key functions.

They act as emollients, which means they soften the skin and improve its surface feel. They help reduce moisture loss and support the skin's natural protective barrier.

Plant oils also carry active ingredients, herbal macerates and essential oils. Thanks to their structure, they help active ingredients penetrate the skin and improve the effectiveness of formulations.

In addition, they improve the spreadability of products and give the skin a smooth feel without unpleasant tightness.

 

Which types of plant oils will you find in our range?

To make choosing easier, the oils are divided by how they feel on the skin and their most common use.

 

Neutral oils for massage and all-round use

These are oils with a gentle feel and, as a rule, no pronounced scent. They are excellent for massage, basic blends and products for the whole family.

Among the most popular are:

• Nature oil (a blend of almond, rice and sunflower oils)

• Sunflower oil

• Almond oil

• Sesame oil

These oils have good spreadability and are suitable for body care, massage and the preparation of various cosmetic products.

 

Light oils for the face, combination and oily skin

These oils absorb quickly, do not weigh the skin down and often leave a very pleasant silky feel.

The most commonly used light oils are:

• MCT coconut oil (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)

• Grapeseed oil

• Rice oil

They are suitable for serums, oil gels, cleansing oils and everyday facial care.

 

Rich oils for dry, sensitive and mature skin

Richer oils are excellent for night serums, protective blends, care during the colder months and for skin that needs more nourishment.

They include:

• Avocado oil

• Argan oil

• Baobab oil

• Walnut oil

• Evening primrose oil

These oils contain plenty of essential fatty acids and antioxidants, which is why they are often part of formulations for mature or very dry skin.

 

Oils for regeneration and special purposes

Some oils have a long tradition of use in natural skin care and are especially popular for regenerating or soothing the skin.

These include:

• Coconut oil (organic, cold pressed)

• St John's wort oil (traditionally macerated)

• Olive oil

Such oils are often part of traditional recipes for skin and hair care.

 

The most commonly used plant oils in natural cosmetics

 

Oil	Properties	Most common use
Almond oil	gentle and nourishing	massage, creams
Grapeseed	light, fast-absorbing	serums, oily skin
Avocado oil	rich and nourishing	dry skin
Argan oil	antioxidant	mature skin
Rice oil	light and silky	serums
Coconut oil	protective and nourishing	balms, hair

Such oils make it possible to create formulations tailored to different skin types.

 

How to choose the right plant oil?

When choosing a plant oil, it is important to consider three things: your skin type, the purpose of use and the feel you want on the skin.

If the skin is oily or combination, light oils that absorb quickly and leave a minimal oily film usually work best.

Common choices are:

• MCT coconut oil

• grapeseed oil

• rice oil

If the skin is dry or sensitive, nourishing oils are more suitable.

They include:

• almond oil

• sesame oil

• avocado oil

• baobab oil

• evening primrose oil

For massage, oils with good spreadability are ideal.

The most commonly used are:

• almond oil

• sesame oil

• sunflower oil

• Nature oil

For mature skin care, oils rich in antioxidants are often chosen, such as argan, baobab or rice oil.

 

How to combine plant oils in DIY formulations?

When making cosmetics at home, a combination of several oils is often used. Such a combination lets us bring together the different properties of the oils.

For example:

• light oils for fast absorption

• rich oils for nourishment

• stable oils for a longer shelf life of the formulation

A very common combination is a blend of two or three oils that together create a balanced formulation.

Vitamin E is also often added to oil blends, as it acts as an antioxidant and helps protect the oils from oxidation.

 

How do we use plant oils in DIY cosmetics?

Plant oils are among the most versatile ingredients and can be used in many ways.

• as a standalone oil for the face or body

• as a massage oil

• as a carrier oil for essential oils

• as an ingredient in serums and oil blends

• in creams and lotions as part of the oil phase

• in balms and butters for spreadability

• in hair care products

For home use it is often most practical to have one all-purpose oil for the body and massage and one or two targeted oils for the face.

 

Examples of DIY recipes with plant oils

Simple face serum

Ingredients:

20 ml grapeseed oil
10 ml argan oil
3 drops of vitamin E

Mix the ingredients and use as an evening face serum.

Relaxing massage oil

Ingredients:

50 ml almond oil
10 ml sesame oil

The oil can be used for massage or body care.

Hair oil mask

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoon olive oil

Apply the blend to your hair before washing.

 

The most common mistakes when using plant oils

When using plant oils, it is important not to use too much. A few drops are often enough.

It is also important to choose an oil that suits your skin type, as oils that are too heavy can leave oily skin feeling weighed down.

Proper storage of the oils is also advisable, as light and heat can speed up oxidation.

 

Plant oils as part of daily rituals

Plant oils are a simple yet highly effective foundation for a natural care routine.

In the morning we can use lighter oils for a feeling of freshness and skin protection. In the evening, richer oils that help restore the skin are often more suitable.

After a shower, oil applied to slightly damp skin helps lock in moisture and leaves the skin soft and supple.

An occasional oil massage can also be a lovely relaxing ritual.

 

Frequently asked questions about plant oils for DIY cosmetics

1. What are plant oils for cosmetics?
   They are natural oils from the seeds, fruits or nuts of plants, used for skin care and as ingredients in homemade cosmetics.

2. Can I use plant oils on their own on my face?
   Yes, many people use them as a natural serum.

3. Which oil is best for oily skin?
   Usually light oils, such as grapeseed oil or rice oil.

4. Which oil is best for dry skin?
   Almond, avocado or evening primrose oil.

5. Can I mix oils together?
   Yes, combining several oils is very common.

6. Why is vitamin E added to oil blends?
   Because it acts as an antioxidant and helps protect the oils.

7. Are plant oils suitable for massage?
   Yes, many oils are ideal for massage.

8. Are they also suitable for hair?
   Yes, they are often used as a mask or for the ends.