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 even the most modest expectations. Do you want to look younger than your age and really radiate health? Then this article is for you.
Main facial skin types
It will be easier to achieve rejuvenating and healing effects with the help of herbal remedies if you know your skin type. Let's do a little dermatology education program.
- It's normalskin does not require serious care beyond standard cleansing and moisturizing. This type is characterized by the absence of black spots, an oily sheen, and a feeling of dryness and tightness. But prevention is never too much.
- DryThe skin is the most vulnerable and sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The effects of winter cold and summer heat are literally reflected on the owner's face. Often, the capillary network is clearly visible through it, causing physiological and aesthetic discomfort.
- fat. With this skin type in winter, you don't need to wrap your face with a scarf. However, all imperfections in the form of enlarged pores and shining features can be seen with the naked eye. In addition, it is a real magnet for all kinds of rashes and inflammations.
- combinedtypes are common to most people. The characteristic feature is oily skin in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and normal skin in other areas.
- Sensitiveskin, such as dry skin, intolerant to weather changes, characterized by increased irritation and intolerance to most cosmetics. Itching, peeling, tightness - that's it. Medicinal herbs that have a softening and soothing effect are optimal remedies to eliminate this problem.
Herbal benefits for the skin
Using medicinal plants for cosmetic purposes, you can expect the following results:
- Saturation of the skin with all the necessary nutrients.
- Cleanses deeply and tightens pores.
- Normalizes the function of the sebaceous glands, helps to remove oily shine for a long time.
- Elimination and prevention of inflammation, disinfection.
- Moisturizes, smoothes, whitens the skin.
- Invigorating and refreshing effect.
What dermatological disorders can be treated with medicinal herbs?
The properties of the above phytotherapeutic agents help to overcome the following diseases, damage and age-related changes in the skin:
- acne;
- dryness, irritation, peeling;
- oily sheen;
- black spots, 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 may not be 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 | Appropriate herbs |
|---|---|
| It's normal | stinging nettle leaves, mint leaves, tripartite string of herbs, chamomile flowers, linden flowers, large banana leaves |
| Dry | stinging nettle leaf, hop fruit, yarrow herb, calendula flower, sage leaf, chamomile flower, oregano herb, creeping thyme herb |
| fat | wormwood herb, chicory herb, yarrow herb, calendula flower, coltsfoot leaf, St. wort herb. John's wort, aloe leaf juice, silver birch leaves and buds, common oak bark, linden flowers, large plantain leaves, large burdock root, stinging nettle leaves, butterbur root, mint leaves |
| combined | mint leaves, St. wort herbJohn's wort, sage leaf, horsetail herb |
| Sensitive | calendula flowers, salvia officinalis leaves, chamomile flowers, mint leaves, string of tripartite herbs, lavender herbs, flax seeds, tricolor violet herbs, bearberry leaves |
The most beneficial herb for the skin
As you can see, in the table above, some medicinal plants are mentioned more than once, which shows their versatility. This herb needs to be discussed in more detail.
Stinging 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. Therefore, the stinging nettle juice "cocktail" consisting of silicon salts, histamine, choline (vitamin B4) and formic acid, stimulate blood microcirculation, improve skin nutrition. Vitamin A has a bactericidal effect, helping to get rid of pimples, acne and irritation quickly.
Vitamin C increases the elasticity of the skin and improves the tone of the capillaries that nourish it. Vitamin K has an antiseptic anti-inflammatory effect, and in combination with natural "bleach" helps to get rid of freckles and other age spots. Carotene, which is also rich in this plant, gives skin freshness and a healthy glow. The tandem of flavonoids, tannins and organic acids helps smooth wrinkles, providing a visible rejuvenating effect. And finally, the bioavailable potassium contained in nettle provides natural hydration to the skin.
pharmaceutical camomile
This plant is remarkable because it is suitable for any type of skin, providing softening, antiallergic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects. Chamomile's bioactive ingredients stimulate blood circulation and relax facial muscles, thereby helping to reduce wrinkles. The lotion made from the infusion of the flowers of this plant helps with sunburn, allergies and acne, removes 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 suitable for cleaning the skin of the face. Moreover, for external and internal use. In the second option, it promotes the removal from the body of toxic substances and ballast that cause dermatological disorders.
However, there is one important nuance: not every chamomile is a medicine. The real one should be bitter, which indicates the presence in the composition of a valuable essential oil component - chamazulene, which determines a large part of its beneficial properties. Take notes!
