Herbs for improving the condition of the skin of the face and body have a rich history of use in cosmetology. Today they are also actively used for preventive and therapeutic purposes. If you choose the right herbal remedy for a specific problem and a specific skin type, the effect can exceed the most 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 a rejuvenating and healing effect with the help of herbal remedies if you know your skin type. Let's do a small dermatological educational program.
- Normalthe skin does not require serious care beyond standard cleansing and moisturizing. This type is characterized by the absence of blackheads, oily shine and a feeling of dryness and tightness. But prevention never hurts.
- Drythe skin is the most vulnerable and sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The consequences of the cold of winter and the heat of summer are literally reflected in the faces of their owners. Often, a hair mesh clearly appears through it, causing physiological and aesthetic discomfort.
- Fat. With this type of skin in winter, you do not need to wrap your face with a scarf. However, all imperfections in the form of enlarged pores and characteristic shine are visible to the naked eye. Furthermore, it is a real magnet for all types of rashes and inflammations.
- Combinedtype is common to most people. Its characteristic is oily skin in the T zone (forehead, nose, chin) and normal skin in other areas.
- Confidentialthe skin, like dry skin, is intolerant to the vagaries of the weather, is characterized by increased irritability and intolerance to the vast majority of cosmetics. Itching, peeling, feeling of tightness - it's everything. Medicinal herbs with a softening and calming effect are the ideal remedy to eliminate these problems.
Benefits of herbs for the skin
Using medicinal plants for cosmetic purposes, you can count on the following results:
- Saturation of the skin with all the necessary nutrients.
- Deep cleansing and narrowing of pores.
- Normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, helping to eliminate oily shine for a long time.
- Elimination and prevention of inflammation, disinfection.
- Hydrate, soften and brighten the skin.
- Refreshing and toning effect.
What dermatological diseases can be treated with medicinal herbs?
The above properties of herbal agents help to deal with the following diseases, damages and age-related skin changes:
- acne;
- dryness, irritation, peeling;
- oily 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 the type of skin on your face, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the herbs that are suitable for their action.
| Skin type | Suitable herbs |
|---|---|
| Normal | nettle leaves, peppermint leaves, a bunch of tripartite herbs, chamomile flowers, linden flower, large banana leaves |
| Dry | nettle leaves, hop fruit, yarrow herb, calendula flowers, sage leaves, chamomile flowers, oregano herb, creeping thyme herb |
| Fat | wormwood herb, chicory herb, yarrow herb, calendula flowers, coltsfoot leaves, St. John's wort, aloe vera leaf juice, silver birch leaves and buds, common oak bark, linden blossom, large banana leaves, large burdock root, nettle leaves, burr root, peppermint leaves |
| Combined | peppermint leaves, St. John's wort, sage leaves, horsetail herb |
| Confidential | marigold flowers, sage officinalis leaves, chamomile flowers, peppermint leaves, tripartite herb thread, lavender herb, flax seeds, tricolor violet herb, bearberry leaves |
The most beneficial herbs for the skin
As you can see, in the table above, some medicinal plants are mentioned more than once, which indicates their versatility. These herbs should be discussed in more detail.
Nettle
This spicy plant has long been used for cosmetic purposes, in skin and hair care. It owes its unique properties to its rich chemical composition. Thus, a spicy "cocktail" of nettle juice consisting of silicon salts, histamine, choline (vitamin B4) and formic acid, stimulates blood microcirculation, improving skin nutrition. Vitamin A has a bactericidal effect, helping to quickly eliminate pimples, acne and irritations.
Vitamin C improves skin elasticity and increases the tone of the capillaries that nourish it. Vitamin K has an antiseptic anti-inflammatory effect and, in combination with a natural "bleach", helps eliminate freckles and other age spots. Carotene, which this plant is also rich in, gives the skin freshness and a healthy glow. The combination of flavonoids, tannins and organic acids helps to smooth wrinkles, providing a visible rejuvenating effect. And finally, the bioavailable potassium contained in nettle provides natural hydration to the skin.
pharmaceutical chamomile
This plant stands out for being suitable for any skin type, providing a softening, anti-allergic, bactericidal, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect. The bioactive substances in chamomile stimulate blood circulation and relax facial muscles, thus helping to reduce wrinkles. Lotions made from the infusion of the flowers of this plant help in the treatment of sunburn, allergies and acne, eliminate bags and dark circles, accelerate the healing of wounds and microcracks and form an invisible protective film on the skin.
This herb is also ideal for cleansing facial skin. Furthermore, for both external and internal use. In the second option, it promotes the removal of toxic and waste substances from the body that cause dermatological disorders.
There is, however, an important nuance: not all chamomile is a medicine. The real one should be bitter, which indicates the presence in its composition of a valuable essential oil component - camazulene, which determines most of its beneficial properties. Take note!
