Herbs for improving the condition of the skin on the face and body have a rich history of use in cosmetology. Today, they are also actively used for both preventive and therapeutic purposes. If you choose the right herbal remedy for a specific problem and skin type, the effects can exceed even modest expectations. Do you want to look younger than your age and literally radiate health? Then this article is for you.
Main facial skin types
It will be much easier to achieve rejuvenating and healing effects with the help of natural remedies if you know your skin type. Let's do a little dermatology education program.
- Normalthe skin does not require serious care beyond normal cleansing and moisturizing. This type is characterized by a lack of blackheads, an oily sheen, and a feeling of dryness and tightness. But prevention is never too much.
- Drythe skin is the most sensitive and vulnerable to temperature fluctuations. The consequences of winter cold and summer heat are literally reflected on the faces of its owners. Very often, a clear network of capillaries passes through it, which causes physiological and aesthetic discomfort.
- Fat. With this type of skin in winter, you don't need to wrap your face with a scarf. However, all imperfections in the form of enlarged pores and characteristic glaze are visible to the naked eye. In addition, it is a real magnet for all kinds of rashes and inflammations.
- Put togethertype is common to most people. Its characteristic feature is oily skin in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and normal skin in other areas.
- Sensitiveskin, such as dry skin, cannot withstand the whims of the weather, is characterized by increased irritability and intolerance to the vast majority of cosmetics. Itching, peeling, tightness - that's it. Medicinal herbs that have softening and soothing effects are the preferred remedy to eliminate these problems.
Benefits of herbs for the skin
By using medicinal plants for cosmetic purposes, you can count on the following results:
- Saturation of the skin with all necessary nutrients.
- Deep cleansing and pore sealing.
- Regulates the activity of sebaceous glands and helps eliminate oily shine for a long time.
- Elimination and prevention of inflammation, disinfection.
- Moisturizing, softening, whitening skin.
- Refreshing and invigorating effect.
What skin conditions can be treated with medicinal herbs?
The above properties of herbal medicines help to deal with the following diseases, damage and age-related changes in the skin:
- acne;
- dryness, irritation, peeling;
- fat shine;
- blackheads, enlarged pores;
- sagging skin, wrinkles;
- dark circles under the eyes;
- age spots (including freckles).
A complete list of herbs to care for different skin types
Since it was probably not difficult for you to determine your facial skin type, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the herbs that are suitable for their effectiveness.
| Skin type | Suitable for herbs |
|---|---|
| Normal | nettle leaf, peppermint leaf, string of three-way herbs, chamomile flower, spring flower, large plantain leaf |
| Dry | nettle leaf, hop fruit, yarrow herb, calendula flower, sage leaf, chamomile flower, oregano herb, yarrow |
| Fat | wormwood herb, chicory herb, yarrow herb, calendula flower, coltsfoot leaf, St. John's wort herb, aloe leaf juice, silver birch leaf and bud, common oak bark, linden flower, large plantain leaf, large burdock root, nettle leaf, butterroot, peppermint leaves |
| Put together | peppermint leaves, St. John's wort, sage leaves, horseradish |
| Sensitive | calendula flower, salvia officinalis leaf, chamomile flower, peppermint leaf, string of three-way herb, lavender herb, flax seed, tricolor purple herb, blackberry leaf |
The most beneficial herbs for the skin
As you can see, in the table above, some medicinal plants are mentioned more than once, indicating their versatility. These herbs should be discussed in more detail.
Stinging nettle
This bitter plant has long been used in cosmetics for skin and hair care. It owes its unique properties to a rich chemical composition. Thus, a stinging "cocktail" of nettle juice consisting of silicon salts, histamine, choline (vitamin B)4) and formic acid, stimulates blood circulation and improves skin nutrition. Vitamin A has an antibacterial effect, helps to eliminate pimples, acne and irritation quickly.
