I’m pretty excited about this lovely Luminous Summer Body Oil—it’s got some pretty neat stuff going for it. While one certainly can make (and I definitely have) a super-simple body oil by simply combining mica and oil, I wanted to make an extra lovely body oil. I wanted a body oil that had amazing, silky slip, a beautiful dry-touch finish, and some seriously great-for-skin oils. If you want to keep it simple and leave out the extras you definitely can, but if you like body oils and want to try an extra-awesome one I can’t recommend this Luminous Summer Body Oil enough ✨
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The majority of this body oil is a blend of apricot kernel oil and meadowfoam seed oil. Apricot kernel oil is rich in vitamins A and E, it has a relatively long shelf life (up to two years), and absorbs into the skin quickly. Meadowfoam seed oil has a lot in common with jojoba, but it’s made in Canada, which I think is pretty neat! If you don’t have apricot kernel oil you can use safflower, sunflower, sweet almond, or grapeseed instead (or any relatively inexpensive, lightweight oil your skin loves). Unsurprisingly, jojoba makes a good alternative to meadowfoam seed oil, but you could also use another more premium oil like argan, abyssinian, avocado, or pomegranate. Just keep in mind that if you’re choosing something with a slower absorption speed (like avocado), that will slightly impact the absorption speed of the final product.
Looking at other shimmery body oil recipes, the first thing I wanted to improve on was the consistency. Most body oils are very thin—the consistency of oil. To be expected, of course! That means that when you add mica or other powdery ingredients (which we’re doing for shimmer), they settle out over time. That thin texture is also a bit tricky to “steer”; you tend to end up with a slippery palmful of thin liquid that can be a bit tricky to apply to the right bit of your body. So, I made it thicker! In keeping my new newfound love of super silky cetyl alcohol, I used a bit of that to get a slightly thickened, oh-so-lovely feeling body oil. It’s pretty great.
Next up on the improvement list: feel! I’ve already chosen some lovely, silky, lightweight oils for our base, so that’s a great starting point, but I decided to amp it up even more with the inclusion of some silica microspheres. Silica microspheres are basically skin feel magic: they contribute an incredibly luxxy dry-touch finish to everything. You don’t need much to seriously amp up your products. If you don’t have ’em, you can use sericite mica instead for a sort-of-similar effect.
Improvement #3: Some added emulsifying properties! I didn’t design this strictly as a shower oil, but when I started to think about when I’d actually apply such a thing, I figured chances were fairly high it’d be after a shower. With that in mind, I added a bit of Olivem 300. Olivem 300 is a lovely, lightweight, water soluble ester of oleic acid, so not only does it help contribute to the lightweight feel of the oil, it means that if you apply the oil with damp skin, it’ll self-emulsify with the water on your skin, turning into lotion! Groovy, eh?
I chose a lovely citrussy essential oil blend that doesn’t contain any actual citrus, so you don’t have to worry about photo sensitization (always a good thing in the summer!). You are certainly more than welcome to choose something else, though—whatever makes you feel summery and happy is a great choice 🙂
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Luminous Summer Body Oil
54g | 1.9oz apricot kernel oil
3g | 0.1oz silica microspheres
5g | 0.18oz mica (I used 2g [1 tsp] gold mica, 3g [1.5 tsp] bronze mica)19g | 0.67oz meadowfoam seed oil
10g | 0.35oz Olivem 300 (USA / Canada)
8g | 0.28oz cetyl alcohol (USA / Canada)0.5g | 0.018oz Vitamin E MT-50 (USA / Canada)
10 drops lemongrass essential oil
10 drops bergapatene-free bergamot essential oil
14 drops lemon myrtle essential oilPrepare a water bath by bringing about 3cm/1″ of water to a bare simmer over low to medium-low heat in a small saucepan.
Put on your dust mask. Weigh the apricot kernel oil into a small beaker, the silica microspheres into a small glass prep cup, and the micas into another glass prep cup. Add about a third of the apricot kernel oil to the silica microspheres, and another third to the micas. Using a flexible silicone spatula, stir the silica and mica mixtures until smooth.
