Have you ever wondered how to elevate your skincare routine naturally? By creating your own cannabis-infused serum, you can unlock the powerful benefits of cannabis for radiant, healthy skin. This guide will walk you through the steps to craft a customized serum that nourishes and revitalizes, leaving you with a glowing complexion.

Why You Will Love This Guide

If you’ve been steering clear of oils in your skincare regimen, it might be time to rethink that approach.

As someone who battled acne for years, I was hesitant too. But here’s the truth—properly chosen oils can work wonders for your skin, including acne-prone types.

And if you’re exploring cannabis as part of your holistic self-care, why not give your skin the same mindful attention?

With this guide, I’ll show you how to craft your very own CBD-infused DIY face serum.

Why Oils (and Cannabis) Are Game-Changers for Skin

First, a common skincare myth needs debunking—drying your skin out doesn’t prevent acne.

It actually does the opposite, prompting your skin to overproduce oil to compensate. The result? More breakouts!

Oils are essential for cleansing, repairing, and protecting your skin’s barrier.

Even better, cannabis-infused carrier oils take these benefits to the next level.

Cannabinoids like CBD bring anti-inflammatory and healing properties, making them excellent allies for calming irritation, acne, or redness.

Whether you’re trying to soothe stressed skin or enhance your glow, a homemade cannabis-infused oil can become your go-to skin elixir.

A picture of a candle and a leaf.

Choosing Your Carrier Oils

At the base of every effective serum is a high-quality carrier oil (or a blend of oils). Your skin type will dictate which ones to use.

Here’s my breakdown of some versatile options, including how CBD oil fits beautifully into the mix.

  • Jojoba Oil (Great for All Skin Types): Think of this as the skin’s best friend. It mimics skin’s natural sebum, creating a protective barrier without clogging pores. It’s excellent for balancing oil production—a must-have in a cannabis-infused serum.
  • Grapeseed Oil (Perfect for Oily Skin): A lightweight oil with a slightly astringent property that tones and tightens, making it great for acne-prone faces.
  • Rose Hip Oil (For Scars and Anti-Aging): Rich in vitamins A and C, rose hip oil repairs skin damage, smooths scars, and reduces fine lines.
  • Sesame Oil (Ideal for Breakouts): This oil naturally pulls impurities and soothes inflamed skin—a natural complement to CBD’s calming properties.
  • Avocado Oil (Ultra-Nourishing for Dry Skin): Loaded with fatty acids, perfect for hydration and repairing sun-damaged or aging skin.
A picture of Emily Kyles CBD oil.

Adding Essential Oils to Customize

Essential oils bring potent skincare benefits and heavenly scents to the mix. Just remember, a little goes a long way!

Here’s a list of essential oils that pair well with cannabis for glowing, healthy skin.

  • Tea Tree Oil (Acne Control): A classic for fighting breakouts. Use sparingly (5 drops per ounce of carrier oils) to keep irritation under check.
  • Lavender Oil (Calming & Healing): Great for soothing scars and blemishes while delivering a mellow aroma to your serum.
  • Ylang Ylang Oil (Hydration & Repair): Perfect for stressed or sensitive skin, it helps balance oil levels.
  • Rosemary Oil (Anti-Aging): Promotes skin elasticity, fights acne, and reduces puffiness.
  • Carrot Seed Oil (Eczema & Anti-Aging): A powerhouse for aging or sensitive skin with its rich antioxidant properties.
A picture of Emily Kyles CBD oil.

How Cannabis Enhances Your Serum

Infusing your carrier oil with cannabis unlocks CBD (or THC, depending on your needs), which is known for its anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and healing capabilities.

Whether tackling fine lines, redness, or breakouts, cannabis oil is nature’s way of elevating your skincare game.

A picture of Emily Kyles CBD oil.