Vitamin C improves the elasticity of the skin and increases the tone of the capillaries that nourish it. Vitamin K has an antiseptic anti-inflammatory effect and together with a natural "bleaching agent" it helps to get rid of freckles and other age spots. Carotene, which this plant is also rich in, gives the skin freshness and a healthy glow. The interaction of flavonoids, tannins and organic acids helps to smooth out wrinkles and provide a visibly rejuvenating effect. And finally, the readily available potassium contained in the nettle provides the skin with natural moisture.
medicinal chamomile
This plant is remarkable because it is suitable for all skin types, has emollient, anti-allergic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects. Bioactive substances from chamomile stimulate blood circulation and relax facial muscles, thus helping to reduce wrinkles. A skin cream made from the infusion of the flowers of this plant helps with sunburn, allergies and acne, eliminates bags and dark circles under the eyes, accelerates the healing of wounds and microcracks, and forms an invisible protective film on the skin.
This herb is also ideal for cleansing facial skin. Moreover, both for external and internal use. In the second option, it promotes the removal of toxic substances and ballast substances from the body that cause skin diseases.
However, there is one important caveat: not every chamomile is a medicine. The real one should be bitter, which indicates the presence in the composition of that valuable essential oil component - chamazulene, which determines the lion's share of its useful properties. Attention!
Calendula officinalis
Speaking about which herbs are the most useful for facial treatment, it is impossible to mention this wonderful plant, which is better known to many as marigolds. Thanks to its unique formulation, it is ideal for oily, dry and sensitive skin at the same time. Oleanolic acid in the composition of calendula flowers improves blood flow to cells and tissues, glycosides provide anti-inflammatory properties, and the flavonoid complex provides the plant's antioxidant properties. The last group of substances mentioned, among other things, contributes to the accumulation of hyaluronic acid in the body, which is the key to the skin's natural moisture. Carotenoids, which give the flowering part of the marigold its rich orange color, are precursors to vitamin A, an important property we have already discussed above.
The combination of these and a number of other bioactive substances moisturises, soothes, softens, cleanses, protects and tones the skin, restores its structure at the cellular level, has a brightening and anti-aging effect, improves complexion and gives it a healthy glow. .
To maintain the natural beauty and softness of the body's skin, warm therapeutic baths with the addition of a decoction of calendula flowers and sea salt are perfect. And herbal treatments with hot water soothe itchy skin, have an antiseptic and wound-healing effect, help with all kinds of skin diseases. At the same time, the essential oils released during bathing have a beneficial effect on the entire body as a whole, stimulating the immune system and improving mood.
Are you looking for a really healthy and eco-friendly skin care product? Then we advise you to observe the Kalta variety of calendula, which is grown without the use of chemicals at a great distance from large cities and industrial enterprises. And what is also important, in terms of the content of beneficial substances (especially flavonoids and carotenoids), it is significantly better than wild or cultivated counterparts.
Peppermint
Another incredibly beneficial herb for any skin type. Moreover, everyone can easily name at least one of its properties. The combination of flavonoids, ascorbic acid and mint essential oil, rich in menthol, has a refreshing and tonic effect, eliminates puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. Rhamnose stimulates the production of collagen and thus helps to get rid of wrinkles and prevent new ones from appearing. The regenerative effect is enhanced by the amino acid arginine, which is also present in the plant. The tannins of the mint are also very useful in the fight against age-related changes in the skin, while the colloidal substances accelerate the healing of wounds and microcracks.
Steam baths with mint are excellent for cleansing the deep layers of the skin, getting rid of blackheads and rosacea (microvascular) networks and improving the complexion. In addition, based on this plant, it is possible to prepare wonderful moisturizing, softening and whitening masks, which will have a visible effect after the first use.
As for the most valuable varieties of mint from a biological point of view, it is better to choose the "Kip" variety, as the leader in the content of flavonoids and tannins.
Salvia officinalis
This plant deserves a special mention because it is a source of phytoestrogens. As is known, the lack of sex hormones in women, which is most noticeable during menopause, has a negative effect on the health of the fair sex in general and the condition of the skin in particular. Taking sage on its own or in combination with other herbs with similar properties helps reduce prolactin and at the same time increase estrogen levels to their maximum levels, literally creating a rejuvenating effect, leaving women looking healthy and blooming. Scientifically proven that oral use of sage inhibits 50% of the activity of enzymes associated with aging.
For those who are too early to think about age, drinking sage is useful for prevention. And as an external product, it's ideal for combination skin, tightening pores and permanently eliminating oily shine in the T-zone. Decoctions, masks, scrubs and other herbal cosmetics based on this plant have anti-inflammatory, soothing, antibacterial and wound-healing properties, which help eliminate all skin diseases and their causes.