Weigh everything else (including the remaining apricot kernel oil) except the vitamin E and essential oils into a small heat-resistant glass measuring cup or beaker. Place the measuring cup in your prepared water bath to melt everything through.
Once the cetyl alcohol has melted, remove the measuring cup from the heat and dry off the outside of it. Stir in the mica and silica mixtures. Leave it to cool, stirring occasionally as it does to ensure even, smooth cooling.
When the mixture has thickened enough to hold the micas in suspension (runny honey territory), add your vitamin E oil and essential oils. Stir to combine, and decant into a 120ml/4oz squeeze bottle. It might not seem like it now, but it will thicken up enough that you’ll need to be able to squeeze it out, so a stiffer plastic or glass bottle is not a good idea. A pump bottle would likely work, too, but I’m pretty smitten with squeezy bottles with flip tops right now!
Makes 100g (3.5oz), which ends up being around 110mL (3.72 fl oz).
If you want to make the simplest version of this possible, just mix 75g apricot kernel oil, 19g meadowfoam seed oil, 5g mica, the vitamin E, and the essential oils.
Shelf Life & Storage
Because this body oil is 100% oil based, it does not require a broad-spectrum preservative (broad spectrum preservatives ward off microbial growth, and microbes require water to live—no water, no microbes!). Kept reasonably cool and dry, it should last at least a year before any of the oils go rancid. If you notice it starts to smell like old nuts or crayons, that’s a sign that the oils have begun to oxidize; chuck it out and make a fresh batch if that happens.
Hi Marie,
Last week I did my body oil and I was wondering about a concoction that would avoid the mica to be all settled at the bottom (so inconvenient, right?)…and here you are posting this amazing recipe…my psychic methods are getting better =)
I am looking for silica microspheres for ages here in Europe, but so for I didn’t find it anywhere, I checked all the websites you indicate at your list + all the suppliers I have and none would have the silica…maybe you know where I could find it?!
x
http://www.aromantic.co.uk/! 🙂
I searched there Marie and came up with nothing 🙁
https://www.aromantic.co.uk/home/products/powders/silica-microfine.aspx 😉
Also,
Germany — https://www.manske-shop.com/Dekorative-Kosmetik/silica-microsphere/
and
Spain — http://www.u-makeitup.com/cosmetic-ingredients/cosmetic-base-powders/silica-microspheres/#.WWdb-GwUl9M
They both ship to the rest of Europe as well.
I left out the mica powder but once I allowed the product to cool and solidify a bit I noticed it looked crystallized? Is that because of the cetyl alcohol? Do you have a suggestion as to how to keep this from happening?
Would using TBK powder to help the shimmery mica not sink down so quickly ,work in this recipe? Or would it change the consistency and absorbing rate drastically?
It’s definitely worth a try! I used it in this formulation and you can read more about my experience with it there and in the Humblebee & Me DIY Encyclopedia. Happy making!
https://www.aroma-zone.com/info/fiche-technique/actif-cosmetique-microspheres-de-silice-aroma-zone
🙂
Hi, which ingredient should I use to keep the mica from settling at the bottom?
This is covered in the post 🙂 “Looking at other shimmery body oil recipes, the first thing I wanted to improve on was the consistency. Most body oils are very thin—the consistency of oil. To be expected, of course! That means that when you add mica or other powdery ingredients (which we’re doing for shimmer), they settle out over time. That thin texture is also a bit tricky to “steer”; you tend to end up with a slippery palmful of thin liquid that can be a bit tricky to apply to the right bit of your body. So, I made it thicker! In keeping my new newfound love of super silky cetyl alcohol, I used a bit of that to get a slightly thickened, oh-so-lovely feeling body oil. It’s pretty great.”
Aroma-zone.com (France) have them in stock! 🙂
Another question, in this case I guess I can’t substitute Olivem 300 for Cetyl alcohol, right? (as the reason for the Olivem 300 to be in this recipe is to emulsify with water)
So here is the obstacle…I also didn’t find any European supplier of Olivem 300 (not even in Amazon), any suggestions where to find it?
