Morning Glow Face Oil

After months of heavy winter creams, spring skin needs something lighter—fast-absorbing, nourishing, and fully compatible with daily SPF application. This four-oil morning blend delivers vitamins A, C, E, and omega fatty acids that absorb within five minutes, leaving skin soft, conditioned, and perfectly prepped for sunscreen without residue or delay. Unlike commercial morning serums that rely on silicones for a fast-dry feel, this formula uses naturally fast-absorbing oils that work with your skin rather than sitting on top of it. Even complete beginners can make it in a single step with no heat required.

What This Recipe Helps With

• Daily lightweight conditioning during spring weather transition
• Supporting skin's natural brightness for morning glow
• Preparing skin for makeup and SPF application
• Quick-absorbing morning care for busy daily routines
• Conditioning support before outdoor exposure
• Maintaining skin comfort and hydration throughout the day

Why This Is a Great DIY Recipe

Morning spring skincare demands speed, effectiveness, and zero greasiness—and this blend delivers all three with minimal effort. The four-oil combination absorbs within five minutes, leaving skin conditioned and ready for SPF without any oily residue or wait time. Red palm oil's naturally occurring carotenoids create a brief, subtle warmth that fades completely within 10–15 minutes, making this suitable for all skin tones in the small amount used here. Commercial morning serums often add silicones for a quick-dry effect, then require preservatives and stabilizers that can stress skin during seasonal transitions—this version skips all of that. The formula is highly forgiving and completely beginner-friendly: just combine, whisk, and bottle.

Skill Level: Beginner

Yield: Approximately 90ml (fills one standard dropper or pump bottle—enough for 6–8 weeks of daily morning use)

Why These Ingredients Work Together

Baobab oil's balanced omega fatty acid profile (3-6-9) and natural vitamin C help support skin brightness while its light texture ensures rapid absorption—essential for a morning formula that needs to be ready before SPF. Shea oil delivers concentrated vitamins A and E in a smooth, easily absorbed liquid format that conditions without the weight of shea butter, making it well-suited for daily facial use. Palm kernel oil's medium-chain triglycerides act as the absorption accelerator across the entire blend, ensuring the formula penetrates quickly rather than sitting on the skin's surface. Red palm oil contributes naturally occurring carotenoids that add antioxidant conditioning and a brief subtle warmth that fades completely within 10–15 minutes. Together, they address morning skin preparation from multiple angles—brightness support, conditioning, and rapid absorption—simultaneously in a single five-minute step.

Hero Ingredient Benefits

Baobab Oil: The hero of this formula—fast-absorbing and naturally rich in vitamin C and omega 3-6-9 fatty acids. Its exceptionally light texture makes it ideal for morning use, absorbing quickly without leaving residue under SPF or makeup.

Shea Oil: The liquid form of shea butter with high unsaponifiable content that delivers vitamins A and E in a smooth, easily absorbed format. Provides deep conditioning without the heavier texture of shea butter, making it well-suited for morning facial application.

Palm Kernel Oil: Rich in medium-chain triglycerides that absorb rapidly into skin without heavy residue. Functions as the absorption accelerator in this blend, ensuring the entire formula penetrates within minutes so SPF can be applied without delay.

Red Palm Oil: Unrefined and naturally rich in carotenoids, contributing antioxidant conditioning properties and a brief subtle peachy warmth that fades completely within 10–15 minutes. Used in a small 5ml amount to keep the color effect minimal across all skin tones.

Ingredients List

• Baobab Oil: 50ml (3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon)
• Shea Oil: 25ml (1½ tablespoons)
• Palm Kernel Oil: 10ml (2 teaspoons)
• Red Palm Oil: 5ml (1 teaspoon)

Directions

1. Measure all four oils into a small mixing bowl or directly into your storage bottle.
2. Whisk vigorously for 60 seconds. Red palm oil is thicker than the other oils—extended whisking ensures it blends fully into a uniform mixture with no visible streaking or separation.
3. Pour into a dark amber dropper or pump bottle using a small funnel if needed to prevent spills.
4. Label with the recipe name and date prepared.
5. Shake well before each use—the red palm oil may settle slightly between applications.
6. To apply: dispense 3–4 drops into your palm, rub hands together briefly to warm the oils, then press gently into clean, slightly damp face using pressing rather than rubbing motions.
7. Allow 5 minutes to absorb fully before applying SPF 30+ sunscreen.
8. Use every morning as the first step after cleansing.

Application Tips

Apply to slightly damp skin immediately after cleansing—the moisture helps the oils spread evenly and absorb more effectively. Use pressing motions rather than rubbing to encourage absorption without dragging skin. Dispense only 3–4 drops; this formula is concentrated and a small amount covers the full face, neck, and décolletage comfortably. The red palm oil creates a brief, subtle peachy warmth on skin that fades completely within 10–15 minutes—this is normal and not permanent. Always follow with SPF 30+ sunscreen after the full 5-minute absorption window.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store in a dark amber dropper or pump bottle away from direct sunlight and heat. Dark glass protects the carotenoid content in the red palm oil from light degradation. Keep the bottle tightly sealed between uses to prevent oxidation. Room temperature storage (18–24°C/65–75°F) is ideal—avoid humid bathrooms where temperature fluctuations can affect oil quality. Shake before each use as the red palm oil may settle slightly.