Since one of the main benefits of sage is its unique essential oil, for medicinal purposes it is better to choose a product that has the maximum content of this component.
Yarrow
If we talk about which herb is best for scalp, yarrow will be at least in the top three. Particularly interesting in this case is its antiseborrheic property, or, simply put, getting rid of dandruff. This is achieved due to the presence of essential oils in the plant, which consist of antibacterial, cleansing, moisturizing and soothing effects.
At the same time, the combination of tannins, organic acids and the natural form of vitamin K provides the anti-inflammatory, astringent, wound-healing effect of yarrow, reduces itching and peeling of the skin on the scalp and reduces the intensity of acne. on the face and body.
Masks with yarrow perfectly cleanse, nourish and soothe the skin, making it fresher, softer and smoother. Moreover, this effect is achieved after several actions. You can rinse your hair with a decoction after washing, thanks to which its structure is restored.
For many, this will be a discovery, but yarrow is also selected and cultivated, because the concentration of bioactive substances in it increases significantly. Thus, one of the varieties is characterized by a high content of flavonoids, saponins, tannins and essential oils.
A three-way series
It is difficult to name at least one disease or violation of the integrity of the skin that this amazing plant would not help. A decoction of the herb, used externally as a lotion or bath, effectively treats dermatitis, allergic and acne, psoriatic ulcers, purulent ulcers, urticaria, scrofula and seborrhea. Numerous reviews indicate that such actions even help to reduce warts.
In the form of a drink, this herb for the skin improves the functioning of the digestive tract, normalizes metabolism, which helps to eliminate the roots of skin problems. The series owes its unique properties to a complete complex of biologically active substances, including flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids, essential oils and vitamin C.
The plant is equally suitable for both clean and sensitive skin. It is an integral part of various herbal medicines.
The best recipes for beauty and healthy skin based on medicinal herbs
We bring to your attention proven recipes based on the above herbs for care for various skin types.
Herbal masks for normal skin
A little explanation: Apply the masks in a thin layer on previously cleansed skin. Wash off with warm water. If they are made on an oil/fat basis, then warmer, but not hot. To achieve a uniform consistency, it is recommended to first grind the plant material in a coffee grinder before brewing.
Recipe No. 1
Mix 1 tablespoon of ground dry nettle leaves with the same amount of warm milk and half a raw egg yolk. Mix until smooth and apply for 15–20 minutes.
Recipe No. 2
Take 1 tablespoon each of chopped dry herbs and mint leaves. Pour 1 cup (150 ml) of boiling water over the herbal mixture and let it brew, covered, for about half an hour. After cooling, add 1 teaspoon of starch or some flour for thickness. Mix together. Apply the mask for 30 minutes.
Herbal masks for oily skin
Recipe No. 1
Take 1 tablespoon of crushed dry leaves and mint leaves, brew with 1 cup of boiling water. After cooling, drain excess liquid and add 1 dessert spoon of liquid honey. Apply the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe No. 2
Take 1 tablespoon of chopped dry herbs St. John's wort and chamomile flowers, pour 1 glass of boiling water and keep on low heat for 10 minutes. Cool to a comfortable temperature, add a teaspoon of flour or rice flour and mix until smooth. Keep the mask on your face until it is completely dry.
Recipe No. 3
Boil 1 tablespoon of crushed dry leaves for 10 minutes on low heat. Thicken the cooled broth, as in the previous recipe, with a teaspoon until it becomes a thick flour. Keep the warm mixture on the skin for 20–25 minutes. To achieve a long-term effect, the procedure should be done at least 2 times a week.
Herbal masks for dry and sensitive skin
Recipe No. 1
Pour 1 tablespoon of crushed dry chamomile flowers into ½ cup of boiling water and let steep for 25–30 minutes. Cool, pour off excess liquid, add 1 tsp honey, blend until smooth. Apply the mask for 15 minutes.
