Photo of woman in yard putting flowers in basket

4 May flowers with skincare powers — and how to harness them.

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.

What is Grove Collaborative?

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.

Tighten your skin with rosewater

Yellow rose with dew drop illustration

Why are roses good for your skin?

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.


What does a rose toner do?

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.

How do you make rose toner at home?

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.

How long does homemade rosewater toner last?

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.

ROSEWATER TONER RECIPE

  1. Toss three cups of fragrant rose petals into a sauce pan, and just barely cover with distilled water.
  2. Cover, and heat on low for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the color has mostly faded from the petals. Don’t simmer! Too much heat will destroy the beneficial properties of the rose water.
  3. Strain the liquid through a fine strainer, and compost the petals.
  4. Pour the rosewater into a jar, and let it cool.
  5. Combine equal parts rosewater and witch hazel to make your toner.
  6. Freeze extra rosewater for your next batch.

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.

Heal faster with dandelion

Dandelion illustration

What does dandelion do for your skin?

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.


What is dandelion salve good for?

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.

How do you make a dandelion salve?

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.

How long does dandelion salve last?

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.

DANDELION SALVE RECIPE

To make four ounces of dandelion salve:


  1. Combine 3.5 ounces of dandelion oil and 0.5 ounces of beeswax pastilles in a heat-proof container, and set it into a pan with a few inches of water.
  2. Raise the water temperature slowly to medium-low, and when the wax melts, pour the salve into small, repurposed tins or jars.
  3. Allow the salve to cool and harden, and it’s ready to slather on what ails you!

Calm your skin with chamomile

Chamomile flower illustration

Why is chamomile good for your skin?

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!

What is chamomile face oil good for?

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.

How long does chamomile face oil last?

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.

CHAMOMILE FACE MASK RECIPE

  1. Empty the contents of a chamomile tea bag into a small bowl. Bonus points if you have your own dried chamomile to use instead.
  2. Make chamomile oil. Like dandelions, chamomile flowers don’t need to be dried to make an oil infusion. Pick the flowers when they’re at their peak — not brand-new, but not wilting — to ensure the highest concentration of the good stuff. Then, proceed with the same oil infusion method as dandelion oil above.
  3. Add ¼ cup of chamomile-infused oil, a tablespoon of honey, and ½ cup of white sugar, and mix well.
  4. Apply the mask to your face, leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, and rinse with cool water.

Hydrate with passion flower

Passion flower illustration

Is passion flower good for skin?

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.


What is passion flower oil good for?

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.

Blue mason jar illustration

How do you make passion flower oil?

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.


How long does passion flower oil last?

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.

PASSION FLOWER SCRUB RECIPE

  1. Combine two to three tablespoons of dried passion flower, ½ cup sugar, and ¼ cup of passion flower-infused oil in an airtight glass container.
  2. Mix it well, and use it to exfoliate and nourish your skin.
  3. Store it in the fridge, and use it within a few weeks.

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