Organic Elder Flowers
CTFA Name: Organic Elder Flower
INCI Name: Sambucus Nigra (Organic Elder Flowers)
Country of Origin: Bulgaria
Packaging: Biodegradable Bags
Description: Cut and sifted yellow to tan flowers; mild, leafy aroma
Applications: Skincare, Soap Manufacturing, Hair Care
Benefits: anti-inflammatory; soothing; helps with eczema and psoriasis; helps with lymphatic drainage; antioxidant; naturally high in vitamin c; helps boost natural collagen production; fights free radicals; fights hyperpigmentation; reduces dark spots; hydrating; mild astringent
Suggested formulas: eye gel, eye cream, skin brightening serum, vitamin c products, shampoo, conditioner, bath soaks
Organic Elder Flowers impart many hair care and skincare benefits; They are naturally astringent, helping to balance sebum production on the skin; plus they have naturally high levels of vitamin c, fighting skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation, along with fighting free radicals. You can use organic elder flowers directly in soaps and skincare as an exfoliant or use the flowers to create an infusion in either water, oil or glycerin.
Organic Elder Flowers are an excellent addition to skincare products targeting red, irritated and dry skin. Elder flowers contain natural bioflavonoids working as anti-inflammatory agents to help sooth the skin. You can incorporate this into products targeting eczema and psoriasis, as the natural chlorogenic acid specifically helps soothe skin.
Organic Elder Flowers have naturally high sources of vitamin c, making it an excellent ingredient to use in skin brightening formulas. You could distill this down in one of our organic hydrosols, such as the Organic Neroli, which is also high in vitamin c. You would then use this elder flower/neroli hydrosol as the water portion of your formula. You could incorporate this into an eye gel or cream, facial cream targeting hyperpigmentation and sun spots, or spot treatment. Consider adding other ingredients such as Astaxanthin, oil soluble Vitamin C, Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil, Organic Evening Primrose, Organic Rosehip Seed Oil, Cucumber Seed Oil and Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil to create an excellent Vitamin C Serum.
           Suggested Vitamin C Serum Formula:
- Aloe Gel Base as your base- this a very mild organic aloe gel that can hold up to 80% added ingredients and still maintain viscosity. You will need to add a preservative if you exceed 10% additions
- 1-10% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate– Oil Soluble Vitamin C- the percentage you use is all up to you. The more you add, the more powerful the end result and the more you can charge for it.
- 1% Each Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil, Organic Evening Primrose, Oranic Rosehip Seed Oil, Cucumber Seed Oil and Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil
- Then use your Order Elder Flower infused Organic Neroli Hydrosol to thin the product out to your desired thickness. To infuse the hydrosol, simply warm the hydrosol to 100°F or less (or use an infusion machine). Add 1-2tsp organic elder flower to 16oz organic neroli hydrosol. If you’re using the heat method, allow to sit in the neroli hydrosol for 10-20 minutes. Do not keep the product on heat- simply warm, add in flowers, cover, turn off heat, allow to sit.
- The end viscosity will be determined by your means of application. If you’re using a bottle with a dropper you may want it to be slightly thinner. If you’re using a bottle with a pump, you may want it to be slightly thicker.
- If you added more than 10% total ingredients, add in 1% blend of Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate to boost the preservative system. You can dissolve this into the neroli hydrosol elder flower infusion, then add into your finished product.
Remember, all formulating should be done by weight, not by teaspoons or drops.
Order Elder Flowers are said to help increase circulation in the skin, thereby helping to boost natural collagen production. It also helps to increase lymphatic drainage. This makes organic elder flower an excellent addition to both bath soaks, and to body massage products. You could infuser organic elder flowers into your favorite massage oil (such as USA Sweet Almond Oil, Oregon Hazelnut Oil, MCT Oil, or Grapeseed Oil), then add this to our Lotion Base at up to 10%. This not only makes a great massage oil, but the addition of the organic elder flowers helps to stimulate the lymph drainage and increases blood flow.
           How to do the oil infusion:
- You can either do a cold infusion, which takes up to 6 weeks, or a hot infusion, which will be much faster.
- Our oil infusions are always cold and they have a 20% flower to oil ratio. You can use whichever oil you’d like. I suggest using brewer bags/mesh bags to help keep the oil clean from debris from the dry material. Submerge the bag into the oil, seal and allow to sit for 6 weeks. Remove the dry material, strain if needed.
- Hot infusions can either be done using an infusion machine or just heating the oil directly. You’ll do the same ratio of 20% dry to oil. I would still suggest using a brewers bag/mesh bag to help limit debris. Heat the oil up to 100°F or less. You just need it warm, not hot. Submerge the dry material and allow to steep. You can cover and remove from heat and allow to process for 1-2 weeks for a stronger infusion.
Organic Elder Flower can be used in soap making, both directly as an exfoliant or through an infusion. You will infuse into an oil or water. If you extract it into water, deduct this quantity from your lye water. Organic Elder Flower is very gentle on the skin while also imparting all the skin benefits. Consider using this in a facial bar to compliment your brightening and soothing skincare line.
Organic Elder Flower is also great for hair care. Many plants help to cleanse the scalp and increase circulation. This makes for a great base for scalp treatment products. Consider using an elder flower infusion in your shampoo and conditioners, both bars and liquid formulas. Organic Elder Flowers also help to boost natural shine, leaving the hair more manageable and glossy.
Organic Elders Flowers are sold in ½- pound biodegradable bags, 1-pound biodegradable bags, 5-pound biodegradable bags, 25-pound and 55-pound sizes. Any orders larger than 250-pounds please email us for pricing.
This information is for reference only. These recommendations have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not mean to treat, cure or remedy any diseases.
