How to Make a Winter Botanical Facial Oil

16 minute read

Continuing with our winter series, today we have a simple yet effective and amazing formulation for you all. Winter skin isn't just dry—it's stressed and crying out for deep nourishment that only nature can provide. When cold winds strip away your skin's natural protective barrier, your complexion needs more than basic moisturising. It needs conditioning.

This carefully crafted winter oil blend combines botanical infusions with premium carrier oils. The result? A formula that doesn't just moisturise winter skin—it transforms it. The inclusion of frankincense, rose geranium, and sweet marjoram creates an aromatherapeutic experience that nurtures both skin and spirit during the colder months.

A Note on Timing: This formulation requires patience and planning. The infused oils need 2-3 weeks of maceration to extract their full potential. Once you've created these precious botanical infusions, they become your skincare treasure chest—ready to transform any formulation. Think of this as an investment in your long-term skin health journey.

Ingredients & Percentages

Infused Carrier Oils

Essential Oils

Total: 100%

Step-by-Step Formulation Process

Equipment Needed

For Oil Infusions (prepare 2-3 weeks ahead):

• Clean glass jars with tight-fitting lids

• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth

• Digital scale

• Dried Chamomile flowers

• Dried Calendula petals

• Sweet Almond Oil

• Jojoba Oil

• Labels for dating

For Final Formulation:

• Clean glass beaker or measuring jug

• Glass stirring rod

• Digital scale (accurate to 0.1g)

• Dark glass bottles with serum pumps

• Labels

• Sanitising solution

Method

Phase 1: Creating Your Botanical Infusions (2-3 weeks before formulating)

Step 1: Prepare Chamomile Infused Sweet Almond Oil

Using a 1:10 ratio, combine 10g dried chamomile flowers with 100ml sweet almond oil in a clean glass jar. Seal tightly and label with the date. Place in a dark, dry cupboard away from heat or sunlight.

Step 2: Prepare Calendula Infused Jojoba Oil

Using the same 1:10 ratio, combine 10g dried calendula petals with 100ml jojoba oil in a separate glass jar. Seal, label, and store alongside your chamomile infusion.

Step 3: The Maceration Process

Allow both infusions to macerate for 2-3 weeks in their dark storage space. Gently shake the jars every few days to encourage extraction. The oils will gradually take on the colours and beneficial properties of the botanicals. Chamomile creates a golden hue while calendula develops a beautiful amber tone.

Step 4: Straining Your Liquid Gold

After 2-3 weeks, strain both infusions through fine cheesecloth or a mesh strainer. Press the plant material gently to extract every precious drop. Your infused oils are now ready to become the foundation of your winter blend.

Phase 2: Creating Your Winter Conditioning Blend

Step 5: Prepare Your Workspace

Thoroughly sanitise all equipment and work surfaces. The beneficial properties of your botanical infusions deserve a pristine environment to maintain their potency.

Step 6: Measure Infused Oils

Using your digital scale, carefully measure the star players of this blend:

• Start with the chamomile-infused sweet almond oil (30%)

• Add the calendula-infused jojoba oil (30%)

• These precious infused oils form the conditioning foundation of your blend

Step 7: Add Supporting Carrier Oils

Incorporate the supporting oils:

• Macadamia seed oil (15%)

• Argan oil (15%)

• Castor oil (2%)

Step 8: Incorporate Vitamin E

Add the vitamin E to help preserve the precious botanical compounds and provide additional antioxidant protection.

Step 9: Essential Oil Symphony

Carefully measure and add essential oils in this precise order:

• Frankincense (base note) - the grounding anchor

• Rose geranium (middle note) - the heart of the blend

• Sweet marjoram (top note) - the gentle finishing touch

Stir with intention, knowing you're creating something special.

Step 10: Final Integration & Bottling

Give the mixture gentle, purposeful stirring to marry all elements. Transfer to dark glass bottles, leaving minimal headspace.

The Waiting Period: Why Your Oil Needs Time

Your freshly blended oil isn't quite ready yet. Store it in a cool, dark place for 48-72 hours before first use. During this time, the botanical compounds from your infused oils integrate with the essential oils, creating a more balanced and effective blend.

This maturation period allows the frankincense to develop its full woody depth. The rose geranium settles into a balanced floral note. The sweet marjoram distributes its comforting warmth throughout the oil. The final product will be noticeably more harmonious than when first mixed.

Storage and Longevity

Your handcrafted oil deserves proper care to maintain its beneficial properties. Store in dark glass bottles away from heat and light. The vitamin E and natural antioxidants from the infused oils help prevent rancidity. However, correct storage is essential for maintaining potency.

When stored properly, expect 12-18 months of shelf life. The scent may continue to develop and become more complex over time. Watch for any off smells, colour changes, or sticky texture as signs that your oil needs replacing. A fresh, well-stored oil should smell pleasant and feel smooth on the skin.

Understanding Your Ingredients: Why This Formula Works

Creating an effective winter oil means understanding how each ingredient contributes to the final product. Each oil has been carefully selected not just for individual benefits, but for how well they work together to support winter-stressed skin.

The Conditioning Foundation: Infused Oils

Chamomile Infused Sweet Almond Oil forms 30% of this blend. It brings powerful skin-conditioning benefits. The infusion process extracts chamomile's key compounds—chamazulene and bisabolol. These give the oil its golden colour and skin-soothing properties. Sweet almond oil's natural vitamin E content helps preserve these delicate compounds while providing light, easily absorbed moisture.

