Dandelion

What Is Dandelion in Skincare?

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is the familiar yellow-flowered plant whose leaves, roots and flowers are extracted for skincare. In cosmetics it is used as a botanical antioxidant: the extracts carry polyphenols such as chicoric and caffeic acids, flavonoids and bitter compounds that help protect a formula and support the look of fresh, even-toned skin. It is a supporting ingredient, usually found in toners, mists, serums and gels rather than as the star active.

EWG Skin Deep rating for Dandelion

Quick Facts

How Dandelion Works on the Skin

Antioxidant polyphenols

Dandelion's skincare value comes from its polyphenols, the same family of compounds found in green tea and berries. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals from sun and pollution, which supports the look of a brighter, more even complexion. They also help protect the oils and other actives in a formula from oxidizing.

What the research shows, honestly

A 2021 review by Law and colleagues in Traditional and Integrative Medicine summarizes dandelion's long use in traditional Chinese herbal practice and its lab-measured antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, and notes the extract's low skin toxicity. A 2015 lab study by Yang and Li in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, titled "Dandelion Extracts Protect Human Skin Fibroblasts from UVB Damage and Cellular Senescence," tested dandelion extracts on skin cells in culture. These are cell studies, not results in people. As a cosmetic formulator, I use dandelion as a useful supporting antioxidant and a nice addition to a botanical toner, not as a replacement for well-tested actives like vitamin C or peptides.

Root, leaf or flower?

How to Use Dandelion in Formulas

• Water phase or cool-down. Add glycerin extracts to the water phase, or at cool-down below 40°C (104°F) to protect the polyphenols.
• Use the full rate. For a 20% concentrate glycerite, use the supplier's top rate of 10%. That is 3 g in 30 g of product.
• Infused oils. Dried flowers can be infused in a light oil (warm, not hot, for several hours, then strained) for balms. Dry the flowers fully first; fresh plant water in oil invites spoilage.
• Pairs well with aloe, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, green tea and chicory, which is a close botanical relative.
• Preserve it. Any water-based product with a botanical extract needs a broad-spectrum preservative.
• Storage. Keep extracts cool and out of light. Botanical extracts can darken over time; follow the supplier's shelf life.
• Skip garden sap on the face. The milky latex in fresh stems is a known irritant for some people.

Dandelion antioxidant toner (1 oz)

Weigh 27 g of Aloe Vera Gel Serum Base into a clean bottle. Add 3 g (10%) of dandelion leaf and root glycerin extract. Cap and shake for 30 seconds. Mist or press onto clean skin morning and night, before serum.

Who Dandelion Suits

Dandelion extracts suit normal, oily and combination skin and anyone who wants a light botanical antioxidant layer. Sensitive skin: patch test on the inner arm for 24 hours and start at the lowest rate, 5%, then work up to 10%. Skip dandelion if you are allergic to ragweed, chamomile, chicory, marigold or other daisy-family plants, because cross-reactions are possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dandelion good for your skin?

Dandelion extract is a useful supporting antioxidant for skin. Its polyphenols help defend the look of skin against sun and pollution stress and help protect the oils in a formula. The research so far is mostly lab work, so pair it with well-tested actives.

What does dandelion root extract do for the face?

Dandelion root extract adds antioxidant polyphenols and inulin, a water-binding sugar, to a formula. In a toner or serum it supports the look of fresh, even-toned, comfortable skin. It is gentle enough for daily use in most skin types.

Can I put dandelion from my yard on my face?

It is not recommended. Fresh stems contain a milky latex that irritates some people, and lawn plants may carry pesticides or pet waste. A cosmetic-grade extract is cleaner and more consistent.

Is dandelion safe for sensitive skin?

Usually, at cosmetic rates of 5 to 10%. Dandelion is in the daisy family, so anyone allergic to ragweed, chamomile or chicory can react to it. Patch test on the inner arm for 24 hours and start at 5%.

What is the difference between dandelion and chicory?

They are close relatives in the daisy family, and both roots contain inulin. Dandelion is used mainly as an antioxidant extract. Chicory root is the source of specialized tightening ingredients such as Ten's Up.

How do I add dandelion extract to DIY skincare?

Stir a glycerin extract into the water phase or a finished water-based base at up to 10%. That is 3 g in a 30 g bottle. Add it below 40°C (104°F) and make sure the product is preserved.

Shop and Learn More

Use our Aloe Vera Gel Serum Base as the carrier for a botanical toner, or try the ready-made Watermelon Brightening Tonic Facial Mist, both shown below. For more on how antioxidants fit into a routine, read our antioxidant serum guide, and see the related entries for chicory root and antioxidants.

Sources

• Law S, Lo C, Han J, Leung AW, Xu C. Traditional Chinese herbal, dandelion and its applications on skin-care. Traditional and Integrative Medicine. 2021;6(2):152-157. doi:10.18502/tim.v6i2.6794
• Yang Y, Li S. Dandelion extracts protect human skin fibroblasts from UVB damage and cellular senescence. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2015. PMC4630464 (lab study on cultured cells)

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About the Author
Written by Kari Thomas, cosmetic formulator and founder of Skin Perfection.