Recipe No. 2
Take 1 tablespoon each of crushed dried chamomile, calendula, and hop flower. Brew the herbal mixture with 1 cup of boiling water. After cooling, drain off excess liquid and add 1 teaspoon of full fat sour cream, then mix thoroughly until smooth. Apply the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe No. 3
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped dry sage herb into 1 cup of boiling water. Cool to +40 °C, drain excess liquid, add ½ teaspoon of olive or sesame oil and stir until smooth. After applying such a mask, a warm and damp cotton napkin must be applied to the face. Keep the mixture for 25 minutes, rinse it with warm water and then wash with cold water.
Herbal mask for combination skin
Recipe No. 1
Pour 3 tablespoons of ground dry chamomile flowers into 200 ml of boiling water and let it brew. After the infusion has cooled down to a comfortable temperature, wet a layer of cotton wool in it and put the resulting mixture on it for 25 minutes, covering it with a napkin on top. After removing the mask, wash with warm water and apply a nourishing cream to your face.
Recipe No. 2
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped dry herbs into 1 cup of boiling water. Leave for 1 hour, strain. Moisten a gauze cloth in the finished infusion and place it as a mask on the face. Keep for about 20 minutes. In the first week, do the procedure 2-3 times, then 1 time.
Herbal masks for skin softness and wrinkle smoothing
Recipe No. 1
Mix 4 teaspoons of crushed dried chamomile flowers with the same amount of fat kefir and 1 raw egg. Apply the resulting mass on the face for 20–25 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
Recipe No. 2
Take 1 tablespoon each of ground dry chamomile, mint, St. John's wort, coltsfoot, and sage. Brew the resulting mixture with boiling water, close the container tightly and leave for 30 minutes. Then pour off the excess liquid, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil (for oily skin, use low-fat sour cream instead of oil). Spread the mixture evenly over the face and cover with a cotton cloth on top. Keep the mask on for 20 minutes.
Recipe No. 3
Take 1 teaspoon of crushed dry mint leaves and green tea, add 1 tablespoon of fat sour cream. Blend until smooth. Apply the mixture to your face for 40 minutes, then wash off with warm water and soap.
Healthy and beautiful skin starts from within
Listed herbs for cleansing, moisturizing or smoothing the skin can become your faithful assistants in preserving youth and beauty for many years. However, without helping the body from the inside, cosmetic herbal remedies will be half-assed.
The first thing that comes to mind in this case is to take vitamins. And this is quite reasonable, as it is simply impossible to get all the nutrients necessary to keep you in good shape and in great shape from food. It seems that the problem is not worth it - everything that our body lacks can be easily found in the pharmacy. It's just that all this wealth of vitamins and minerals is absorbed in synthetic form very slowly. In addition, many other important problems remain unsolved, which leads to degeneration of the skin and its early aging.
The best option, taking into account all the nuances described, would be to take a natural complex. The first thing you should pay attention to when studying the composition of this medicine is the antioxidant trio of flavonoids from the quercetin group + vitamins C and E. The fact is that all negative processes that occur in the human body are connected in one way or another with the activity of free radicals. It has been scientifically proven that 90% of the symptoms of premature aging and over 50 serious diseases are on the conscience of these sabotaging particles. Antioxidants are designed to neutralize their violent action, the strongest of which in the plant world is the Siberian larch flavonoid. And together with vitamins C and E, this substance works even more safely and effectively. Among other things, it is an excellent blood vessel strengthener and capillary protector, which ensures uninterrupted nutrition of connective tissue - the basis of our body's organs and systems. Ascorbic acid is also a catalyst for many biochemical processes. Thus, it promotes the formation of collagen fibers, which is also very important for strengthening the skin and increasing its elasticity.
The multivitamin part of the complex is represented by only two elements. But what kind! There are about 250 beneficial substances in the royal jelly included in the mixture and more than 100 more in bee pollen (pollen). This list contains 20 amino acids, including essential ones, about 30 macro and micronutrients, dozens of vitamins, free fatty acids, enzymes that help all of the above to be absorbed as well as possible. The icing on this nutritional cake are the hormone-like substances in royal jelly, which in particular provide a natural increase in estrogen levels. And the latter, as we already know, are extremely important for maintaining the natural beauty of women and preserving youth.
However, men should not ignore complexity either. The composition of bee products in the medicine promotes the production of your own testosterone - the hormone of strength, self-confidence and sex. So everyone will definitely win. Stay healthy and the rest will follow!