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Anti-Aging Oil Serum
Anti-Aging Oil Serum: Recipe and How to Pair It with Peptides
An anti-aging oil serum is a blend of plant oils used to soften skin, slow water loss and give a smooth, glowing finish. Oils do not carry water-based actives such as peptides, so the most effective routine pairs a peptide serum, applied first, with an oil serum on top. This page gives you a formulator's oil serum recipe and the two Skin Perfection peptide products that layer under it.
The Peptide Products to Layer Under Your Oil
Expression Line Deep Wrinkle Serum
Choose Expression Line Deep Wrinkle Serum for the look of forehead lines, the 11s between the brows and smile lines. Its ingredient list is hyaluronic acid, Snap-8, Argireline, Matrixyl 3000, Syn-Ake, Syn-Coll, Renovage, Spin Trap and a radish root ferment preservative. It is oil free, so it sits well under a face oil.
Eye Bright Argireline Cream
Choose Eye Bright Argireline Cream for crow's feet and the look of tired eyes. Its ingredient list includes Argireline, Matrixyl 3000, Pepha Tight, Syn-Coll, Haloxyl, licorice, ginseng and an aloe base. It contains wheat protein, so skip it if you avoid gluten. Keep face oils away from the lash line.
| Product | Key actives (from the ingredient list) | Best for the look of | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expression Line Deep Wrinkle Serum | Snap-8, Argireline, Matrixyl 3000, Syn-Ake, Syn-Coll, Renovage, hyaluronic acid | Forehead lines, 11s, smile lines | 0.5 oz | $46.95 |
| Eye Bright Argireline Cream | Argireline, Matrixyl 3000, Pepha Tight, Syn-Coll, Haloxyl, licorice | Crow's feet, tired-looking eyes | 0.5 oz | $37.95 |
In a placebo-controlled study of 60 adults, an Argireline cream applied around the eyes twice a day for 4 weeks improved the look of crow's feet, and both products above list Argireline.
Formulator's Anti-Aging Oil Serum (30 g, about 1 oz)
| Ingredient | % | Grams |
|---|---|---|
| Jojoba oil | 45% | 13.5 g |
| Rosehip seed oil | 25% | 7.5 g |
| Argan oil | 19% | 5.7 g |
| Evening primrose oil | 10% | 3.0 g |
| Vitamin E (tocopherol), antioxidant | 1% | 0.3 g |
Method: wash and sanitize a glass beaker, mini whisk, funnel and a 1 oz airless bottle with 70% isopropyl alcohol and let them dry. Weigh each oil into the beaker on a digital scale, add the vitamin E last, stir for 30 seconds and funnel into the bottle. No heat is needed. This blend is anhydrous, so it needs no preservative, but keep every drop of water out of the bottle. Vitamin E is used at 1%, the top of its typical 0.5 to 1% range, to slow the oils from going rancid; it is not a preservative.
Variations: for oily skin, replace the argan and evening primrose with more jojoba (74% jojoba, 25% rosehip, 1% vitamin E). For dry or mature skin, swap 10% of the jojoba for olive or avocado oil. Leave out essential oils if your skin is sensitive.
Storage: keep it cool and dark and use it within about 3 months. Discard it if it smells like crayons or paint.
How to Use Them Together
- Cleanse and pat dry.
- Apply 1 to 2 pumps of Expression Line Deep Wrinkle Serum to the face, and a rice-grain amount of Eye Bright around each eye.
- Wait a minute, then press 2 to 4 drops of the oil serum over the face, avoiding the eye area.
- In the morning, finish with sunscreen.
Patch test each product on the inner arm for 24 hours. For more on choosing oils, see our beauty oils guide and oil-based vs water-based serums.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a face oil and a serum?
A serum is usually water based and carries water-soluble actives such as peptides and hyaluronic acid. A face oil is a blend of oils that softens skin and slows water loss, so it goes on after the serum.
Can I add peptides to an oil serum?
Most peptide serum boosters are water based and will not mix into pure oil. Use a peptide serum first, then your oil, or add peptides to a cream base instead.
Does an oil serum need a preservative?
No, as long as it contains only oils and oil-soluble ingredients and no water gets in. Add an antioxidant such as vitamin E to slow the oils from going rancid.
How long does a homemade face oil last?
Plan on about 3 months, stored cool and dark. Oils such as rosehip and evening primrose oxidize faster than jojoba, so smell the blend before each use.
Should I use face oil at night or in the morning?
Either works. Many people prefer night, when a richer finish does not matter, and use fewer drops in the morning under sunscreen.
Sources
- Wang Y, Wang M, Xiao S, et al. The anti-wrinkle efficacy of argireline in Chinese subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2013;14(2):147-153.
- Formula Botanica. The Antioxidant Workbook, 2024 (vitamin E usage range; supplier education data).
- Ingredient lists, sizes and prices: Skin Perfection product pages.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
About the Author
Written by Kari Thomas, cosmetic formulator and founder of Skin Perfection.