Let's just assume that you are already in the phase of accepting that oils are actually good for acne. It's counterintuitive to everything we were marketed in our teens, but it's backed by heavy science. The principle is simple - our bodies and organs like balance. Skin, being an organ, likes balance. When the skin is too dry, it will increase oil production. Balancing your skin with an oil can reduce oil production, eliminating the feeding source for that bacteria. Add in anti-bacterial and anti-microbial ingredients, and use oils which mimic our skin's natural sebum, and voila. Logical right? 

 There are also properties of certain oils that will actually draw excess oil and impurities from your skin. Something science-y about molecular bonding which I don't want to mess up since I'm not a chemist. 

 So here's what I did. I looked for stable (another science thing, but basically, won't spoil or break down from exposure to oxygen or sunlight) inexpensive, acne-friendly oils. I looked at the ingredients of my favorite (but pricey) oils, and then I came up with this super easy recipe to make a buttload of my own oil for a fraction of the cost. 


RECIPE

Container (I used an empty jar from Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich to blend than put it in a reused dropper bottle empty Super Pure) 

Meadowfoam Seed Oil 

Rosehip Seed Oil

Blue Tansy


Mix together 1 part of each oil, then add 4-6 drops of Blue Tansy.  Apply a small amount as needed to damp skin. Massage in gently. 


 That's it. So easy right! If you trust me implicitly you can just stop reading now. Otherwise, here's a more indepth, highly referenced explanation for the recipe. 

MEADOWFOAM SEED OIL

 first spotted in Vintner's Daughter

“It is a perfect oil,” gushes Angela Caglia. The Los Angeles facialist, to Violet Grey. 

 Her own line, Caglia, uses the oil in every product.  As she tells VG, 


"For starters, meadowfoam seed oil locks in moisture and allows entire formulas to penetrate deep into the dermis. But the real superpower here is its superior ability to bring balance to your complexion. The oil's composition is strikingly similar to that of sebum (aka your skin oils), which makes a huge difference when it comes to keeping your face in that sweet spot between excessively oily and overly dry. “Think of it as getting a kiss of youthful moisture," says Caglia, "It leaves you with a plump, dewy, glowy complexion without the feeling of a heavy oil resting on your face.”  For the acne-burdened, the thought of incorporating an oil into one’s skin care regimen might seem counterintuitive. 

Caglia assures us that meadowfoam seed oil won't trigger flare-ups, “It soothes inflammation and acne-prone skin. It’s one of the reasons I decided to incorporate meadowfoam seed oil into my entire line. Everyone has different skin types, so I was adamant about creating formulas that wouldn’t clog pores or cause irritation.” Not only that, the oil boasts a rich antioxidant profile that lends it anti-aging properties and the ability to tackle fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness. “There are so many hormonal conditions that can cause an increase in oil or dryness, especially as we get older, so it’s great to have something that keeps complexions well-balanced and properly hydrated.” 

When asked why this oil isn't more widely used, Caglia told VG it might be because it's not exotic. It comes mainly from Oregon and Northern California. Which of course made me like it even better! 

ROSEHIP SEED OIL

first spotted in Pai Rosehip Oil
All the beauty girls I know are obessed with Pai. I have never gotten the obsession, but jumped on board when I discovered that The Ordinary had it's own version under $10.  I love and trust The Ordinary because they deliver exceptional products. So just by having it in their line, I was pretty sold on it.  Just in case that's not enough for you, here's what Into the Gloss has to say, 

Think of rosehip as the Jan to rose’s Marcia: Rose gets all the attention, but rosehip is lowkey great at everything, and a little less showy about it. Sprung from the same flower, a rosehip is a tiny red fruit that is left when the petals of a wild rose fall off, and there it hangs until it is pressed into an elixir known to us as rosehip seed oil. It is amazing for all skin types, is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and packed with insane amounts of antioxidants and vitamin C.

BLUE TANSY

first spotted in Herbivore Lapis Oil, May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon, getting waxed


 Blue Tansy is a naturally occurring anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, calming, healing ingredient. The distinctive smell, like honey-sweetened earl grey tea, is delicious and calming. Known for its incredibly vivid blue tint (which also helps cancel out redness!) it  contains compounds which block inflammatory response, plus high concentrations of anti-oxidants. Most of all, it is known for its ability to soother skin, hence it's inclusion in after-waxing treatments. Kristi Blustein, of organic skincare line KHUS+KHUS, told The Coveuteur, 


“It has strong antioxidant properties and is highly anti-inflammatory, so it works the same way that most chamomiles work in the body. It relaxes the nervous system, and it is very aromatic [so it] helps regulate hormones in the endocrine system, which is super important. When our endocrine system is jacked up, it causes oxidized stress within the body, which then starts the inflammatory response within the body.“Blue Tansy definitely has a relaxing effect, so you might want to use it at night, but I don’t see any problems using it during the day because really, what you are trying to do is relax the nervous system. I think all of us can use that any time of the day—it’s not going to make you sleepy. 
Eczema, as well as psoriasis, is a metabolic issue—an internal issue that is going on in the bloodstream. [Blue tansy] regenerates liver cells and assist[s] in detoxifying the body, so it is definitely going to take effect on inflammation, which is generally what eczema and psoriasis is. It is manifested inflammation within the body.”

If you want to read the science stuff on this, there's a great explanation here. 

 So that's it. The recipe, what inspired it. I was anxious to make my own blend but it turns out it is incredibly easy (so far!) and definitely much more cost effective than some of the other options out there. And yes, I did smudge it with Sage also, because why not, it can't hurt! Just a little something for good energy and intention. 

 Do you ever blend your own oils? Is there anything else I should add into this? Do you guys like this kind of stuff? Let me know!