Dandelions often get a bad rap. People see them as annoying weeds ruining their lawns, but they’re actually amazing flowers, especially for pollinators like bees. For humans, dandelions are not only edible and nutritious but also great for skin care. They can help with chapped skin, burns, and acne. When combined with the benefits of coconut oil, you get a fantastic moisturizer suitable for all skin types.
When harvesting dandelions, remember they’re crucial for pollinators. Don’t pick them all; leave most behind to reseed. If you’re gathering them from somewhere other than your yard, make sure it’s a chemical-free area. After picking, let the flowers sit on a towel for a few hours to let any bugs crawl out. Then, dry them in the sun or use an electric dehydrator.
Here’s what you need to make a dandelion-infused moisturizer:
– ½ cup of organic coconut oil
– ¼ cup of dried dandelion flowers
– 6-8 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)
– 1 pint canning jar
– Small saucepan
– Hand mixer
First, infuse the coconut oil with the dandelion flowers. Put the coconut oil in the canning jar and place the jar in a saucepan filled with a couple of inches of water. Heat on low until the coconut oil melts. Then, add the dried dandelion flowers and let them steep in the oil on low heat for about two hours, ensuring the water doesn’t evaporate completely. After two hours, remove the jar from heat and let it cool. Strain out the flowers, and you’ll have a bright yellow dandelion-infused oil. If you’re using lavender essential oil, add it now.
Put the infused oil in the fridge until it firms up but isn’t completely solid. Use a hand mixer to whip the firm oil until it looks like whipped butter or frosting. Store the whipped moisturizer in a tin or glass jar. If your house is warm, keep it in the fridge. It melts easily on contact with warm skin.
This dandelion-coconut oil moisturizer can be used as a lip balm, on dry elbows and feet, to soothe sore muscles, relieve acne, or even as an aftershave. It’s bound to become your go-to moisturizer!
