This soothing elderflower oil reduces fine lines, smooths and rejuvenates the skin, and may also help with acne or sunburns.
Elderflowers grow abundantly in the place where I live thus every year I wait impatiently for their season to start.
No wonder I like to experiment with them, eating their fried blossoms, infusing them in alcohol, making elderflower tea or using elderflower power in my homemade skincare.
Elderflowers are blossoms of Elder – Sambucus Nigra. You can benefit from Elder bushes twice a year. Once in spring when they produce large umbels of white color blossoms and the second time in early autumn when they reveal the rich tassels of dark purple or black berries (Elderberries).
Once they start to bloom their pleasant scent is very specific that one wants to smell them repeatedly.
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Elderflower benefits for skin
Elder flowers are packed with antioxidants and flavonoids and may boost your immune system and help overcome cold and flu (2)
However, they possess excellent properties for skin that we want to benefit from in this elderflower oil. In ancient times Elderflower was used to “fade freckles and wrinkles.” Nowadays we can identify its components together with their actions.
ANTI-AGING EFFECT
Elder flowers contain Bioflavonoids and vitamins that reduce fine lines and the appearance of wrinkles by encouraging the growth of new cells. Thus making the skin appear younger.
IMPROVING SKIN APPEARANCE
This anti aging facial oil recipe has mildly astringent properties that help minimize pores and tighten the skin giving it a smooth and fresh appearance
Elderflower oil
The best way to benefit from Elderflower’s properties on the skin is to infuse their blossoms into the oil. When you macerate elderflower blossoms in the oil they will release their properties that can be further used for a massage or to make salves, lip balms or soaps.
FRESH OR DRY HERBS FOR INFUSION?
Every time I make the infusion oil I hesitate to make it either from fresh or dried herbs. So this time, to see the difference, I decided to make both elder oils. On the left side is the elder oil made of dried herbs, on the right side from the fresh ones. Nevertheless, there is quite a big difference in the color of unfiltered oil, in the filtered ones the color is almost the same.
The main difference is their shelf life.
fresh elderflowers contain moisture that can contribute to mold and spoil the final elderflower oil. If you want to make a stable product that can last up to one year, use dried flowers for the infusion.
When I made the oils, they both have a pleasant floral scent with a sweet aroma.
Carrier oil
As a menstrum -base oil I used sweet almond oil because it creates a luxurious, healing mixture with elderflowers.
Sweet almond oil that is suitable for matured skin, reduces puffiness and under-eye circles as well as improves skin tone.
However, feel free to use any other oil that you will find suitable for your skin type. The most common is olive oil, but you can also use coconut oil, grape seed oil or sunflower oil.
Methods of infusion
Slow traditional infusion
There are two methods of infusion, the slow traditional method is my favorite however requires at least 4 weeks of maceration to achieve the desired result.
Place dried elderflowers in a sterilized glass jar and fill it with almond oil. Leave it for 4 weeks to macerate. Check occasionally, make sure that elderflower blossoms are covered completely with the oil. After four weeks filter the oil with cheesecloth to get rid of all the herbal material and get only pure elderflower oil.
FASTER METHOD with the double boiler
You can also speed up the process of infusion with the heat that helps the herb to release its medicinal properties and use a double boiler method.
I use a set of two saucepans that fits in each other where the one below is filled with several inches of water. Place the uncovered jar with elderflowers and almond oil on the saucepan above and gently heat up the water. Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat to the lowest. It is important to watch out for the temperature as it should not exceed 50C (120F). I use a thermometer and check for evaporation. Let the infusion simmer for 5 hours.
Tools
How to make elderflower oil
First STEP
Gather one cup of dried elderflowers and place them in a sterilized jar
Second STEP
Pour over the sweet almond oil to cover all herbal material with the oil.
THIRD STEP
Close the jar with a lid and place it in a cool and dark place for 4 weeks. You need to shake it from time to time and make sure that the oil won’t evaporate.
Fourth STEP
Strain the oil through cheesecloth to get rid of all the herbal material and get only pure elderflower infused oil.
HOW TO USE Elderflower OIL
- For beauty – add it to your toner to improve your acne prone skin
- Make elderflower salve for youthful look
- Add few drops to your bathtubs or use at as a massage oil
- Use this oil to make this elderflower lavender soap
- add a few drops to a diffuser to inhale its fragrance
- Make a natural lip balm with the scent of elderflowers
- Add this elderflower oil into creams to enhance your skin
- This anti aging facial oil recipe can be gently massaged on the skin
Soothing elderflower oil for mature skin
This soothing elderflower oil reduces fine lines, smooths and rejuvenates the skin, and may also help with acne or sunburns.
Materials
- 1 jar of 500 ml (1 1/2 cup)
- 15 blossoms of dry or fresh of elderflowers
- 450 ml of almond oil (1 1/3 cup)
Tools
Instructions
- Gather one cup of dried elderflowers and place them in a sterilized jar
- Pour over the sweet almond oil to cover all herbal material with the oil.
