How to make cucumber oil for skin and hair

Deeply moisturizing and nourishing cucumber oil soothes and protects dry skin and hair adding softness and hydration. 

The soothing and cooling effect of cucumbers may help ease the redness of the skin and reduce swelling and puffiness. Cucumbers are rich in minerals like potassium which may help reduce signs of aging or alleviate sunburn.

You can apply just fresh cucumber on your skin or make it into juice or toner.

However, making cucumber oil will enable you to have a more concentrated version that will last longer and can be used in other skincare products.  

How to make cucumber oil

First step – Cutting the cucumber

You will need one cucumber that you cut into slices (no need to peel it off). Thinner pieces are better because we are going to dry them first. More than 96% of Cucumber fruit is composed of water, which would contribute to the spoilage of the final oil. Therefore we will dry the cucumber first.

Second step – Drying the cucumber

Spread the cucumber slices on a drying screen or parchment paper and place them in the place without direct exposure to sunlight.

Third step

Let them dry thoroughly, and turn them the next day. It takes 2-3 days to get them completely dry. 

You could also speed up the drying process with a dehydrator that you need to set to 95 to 115 degrees F for 1 to 4 hours.

Fourth step

Use a dry sterilized jar (I use a dishwasher to do the job) and place dried slices into a jar, pour over the carrier oil of your choice and cover it with the lid

Fifth step

Place the jar in a dark place and let the cucumber extract its medicinal properties into the infusion. I let my mixture macerate for four weeks.

This is the traditional slow infusion method that is easy. However, it requires several weeks. If you want to speed up the infusion process, you can use the double boiler method. Place the slices and carrier oil mixture into a double boiler. Let it simmer for 3 hours at 40 degrees Celsius (100 F).  Don’t allow the water to evaporate, so monitor the oil periodically.

By the gradual maceration in a water bath, you will be able to obtain high-quality infusion.

Sixth step

Strain the mixture through cheesecloth and your pure cucumber oil is ready

Cucumber seed oil

Another version is Cucumber seed oil which is extracted from the seeds of cucumber (Cucumis sativus). They are very valuable, especially for skin and hair. 

They contain a  high amount of fat and are rich in linoleic and fatty acids. Packed also with vitamins and other nutrients Cucumber seed oil may help to detoxify the skin, retain moisture, prevent aging, and deeply cleanse pores. As a result, the cucumber seed oil is very often used in skincare products such as soaps, lotions, or moisturizers.

How to make cucumber seed oil at home

Before we start, note that this process requires a large number of cucumbers to make just a tiny fraction of oil. Start with at least 8-10 cucumbers to make a small 20 ml bottle.

First step

Start with the extraction of the seeds 

To extract the seeds of the cucumber just cut the cucumbers in half lengthwise. Use the spoon to scoop out the seeds from the seed cavity. Place them in a jar and let them sit for several hours. 

The pulp and lightweight seeds will float on the surface while the viable seeds will settle at the bottom. You can add more water to the mixture to help to clean and decant the seeds. Rinse the seeds and set them to dry on the screen or on the kitchen towel. 

Second step

Use a blender or food processor to make a paste. Add 1 spoon of water which will help to expel the oil. 

Third step

With your hands, start to press the oil out. Create a bowl from the paste and press it. Repeat the massaging and pressing process several times, and you will notice that tiny drops of oil are beginning to form. That is the cold-pressed method of making cucumber seed oil!

How to use cucumber oil

for skin

The cucumber seed oil contains a high amount of oleic acid and linoleic acid that are soothing and moisturizing, thus hydrating dry and sensitive skin. You can use it as a carrier oil in this moisturizing and healing aloe vera cream that nourishes and heals your skin or hair. Just use the cucumber oil instead of aloe vera oil.

This infusion contains phytosterols that help support skin elasticity and possess antiaging properties. They also contribute to healthy and hydrated skin.

Cucumber oil’s cooling and soothing effect may alleviate sunburned and red skin. 

It makes a great addition to creams and lotions.

Cucumber seed oil also has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, it may ease inflammation like acne or rashes when applied topically. Add a few drops to this toner for acne-prone skin.

In addition, it may soothe the pain and itching associated with insect bites and minor burns.

Cucumber oil for hair

phytosterols in this oil act as cholesterol, thus filling damaged hair with lipids that strengthen the strands and reduce breakage. 

Fatty Acids and Phytosterols that are present in the oil increase hair density and therefore reduce hair loss and hair Health in both Women and Men