Calendula officinalis
Speaking about which herbs are most useful for facial care, it is impossible not to mention this wonderful plant, which is better known to many as marigolds. Thanks to its unique composition, it is ideal for oily, dry and sensitive skin at the same time. Oleanolic acid in the composition of calendula flowers improves blood supply to cells and tissues, glycosides provide anti-inflammatory properties, and the flavonoid complex provides the plant with antioxidant properties. The last group of substances mentioned, among other things, promotes the accumulation of hyaluronic acid in the body, which is key to natural skin hydration. Carotenoids, which give the flowering part of marigold a rich orange color, are precursors of vitamin A, whose important properties we have already discussed above.
The combination of these and a series of other bioactive substances hydrates, soothes, softens, cleanses, protects and tones the skin, restores its structure at a cellular level, has a brightening and anti-aging effect, improves the complexion, giving it a healthy glow.
To maintain the natural beauty and elasticity of the body's skin, hot medicinal baths with the addition of decoction of calendula flowers and sea salt are perfect. And herbal treatments with hot water relieve itchy skin, have a disinfectant and healing effect, helping to treat any dermatological disorders. At the same time, the essential oils released during the bath have a beneficial effect on the entire body, stimulating the immune system and improving mood.
Looking for a truly healthy and eco-friendly skin care product? Then we advise you to pay attention to the Kalta marigold variety, which is grown without the use of chemicals at great distances from large cities and industrial enterprises. And, which is also important, in terms of the content of useful substances (in particular, flavonoids and carotenoids), it is significantly superior to wild or cultivated analogues.
Pepper mint
Another incredibly beneficial herb for any skin type. Moreover, everyone can easily name at least one of its properties. A complex of flavonoids, ascorbic acid and mint essential oil, rich in menthol, has a refreshing and tonic effect, eliminating puffiness and dark circles. Rhamnose stimulates collagen production, thus helping to eliminate wrinkles and prevent the appearance of new ones. The rejuvenating effect is enhanced by the amino acid arginine, also present in the plant. The tannins in mint are also very useful in combating age-related skin changes, while the resinous substances accelerate the healing of wounds and microcracks.
Steam baths with mint are great for cleansing the deep layers of the skin, eliminating blackheads and rosacea networks (microvascular) and improving the complexion. In addition, based on this plant, you can prepare wonderful moisturizing, softening and whitening masks, which will have a visible effect after the first use.
As for the most valuable mint varieties from a biological point of view, it is better to give preference to the "Kip" variety, which is the leader in the content of flavonoids and tannins.
Sage officinalis
This plant deserves special attention as it is a source of phytoestrogens. As you know, the deficiency of sex hormones in women, which is most noticeable during menopause, negatively affects the health of the fair sex in general and the condition of the skin in particular. Taking sage individually or in combination with other herbs with similar properties helps reduce prolactin and at the same time increases estrogen levels to optimal values, which literally creates a rejuvenating effect, giving the woman a healthy, blooming appearance. It has been 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 preventive purposes. And as an external product, it is ideal for combination skin, closing pores and permanently eliminating sebaceous shine in the T-zone. Decoctions, masks, scrubs and other herbal cosmetic products based on this plant have anti-inflammatory, soothing, bactericidal and healing properties, helping to eliminate any dermatological disorders and their causative agents.
As one of the main values of sage is its unique essential oil, for medicinal purposes it is preferable to choose a product that has the maximum content of this component.
Yarrow
If we talk about which herb is best for scalp care, yarrow will be at least in the top three. Of particular interest in this case is its anti-seborrheic property, or, more simply, getting rid of dandruff. This is achieved due to the presence of essential oil in the plant, whose components together provide an antibacterial, purifying, moisturizing and calming effect.
At the same time, the complex of tannins, organic acids and the natural form of vitamin K provide the anti-inflammatory, astringent and healing effect of yarrow, relieving itching and flaking of the scalp skin, reducing the intensity of acne on the face and on body.
Masks with yarrow perfectly cleanse, nourish and soothe the skin, making it fresher, smoother and softer. Moreover, this effect is achieved after several procedures. After washing, you can rinse your hair with a decoction, thanks to which its structure is restored.
For many, this will be a discovery, but yarrow is also selected and cultivated, which is why the concentration of bioactive substances in it increases significantly. So, one of the varieties is characterized by a high content of flavonoids, saponins, tannins and essential oils.
Tripartite sequence
It is difficult to name at least one disease or violation of the integrity of the skin that this amazing plant would not help with. A decoction of the herb, used externally as a lotion or bath, effectively combats dermatitis, allergic and acne-prone rashes, psoriatic lesions, purulent wounds, urticaria, scrofula and seborrhea. Numerous reviews indicate that such procedures even help to reduce warts.
In the form of a drink, this herb for the skin improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, normalizing metabolism, which helps eliminate the root causes of dermatological problems. The series owes its unique properties to a whole complex of biologically active substances, including flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids, essential oil and vitamin C.
The plant is equally suitable for clean and sensitive skin. It is an invariable component of various herbal preparations.
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 the care of various skin types.
Herbal masks for normal skin
A small clarification: 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 obtain a uniform consistency, it is recommended to first grind the plant material in a coffee grinder before preparing the coffee.
