Introduction: Herbal Facial Serum

I made an herbally infused facial serum from homegrown flowers.

Supplies


  1. A dehydrator (optional).
  2. A quart mason jar with lid.
  3. 1-2 bottles of jojoba oil or other cold-pressed carrier oil you choose.
  4. A bowl.
  5. A small funnel.
  6. A spoon.
  7. Therapeutic grade helichrysum italica essential oil.
  8. One amber 1oz dropper bottle.
  9. Fine mesh strainer.
  10. Fresh or dried Calendula and Chamomile flowers.

Step 1: Harvest Chamomile

Harvest Chamomile (Matricaria Retutica) and Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) flowers by picking mature open flowers and placing into a bowl. Note: If you are using purchased dried flowers skip to step 7.

Step 2: Prepare Your Dehydrator

Place a sheet of wax paper on your dehydrator sheet in preparation for the flowers. Be careful to use a piece of parchment paper that is the correct size for your sheet.

Step 3: Spread Flowers Onto Parchment Sheet

Spread the Chamomile and Calendula flowers evenly onto your prepared parchment paper sheet.

Step 4: Dehydrate

Place your dehydrator sheet with the flowers into your dehydrator, shut the door, set the temperature to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and dehydrate for 3 days.

Step 5: Repeat Previous Steps

Repeat the previous steps until you have .7 ounces of dried flowers.

Step 6: Remove

Remove flowers and trays from the dehydrator.

Step 7: Weigh

Place dried flowers into the bowl (after taring) to reach the desired weight of .7oz.

Step 8: Add Your Oil

Pour cold-pressed jojoba oil into the bowl containing the .7 ounces of flowers until all of the flowers are well saturated, then cease. Note: I used jojoba oil because it is non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), you may use any cold-pressed carrier oil that you desire that works for your skin type.

Step 9: Macerate

Blend the flowers and oil in a blender for 10 seconds.

Step 10:

Pour your macerated herbal oil into a quart glass mason jar and then fasten the lid.

Step 11:

Mark the date on your calendar, so you can be sure to let the herbs steep for exactly 14 days.

Step 12: Cover

Cover your jar with an old sock. This is to block light from entering the serum and degrading the herbs.

Step 13: Infuse

Set your jar in a sunny location outside to infuse for 14 days.

Step 14: Strain

Strain oil into a bowl using a fine mesh strainer.

Step 15: Combine

Add 15 drops of therapeutic-grade Helichrysum Italicum essential oil into the strained oil.

Step 16: Bottle

Pour finished oil into a 1-ounce amber-colored dropper bottle using a small funnel.

Step 17: Enjoy

Use your sumptuous facial serum whenever you want to pamper yourself. Note: I use mine every day!