Mixing Oils with Essential Oils

Hello! Thank you for your question and for sharing your formula.

Based on your formula and the staff's reply, mixing Grapeseed Oil, Rose Hip Oil, Lavender Oil, Geranium Oil, and Frankincense Oil is perfectly fine. As the staff mentioned, since your formula contains only oils and no water, you do not need to add any preservatives to prevent microbial growth.

Shelf Life and Storage

Regarding shelf life and storage temperature without preservatives: While preservatives are not needed for microbial reasons in an oil-only blend, oils can still oxidize and go rancid over time, especially when exposed to air, light, and heat. The shelf life of your blend will primarily depend on the shelf life of the carrier oils you used, particularly Rose Hip Oil, which is more prone to oxidation than Grapeseed Oil. Generally, oil blends stored properly can last for several months to a year. To maximize the shelf life, store your blend in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat, in an airtight container. Refrigeration can further extend the life of delicate oils like Rose Hip Oil, although it might cause some changes in texture.

Essential Oil Concentration and Skin Irritation

The staff also raised an important point about the concentration of essential oils in your formula and the potential for skin irritation, especially given your combination, acne-prone skin and the fact that you are breastfeeding. While you are aiming for a 100% natural product, essential oils are very potent and require careful dilution, particularly for facial application and sensitive skin. Your formula uses 6 drops of essential oils in 30ml of carrier oil, which is roughly a 1% dilution. While 1% is often considered acceptable for facial use, for sensitive or acne-prone skin, or during pregnancy/breastfeeding, a lower concentration (e.g., 0.5%) is often recommended to minimize the risk of irritation.

We strongly recommend starting with a lower concentration of essential oils or performing a patch test on a small area of skin before applying the blend to your face, especially given the staff's concern. Pay close attention to how your skin reacts.