Thanks and x
You’d never be able to substitute Olivem 300 for cetyl alcohol—they have absolutely nothing in common and do none of the same things in your projects. You can just replace the Olivem 300 with more apricot kernel oil, this certainly doesn’t need to have any emulsifying properties, that’s just a bonus. I’m afraid I am not at all familiar with the stock of European suppliers—there are hundreds of suppliers around the world and I can barely keep up with the ones I actually shop at here in Canada, let alone every country around the world :/
Sounds awesome! Im very curious about mica’s on skin. Sounds fairytale-y. I also don’t have olivem 300, can i substitute e-wax?
In theory, yes, but you’d need to re-jig most of the recipe or you’ll make something far too thick to be squeezed out of a bottle.
Grapefrugt.com in the UK has Oliver 300
Gracefruit.com
Not any more, sigh. It’s been out of stock forever.
Hi Marie,
I just made this and I love it. I made some argan oil bronzer (again) this week and this goes perfectly with it! Now my arms match my face. 🙂
I watched your you tube video and you said the cooling down took quite some time. When I want something to cool down quickly, like lotion for example, I use a cold water bath, works like a charm.
Thanks again for a lovely recipe!
Wow! I think this must be some sort of publish-to-making record! I definitely thought about using a cold water bath, but I had no ice on hand haha
This would make a lovely gift, along with with your Summer Shimmer Body Lotion from a while ago!
Thank you for the wonderful recipe, I can’t wait to make it!
Yes, brilliant! Thanks for reading and happy gifting 🙂
This looks interesting. I am curious though… what does it look like when applied? I’ve never seen body oils with mica in them. Also, will it stain your clothing? Thanks.
Watch the video! If you apply a copious quantity it will stain, but I have not noticed any issues with regular application 🙂
Hi, Marie:
Someone posted on Amazon that Cetyl Alcohol is thought to have a fishy odour. Your opinion?
I have used it a few times Karen, and haven’t noticed any ‘fishy’ smell, (and I just went and opened my jar to have a sniff lol) mine is fine) 🙂
Mine doesn’t have an odor either.
Definitely not! Maybe they were thinking of a nitrogenous thing like a quat, or perhaps a BTMS? There’s really nothing in cetyl alcohol that would make it smell fishy
Well hello apricot kernel oil! I want this. But don’t know if I should. I really want this. But I really don’t know if I should. I love the sun kissed glow look, but I cannot wear sunscreen. So I’m afraid of lathering myself up in oils and wearing this outside.
I cleaned out my little box of fancy stuff from Aroma Zone and realised I have almost a kilo of microspheres and need more recipes to use them all up in!
Ooh Penny, I didn’t know Aromazone did the microspheres. I really want to place an order now and not later in the month 🙁 lol
Can you wait till October? I’ve WAY too many!
I can :-D. Thanks Penny 🙂
Heyooooooo 😀 It’s all your fault, haha 😛 And WHOA to your microspheres stash!
Silica microspheres in UK http://www.mineralmakeupingredients.co.uk/epages/BT3899.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT3899/Products/B1-SLCA/SubProducts/B1-SLCA-0001
(although I haven’t used this supplier yet)
Olivem 300 in UK https://www.gracefruit.com/item/1055/Gracefruit/OliveM-300.html
(this company I have tried and was happy with. They are also the only UK supplier for BTMS 50 and cera bellina as far as I know.)
If anybody has additional information, I’m all ears 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing =)
Also,
Germany — https://www.manske-shop.com/Dekorative-Kosmetik/silica-microsphere/
and
Spain — http://www.u-makeitup.com/cosmetic-ingredients/cosmetic-base-powders/silica-microspheres/#.WWdb-GwUl9M
They both ship to the rest of Europe as well.
Gracefruit has been out of Olivem 300 for a while now.
Hi
I know this thread is old
To those who have difficulty linking to the UK/Europe suppliers for Silica Microspheres. I think the links are old and some no longer stock they can be found some in the UK at
https://www.micamoma.co.uk/mineral-makeup/silica-microspheres/
Thank you so much!
