Seasonal Skincare

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On the central Oregon Coast red elder is blooming everywhere right now, and it comes right at the time I tend to want to change up my skin care routine. Elderflower has become a cue of sorts, that it’s time to make an herbal moisturizer for my gardening hands and newly sun kissed skin, and a tincture for sinus and respiratory support in this pollen heavy season. I tend to use the lotion pretty generously, and the tincture I use some, but mostly enjoy giving as gifts. I think I feel fortunate to have dry skin over allergies. I know what it’s like (it’s awful!) and I feel for anyone that suffers during pollen season!

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Elderflower. This is Red Elder.

Each year I’ve been working on keeping a stock of dried herbs and flowers, and it’s become super satisfying to have a homegrown apothecary cabinet that I can go to when I need.

For this batch of lotion I chose dried calendula, chamomile and lavender flowers, and fresh rosemary and elderflower. All of these flowers and herbs have amazing healing properties for the skin.

I started with an infusion of rosemary, and melted some beeswax in a makeshift double boiler set-up.

I used a hemp coffee filter for straining my infusion. In addition to coffee, these filters are perfect for straining teas and medicinal infusions.

And then I added all the flowers. The beautiful scent that this filled the house with was out of this world. I wish I could convey it through photos! Floral, herbal, simultaneously intense and so gentle. I haven’t brought myself to put the strainings in the compost yet and Steven and I have both gone in just to inhale it over the last couple days.

It came out the prettiest color, which I didn’t expect at all. I actually thought it would be green!

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For any do-it-yourselfers who would like to try making their own lotion, I wrote about it here a few years ago. While each batch may be different, depending on what herbs or oils one chooses, the process is generally the same. And I wrote about making elderflower tincture here. Again, while each tincture may differ, depending on the herbs or alcohol you choose, the process is pretty much the same.

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As you might know, I love to give gifts and share things I’ve made, so tomorrow I’ll be back with a little giveaway 🙂

Have a great night all.