Last Updated: May 17, 2021
Flowers have been used in skincare for millennia, but do you know the reasons why floral ingredients are used to help balance and care for skin?
Spring is in full bloom, and those beautiful botanicals in your backyard are more than just a pretty face. According to the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, botanical extracts support the health, texture, and integrity of the skin, hair, and nails — and they’re the single-largest category of additives found in “cosmeceuticals” today.
Practically all of the natural skincare products we offer at Grove — every serum, soap, and shampoo; every conditioner, cream, and cleanser; every mask, mouthwash, and moisturizer — relies on plants to deliver powerful antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory benefits for healthy, glowing skin.
The Ancients understood the power of plants, and they didn’t need modern manufacturing facilities and fancy packaging to make healing preparations for what ailed them — and neither do you! The truth is, you can enjoy the skin-lovin’ benefits of your spring flower garden with a couple of kitchen tools and a few (non-flower) ingredients you may already have on hand.
So, which flowers are best for your skin type? Well, we’ve outlined the benefits of four face-friendly flowers that may be growing in your yard right now.
From natural household to personal care, everything at Grove is healthier for you and the planet — and works! We recommend monthly shipments and product refills that you can edit or move at any time. No monthly fees or commitments required.
Roses have cell-rejuvenating properties that help minimize the appearance of scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks. They’re packed with vitamins A and C, which help reduce the appearance of age spots and promote collagen production. Rosewater is intensely hydrating, helps maintain your skin’s pH balance, and controls excessive oil.
A potent astringent, rosewater is a natural toner that cleanses and tightens the skin, and it reduces redness and inflammation. Swipe the toner across your face for a quick refresh, or spray it on your scalp to combat dryness and dandruff. Spritz it on a sunburn, dry skin, or flare-up of eczema or rosacea for soothing relief and help with healing.
Rosewater toner is easy to make at home. Known formally as a tisane and colloquially as an herbal tea, rosewater is made with fresh rose petals, which release their delectable scent, powerhouse nutrients, and luscious pink hue into the water. Witch hazel adds even stronger astringent qualities.
Since rosewater toner (or any other floral toner) is made from fresh plant material, it has a limited shelf life. Store your rosewater toner in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, keep it in the refrigerator for up to a month, or freeze it for up to a year.
Tip: If you don’t have an empty bottle, you can upcycle any plastic bottle from a store-bought facial product to store your rosewater toner in.
Dandelions may be the bane of some people’s existence, but they’re wonderful for the bees, and they’re a miracle worker for your skin. Dandelions are rich in folate and antioxidant vitamins that reduce and prevent visible signs of aging.
Hydrating dandelion flowers have pain-relieving properties and do wonders for inflammation and red, irritated skin. A dandelion water infusion, also known as a tea or tisane, detoxifies the skin and clears the pores, while a dandelion salve moisturizes, soothes, and heals.
Use your dandelion salve to soothe aching joints or muscles or moisturize dry, cracked skin and lips. Dab it on bug bites or rashes to relieve the itch and promote healing, and rub it into your heels and calluses to soften and smooth.
The base of a dandelion salve is an oil infusion made with fresh-ish dandelion flowers that have been left to wilt for a couple of days. To make the oil infusion, fill a jar halfway up with the wilted dandelion flowers. Add a carrier oil of your choice to an inch or two over the top of the flowers. Put the jar in a saucepan, and fill the pan with water to the halfway mark of the jar. Heat on very low heat for five to seven hours. When the oil is the color of the flowers and smells like heaven, strain the oil, store it in a sterilized glass jar or bottle, and use it in the salve recipe below.
When kept away from sunlight and heat in closed tins — yes, you can definitely use your recycled mint tins! — dandelion salve has a shelf life of about one year. But this healing salve is so gentle and soothing on the skin that it probably won’t be around long enough to turn rancid.
To make four ounces of dandelion salve:
Chamomile is famous as a soul-calming herbal tea, but this deeply aromatic plant is also a skin-calming machine. Chamomile has antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties that speed up cell regeneration and reduce signs of aging.
Chamomile water is super-soothing on skin conditions like acne and rosacea, and it helps cool and heal minor scrapes and burns. It’s a great moisturizer for aging and dry skin. But take note: If you have an allergy to flowers in the daisy family, no chamomile for you!
Chamomile face oil is hydrating and super-extra-gentle. Wash your face with your favorite natural cleanser, apply a few drops of oil to clean fingers, and gently distribute across your face.
Chamomile-infused face oil, like other infused oils, will last around two months in the fridge. If you don’t want to use it cold, warm it up between your fingers or palms before applying it.
Passion flower is soothing to the skin — and it smells divine. A potent anti-ager, passion flower is packed with 72 percent omega 6 acid to hydrate the skin while controlling sebum production.
Its high lycopene content soothes and helps heal burns — including sunburns. Passion flower is particularly beneficial for dry, sensitive, or mature skin.
Use passion flower oil in your DIY beauty concoctions, or apply it as a serum to your face after cleaning and before moisturizing. Gently apply it to burns for faster healing with less-visible scarring.
Passion flower hydrates and is a natural anti-inflammatory. This means passion flower oil can help reduce breakouts and control acne on your skin, while keeping it hydrated and protected from outside toxins, too.
Passion flower-infused oil — not to be confused with an essential oil — is easy to make, and it’s an optional ingredient in our DIY sugar scrub recipe below. First, dry your flowers, lightly grind them, and fill a glass jar halfway up with them.
Add a carrier oil of your choice to an inch or two over the top of the flowers. Put the jar in a saucepan, and fill the pan with water to the halfway mark of the jar. Heat on very low heat for five to seven hours. When the oil is the color of the flowers and smells like heaven, strain the oil, and store it in a sterilized glass jar or bottle.
Any flower- or herb-infused oil, including passion flower oil, will last around two months in the refrigerator. It may turn a little cloudy while it’s cold, but when it warms back up, it’ll be clear.
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