The Ultimate DIY CBD-Infused Face Serum Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Creating your custom serum is as easy as 1-2-3. You’ll infuse a chosen carrier oil with cannabis, blend it with essential oils, and store it for daily use.
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 bottle

Ingredients  

  • 1 ounce carrier oil of choice e.g., jojoba or a blend
  • 5 mL CBD oil
  • 5 drops 5-10 drops of essential oil e.g., lavender or tea tree
  • 5 drops Vitamin E oil optionafor extra nourishment

Instructions 

  • In a small jar, combine the carrier oil and CBD oil. Stir well.
  • Add your essential oil(s) and a touch of Vitamin E oil, if desired. Stir well.
  • Pour your oil into your dark glass bottle using a funnel.
  • Gently shake for 30 seconds to combine the oils.
  • Store your serum in a cool, dark place to maximize its shelf life (approximately 6-12 months).
  • When ready to use: After cleansing, apply a few drops of your serum to damp skin for better absorption. Massage gently into your face or target specific problem areas.

Additional Info

Course: How-To
Cuisine: Topical Recipe
Did you make this recipe or have a question?Join hundreds of members inside private Well With Cannabis Community for help, support, and to share your edible creations!

Final Thoughts

Infusing your skincare routine with cannabis is a simple, customizable process that amplifies your self-care ritual.

By blending high-quality oils with cannabis’s natural healing properties, you can craft a serum that deeply nourishes, protects, and revitalizes your skin.

Remember, the best way to discover what works for you is to experiment and adjust as needed.

Whether you’re battling acne or just want that coveted glow, this serum can help transform your skin.

What oils or essential oils are you most excited to try? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear about your creations! And if there’s anything you’re unsure about, I’m here to help.

More Topical Recipes To Try

 

About Emily

Hi, I’m Emily Kyle and I teach people just like you how to use cannabis to find joy, enhance productivity, improve relationships, and naturally support your overall health and wellness.

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66 Comments

  1. I have a desire to learn how to make my own serums.. facial and body creams.. I have noticed there is a carrier oil.. What is a carrier oil for.. what does it do and does it need it to make it work?

  2. I have dry skin sensitive skin what carrier oil would you suggest using?

    My daughter has acne and I’m trying to find something that will help with moister, clear up spots and irritation. Could you please give me some suggestions

  3. Hi I am acnes prone and I am hoping mixing jojoba and sesame oil for my skin, while I use sesame oil and rosemary esencial oil on my face as a serum,is it ok to do that?

  4. This post is just amazing! I’m going to make it tonight and I was just wondering what’s the shelf life of the serums… I’m just in love with your blog!
    Regards from Brasil!

  5. Can I use jojoba and sweet almond oil as the carrier oils and tea tree and lemon oil as the essential oils for making the anti acne face serum for combination skin

  6. Thank you so much for your articles on treating acne. If I wanted to use multiple essential oils in a carrier oil, do you have to increase the amount of carrier? Example: If you were to use Rosemary & Tea Tree, would you put 5 drops of each to 1 oz carrier? or 2 oz carrier?

  7. I am 58 I want to try natural products my skin is dry I would like to know the right oils combination for to treat my skin

  8. I’m almost 50, and would to know what combination of oils would be the best for wrinkles, aging, etc. I would really like to avoid getting any more Botox and go natural. I have combination skin.

  9. Hi Kylie
    I always hated when a young person tries to sell me something for my skin — not having been there etc but….
    I am just about to turn 62 and I still have the oily skin I had as a teenager sans the acne (at least that has ceased)
    I was always foregoing the moisturizing part of my daily routine because I thought that my oil was enough — and when I would be told to wear moisturizer,I would find that I was right — I was so oily that my makeup would not last half the day BUT… I just started to use organic moisturizer and serum and am very pleased with them. It had sounded counterproductive but with time I saw a change in my old skin so….
    With that said you’ve got a great thing going at an early age so go for it
    Unfortunately I live in a northern town in Canada and it’s harder to get the ‘organic’ skin care but I’m sure I’ll find it
    Good luck!!!!