Recipe #1
Mix 1 tablespoon of crushed dried 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 #2
Take 1 tablespoon of chopped dry herb and mint leaves. Pour 1 cup (150 ml) of boiling water over the herb mixture and let it brew under the lid for about half an hour. After cooling, add 1 teaspoon of starch or any flour to thicken. Mix. Apply the mask for 30 minutes.
Herbal masks for oily skin
Recipe #1
Take 1 tablespoon of crushed dry banana and mint leaves and brew with 1 cup of boiling water. After cooling, drain the excess liquid and add 1 dessert spoon of liquid honey. Apply the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe #2
Take 1 tablespoon of chopped dry herb of St. John's wort and chamomile flowers, pour 1 glass of boiling water and keep on low heat for 10 minutes. Let it cool to a comfortable temperature, add a teaspoon of wheat or rice flour and mix until smooth. Keep the mask on your face until it dries completely.
Recipe #3
Boil 1 tablespoon of dry crushed coltsfoot leaves for 10 minutes on low heat. Concentrate the cooled broth, as in the previous recipe, with a teaspoon until it forms a coarse flour. Keep the mixture warm on your skin for 20–25 minutes. To obtain a long-term effect, the procedure must be carried out at least 2 times a week.
Herbal masks for dry and sensitive skin
Recipe #1
Pour 1 tablespoon of crushed dried chamomile flowers into ½ cup of boiling water and leave covered for 25–30 minutes. Let cool, drain excess liquid, add 1 teaspoon of honey and mix until smooth. Apply the mask for 15 minutes.
Recipe #2
Take 1 tablespoon of crushed dry chamomile, calendula and hop flowers. Prepare the herb mixture with 1 cup of boiling water. After cooling, drain the excess liquid and add 1 teaspoon of full cream milk and mix well until smooth. Apply the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe #3
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped dried sage 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 this mask, a warm, damp cotton napkin should be applied to the face. Keep the mixture for 25 minutes, rinse with warm water and then wash with cold water.
Herbal masks for combination skin
Recipe #1
Pour 3 tablespoons of dry crushed chamomile flowers into 200 ml of boiling water and let it brew. After cooling the infusion to a comfortable temperature, moisten a layer of cotton wool in it and apply the resulting mixture for 25 minutes, covering it with a napkin on top. After removing the mask, wash it with warm water and apply a nourishing cream to your face.
Recipe #2
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped dry herb into 1 cup of boiling water. Leave for 1 hour, strain. Moisten gauze in the finished infusion and apply as a mask to your face. Keep it for about 20 minutes. In the first week, do the procedure 2 to 3 times and then 1 time.
Herbal masks for skin elasticity and wrinkle smoothing
Recipe #1
Mix 4 teaspoons of crushed dried chamomile flowers with the same amount of whole-grain kefir and 1 raw egg. Apply the resulting mass to your face for 20–25 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Recipe #2
Take 1 tablespoon of crushed 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 drain the excess liquid and add 1 teaspoon of olive oil (for oily skin, use low-fat sour cream instead of oil). Spread the mixture evenly over your face and cover with a cotton cloth. Keep the mask on for 20 minutes.
Recipe #3
Take 1 teaspoon of crushed dry mint leaves and green tea, add 1 tablespoon of fat sour cream. Mix until smooth. Apply the mixture to your face for 40 minutes and then wash with warm water and soap.
Healthy, beautiful skin starts from within
The listed herbs for cleansing, moisturizing or softening the skin can become your faithful helpers in preserving youth and beauty for many years. However, without helping the body from the inside, cosmetic phytoprocedures will only be a half measure.
The first thing that comes to mind in this case is taking vitamins. And this is absolutely fair, since it is simply impossible to get all the nutrients necessary to stay fit and in excellent shape from food. It would seem that the problem is worthless - everything that our body lacks can be easily found in the pharmacy. It turns out that all this vitamin and mineral wealth is absorbed synthetically with extreme reluctance. Furthermore, many other important problems remain unsolved, leading to skin deterioration and premature aging.
The best option, taking into account all the nuances expressed, would be to opt for 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 any negative processes occurring in the human body are in one way or another associated with the activity of free radicals. It is scientifically proven that 90% of the signs of premature aging and more than 50 serious diseases are caused by these sabotaging particles. Antioxidants are designed to neutralize its violent activity, the strongest of which in the plant world is the flavonoid from Siberian larch. And in combination with vitamins C and E, this substance works even more safely and effectively. Among other things, it is an excellent vascular tonic and hair protector, ensuring the 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 in strengthening the skin and increasing its elasticity.
The multivitamin part of the complex is represented by only two components. But what kind! About 250 useful substances are contained in the royal jelly included in the preparation, and more than 100 in bee pollen (pollen). This list contains 20 amino acids, including essential ones, around 30 macro and microelements, dozens of vitamins, free fatty acids, enzymes that help to absorb all of the above in the best possible way. The icing on the 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 a woman's natural beauty and preserving her youth.
However, men should not ignore the complex either. The combination of beekeeping products in the drug promotes the production of your own testosterone - the hormone of strength, confidence and sexual activity. Then everyone will definitely win. Stay healthy and the rest will follow!