Could I use a plant based fragrance oil or regular fragrance oil instead of essential oils.
Yup! This is also covered in the video 🙂
Do you think it would be ok to use poly 80 or 20 in place of the Olivem? I googled, looked in the substitutions on your page, and tried to find out if it would work or not and couldn’t find the answer.
Yup! 80 would be the best choice 🙂
Marie. I LOVE THIS STUFF. I made it for the first time this morning and was amazed by the texture! I live in northern MN and since the weather has now significantly cooled down, I made it without the shimmery mica (will save for next summer). I was looking for a mix between a lotion and a body butter and for me, this was it. A little goes a long way and it feels lovely on the skin 🙂 Anyway, thank you so much for sharing this amazing formula!
YAY! I’m so glad! *happy dance* 😀
Hi Marie,
I want to make the simpler version of the recipe but still would like to add the silica spheres to give it the luxy feel. How much silica does one use?
Thanks,
Vanessa
Use the amount called for in the recipe 🙂
Hi Marie
I made this oil it’s awesome thank you and I have some questions please. After I finish recipe it was awesome, but next day I surprised it’s become oil liquid , so can I add some Cetyl alcohol to keep mixture,if yes how much will increase. 2- can I add some Silica also , because I feel some oily feeling maybe amount in recipe is not enough. And can I add polysorbate 80 instead of Olivem . I made with 3 different mica shimmer – Gold and pearl mica , but I noticed that gold and pearl not give me same shine like shimmer one , so can I add some extra mica , if yes give me measuring please .
Thanks
Yes to the first two, but don’t add polysorabate 80—it’s pretty darn sticky and you won’t like the end feel much. Refer to this for recommended amounts of cetyl alcohol 🙂 If you have any isopropyl myristate you’ll find that’s another way to reduce the oily feel, and it’s much cheaper in something for the body!
MArie, I am confused by your answer since you reply to Cynthia (a few comments above) that it is ok to add polysorbate 80 instead of olivem!
I’ve learned things since then 🙂 You can certainly try it, but I suspect it will be unpleasantly sticky for this leave-on application.
Marie, I just made your luminous summer body oil and it is great except that the stain does not stay. When I cross my legs I notice that the bronzer is moved around and lines of bronze show up. If I rub a finger down a leg, it clears the bronze quite a bit. I bought all of the ingredients you mentioned. I even cut the bronze and gold in half to see if that was the problem. It still colors well but another issue: if I run my hand down my arm or leg and rub my hand onto a piece of paper, the bronze comes off onto the paper. Help!
This really isn’t supposed to be a fake tanner—it will never dye or stain your skin because micas do not dye or stain. You’re just supposed to get a wee bit of shimmer and a hint of colour from it 🙂
Also me I tried to make this oil many times, but actually it is not working good. I add polysorbate 20 instead of olivem and add extra steyl alcohol, but still separate oils inside and bronze in other side with completely oil feeling. I was hoping that recipe works good, because we bought all Ingredients and I thought it will work good
Polysorbate 20 really isn’t a good alternative for Olivem300, especially in a leave in product—it is heavier and tends to be quite sticky, so I would definitely say that change is part of the problem.
Shaking before use isn’t that big of an issue, though 🙂
Hi! Is the silica microspheres same as silica gel? Like the one they use for shoes? Thanks
No; while they are technically both made from silicon dioxide the particle size and grade are very different. Please don’t put shoe silica in your DIYs!
I’ve tried making body oils similar to this (without the sparkle but with cetyl alcohol as the thickener) and I’m wondering how you keep your cetyl alcohol from crystallizing? I apply my oil without any colorant, but I still look like I’m sparkling from the cetyl alchol “crystals” (I’m not sure what else to call these). I’ve tried cooling my oil slower and quicker, I’ve tried mixing with a spatula or a whisk, and I can’t seem to get rid of the crystals.
Hmm, I’m actually not sure, and it’s been ages since I made anything like this so I don’t have great memories on it. I know when I use a ton of it, like in this recipe, it definitely crystallizes, but now I’m wondering if perhaps this did and I’m not remembering? Sorry I can’t be of more help!
