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Sea buckthorn fruit oil is an intensely orange botanical oil rich in carotenoids and palmitoleic acid, also known as omega-7. Because of its strong colour and rich sensory profile, it is usually used at relatively low levels in facial oils, balms, creams and body-care products.

Autumn and winter are ideal seasons for richer textures and warmer scent profiles. Here are nine useful ingredients for balms, body butters, scrubs, oil serums and other seasonal cosmetic formulations.

Magnesium chloride hexahydrate and magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, better known as Epsom salt, are both water-soluble magnesium salts, but they are used differently in DIY cosmetics. Magnesium chloride is particularly practical for mineral sprays, while Epsom salt is ideal for baths and bath salts.

The term dry oil does not mean that a product is oil-free. It describes a lightweight oil or oil blend that spreads easily, absorbs relatively quickly and leaves less of a greasy film on the skin.

Blemish-prone skin may still benefit from carefully chosen lipid care. The key is to use lightweight oils and emollients in small amounts and monitor how the skin responds.

Unrefined cocoa butter is a rich plant-derived emollient with a characteristic natural cocoa aroma. It helps soften the skin, reduce moisture loss and works especially well in balms, body butters and other anhydrous formulations.

Raspberry seed oil is a lightweight plant oil with an interesting fatty-acid profile and a pleasant skin feel. It can be used in facial oils, body oils, creams and other formulations where a lighter lipid phase is desired.