Calendula officinalis
Talking about which herbs are the most useful for face care, it is impossible not to mention this beautiful plant, better known to many as marigolds. Thanks to its unique composition, it is suitable 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 antioxidant properties of the plant. The last group of ingredients mentioned, among other things, promotes the accumulation of hyaluronic acid in the body, which is the key to natural skin hydration. Carotenoids, which give the flowering part of the marigold a rich orange color, are precursors of vitamin A, an important property that we have discussed above.
This combination and several other bioactive ingredients moisturize, soothe, soften, cleanse, protect and brighten the skin, restore its structure at the cellular level, have a brightening and anti-aging effect, improve the skin, give it a healthy glow. .
To maintain the natural beauty and elasticity of the body's skin, a warm medicated bath with the addition of a decoction of calendula flowers and sea salt is perfect. And hot water herbal treatment relieves skin itching, has a disinfecting and wound-healing effect, helps with any dermatological disorder. At the same time, the essential oils released during the bath have a good effect on the whole body as a whole, stimulating the immune system and improving mood.
Looking for skin care products that are truly healthy and eco-friendly? Then we advise you to pay attention to the Kalta calendula variety, 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 far superior to wild or cultivated analogues.
Mint
Another herb that is very beneficial for all skin types. 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, removes puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. Rhamnose stimulates the production of collagen, thereby helping to eliminate wrinkles and prevent the appearance of new ones. The rejuvenating effect is enhanced by the amino acid arginine, also found in plants. Peppermint tannins are also very useful in combating age-related changes in the skin, while resinous substances accelerate the healing of wounds and micro-cracks.
A steam bath with mint is great for cleansing the inner layers of the skin, removing dark spots and rosacea (microvascular) networks, and improving the skin. In addition, based on this plant, you can prepare a beautiful moisturizing, softening and whitening mask, which will have a visible effect after the first use.
As for the most valuable types of mint from a biological point of view, it is better to give preference to the "Kip" variety, as a leader in the content of flavonoids and tannins.
Salvia officinalis
This plant deserves special attention 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 individually or in combination with other herbs with similar properties helps to reduce prolactin and at the same time increase estrogen levels to optimal values, which really creates a rejuvenating effect, returning women to a healthy and blooming appearance. Oral use of sage has been scientifically proven 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 suitable for combination skin, tightens pores and permanently eliminates sebum shine in the T zone. Decoctions, masks, scrubs and other cosmetic herbal products based on this plant have anti-inflammatory, soothing, antibacterial andwound healing, helps eliminate any 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 herbs are the best for scalp care, then yarrow will be at least in the top three. Of particular interest in this case is its antiseborrheic properties, or, more simply, it removes dandruff. This is achieved due to the presence of essential oils in the plant, components that together provide antibacterial, cleansing, moisturizing and soothing effects.
At the same time, the complex of tannins, organic acids and the natural form of vitamin K provides anti-inflammatory, astringent, wound healing effects of yarrow, relieves itching and exfoliates the skin on the scalp, reduces the intensity of acne. on the face and body.
The mask with yarrow cleans, nourishes and soothes the skin perfectly, making it fresher, smoother and softer. Moreover, this effect is achieved after several procedures. You can rinse your hair with a decoction after washing, thanks to which the structure is restored.
For many people, this will be a discovery, but yarrow is also selected and cultivated, which causes the concentration of bioactive substances in it to increase significantly. Therefore, one of the varieties is characterized by a high content of flavonoids, saponins, tannins and essential oils.
Three-way sequence
It is difficult to name at least one disease or violation of the integrity of the skin for which this amazing plant will not help. Herbal decoction, used externally as a lotion or bath, is effective against dermatitis, allergies and acne rashes, psoriatic lesions, purulent wounds, urticaria, scrofula, and seborrhea. Many reviews show that such a procedure helps reduce warts.
In the form of a drink, this herb for the skin improves the function of the gastrointestinal tract, normalizes metabolism, which helps eliminate the cause of dermatological problems. This series owes its unique properties to the entire complex of biologically active ingredients, including flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids, essential oils and vitamin C.
This plant is equally suitable for both clean and sensitive skin. It is an invariable component in various herbal preparations.