Hey Marie, if you are trying to create more of a luminous mist or spray … would you still use the cetyl alcohol to keep the mica suspended? Obviously, I wouldn’t use as much as you did lol because it would be too thick. Thanks in advance.
Mica + mist = clogged mister. Viscosity that will keep mica suspended = super aggressive stream from a mister instead of a mist. Sorry :/
Hello…
I would like to know if CETYL ALCOHOL WHITE FLAKES would be a good sub for Olivem
No, not at all. Cetyl alcohol is a thickener, Olivem300 is a water soluble thin liquid ester.
Hello!
I attempted to increase the batch size. When I did so my mica seemed to chunk up a bit and seems to be trapped inside crystals. Does this mean I used too much of the cetyl alcohol? This didn’t happen when I tried this in the smaller batch.
Thank you!
I have to say I’m totally baffled by this, and I’ve never heard of something like this happening. I think the first thing you should try is cooling the mixture to trace in a water bath, like I do in this recipe. Then let it come to room temperature at room temperature (not in the fridge). I’m wondering if the cetyl alcohol is solidifying on its own before everything else rather than staying in solution and evenly thickening everything.
Marie, you are the Cutest Cupcake on two legs! Shockingly bright and adorable (a deadly combination). Thank you so much for your dazzling output. Do you have any thoughts how to adjust this recipe for putting into a roller top container? I made this recipe yesterday. It came out perfect and brilliant but I couldn’t get it in my little on the go roller bottle. I added more essential oil and then it separated… wah! Ps. If you’re in LA, I’d love to take you to lunch.
Thank you so much! The first thing you’d want to do is make sure your roller ball is suited to dispensing micas, as I am guessing the mica could pose a clogging hazard for some roller bottles. You’d also want to remove any kind of thickener so it’s basically just oil + mica 🙂
When it comes to the physical filling I find a syringe is the best way to go for tiny orifices!
Hi Marie, can you please tell me, is it OK to use TKB thickening clay here?
Yes, this would be a great application for TKB’s Thickening Clay!
Hi Marie. Thank you for your recipes, they are truly really helpful. please can you recreate the Huda Beauty NYMPH (Not Your Mamas Panty Hose). its like an illuminating oil/primer and has little or no transfer. Thank you
I’ll keep it in mind! You should also check out Di Bella Journal 🙂
Hi Marie,
would I be able to substitute the oils to Sweet Almond Oil instead?
Yup! Refer to the “simplest version” note at the end of the formula for guidance 🙂 Happy making!
Thank you for this amazing formula! It’s a tremendous improvement upon traditional body oil.
Since I didn’t have hydrated silica microspheres on hand, I used Diatomaceous Earth. (Had a big bag on hand from two summers ago when I made a carpet powder for use around my cats.) The DE worked like a charm. It’s slightly beige, while hydrated silica is pure white, but that didn’t matter much in the bronze-colored finished product.
To anyone reading who is thinking to use DE: Make sure it is labeled FOOD GRADE. (Some that is used for pest control may have pesticides added.)
OOooh, cool tip, thank you so much for sharing! Thanks for DIYing with me, and happy making 🙂
Hello
Can I sub alcohol, needs and Olivem for this:
https://www.amazon.com/Milliard-NON-GMO-Emulsifying-Wax-Pastilles/dp/B00FP0HAMG/ref=sr_1_20?dchild=1&keywords=olivem+300&qid=1618149800&sr=8-20
No; I’d recommend following the instructions towards the end on a really stripped-down version of this formulation. Happy making!
Hi there! Could I use some caolín clay instead of the silica micropheres????
Try it and see 🙂 Happy making!
hi! i was wondering if i can make this without the silica? what would happen?
thanks!
“Silica microspheres are basically skin feel magic: they contribute an incredibly luxxy dry-touch finish to everything. You don’t need much to seriously amp up your products. If you don’t have ’em, you can use sericite mica instead for a sort-of-similar effect.”
You’d basically lose that feel 🙂