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Dandelions are a beautiful herb that often get overlooked as a weed, quickly to be stomped out and removed from the front yard. However, you might be surprised that this flower has amazing benefits for the skin.
All the parts of the dandelion plant can be used in various ways through the roots, leaves, and flower. Submerging the whole plant into good quality H2O to make a tincture can help the skin in many ways.
What makes Dandelion amazing for the skin is its ability to detoxify. When the skin is detoxified, the pores stay clearer and the complexion has a chance to heal.
Dandelion is a great herb to use for acne prone, combination and sensitive skin types, including eczema.
Benefits of Dandelion for the Skin
- Antioxidants: High in Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, makes dandelions a great topical treatment for fighting free radicals and the signs of aging skin.
- Minerals: Dandelions contain potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. The root is particularly rich in mineral concentration. These minerals will hydrate the tissues and support the functions of the skin.
- Vitamins: Vitamin A, B6, C and K all help support the skin's function and help fight free radicals.
- Antifungal and Germicidal: The milk or sap from the stem of the flower is useful in treating skin diseases which are caused by microbial or fungal infections. It's high alkaline levels help fight off infection in the skin's tissues, including itching, eczema and the bacteria that promotes acne.
Dandelion for Acne Treatment
Dandelion juice, being a stimulant, diuretic and detoxifier in nature, can help regulate proper secretion of hormones, increase sweating and widen the pores. These factors help to facilitate the removal of toxins through sweat and urine.
Furthermore, dandelion sap, if topically applied to areas with acne, can inhibit microbial infection and reduce the frustrating signs of acne.
Also, it can speed up healing due to its vitamin-C content, so the scars and red inflammation that traditionally follow an acne treatment will be less noticeable.
How to Use Dandelions for Skincare
Option 1: Gather Flowers
You can harvest your own dandelions to make your own tinctures, infusions, or skin care blends. If you want to gather your own, find an area that has not been sprayed with pesticides or any lawn care treatments. I also suggest picking away from a busy road.
There are many beautiful fields with healthy dandelions for the picking. Use a small garden shovel and take the whole plant, including a part of the tap root that lies under the dirt. You only need 2-3 whole flowers per small batch of tincture. Pick your dandelions when they are in full bloom with the yellow flower.
Clean your dandelions under cool water until they run clear of dirt. You are now ready to prepare the skin care blend of your choice.
Option 2: Purchase Dandelion Herb
Purchasing whole, organic dandelion herbs. All the work is done for you. Simply use the dried herbs in your skin care blend.
Making a Dandelion Skin Care Blend
Whatever you choose, fresh hand picked dandelions or dried store bought organic herbs, you can make a potent skin care blend.
Its important to note that the high content of minerals from dandelions is water soluble, so mixing your dandelions in oil will not work.
Simply use water to make an infusion, and spritz the nutrient rich blend on the face and neck area. I like to spray my hair, as these minerals and vitamins are also great at repairing the proteins that make up the hair strands.
Step by Step Dandelion Infusion Spray:
- Step #1: Add one cup of dried dandelion herb or 2-3 whole plants to half a quart jar.
- Step #2: Fill the jar with boiling water, leaving an inch of room to spare.
- Step #3: Let your mixture stand for 3-4 days.
- Step #4: Strain your mixture and add it to a dark glass spay bottle.
- Step #5: Spritz your detoxifying dandelion tincture on your freshly washed face and in your hair daily.
Including dandelions in your everyday skin care regime is very simple. There is an abundance of flowers available all around us during the harvest season. Your skin will detoxify, keeping the pores clear, removing bacteria that cause acne and moisturizing the skins tissue layers.
This is one of the easiest recipes in skin care that packs a punch. Be sure to share with your friends and spread the love like a weed!
To a Bright and Beautiful you,
Maria.
Hi Maria! 😀
Thanks for this wonderful article on the power of dandelion! 🙂
I suffer with Dermatitus (on the face – in the T-zone) and was wondering if you enlighten us more on the power of dandelion sap in treatment of dermatitis.
How long could we expect to see significant changes? and how often should it be applied to the areas of inflammation?
I’ve had this on and off for 8 years now (started when I was 18, I’m now 26) and the only thing that gives me some respite is Facial Steaming – I generally have 2 to 3 days of clear(ish) skin and 4 to 5 days of painful, irritated skin.
I’m aware the only solution is a complete change of lifestyle – I consume dandelions daily but have never applied to my skin – though I’m curious to know how effective you believe dandelion sap to be in the treatment of facial dermatitis and how I’m best to go about it 🙂
Thanks for reading! I look forward to hearing from you! 😀
Hi Lee,
Thanks for your questions.
What I would recommend in your situation is a daily routine of application. The sap is your best option, or a serum using the whole plant. Dermatitis is a hard skin condition to treat and does include other regular changes in lifestyle, but it sounds like you are on the right track. Since you are already taking dandelion internally, you will benefit from also applying it directly to the skin.
Dandelion sap is very detoxifying. I would suggest starting your day with a deep clean, gentle exfoliator. and then your Dandelion serum. Do this daily.
It will take time to see results, and everyone’s skin is different. But the idea is to stick with a routine long enough to give it a chance. At the very least 1 month.
I absolutely believe Dandelion is effective for the skin. Many of my clients have found success in treating irritation.
The nice thing about Dandelion is its completely affordable and well wroth it.
Hope this helps Lee. Stay in touch and keep us updated!
All the best.
Maria.
How long will the spray last before it expires?
Hi Barbara, I would keep the spray in the fridge to extend its shelf life and use it within 2 – 3 weeks.