Herbs to improve 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 types of facial skin
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, greasy 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 winter cold and summer heat are literally reflected on the faces of their owners. Very often, a capillary mesh clearly appears through it, causing physiological and aesthetic discomfort.
- Fat. With this type of skin in winter, it is not necessary 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. In addition, it is a real magnet for all types of rashes and inflammations.
- SetThe type is common to most people. Its characteristic feature is oily skin in the T zone (forehead, nose, chin) and normal skin in other areas.
- SensitiveThe 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, tight feeling - that's it. Medicinal herbs that have a softening and calming effect are the optimal 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 cleaning and closing of pores.
- Normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, helping to eliminate greasy shine in a lasting way.
- Elimination and prevention of inflammation, disinfection.
- Moisturizing, softening and whitening of the skin.
- Refreshing and toning effect.
What dermatological disorders can be treated with medicinal herbs?
The above properties of phytotherapeutic agents help to cope with the following diseases, damage and age-related changes in the skin:
- 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 is probably not difficult for you to determine the type of skin on your face, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the herbs suitable for their action.
| Type of skin | Suitable herbs |
|---|---|
| Normal | nettle leaves, mint leaves, tripartite herbal thread, 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, chicory, yarrow, calendula flowers, coltsfoot leaves, St. John's wort, aloe leaf juice, birch leaves and buds, common oak bark, linden flower, large plantain leaves, large root of burdock, nettle leaves, butterbur root, mint leaves |
| Set | mint leaves, St. John's wort, sage leaves, horsetail herb |
| Sensitive | calendula flowers, salvia officinalis leaves, chamomile flowers, mint 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 for skin and hair care. It owes its unique properties to its rich chemical composition. Thus, a spicy "cocktail" of nettle juice composed 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 irritation.
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, in combination with a natural "whitening", helps to eliminate freckles and other age spots. Carotene, in which this plant is also rich, gives the skin freshness and a healthy glow. The tandem of flavonoids, tannins and organic acids helps soften 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 because it is suitable for any type of skin, providing a softening, anti-allergic, bactericidal, anti-fungal, 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 flowers of this plant help with 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. Also, for both external and internal use. In the second option, it favors the elimination from the body of toxic and harmful substances that cause dermatological disorders.
However, there is 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 - chamazulene, which determines most of its beneficial properties. Take notes!
Calendula officinalis
Speaking about which herbs are most useful for facial care, it is impossible not to mention this wonderful plant, which many know more 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 antioxidant properties of the plant. The last group of substances mentioned, among other things, promotes the accumulation of hyaluronic acid in the body, which is the key to the natural hydration of the skin. Carotenoids, which give the floral part of the calendula an intense orange color, are precursors of vitamin A, whose important properties we have already discussed previously.
The combination of these and other bioactive substances moisturizes, soothes, softens, cleanses, protects and tones the skin, restores its structure at the cellular level, has a brightening and anti-aging effect, improves the complexion and gives it a healthy glow. .
To maintain the natural beauty and elasticity of the skin of the body, warm medicinal baths are perfect with the addition of a decoction of calendula flowers and sea salt. And herbal treatments with hot water relieve itchy skin, have a disinfecting and healing effect and help with any dermatological disorder. 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.
Are you looking for a truly healthy and environmentally friendly skin care product? Then we recommend that you pay attention to 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 useful substances (in particular, flavonoids and carotenoids), it is significantly superior to its wild or cultivated analogues.
Mint
Another incredibly beneficial herb for any skin type. Furthermore, anyone 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 toning effect, eliminating bags and dark circles. Rhamnosa 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 the fight against age-related skin changes, while the resinous substances accelerate the healing of wounds and microcracks.
Steam baths with mint are excellent for cleansing the deep layers of the skin, eliminating blackheads and rosacea networks (microvascular), and improving the complexion. In addition, wonderful moisturizing, softening and whitening masks can be prepared based on this plant, 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, as the leader in flavonoid and tannin content.
Salvia officinalis
This plant deserves a special mention because it is a source of phytoestrogens. As you know, the deficiency of sex hormones in women, 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 of similar properties helps reduce prolactin and at the same time increases estrogen levels to optimal values, which literally creates a rejuvenating effect, returning women to a healthy and flourishing appearance. Oral use of sage has been scientifically shown to inhibit 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, which helps eliminate possible dermatological disorders and their causative agents.
Since one of the main values 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 care, then yarrow will be at least in the top three. Of particular interest in this case is its antiseborrheic property or, more simply, getting rid of dandruff. This is achieved thanks to the presence of essential oil in the plant, whose components together provide an antibacterial, cleansing, moisturizing and soothing effect.
At the same time, the complex of tannins, organic acids and the natural form of vitamin K provides the anti-inflammatory, astringent and healing effect of yarrow, relieving itching and peeling of the skin of the scalp, reducing the intensity of acne. on the face and body.
Masks with yarrow perfectly clean, nourish and soothe the skin, making it fresher, smoother and softer. Furthermore, this effect is achieved after several procedures. 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, so the concentration of bioactive substances increases significantly. Thus, 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 for which this amazing plant would not help. A decoction of the herb, used externally as a lotion or bath, effectively copes with dermatitis, allergic and acne rashes, psoriatic lesions, purulent wounds, urticaria, scrofula and seborrhea. Numerous reviews indicate that such procedures even help reduce warts.