Shelf life: 8–10 months when stored properly in a sealed dark bottle.

Customization Ideas

• Fair skin carotenoid reduction: Reduce red palm oil to 2.5ml and increase shea oil to 27.5ml to minimize the temporary peachy warmth while retaining carotenoid conditioning benefits
• Oily skin faster absorption: Increase palm kernel oil to 20ml and reduce baobab oil to 40ml for even quicker penetration on combination or oily complexions
• Uplifting morning scent: Add 2–3 drops sweet orange essential oil in Step 2 for a bright, energizing morning aroma—always ensure SPF application follows as citrus oils can increase sun sensitivity
• Extra antioxidant support: Add 2.5ml vitamin E oil in Step 2 to extend shelf life and contribute additional conditioning benefits

Essential Oils (Optional)

Recommended options:

• Frankincense (3 drops): Earthy and grounding, traditionally valued for mature or stressed skin, ideal for a calm morning ritual
• Geranium (3 drops): Balancing floral aroma that helps support skin's natural equilibrium during seasonal transitions
• Lavender (3 drops): Calming and gentle, suitable for sensitive spring skin and creates a soothing morning experience

Avoid or use with caution:

• Citrus oils (lemon, grapefruit, orange): Can increase sun sensitivity—particularly problematic in a morning formula applied before outdoor exposure
• Peppermint or eucalyptus: May cause tingling or irritation on facial skin, especially during spring seasonal sensitivity
• Cinnamon or clove: Too stimulating for delicate facial tissue

If adding essential oils, incorporate them in Step 2 during whisking to ensure even distribution throughout the blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I make a morning face oil at home?

A: Combine 50ml baobab oil, 25ml shea oil, 10ml palm kernel oil, and 5ml red palm oil in a dark dropper bottle and whisk for 60 seconds. Apply 3–4 drops to damp skin each morning, press gently into face, and wait 5 minutes before applying SPF. This beginner-friendly formula absorbs quickly without greasiness.

Q: What's a good DIY face oil for spring mornings?

A: A blend of baobab oil, shea oil, palm kernel oil, and red palm oil creates an effective spring morning facial oil. Baobab oil's vitamin C supports brightness, shea oil delivers conditioning vitamins, and palm kernel oil ensures rapid absorption. Apply 3–4 drops and follow with SPF after 5 minutes.

Q: Can I use face oil before sunscreen?

A: Yes, lightweight oil serums layer well under sunscreen when formulated with fast-absorbing oils. Apply 3–4 drops to clean damp skin, press gently, and allow 5 minutes to absorb fully before applying SPF 30+. This Morning Glow Face Oil is specifically designed to absorb quickly and prepare skin for sunscreen application.

Q: How often should I use a morning face oil in spring?

A: Use a morning face oil daily during spring for consistent conditioning and brightness support. Apply after cleansing and before SPF every morning. If your skin feels congested or heavy, reduce to every other day—lightweight oils like baobab and palm kernel oil are well-suited for daily spring use without buildup.

Shop the Baraka Ingredients in This Recipe

Pure. Natural. Ethically sourced. Hand-crafted by women's cooperatives in West Africa. These are the ingredients trusted throughout Baraka's DIY guides and recipes.

Baobab Oil | Shop Now | Fast-absorbing and nutrient-dense, rich in omega fatty acids. Ideal for improving skin softness and elasticity without heavy residue. Excellent for facial oils and serums.

Shea Oil | Shop Now | The liquid form of shea butter—delivers deep conditioning benefits in a smooth, easily absorbed format. Perfect for beard oils, hair serums, and facial care where lighter texture is preferred.

Palm Kernel Oil | Shop Now | Valued in soapmaking for rich lather and effective cleansing while maintaining skin comfort. Essential for balanced, skin-friendly soap formulations.

Red Palm Oil | Shop Now | Unrefined and naturally rich in carotenoids. Adds conditioning benefits and a beautiful natural color to soaps and skincare formulations.

The Impact of Making Your Own Skincare

When you make skincare with Baraka ingredients, you're supporting women's cooperatives in Ghana who earn fair wages and preserve traditional processing methods. According to Baraka's 2025 Social & Environmental Impact Report, this direct trade model provided income for over 1,000 women and prevented 47 metric tons of CO2 emissions. You also gain complete transparency—knowing exactly what touches your skin and your family's skin, without hidden synthetics or uncertain supply chains.

Authority Attribution

This recipe is expanded from our comprehensive DIY Spring Skincare: 12 Essential Natural Recipes to Refresh Your Skin After Winter, which explores additional formulations, ingredient options, and variations. Visit the full guide for more approaches to seasonal skincare transitions.