Herbal Facial Serum

I made an herbally infused facial serum from homegrown flowers.

1. A dehydrator (optional).
2. A quart mason jar with lid.
3. 1-2 bottles of jojoba oil or other cold-pressed carrier oil you choose.
4. A bowl.
5. A small funnel.
6. A spoon.
7. Therapeutic grade helichrysum italica essential oil.
8. One amber 1oz dropper bottle.
9. Fine mesh strainer.
10. Fresh or dried Calendula and Chamomile flowers.

Harvest Chamomile (Matricaria Retutica) and Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) flowers by picking mature open flowers and placing into a bowl. Note: If you are using purchased dried flowers skip to step 7.

Place a sheet of wax paper on your dehydrator sheet in preparation for the flowers. Be careful to use a piece of parchment paper that is the correct size for your sheet.

Spread the Chamomile and Calendula flowers evenly onto your prepared parchment paper sheet.

Place your dehydrator sheet with the flowers into your dehydrator, shut the door, set the temperature to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and dehydrate for 3 days.

Repeat the previous steps until you have .7 ounces of dried flowers.

Remove flowers and trays from the dehydrator.

Place dried flowers into the bowl (after taring) to reach the desired weight of .7oz.

Pour cold-pressed jojoba oil into the bowl containing the .7 ounces of flowers until all of the flowers are well saturated, then cease. Note: I used jojoba oil because it is non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), you may use any cold-pressed carrier oil that you desire that works for your skin type.

Blend the flowers and oil in a blender for 10 seconds.

Pour your macerated herbal oil into a quart glass mason jar and then fasten the lid.

Mark the date on your calendar, so you can be sure to let the herbs steep for exactly 14 days.

Cover your jar with an old sock. This is to block light from entering the serum and degrading the herbs.

Set your jar in a sunny location outside to infuse for 14 days.

Strain oil into a bowl using a fine mesh strainer.

Add 15 drops of therapeutic-grade Helichrysum Italicum essential oil into the strained oil.

Pour finished oil into a 1-ounce amber-colored dropper bottle using a small funnel.

Use your sumptuous facial serum whenever you want to pamper yourself. Note: I use mine every day!