There’s something I love about using what’s growing in the garden right now. Sunflowers are everywhere at the end of summer, and those beautiful petals can be turned into a simple infused oil for seasonal skin care.
I call this my Sunflower Glow Infusion!
This time I wasn’t making a huge batch. My cream jar was getting low, so I harvested some petals and made a small batch using the quick heat method. It’s an easy way to refill your cream without waiting weeks for an oil infusion.

Some fun facts about sunflower petals… Sunflower petals contain naturally occurring plant compounds, including flavonoids and other phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. In traditional herbal preparations, sunflower has also been used topically. For me, sunflower petals make a lovely seasonal addition to a rich cream designed to soften, condition and soothe dry, hard-working skin. And there’s something pretty special about taking flowers from the garden and turning them into something you can actually use.

First: Make Your Sunflower Glow Oil
You can make your infused oil two ways: slow or quick.

1. The Slow Infusion
This is my preferred method when I have the time.
– Fill a clean, completely dry jar loosely with dried sunflower petals. Cover them completely with your carrier oil, making sure all of the plant material stays submerged.
– Seal and allow it to infuse for about 4–6 weeks in a warm place out of direct sunlight, giving the jar a gentle shake regularly.
– Strain very well and transfer the finished oil into a clean, dry bottle or jar.

The Quick Heat Infusion
This is what I use when my cream needs a refill and I don’t have an infused oil waiting on the shelf.
– Combine your dried sunflower petals + carrier oil in a heat-safe bowl or double boiler.
– Warm very gently on low heat for approximately 2–3 hours. You’re warming the herbs, not frying them. Keep the temperature gentle and make sure no water gets into the oil.
– Strain thoroughly and you have your sunflower oil base ready for your cream.

Which Oil Should You Use?
Your carrier oil changes the feel of the finished cream. Jojoba oil is light, stable and absorbs beautifully without feeling overly greasy. Sweet almond oil is soft and nourishing and makes a lovely everyday hand and body cream. Olive oil is richer and heavier, making it a good choice for very dry hands, elbows and hardworking skin. Sunflower seed oil is an obvious pairing with the petals. It’s lightweight and naturally contains vitamin E and essential fatty acids. Apricot kernel oil is another lighter option that leaves skin feeling soft without making the cream overly heavy. You can also blend oils. I often think of the carrier oil as part of the recipe rather than simply something that extracts the herbs.

Small-Batch Sunflower Body Butter
Ingredients:
– ¾ cup shea butter
– 3 tbsp sunflower petal-infused oil
– 1 tbsp vitamin E oil
– 1½ tbsp grated beeswax or beeswax pastilles
How to Make It:
– Melt the shea butter and beeswax together in a double boiler until completely liquid.
– Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
– Stir in the sunflower-infused oil and vitamin E oil.
– Place in the refrigerator for about 30–40 minutes, until it begins setting around the edges but is still soft in the centre.
– Whip with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
– If it becomes too soft while whipping, refrigerate it briefly and whip again.
– Spoon into a clean, dry jar or tin.
Because this recipe contains no added water, it’s technically closer to a whipped balm/body butter than a traditional water-based cream, which is also what makes it so simple to make at home.

How to Use It
I use a small amount on slightly damp hands, especially at night, and take a little extra time to massage it on my skin. When my skin are particularly dry, I apply it generously and go to bed to let it absorb all night! A little goes a long way.

A Cream for the Season
I love letting my homemade products change with the seasons. Dandelions in spring. Roses and herbs through summer. Sunflowers as summer begins turning toward fall. You don’t always need to make enough for the entire year, either. Harvest what’s abundant, infuse a little oil and make a small batch when your jar needs a refill. The slow infusion is wonderful when you’re planning ahead. The quick heat method is there for the days when you aren’t.
Both are simple ways to turn what’s growing around you into something useful—and that’s really my favourite kind of seasonal living.

For topical use only. Always correctly identify plants before using them, use clean and fully dried plant material and equipment, and patch-test homemade skincare before wider use. Avoid using a product if you have a known sensitivity to any ingredient. DIY Disclaimer: This content is shared for informational, inspirational and educational purposes only.Please use appropriate safety precautions and your own judgment when attempting any project. We are not liable for any injury, damage, or loss resulting from use of this information. This guide reflects the methods I personally use in my own home.