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Elderflower salve to reduce signs of ageing

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This homemade elderflower salve helps reduce signs of aging, fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. This DIY anti aging face cream is specifically made for mature skin. 

Since the elderflowers season began I have been restless, searching for new recipes and ideas to try. 

Each year I start with elderflower cordial, cough syrup, and Elderflower fritters. This year however I wanted to make something special for my mom. I wanted to surprise her with some effective skincare products that would make her skin soft and glowing.

elderflower salve

This herbal salve recipe uses only natural ingredients and more importantly elderflowers that are one of the best anti aging herbs.

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Elderflower salve

Anti aging herbs – Elderflowers are known for their softening, anti-inflammatory, and anti-wrinkle properties. The best way to transfer their power into a homemade salve it is to infuse dried elderflower blossoms in the carrier oil to make elderflower oil. The elderflower oil is further mixed with beeswax and essential oils to make elderflower salve.

Elderflower salve for ageing skin

Ingredients

Elderflower oil

Homemade Elderflower oil starts with collecting fresh Elderflower blossoms (Sambucus Nigra). They start to bloom in spring with large umbels of white color blossoms with a distinctive floral scent. If you have no access to elderflower bushes you can always order dried elderflowers online.

Once you gather your elderflowers you need to let them dry first. Just remove bugs and set the blossoms ready for drying.  The pollen gives them scent and color so don’t wash them. Frech blossoms contain moisture that can lead to mold that can spoil the oil. If you want to make stable elderflower oil that can last up to one year opt for dried herbal material.

elderflower benefits for skin

Carrier Oil

I used sweet almond oil as a carrier oil because it has additional properties that are suitable for mature skin such as reduction of puffiness, brightening dark circles under the eyes as well as improving skin tone. Almond oil is also easily absorbed and renews the cells of the skin.

Anti-ageing Elderflower salve

Frankincense essential oil

To double the effect of DIY anti aging face cream I decided to add a few drops of Frankincense essential oil. According to dr. Axe Frankincense not only strengthens skin and improves its tone but also has the ability to improve elasticity and helps lift the skin. 

Beeswax

Beeswax is an essential part of any homemade salve together with an infused oil, in our case elderflower oil. Natural wax, beeswax is produced by honey bees that acts as a moisture barrier on your skin, protecting it from drying out but allowing the oils in the salve to soak in.

Benefits of elderflower salve for the skin:

Elderflowers has been used for centuries to ease cough, flu, and bronchitis (1) However these sweet-scented petals with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties also have great benefits for the skin.

Elderflowers – anti aging herbs

Blossoms of elder contain flavonoids (2) that are considered effective antioxidants that protect our cells from free radicals damage. They also calm inflammation and increase blood circulation. 

Bioflavonoids and vitamins present in elderflowers reduce fine lines and the appearance of wrinkles. In addition, they also encourage the growth of new cells making the skin appear younger.

Another anti-aging herbs are rosehips that contain tretinoin, possessing anti-wrinkle properties thus making rosehip oil for your next anti aging project is a great idea.

IMPROVE SKIN APPEARANCE

Elderflowers are mildly astringent helping minimize pores and dry up oily skin. Their ability to tighten the skin and make the skin look more fresh and smooth rejuvenate its appearance.

How to make Elderflower salve

First step – Start with Elderflower oil

The process of making elderflower oil is simple however requires time (about 4 weeks). Just place dried elderflower blossoms into 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 entirely covered with the oil. After four weeks, strain all the herbal material, and you will be left with pure elderflower oil.

You can also speed up the process with use the double boiler method. Place the jar with lavender and carrier oil in a double boiler and bring it to a slow simmer. Make sure the temperature in the oil will not exceed 60 C (122 F). Thus keeping all medicinal properties. Remove it from the heat, let it cool down and strain the oil.

Preparing Elderflower blossoms for infusion
Preparing Elderflower blossoms for infusion

Second step

Mix elderflower infusion oil with beeswax and place it in a double boiler

Waiting for bees wax to dissolve in double boiler
Waiting for bees wax to dissolve in double boiler

Third step

Gently mix the mixture till the beeswax dissolves and place it on the side

Fourth step

Add Frankincense essential oil or any essential oil you want to use. 

Fifth step

Pour the mixture into a glass jar till it is still liquid, let it sit for 2 hours, and enjoy.

Filling the glass jar with warm mixture
Filling the glass jar with warm mixture

Elderflower lip balm

Since you have your elderflower oil ready it’s super easy to make homemade lip balm that will carry the same properties as this DIY herbal salve. With a small adjustment in the ratio of ingredients you can easily make soothing and moisturing lip balm for a fraction of price.