- Close the jar with a lid and place it in a cool and dark place for 4 weeks. You need to shake it from time to time and make sure that the oil won’t evaporate.
- Strain the oil through cheesecloth to get rid of all the herbal material and get only pure elderflower-infused oil.
Notes
Store the elderflower oil in a cool and dark place. Shelf life is up to one year.
Recommended Products
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Goodcook Cheesecloth, One Pack, White
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Collection of infusion oils you might want to try
Collection of infusion oils you might want to try
DIY rose oil for skin and hair
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Infusion Lavender oil soothes minor skin irritations and eczema. It is also suitable for mild burns, yeast infections or for insect bites.
DIY Dandelion oil to heal your cracked hands
Dandelion oil is used in salves, lotions, and lip balms to soothe dry and cracked skin. Thanks to its capability to speed up the healing process of scars and calm down skin irritations dandelion oil is also efficient in acne treatment.
Uses and benefits of Calendula oil
Calendula (Calendula Officinalis, a.k.a. “Pot Marigold”) has its well-defined place in the herbal world. It’s not only the bright color and sweet smell that distinguish this plant from the others. But mainly it’s healing power and capability to cleanse wound made it internal as well as external number one choice of herbal healer.
How to make & use red clover oil
purple blossoms of the red clover make an outstanding nourishing oil that, by increasing collagen production, improves the elasticity of your skin and reduces wrinkles. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also help with eczema or psoriasis.
Powerful Elderflower infusion oil to soften your skin
Elderflower infusion oil has a powerful soothing effect on the skin, improves skin complexion and is especially useful for older skin. However, it is also very effective in treating acne or sunburns. It's anti-inflammatory and anti-wrinkle properties made the elderflower infusion oil very popular in the cosmetic industry.
How to make Rosehip oil to heal your skin
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Extracted from leaves and flowers of wild violets this violet oil possesses many benefits for skin and hair and might be also able to help with insomnia or rheumatic pain.
How to make chamomile oil
This soothing chamomile oil extracted from chamomile flowers deeply nourishes and restores the skin. Its healing properties can be used in wound healing, diaper rash, or eczema.
Cucumber oil recipe for skin and hair
Deeply moisturizing and nourishing cucumber oil soothes and protects dry skin and hair adding softness and hydration.
How to make lemon balm oil + 10 ways to use it
This soothing lemon balm oil moisturizes and promotes skin healing. Lemon balm oil’s healing properties may help with cold sores.
Can I use dried elderberries and not flowers to make a infused oil?
Dear Heather, unfortunately, it will not work. You need to use Elderflowers for this recipe.
What is a heat source if not direct heat. Can you give me examples…
The idea is to place the jar in a dark, warm spot, such as a cupboard, out of direct sunlight, and let the mixture infuse for a minimum of 2 weeks but can be longer up to 5 weeks.
Hi where can I buy the elderflower.
The season of elderflowers just started so you can forage it. Alternatively, you can buy organic dry elderflowers here
Hi can you give me an equivalent measure of dried elderflowers for 15 heads of fresh elderflowers?
Hi Anna, when I work with dried herbs I simply fill a jar ½ full with dried herbs and pour oil over the herbs, making sure the herbs are covered completely.
What type of oil do you use?
In this recipe, I used sweet almond oil
Hi, I heard that almond oil loses its properties if is not kept in a fridge. I was thinking to place my jar in my shed where is very warm and hot. But I am afraid of not losing the benefits of the almond oil
Hi Anna, I store all my nut-based oils such as hazelnut oil or almond oil refrigerated. From my experience it will go rancid very fast.
My elderflowers have been in the almond oil for one week, and have started to grow mold on the top. Do I have to throw it all away? What have I done wrong? It is in a jar with a clip down lid and rubber seal and is in a kitchen cupboard. Thanks
Hi ALi, there could be more reasons. Did you use dried or fresh flowers? The jar you used may not be sterilized and that could be the cause. I would remove the mold from the top and do faster infusion with heat which takes several hours. Then place the oil in the fridge. The double boiler method is described here https://simplybeyondherbs.com/rose-oil/
Thank you. It was fresh flowers but the bottle wasn’t sterilised. They’ve been in the oil for 11 days but will remove the mold now and heat it. Thanks for your advice.
Can I use jojoba oil and almond oil together for the infusion?
Hi Amber, sure you can, it will have slightly different benefits for the skin though. While Jojoba oil is effective for quick treatments almond oil is more reparative solution. However, they can both be used daily and absorb quickly. Jojoba oil treats and soothes the skin, but requires regular application to maintain results. Almond oil contains a higher content of monounsaturated fatty acids than any other oil, making it intensely moisturizing.
Hello,
Can I use Argan oil to infuse dried Elderflowers?
sure you can just! Argan oil is very often used in skincare.