In drink form, this skin herb 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 oils and vitamin C.
The plant is equally suitable for both clean and sensitive skin. It is an invariable component of various herbal preparations.
The best recipes for beautiful and healthy skin based on medicinal herbs
We inform you about 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 with warm water. If they are made from oil/fat, then hotter, but not hot. To achieve a uniform consistency, it is recommended to first grind the plant material in a coffee grinder before brewing.
Recipe number 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 to 20 minutes.
Recipe number 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 sit under the lid for about half an hour. After cooling, add 1 teaspoon starch or any flour to thicken. Mix. Apply the mask for 30 minutes.
Herbal masks for oily skin.
Recipe number 1
Take 1 tablespoon of mashed dried banana and mint leaves and 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 number 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 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 is completely dry.
Recipe number 3
Boil 1 tablespoon of crushed dried coltsfoot leaves for 10 minutes over low heat. Concentrate 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 to 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 number 1
Pour 1 tablespoon of crushed dried chamomile flowers into ½ cup of boiling water and leave covered for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool, drain off excess liquid, add 1 teaspoon honey and blend until smooth. Apply the mask for 15 minutes.
Recipe number 2
Take 1 tablespoon of crushed dried chamomile, calendula and hop flowers. Prepare the herb mixture with 1 cup of boiling water. After cooling, drain excess liquid and add 1 teaspoon whole sour cream, then mix well until smooth. Apply the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe number 3
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped dried sage into 1 cup of boiling water. Let cool to +40°C, drain excess liquid, add ½ teaspoon olive or sesame oil and stir until smooth. After applying such a mask, a warm, damp cotton napkin should be applied to the face. Keep the mixture for 25 minutes, rinse it with warm water and then wash it with cold water.
Herbal masks for combination skin.
Recipe number 1
Pour 3 tablespoons of crushed dried chamomile flowers into 200 ml of boiling water and let it steep. After cooling the infusion to a comfortable temperature, moisten a layer of cotton wool and apply the resulting mixture 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 number 2
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped dry herb into 1 cup of boiling water. Leave for 1 hour, strain. Moisten a piece of gauze in the finished infusion and apply it as a mask to your face. Hold for about 20 minutes. In the first week, carry out the procedure 2-3 times, then 1 time.
Herbal masks to give skin elasticity and smooth wrinkles.
Recipe number 1
Mix 4 teaspoons of crushed dried chamomile flowers with the same amount of whole kefir and 1 raw egg. Apply the resulting mass on your face for 20 to 25 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
Recipe number 2
Take 1 tablespoon of crushed dried chamomile, mint, St. John's wort, coltsfoot and sage. Prepare the resulting mixture with boiling water, close the container tightly and leave for 30 minutes. Then drain excess liquid, add 1 teaspoon olive oil (for oily skin, use low-fat sour cream instead of oil). Spread the mixture evenly on your face and cover it with a cotton cloth on top. Keep the mask on for 20 minutes.
Recipe number 3
Take 1 teaspoon of crushed dried mint leaves and green tea, add 1 tablespoon of fatty sour cream. Blend until smooth. Apply the mixture on your face for 40 minutes and then rinse with warm water and soap.
Healthy and beautiful skin starts from within
The listed herbs for cleansing, moisturizing or softening the skin can become your faithful assistants in preserving youth and beauty for many years. However, without helping the body from the inside, cosmetic phytoprocedures will be only 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 from food all the nutrients necessary to stay in good shape and in excellent shape. It would seem that the problem is not worth it: everything that our body lacks can be easily found in the pharmacy. What happens is that all this wealth of vitamins and minerals is absorbed synthetically with great reluctance. In addition, many other important problems remain unsolved, causing skin deterioration and premature aging.
The best option, taking into account all the expressed nuances, would be to opt for a natural complex. The first thing to pay attention to when studying the composition of this drug is the antioxidant trio of flavonoids of the quercetin group + vitamins C and E. The fact is that any negative process that occurs in the human body is in a form 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 found in the consciousness of these sabotaging particles. Antioxidants are designed to neutralize its violent activity, the strongest of which in the plant world is the flavonoid of Siberian larch. And in combination with vitamins C and E, this substance acts more confidently and effectively. Among other things, it is an excellent vascular tonic and hair protector, which guarantees uninterrupted nutrition of the connective tissue, the basis of the organs and systems of our body. Ascorbic acid is also a catalyst for many biochemical processes. Thus, it promotes the formation of collagen fibers, which is also very important to strengthen the skin and increase its elasticity.
The multivitamin part of the complex is represented by only two components. But what a guy! The royal jelly included in the preparation contains about 250 useful substances and more than 100 more in bee pollen (pollen). This list contains 20 amino acids, including essential ones, about 30 macro and microelements, dozens of vitamins, free fatty acids, enzymes that help all of the above to be absorbed as best as possible. The icing on this nutritional cake is 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 to maintain a woman's natural beauty and preserve youth.
However, men should not ignore the complex either. The combination of bee products in the medicine 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!