DIY Dandelion Salve (+ Dandelion Oil)

Let’s turn dandelions into skincare and make an easy DIY dandelion salve from homemade dandelion infused oil.  Last year I collected rose petals from my backyard rose bush, and showed you how to make rose infused oil and then a DIY rose lip balm and rose salve for skin – and you can use that same technique to make DIY dandelion infused oil salve!

Ingredients for DIY Dandelion Salve:

• 2 cups freshly picked dandelion flowers
• Small mason jar with lid
• Carrier oil (I used this exact oil)
• Beeswax pellets
• Shea butter (I used this exact brand)
• Essential oils (optional – I used Eden’s Garden)

Supplies for DIY Dandelion Salve:

• Cheesecloth
• Small bowl
• Colander
• Small double boiler (or small pot and glass measuring cup)
• Spatula
• Small pots or jars with lids (I re-used tea sampler and soap tins)

Find a condensed how-to for making dandelion oil and dandelion salve, below, and keep reading for more detailed instructions and photos!  The first step of this process is to collect and dry dandelion flowers to make a dandelion flower infused oil.

How to Make DIY Dandelion Infused Oil:

1. Pick 2 cups of dandelion flowers that are fresh, dry, and free of chemicals (and dog pee!).
2. Dry the dandelion flowers for a few days – I dried mine on a paper towel lined basket.
3. Fill a mason jar with the dried flowers, leaving 1/4″ at the top.
4. Cover with carrier oil.
5. Let sit in a dry, cool place for 3-4 weeks.

Pick fresh dandelion flowers that are dry, because moisture can ruin an infused oil.  Pick the flowers on a sunny day and not after a rainfall or during heavy humidity.  The drier the better!  Then lay them somewhere they can dry out even more.  I used a shallow basket, lined with a paper towel, and let them dry for 2-3 days.

I placed the dandelion flowers in a mason jar and covered with my oil of choice, making sure to cover all of the flowers because uncovered flowers can grow mould.  The amount you make is up to you.  If you’re just getting started, a cup or so of oil will go a long way.  Store the dandelion oil infusion in a cool, dark place for 3-4 weeks.

I waited 4 weeks for my dandelion infused oil and then strained it into a bowl using cheesecloth covering a colander:

What is Dandelion Oil Good For?

Dandelion oil can be rubbed right onto the skin and can supposedly can help with soreness or stress relief.  It’s also very moisturizing, especially with the carrier oil, and can be applied to skin for a burst of hydration.  Dandelion infused oil can also be used to make a DIY dandelion salve – recipe below – which can also be applied to lips or skin, and is enjoyed for its moisturizing properties.

With my dandelion infused oil complete, I was ready to make my own DIY dandelion salve with shea butter!  I made this while I was making my rose petal salves and experimented with combinations of four basic ingredients: shea butter, my infused oil, beeswax pellets, and essential oils.  Essential oils are optional – the natural scent of this dandelion oil is very mild and somewhat fresh/green.  It’s difficult to describe, and also the carrier oil changes the smell as well, but it’s very…summery.  It’s mild enough that any essential oil I added immediately changed the smell, so feel free to scent it as you like or use unscented.

DIY Dandelion Salve Recipe:

• 1.5 ounces dandelion oil
• .5 ounces beeswax
• .5 ounces shea butter
• 15 drops essential oils

This formula isn’t overly fragranced and is gentle on the skin – my skin is easily irritated and I find this very soothing.

How to Make DIY Dandelion Salve:

1. Melt beeswax on low-medium heat, in a double boiler.
2. Add the oil and stir.
3. Add the essential oils last.
4. Pour into small container.
5. Set aside to harden.

I don’t have a real double boiler, so I set up my makeshift double boiler: a large glass measuring cup in a pot – with about an inch or two of water in the bottom of the pot.

I turned the heat to low-medium – just enough to melt the ingredients in my measuring cup.  I added the beeswax and infused oil and stirred occasionally with a spatula while it melted into a liquid.  It will melt quite nicely from the warm water – NO need to boil the water.

Then I added the essential oils, stirred a few times to mix well, and poured into my little pots (which are actually from a little sample box of tea Hubby was gifted).  I also used an empty soap tin – it’s covered in Lily of the Valley, which is very confusing, lol, but I love to re-use what I have on hand!

Unlike my DIY rose petal salve and rose petal lip balms, this homemade dandelion salve reflects the color of the flower.  It has a fairly bold yellow tint:

What is Dandelion Salve Used For?

I’ll be honest, I don’t really notice the supposed properties of dandelion oil: pain relief, stress relief, etc.  But I will say that it smells fresh and is deeply moisturizing for both the skin and lips.  This salve is so perfect for tucking into my purse because I never have to worry about liquid skin cream spilling.  It helps relieve deeply dry, chapped skin (and lips) and feels very nourishing.  I also like that I made it myself!  I feel like a real homesteader: collecting my chicken eggs, gardening, using rose petals and dandelion flowers in my homemade skincare…  My Mom loved these salves I made so much she absconded with quite a few before I could even snap photos, so that’s a testament to how lovely they are!  They also keep well – I made this last year, actually, and have been using it all year and I have a couple of tins left that are still perfect (the surface texture just looks a touch different).  Just like with my homemade rose petal beauty products, I made little labels using my Cricut Joy.

P.S. Don’t Forget to Pin for Later!