  10. Hi, many thanks for all the wonderful and useful information. It has been lovely reading and trying to understand how and when to use essential oils. I wonder if I can ask for advice and information please. I am 59 and have psoriasis my skin is sensitive and prone to flare ups, but when a I found you via Pinterest your appeared so knowledgable and passionate that I continued reading right to the end! I really want to try the face serum and would like to use it at night so it can soak into my skin throughout the night. Would jojoba oil, lavender, frankincense and myrrh be okto use together as a face serum. Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to pass on your information.

    Kalli J from the UK

  11. Hi! Thank you so much for this wonderful article. Recently I am in a country where sun is always out whole year. Now my face have blemishes due to over exposure of sun. My skin is neither too dry nor too oily, though the weather is very humid. I am thirty plus and wish have glowy and young skin. I would really appreciate if you could suggest any serum or essential oil. Will it be fine if I apply oil on my face during the time I am exposed to the sun. So sorry for the trouble. Thank you so much.

  12. Hey, thanks for all the great info. I am going to try this ASAP. I have a few questions: I started using aple cider vinegar as a toner and I don’t know if I should use it before or after or at all with the serum? If I use it after, you said your face needs to be damp to apply the serum, so if it’s damp from the toner is that okay?..

  13. Yay! I wanted to make a night moisturizer , but am thinking a serum might be better. Would you put this on before or after a toner? (I’m using an ACV toner)

  14. I just stumbled upon this post via pinterest. I just started making my own facial serums and was thinking about doing a blog post about them as well. Thanks for lots of inspo! Also your blog is absolutely gorgeous. I love that you have an integrated shopping cart as well!

  15. Hi Kylie,
    Thank you for such fabulous information! and your blog is GORGEOUS. As a brand-new blogger, I’m completely inspired to keep working in hopes to be as wonderful as Everblossom someday!
    I just wrote a post about my personal face serum recipe, and linked to your blog – haven’t published it yet, but wanted to check in first. I’m all about women supporting women (not stealing or competing!!) so let me know if you’d rather I didn’t reference your blog and I will absolutely remove that part! 🙂
    Thank you again – keep on rocking!!!!
    Eliza
    Happy Wife, Creative Life

  16. Wow!! I’m so glad I found your site!!! for I have been looking for simple understandable explanations and instructions! I’m glad to say I finally found you!!! YAY!!!
    I’ve been doing my own Natural beauty products for a while and I am always looking to improve. You have wonderful information! Thank so much for sharing!! Maria

  17. Hello! I love you post and will like to give it a try. I have acne and very oily skin. I purchased jojoba oil, sesame seed, lavender and TTO to make the serum! How should I mix them? Thanks!!

    1. Yharis, I’m so glad you are going to give oil-based skincare a try! I would start with 1/2 ounce each of jojoba and sesame, and 6 drops each of lavender and tea tree. That will give you a wonderful acne-fighting serum.

  18. I had a question about the serum. You said to apply it to a damp face, does that mean you don’t wash it off? Does it stay on overnight? Sorry I’m new to this :/

  19. thanks so much, I’ve had great success using the OCM. Do you have any tips for making such cute labels that aren’t ruined by the oil/water? Thanks!

  20. When mixing the two oils do you do equal amounts of each? I went and bought tea tree oi today after reading the post about using it for acne and then I checked out this post about making the serum and I definitely want to try it! I have been trying to find a way to get my acne under control for ages and hate paying the high prices for acne treatments lol time to try making my own!

    1. You want about a 2-3 percent dilution for skincare, so use about 12 drops of tea tree oil per ounce of carrier oil. 🙂

  21. so to make the serum, you mix the essential oils with the carrier oils? I recently started a new birth control and I think with the hormone change it is causing me to break out, I have 2 spots which are I believe cystic acne and they hurt! My skin is super sensitive and the slightest things seem to make me break out. What would you recommend? I currently use cliniques 3 step stystem and makeup but I’m not sure if the toner is making my face worse. Any and all advice is very much appreciated!

