Gamechanging Solar-Infused Herbal Facial Oil

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When I call this a GAMECHANGING solar-infused herbal facial oil...I mean it! You just can't beat the feeling of a lovely light oil paired with fragrant and carefully selected herbs. As I work hard to come up with new ways to keep my personal products nontoxic and natural, this herbal project was both fun and inspiring. We see two hundred step skincare routines constantly online where every component of it is packed full of questionable ingredients. My goal is to create products for myself that yield the same results while I also feel comfortable and confident in the ingredients I have chosen in them!

Infusing my own herbal oils gives me so much control over what I am creating! I love being an active participant in every part of the creation process. Today I am going to share how to do a solar infusion, but of course, you can choose to go for the crockpot infusion method as well.

a photo from above of herbs infusing in oil in a glass jar. rose petals are all around.

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Disclaimer: This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of individual medical care.

a woman preparing to strain off her herbal facial oil

What is solar-infused oil?

Solar-infused oils are easy to create at home and are minimal effort. You simply cover dried herbs with an oil of your choice, cover the jar, label it with all contents and a date, and allow it to sit in a window with good sunlight coming in for 4-6 weeks before straining and using either as is or in a natural DIY beauty product!

Basic herbalism tip for beginner home herbalists:

Be sure your herbs are FULLY covered in oil! I use a butter knife, chopstick, or spoon to ensure there are no air pockets in the mixture as it can cause the infusion to go bad! Safety is key!

What are the BEST herbs to infuse in oil for skin?

Whenever you are creating a DIY natural beauty product that includes herbs, it is imperative to do some research beforehand! Every herb has different properties, some of which will enhance your soon-to-be product or could be potentially harmful.

Today, our solar-infused herbal facial oil will contain four herbs:

Rose (Rosa Centifolia)
Calendula (Calendula Officinalis)
Lavender (Lavender Angustfolia)
Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla)

Rose (Rosa Centifolia) Known for its astringent properties, rose is perfect for supporting your skin when it comes to dry skin, acne, redness, and irritation. Roses have lovely skin-toning qualities and a gorgeous scent.

Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) has antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Lavender (Lavender Angustifolia) has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla) has antioxidant properties and is believed to support in reducing signs of aging.

four herbs in a mortar next to a white tea towel

Join me over on Instagram!
Follow me on I nstagram and show me your solar-infusions! Tag me in your post or story so I can see your solar infusion! Also, use the hashtag #tulipsandtwill so others can check out your post too!

What oil should I use for a solar infusion?

Just like when choosing herbs, your selection of oil is very important! There are so many options and it is important to consider the properties of each oil. Today, my herbal facial oil will use a jojoba oil base. Other options I would suggest are grapeseed oil or sweet almond oil!

When making solar infusions in general (let alone facial or body oils) you need to use an oil that will remain in its liquid state. Coconut oil will not work for this DIY as it hardens into a solid even after it is melted! You will also be storing this facial oil in a dropper bottle so keeping it a liquid is a must!!

four jars of herbs seen from above with no lids on.

Why use jojoba oil on your face?

Jojoba oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties which can ease redness and is believed to support your skin when eczema or other acne may be present. It has a lovely feel and you only need a small amount when applying it!

Can you leave jojoba oil on your face overnight?

Yes, jojoba oil can be left on your skin overnight without fear of clogging your pores or causing any acne/skin issues. I use jojoba oil for any and all-natural beauty DIY projects!

Tips for creating solar infusions:

Always be sure to use properly sterilized equipment.
As stated above, you want to ensure your herbs are FULLY covered in your oil! No air pockets or herbs clinging to the sides of the glass.
Before starting, be sure to find a sunny window that will keep the jar safe for 4-6 weeks. This means you need to select a window in an area where children and animals will not knock it over and shatter your jar!
Check the jar after straining off the oil. Be sure there is no debris left in it from the dried herbs. You may need to strain it again!
Squeeze the herbs after the oil has drained out! There is probably more oil left in the mix and there's no need to waste it.
When writing your label, be sure to include the following: herbs used, the date, and what its intended use is. As the weeks pass, it's very easy to forget what is in that jar or it may be confused with other works in progress.

herbs are in cheesecloth sitting inside a mesh strainer over a glass jar. the oil is dripping out.

What you need to create a Solar-Infused Herbal Facial Oil

2 glass jars: one with a lid (pint size or smaller.)
Measuring spoon for 1 tbsp.
Liquid measuring cup.
Funnel.
Glass dropper bottle.
Butter knife OR chopstick OR spoon.
Cheesecloth.
Mesh strainer.
Pen and label (can be a sticker or scrap of paper with a piece of tape) OR label maker.

from left to right: a glass jar with a lid, an amber glass dropper bottle, a measuring spoon, and a funnel.

from left to right: a mesh strainer, cheesecloth, amber glass dropper bottle, a glass jar, a funnel, and the jar's lid.

Ingredients

4 tablespoon of herbs of choice: rose, chamomile, lavender, and calendula.
½ cup oil of choice: jojoba oil.

Step-by-Step Solar-Infused Herbal Facial Oil!

1.) Measure out your herbs and oil. You will need 1 tablespoon of rose, chamomile, lavender, and calendula along with ½ cup jojoba oil.

preparing the needed items for the solar infusion

2.) Fill your sterilized jar with your 4 oz of herbs.

measuring out and transferring the herbs into the jar

3.) Cover your herbs with your jojoba oil. Use your knife, chopstick, or spoon to ensure there are no air pockets! Get it all covered up nicely!

using a knife to be sure the herbs are fully covered in oil

close up of the lovely herbs in the jojoba oil

4.) Cover your jar with a lid.

5.) Label your jar with the contents and date. I'm using a small scrap of paper, pen, and piece of tape to put on the lid!

writing on a label for the solar infusion

6.) Allow this to sit in a sunny window for 4-6 weeks. Occasionally shake or swirl it around gently. Your solar-infused facial oil will be ready to strain and use before you know it!

7.) After 4-6 weeks, it is ready to strain. Using a mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth, filter your herbs out of the oil over a sterilized glass jar. Squeeze any remaining oil out of the herbs in the cheesecloth so none is wasted. Repeat as necessary so there is no debris left in the oil.

a woman straining off the solar infusion to collect the oil

squeezing out the last drops of oil from the dried herbs

8.) Use your funnel to transfer the oil into an amber glass dropper bottle and label it with the date, what it is, and the ingredients. It is ready to be used!

pouring the finished herbal facial oil into an amber glass dropper bottle.

a labelled amber glass dropper bottle rests on top of a white tea towel with dried rose petals around it

Notes

Disclaimer: This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of individual medical care.
Oils to consider for this project: jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, or sweet almond oil.
Always be sure to use properly sterilized equipment.
You want to ensure your herbs are FULLY covered in your oil! No air pockets or herbs clinging to the sides of the glass.
Before starting, be sure to find a sunny window that will keep the jar safe for 4-6 weeks. This means you need to select a window in an area where children and animals will not knock it over and shatter your jar!
Check the oil after straining it. If there is any debris from dried herbs remaining in it, you need to strain it again!
Squeeze the dried herbs out before you are done. There may be more oil left in them and there's no need to waste it!
When writing your label, be sure to include the following: herbs used, the date, and what its intended use is. As the weeks pass, it's very easy to forget what is in that jar or it may be confused with other works in progress.

More Herbal Projects and Natural Beauty

What herbs and oil will you be choosing for your solar-infused herbal facial oil?
Leave a comment below and inspire others!