Hackney Herbal has shared some incredibly soothing recipes with us, including this one for making your own solar infused herbal oil, which can form the basis of your clean beauty skincare at home.

What is a solar infused herbal oil?

Give your DIY skincare or beauty recipes an extra boost by infusing your oils with dried herbs. By putting them on a sunny windowsill, the herbs will infuse the oil with their healing and soothing properties. The oil can then be used as a base for everything from body oil to bath oil, your DIY oil options are endless.

(Solar infused oils aren't safe to eat btw, only use on your skin, in the bath etc).

It's up to you which herbs you mix together but some herbs that work well a solar infused oil are: Comfrey, Lavendar, Chamomile, Rose and Calendula.

If you are planning to use herbs you are growing at home, you will need to thoroughly dry these out before you start infusing your oil, to avoid any mould or spoilage (see below).

You can also buy dried herbs for use in your infused oil.

How to dry foraged herbs

• The best time to harvest herbs is in the morning on a dry day before they lose their volatile oils.
• Never harvest more than a third of the plant.
• Leave your herbs to dry in a cool, dark place (out of direct sunlight) for 3-10 days, depending on the humidity.

Taken from Hackney Herbal’s Herbal Journal: Summer Solstice Edition (ebook, £8) Available at hackneyherbal.com

How To Make A Solar Infused Herbal Oil

Check out Hackney Herbal's other recipes on pebble:

• Lemon Verbena & Lime Blossom Cordial Recipe
• DIY Beauty: Used Coffee Grounds Body Scrub Recipe

Want more on sustainable skincare?

Check out pebble's new Sustainable Skincare: Everything You Need To Know In One Handy Free Ebook!

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What do you think? Have you tried this recipe out at home? Let us know in the comments below.