    1. Eeek! Hormones can throw everything off. I think as your body adjusts, your skin will too. In the meantime use super-gentle oils on your skin, since it’s irritated. I would be using jojoba oil and lavender in your situation.

  22. This is all amazing info, so thank you so much! I have a question about applying the serum: after applying to a damp face do you wash the oil off? And how many drops did you apply? Thank you!

  23. I use the oil cleansing method to wash my face every evening. I love it but also want to add an anti aging facial serum like you mentioned. Can I add the serum to my face after already cleansing it with oil? Will that be too much oil do you think? Thank you! 😉

    1. It might be too much ~ just go by how your skin feels. The oil should soak into your skin, not sit on top of it.

  24. I was wondering if you could explain the benefits of using coconut (fractionated) oil and EV olive oil as bases? I’m not asking about mixing them together, just each one. In the comments of your tea tree acne post, you mention that the olive oil could be used for a serum. I also already have the coconut oil on hand for uses with EO’s. Looking forward to your reply, thank you!

    1. I actually found my answers on a link at the bottom of your page from Scratch Mommy on how to choose carrier oils

  25. Wow! I really want to try the jojoba oil and the tea tree oil if that is a combination that can be used. I have seen the sesame oil and some fragrance used before. I recommend trying 1 drop of rose oil, to 2 drops of sandalwood oil, 2 drops of Frankincense oil (used by Kings) and 1 oz of avocado oil. I found the recipe on: homemademommy.net.

    Also i sell my very own serum, Lotus Firming Serum made from real Lotus flower and i mix vitamins a, c, e and CoQ10, Lycopene from Israel’s tomatoes and the all famous and amazing Grape Seed oil, and tasty Green Tea. I thought you might like to check it out at: Lotus Firming Serum . This would be a great add on to your skincare tool-belt. Much love, and thank you for taking the time to share your heart and your knowledge. Be blessed : )

  26. Thank-you so much for this information. I’ve made my own serum with jojoba, grapeseed, and eucalyptus. So far, it is great! How often do you use face serum? What is your daily skin care routine? (e.g. do you use/how often do you use moisturizer, soap, serum?) I don’t want to over-do it. Also, do you have any suggestions for natural sunscreen? I have acne prone, oily skin and all suncreens aggravate it. Thanks again!

    1. I use it morning and night! Sometimes midday as well, especially in the winter when the air is really dry.

      I don’t use sunscreen, because I live in ND and need all the vitamin D I can get, but some of my crunchy friends swear by Shea butter. 🙂

  27. What blend do you recommend for acne? I also have oily skin, so I don’t want something that will leave my face feeling even oilier. Thanks!

  28. This is the first time I am trying Made from Earth products. It has been about three weeks and I am happy to notice the improvement of my skin. It feels firmer and more supple. I use the Made from Earth Vitamin Moisturizer and Vitamin Firming Serum.

    I also notice that my face is not as oily as I have combination skin. I am excited to try the Green Tea Cleanser next !

  29. Hi Kylie! I saw this link on Pinterest and I bought Avocado oil and Carrot Seed for my essential oil. I was curious how many drops you’d put in of the carrot seed per one ounce of the avocado oil? Thanks!

  30. This is such a great thing, lovin it! I am featuring you at my party this week, grab a button if you want:) It will be up in a few:))

  31. Thanks for all the info!! I absolutely LOVE ylang ylang!! 🙂

    Thanks for popping over and commenting on my super easy pineapple slicing method…! am so glad I figured that out before – happy to have helped!!

  32. I never realized carrier oils have useful properties too! That’s really cool. I’ve also never heard of rosemary essential oil but I think now I need to have some. Rosemary is my favorite herb, it smells so amazing!