This summer face & body oil formula has everything I want in this kind of cosmetic: it helps comfort sun-stressed skin, brings a rich antioxidant touch, supports the glow of tanned skin and leaves the skin barrier soft and comfortable. On top of that, it has a light and elegant texture that feels so pleasant during the hottest months.

It is the kind of oil you like to use when your skin feels dry, tired and stressed by a long sun exposure.
You’ll find it nourishing but not heavy, rich in botanical oils but still silky, golden and luminous, but not glittery or artificial.

Another thing I love about this formula is its versatility. None of the oils I selected has a high comedogenic rating, so the recipe can be suitable for both face and body. This makes it a smart little cosmetic to bring with you during your holidays: one bottle, many uses and a lovely summer glow!

As always, this oil does not replace sunscreen. It can be used as a beautifying and nourishing oil for summer skin and aftersun recovery, but SPF is still essential during sun exposure.

Focus on the Ingredients

Physalis Angulata Extract: Soothing Care for Summer Skin

One of the main soothing ingredients in this formula is Physalis angulata extract, a wonderful active I use every summer.

It is known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, and it is also often used in formulas designed to support mature and fragile skin.
It’s also an ally for skin prone to redness and sensitivity, including rosacea prone skin. Of course, rosacea is a skin condition that should be approached gently and, when needed, with professional advice, but from a cosmetic point of view, Physalis angulata is one of those ingredients I find very valuable.
The texture is buttery and semi-solid, so it needs to be gently warmed before being incorporated into the formula. This is why the method includes a first warming step with the most heat resistant oils. 
If you don't have it, you can replace it with other extracts like Seabuckthorn (I have the one from Handymade), that is especially beautiful and useful in summer.

Oat Oil: Comfort for the Skin Barrier

Oat oil is another beautiful ingredient for summer skin. It naturally contains lipid components that are very interesting for barrier care, including ceramides, and it is often used in formulas for sensitive or compromised skin. In this recipe, I chose it because it helps restore comfort to sun-stressed skin and provides an extra soothing boost. 

Q10 and Carrot CO₂ Extract: The Antioxidant Golden Touch

To enrich the formula with an antioxidant boost I used Coenzyme Q10 and Carrot CO₂ extract.

Q10 is one of my favorite oil-soluble antioxidants for mature and dull skin. It gives the formula a more sophisticated skincare profile and pairs beautifully with the other ingredients I selected, especially when the goal is to support the skin against oxidative stress.

Carrot CO₂ extract brings a different kind of beauty. It is rich in carotenoids, the naturally golden-orange pigments that give carrot extract its sunny and joyful color. In this formula carotenoids bring antioxidant support and also give the oil a warm golden tone.

On the skin this creates a subtle and natural skin tone enhancing effect with a delicate golden veil that makes the skin look warmer and more luminous.

I used carrot CO₂ extract at 3% and I do not recommend using more in this formula, because this dosage is already enough for the results we want. If used at a higher percentage, it may stain the skin or textiles. At 3% the result is lovely and balanced, but I still recommend letting the oil absorb well before getting dressed.

You can find both Q10 and Carrot CO₂ extract on Handymade. Click here to read more about them.

A Light & Elegant Oil Base

The base of this formula is designed to feel nourishing but not greasy.

I used coco-caprylate for a dry and silky touch, squalane for its elegant skin feel and barrier supporting properties, jojoba oil because it is so skin friendly and well tolerated, and grapeseed oil to keep the blend lighter.

I also included calendula oil, one of my favorite botanical oils when I want a calming and comforting effect. I always make it by macerating calendula in sunflower oil to enhance its soothing properties. Click here to learn how to make it at home.

The final texture is lightweight, smooth and pleasant to apply. It leaves the skin with a nourished finish and a soft golden glow, without feeling too heavy for summer.

Summer Glow Oil Formula

This summer glow oil is simple to make, but it teaches a lot about formulation. You learn how to work with a semi-solid CO₂ extract, how to incorporate Q10 more easily and how to build an oil blend that is rich in care but still elegant and lightweight on the skin.

A small bottle of sunshine for the skin, with a little science inside!

Ingredients

• Coco-caprylate: 10 g (10%)
• Squalane: 10 g (10%)
• Jojoba oil: 20 g (20%)
• Physalis angulata extract: 0.5 g (0.5%)
  
  
• Q10 powder: 0.3 g (0.3%)
• Oat oil: 20 g (20%)
• Grapeseed oil: 15.7 g (15.7%)
• Calendula oil: 20 g (20%)
• Carrot CO₂ extract: 3 g (3%)
• Vitamin E: 0.5 g (0.5%)

Little summer gift: during July 2026, Handymade is offering a 5 ml Carrot CO₂ extract as a free gift for every order. You only need to go to your cart and select it in the free gifts available. Remember that you can also use my affiliate code WONDERLAB for an extra 7% discount! Perfect timing if you want to make my golden summer oil recipe!

Method

• Start by adding coco-caprylate, squalane, jojoba oil, and Physalis angulata extract to a heat-resistant beaker. Gently heat the mixture while stirring until the Physalis angulata extract is completely melted and well incorporated. I use these ingredients in the heated step because Physalis extract needs warmth to melt properly, while coco-caprylate, squalane and jojoba oil are more heat-resistant than the delicate oils and antioxidants added later.
  
  
• Once everything is melted, remove the beaker from the heat and let the mixture cool down below 40°C.
  
  
• When the blend is slightly warm, add Q10 powder, which usually incorporates more easily in slightly warm oils, so this is the perfect moment to add it. Stir until the Q10 is fully dispersed.
  
  
• Then, add oat oil, grapeseed oil, calendula oil, carrot CO₂ extract and vitamin E. Stir until the formula looks uniform.
  
  
• Pour into a clean dry bottle. Your summer glow oil is ready!

How to Use It

Apply a small amount and massage gently until absorbed.

For the body, I love using it after a shower, when the skin is still slightly damp. In general, I always suggest applying oils over hydrated skin rather than completely dry skin. An oil can soften, nourish and help reduce water loss, but it does not bring water to the skin by itself.

You can apply this oil after a hydrating mist, or after a thin layer of aloe vera gel. Aloe works beautifully here because it adds a fresh soothing touch, which makes this skincare step even more suitable for summer skin.

Remember: hydrate first, then seal in that hydration with the oil.