Spring is coming but we still have to wait a bit before we can pick the first herbs from nature. However, the skin and the whole body could use some stimulation. Sunflower sprouts are a spring boost to the vegetable selection. Sunflower sprouts should be grown when the snow still covers the ground but the sun is already shining brightly. March is the best time for this. Sunflower sprouts are like vitamin therapy for a body numbed by winter. Did you know that sunflower sprouts can also be used in skin care? This time we are making a skin-regenerating extract from sunflower sprouts.
The benefits of sunflower sprouts for the skin
Sunflower seeds are particularly rich in vitamins. They are rich in vitamins A, B3, B5 and E. In addition, sunflower seeds are rich in minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron.
Sunflower seeds contain particularly skin-friendly linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is suitable for all skin types. It has antibacterial effects. Linoleic acid helps fight rashes and infections on the skin. When you germinate sunflower seeds for a while, they get twice as much useful ingredients.
Sunflower sprouts produce a lot of so-called secondary metabolic products such as strong antioxidants (flavonoids) and saponins. Of all sprouts, sunflower sprouts contain the most antioxidants. That’s why I chose sunflower sprouts for this product.
Sunflower sprouts are ideal
- for skin numbed by winter
- to enhance sun protection; sunflower sprouts have ingredients that strengthen the outer matrix of the skin cell. In this way, the skin’s collagen, eastin and other proteins are better able to withstand bright UV radiation. Sunflower sprout extract is not an actual sunscreen but a skin-strengthening ingredient.
- for aged skin to fight oxidative damage and slow down the skin aging process
How to grow sunflower sprouts?
I will also include instructions for growing sunflower sprouts here. It’s such a nice and easy thing to do. I really recommend trying it.
You will need the following supplies
Get black (others will do), sunflower seeds with brans. Peeled seeds will not germinate, nor will salted, processed seeds. You only need 15 grams of them.
You need a ceramic or glass pie dish as a growing container.
Some soil for cultivation, choose organic soil
Do like this:
- Place 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds in a glass jar and pour lukewarm water over it
- Soak the seeds in water overnight
- Pour off the soaking water and rinse the seeds with lukewarm water.
- Leave the seeds in the jar to germinate. Rinse with lukewarm water 2-3 times a day.
- When the seeds have germinated (takes 2-3 days), sprinkle them in the soil.
- Spread the soil in the pie pan and sprinkle the seeds on top. Cover the seeds lightly with soil.
- Place the growing container in sunlight, for example on a windowsill.
- Keep the dish and soil in it sufficiently moist but not wet. A spray bottle is the best way to water micro-farming dish.
- At some point you can see how little cotyledons rise from the soil.
- The sprouts are ready when the cotyledon has opened and the seed coat has fallen into the soil.
- Now you can harvest. Enjoy sunflower sprouts in salads or on top of seaweed, or use them in cosmetics like we’re going to do now.
What is glycerite made from sunflower sprouts
I was thinking about the best way to extract all the active ingredients from the sunflower sprouts. I ended up with glycerite. Glycerites are plant extracts that can be prepared yourself from almost any plant. The other main raw material of glycerite is glycerol, the glycerine. Glycerine is a sugar alcohol that has a very moisturizing effect on the skin. Glycerine attracts moisture and keeps it in the skin. You can read more about glycerol in my article; Moisturizing glycerol
In addition to glycerol, we use fresh sunflower sprouts for this glycerite.
Glycerites are cosmetic semi-finished products. They are not used as such, but as one ingredient in the cosmetic products. Glycerites containing plant power can be used in all cosmetics as an active ingredient. Glycerite is an effective way to get the active substances of plants into the product. You can always use glycerites instead of glycerine. Good uses for glycerite are:
- Facial lotions
- Emulsion creams
- Face masks
How to make sunflower sprout glycerite?
- You need a small jar with a lid. Baby food jars are perfect. Prepare only a small amount of glycerite at a time. 30 ml is a good amount.
- 30 ml of glycerine
- 2 tablespoons chopped sunflower sprouts
Do like this:
- Pour the chopped sunflower sprouts into a glass jar
- Pour over the glycerol
- Mix the sunflower sprouts carefully with the glycerol and close the jar with the lid
- Put the jar in the dark (protect from light), cool place or in the refrigerator to brew for about 4-6 days.
- Strain the glycerite through a clean filter fabric and pack in a clean bottle.
- Label the glycerite showing the ingredient and date of manufacture
- Glycerite can be stored in a cool place or in the refrigerator for about 6 months.
You can use this instruction to other glycerites as well. Good glycerites are made from fresh wild herbs or fresh store-bought herbs. You can also make interesting extracts from berries and fruits with the help of glycerol. It is recommended to use fresh plants, berries and fruits for glycerite. Dried plant parts do not dissolve properly in glycerol.
Glycerites should only be prepared in small quantities. Just a small amount of glycerite is enough for the products. About 5% of glycerol is usually added to cosmetic formulas. Glycerol is a sugar alcohol that easily makes the product sticky if you add it too much.
What did you think of this guide? Are you excited to try it? Let me know what plants you have used to make glycerites.