To make it in a more sustainable fashion and I re-used my old lip balm tubes. You can also use small jars.

filling the lip balm tubes with the mixture
filling the lip balm tubes with the mixture

Elderflower lip balm recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of elderflower infused oil

1 tablespoon of beeswax

1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Note: the advantage of making your own lip balm is that you can adjust the hardness and viscosity of the balm by playing with the quantity ratio of beeswax and coconut oil. If you prefer softer – you add more of coconut oil, harder – more beeswax.

Instructions

  1. Gently heat the elderflower infused oil in a bain marie (a double boiler) with the beeswax. and coconut oil
  2. Stir until the beeswax and coconut oil are fully melted
  3. Fill the lip balm tubes or a small jar when still warm.
Elderflower salve with infused oil
Elderflower salve with infused oil

How long do homemade herbal salves last?

Salves usually last for 1-3 years if stored properly. They should be stored in a cool place or refrigerator. Make sure they don’t re-melt or re-solidify as this will hinder their medicinal properties.

how to make herbal salve without beeswax?

If you wish to make a vegan salve you can just simply replace beeswax with candelilla wax

Can I make the salve from fresh herbs?

You can infuse fresh elderflowers in the oil and add beeswax and essential oil. However elderflower Infuse oil from dried herbs tends to last longer as it doesn’t contain any moisture that can contribute to spoilage.

Yield: 1 jar size 150 ml

Anti-Aging Elderflower salve

Elderflower salve

The elderflower scented infused oil is mixed with beeswax to create moisturising cream that deserves the attention of every woman.

Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Tools

Instructions

Elderflower infused oil

  1. Place dried elderflower blossoms into a sterilized glass jar and fill it with almond oil.
  2. Leave it for 4 weeks to macerate. Check occasionally, make sure that elderflower blossoms are covered completely with the oil.
  3. After four weeks strain all the herbal material and you will be left with pure elderflower oil.
  4. See notes on how to speed up the process of making elderflower infusion.

Elderflower salve

  1. Measure 1/2 cup of elderflower infused oil you’ll need for the recipe and set aside the remaining part for another use
  2. Place the measured elderflower-infused oil and beeswax in a double boiler. Gently heat the mixture just until the beeswax has melted.
  3. As soon as the wax is melted remove from heat, let it cool a bit, and stir in 15 drops of Frankincense essential oil
  4. Fill the glass container when the mixture is still liquid, let it sit for 2 hours, and enjoy.

Notes

You can also speed up the process with use the double boiler method. Place the jar with lavender and carrier oil in a double boiler and bring it to a slow simmer. Make sure the temperature in the oil will not exceed 60 C (122 F). Thus keeping all medicinal properties. Remove it from the heat, let it cool down and strain the oil.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Yield: 4 lip balm tubes

Elderflower lip balm

filling lip balm tubes with homemade natural lip balm with rosehips

This moisturizing natural lip balm with elderflowers soothes and regenerates dry and chapped lips.

Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Instructions

  1. Gently heat the elderflower-infused oil in a double boiler with beeswax and coconut oil.
  2. Stir until the beeswax and coconut oil are fully melted
  3. Add the Frankincense essential oil or other essential oil as per your taste
  4. Fill the lip balm tubes or a small jar when still warm.

Notes

Note: the advantage of making your own lip balm is that you can adjust the hardness and viscosity of the balm by playing with the quantity ratio of beeswax and coconut oil. If you prefer softer - you add more of coconut oil, harder - more beeswax.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Vladka Merva on July 5th, 2019

45 Comments on “Elderflower salve to reduce signs of ageing”

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  11. Does this salve garden enough to put in a deodorant applicator. I just find it more convenient to apply that way

    Reply
    • Dear Megan, this salve hardens enough maybe too much to be applied with a deodorant applicator. But I have never tried it:)

      Reply
  12. Hi,
    I am wondering if you could use a store bought elderflower oil? If there is one out there. 🙂 Or does it have to be made from scratch?
    I would love to try this recipe.
    Thanks Trish

    Reply
    • If you can find one in organic quality that could also be a possibility. I haven’t seen one

      Reply
  13. Does the elderflower oil usually retain the pleasant smell of the flowers after infusing?
    Mine just smells like old cooking oil 🙁

    Reply
    • Did you use dried elderflowers? Sometimes the oil can get rancid if you used fresh flowers.

      Reply
      • Yes I dried them on a low heat in the oven for a couple of hours.
        I’m pretty sure they were fully dry. I’ve been making tea with them which is fine.
        The oil doesn’t smell terrible. Just a bit like vegetable oil after somethings been fried in it.
        I used apricot kernel oil.

        Reply
        • It also depends on the scent of carrier oil before infusion. Sometimes the flowers cannot beat its strong scent.

          Reply

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