This 30% concentration ensures you're getting meaningful levels of chamomile's soothing compounds. This goes beyond basic moisturising—it actively helps condition winter-stressed, irritated skin. The combination of sweet almond oil's moisturising properties with chamomile's calming action makes it particularly effective for red, sensitive, or weather-damaged skin.

Calendula Infused Jojoba Oil at 30% brings time-tested conditioning power to the formula. Calendula has been used for over 1,000 years to condition and improve skin appearance. The infusion concentrates calendula's beneficial compounds—triterpenes, flavonoids, and carotenoids—that help support healthy-looking skin.

Jojoba oil's unique structure closely mimics human skin oils. This makes it an excellent carrier for calendula's conditioning compounds. This combination delivers benefits in a way your skin readily accepts and uses.

The Supporting Oils

Macadamia Seed Oil at 15% is particularly beneficial for mature skin. This oil contains the highest concentration of palmitoleic acid found in plant oils. This is a fatty acid that's naturally abundant in young skin but decreases as we age. Including macadamia oil helps maintain skin flexibility and can improve the appearance of fine lines that winter weather often makes more noticeable.

Argan Oil at 15% brings centuries of proven beauty benefits. This Moroccan oil contains a well-balanced mix of oleic and linoleic acids, making it suitable for most skin types. Its high vitamin E content works with the added vitamin E to create strong antioxidant protection against environmental damage. It also supports the conditioning properties of the infused oils.

Castor Oil makes up just 2% of the blend, but its role is important. This thicker oil acts as a protective barrier. It helps lock in the beneficial properties of the other oils while providing gentle protection against moisture loss. It's what makes the difference between oils that just sit on the skin's surface and those that provide lasting protection.

The Essential Oil Blend

The essential oils transform this formula from basic skincare into an aromatherapeutic experience.

Frankincense Essential Oil at 0.6% provides the grounding base for this blend. Used for over 4,000 years, frankincense is known for supporting skin appearance and creating a sense of calm. Its woody, resinous scent helps signal relaxation time. Its beneficial compounds provide natural conditioning benefits that complement the infused oils' properties.

Rose Geranium Essential Oil at 0.30% combines the benefits of rose and geranium. This floral oil helps balance both skin and emotions. It's particularly good for skin that's either too oily or too dry, helping restore natural balance. Its uplifting yet calming scent provides emotional support during challenging winter months.

Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil at 0.1% adds the finishing touch. This warm, herbaceous oil has natural calming properties that soothe both skin and stressed nerves. Its comforting scent creates a sense of being cared for—exactly what winter-stressed skin and spirits need.

How This Formula Works

This formulation addresses winter skin challenges through multiple mechanisms. The infused oils provide active botanical compounds that condition skin and strengthen the skin barrier. The carrier oil blend creates a fatty acid profile that closely matches healthy skin composition while providing extra nourishment where needed.

The different molecular weights of these oils work in layers. Lighter molecules from jojoba and sweet almond penetrate first, carrying conditioning compounds into the deeper skin layers. Medium-weight oils follow, providing sustained nourishment. Castor oil's larger molecules create a protective barrier at the surface.

The essential oils work both topically and aromatically. Some compounds absorb through the skin to provide direct conditioning benefits. The aromatic compounds help promote relaxation and emotional balance. This dual action supports both physical skin health and overall wellbeing.

Customising Your Formula

Understanding what each ingredient does allows you to modify the formula for your specific needs. If you have particularly sensitive skin, consider reducing the essential oil amounts by half while keeping the same ratios. For very dry skin conditions, you might increase the calendula-infused jojoba oil by 5% and reduce the chamomile-infused sweet almond oil by the same amount.

The essential oil blend can be adjusted for different goals. For enhanced skin conditioning, increase the frankincense to 0.8%. For emotional balance support, increase the rose geranium to 0.4%. For maximum calming effects, increase the sweet marjoram to 0.15%. Always respect the dermal safety limits shown in the formula and keep total essential oil percentage under 1% for facial use.

How to Use Your Winter Oil

Using your winter oil should be a pleasant part of your daily routine. After cleansing, while your skin is still slightly damp, warm 3-4 drops between your palms to activate the scent and improve spreadability. Take a moment to breathe in the aroma—this is where the aromatherapy benefits begin.

Apply the oil using gentle upward strokes, starting from your neck and working toward your forehead. Press the oil gently into your skin rather than rubbing vigorously. The damp skin helps with absorption while sealing in moisture. The aromatic experience becomes a calming part of your routine.

Allow 10-15 minutes for full absorption. This is a perfect time for deep breathing or gentle facial massage. This isn't just skincare—it's a daily practice of self-care that supports both your skin health and overall wellbeing.

The Value of Making Your Own

Creating your own winter oil connects you to traditional plant-based skincare while giving you control over every ingredient that touches your skin. This approach lets you understand exactly what your skin needs and adjust accordingly.

Each time you use this oil, you're benefiting from the conditioning properties of chamomile and calendula. You're experiencing the protective qualities of frankincense, the balancing effects of rose geranium, and the comforting nature of sweet marjoram. You're creating a moment of calm in your day while giving your skin the botanical support it needs to thrive through winter.

Have you experimented with infused oils in your formulations before? The process might seem lengthy, but the results are truly worth the wait. Your skin will thank you for the extra care and attention to detail.

Ready to start your winter oil journey? Explore our range of premium carrier oils and essential oils to create your own botanical masterpiece, here at Craft360. Share your experiences with us—we'd love to hear how this formula works for your skin type!