The best recipe 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 mask for normal skin
A small explanation: apply the mask in a thin layer on previously cleansed skin. Wash with warm water. If it's made with oil/fat, then it's 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 No. 1
Mix 1 tablespoon of crushed dried nettle leaves with an equal 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 dried herbs and chopped mint leaves. Pour 1 cup (150 ml) of boiling water over the herbal mixture and let it brew under the lid for about half an hour. After cooling, add 1 teaspoon of starch or any flour for thickness. Mix it up. Apply the mask for 30 minutes.
Herbal mask for oily skin
Recipe No. 1
Take 1 tablespoon each of dried banana and crushed mint leaves, mix 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 No. 2
Take 1 tablespoon of chopped dry herb 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 wheat or rice flour and mix until smooth. Keep the mask on your face until it dries completely.
Recipe No. 3
Boil 1 tablespoon of crushed dry coltsfoot 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 long-term effects, the procedure should be performed at least 2 times a week.
Herbal mask for dry and sensitive skin
Recipe No. 1
Pour 1 tablespoon of crushed dried chamomile flowers into ½ cup of boiling water and leave covered for 25-30 minutes. Cool, drain excess liquid, add 1 teaspoon of honey, mix until smooth. Apply the mask for 15 minutes.
Recipe No. 2
Take 1 tablespoon each of dried chamomile flowers, calendula and crushed hops. Mix the herbal mixture with 1 cup of boiling water. After cooling, drain the excess liquid and add 1 teaspoon of full-fat sour cream, then mix well. Apply the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe No. 3
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped dried 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 using such a mask, a warm and moist cotton napkin must be applied to the face. Keep the mixture for 25 minutes, rinse with warm water, and then wash with cold water.
Herbal mask for combination skin
Recipe No. 1
Pour 3 tablespoons of crushed dried 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 with warm water and apply a nourishing cream to your face.
Recipe No. 2
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped dried tali herb into 1 cup of boiling water. Leave for 1 hour, filter. Wet the gauze in the finished infusion and apply 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 mask for skin elasticity and smoothing wrinkles
Recipe No. 1
Mix 4 teaspoons of crushed dried chamomile flowers with an equal amount of full-fat kefir and 1 raw egg. Apply the resulting mass to your face for 20-25 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Recipe No. 2
Take 1 tablespoon each of dried chamomile, peppermint, St. wort. John, coltsfoot and sage. Mix the resulting mixture with boiling water, cover the container tightly and leave for 30 minutes. Then drain the excess liquid, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil (for oily skin types, use low-fat sour cream instead of oil). Spread the mixture on your face and cover it with a cotton cloth. Keep the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe No. 3
Take 1 teaspoon each 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, then wash with warm water and soap.
Healthy and beautiful skin starts from within
The herbs listed to cleanse, moisturize or smooth the skin can be your faithful assistants in preserving youth and beauty for years. However, without helping the body from the inside, cosmetic phytoprocedures will only be half the measure.
The first thing that comes to mind in this case is taking vitamins. And this is really fair, because it is impossible to get all the nutrients necessary to keep yourself in good condition and in excellent shape from food. It seems that the trouble is not worth it - everything that our body lacks is easily available in the pharmacy. It's just that all this wealth of vitamins and minerals is absorbed in synthetic form with great reluctance. In addition, many other important problems have yet to be solved, leading to skin deterioration and premature aging.
The best option, taking into account all the nuances voiced, is to take a natural complex. The first thing you should pay attention to when studying the composition of this medicine is the trio of flavonoid antioxidants from the group of quercetin + vitamins C and E. The fact is that any negative process that occurs in the human body is related in one way or another. with free radical activity. It has been scientifically proven that 90% of the signs of premature aging and more than 50 serious diseases are on the conscience of these sabotaging particles. Antioxidants designed to neutralize their violent activity, the most powerful in the plant world are Siberian larch flavonoids. And in combination with vitamins C and E, this ingredient acts more confidently and effectively. Among other things, it is an excellent vascular tonic and capillary protector, ensuring uninterrupted nutrition of connective tissue - the basis of our body's organs and systems. Ascorbic acid is also a catalyst for many biochemical processes. Therefore, 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 how! About 250 useful substances are contained in royal jelly included in the preparation and more than 100 more in bee pollen (pollen). This list contains 20 amino acids, including important ones, about 30 macro and microelements, 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 is the hormone-like substance in royal jelly, which, in particular, provides a natural increase in estrogen levels. And lastly, as we all know, it is very important to preserve the natural beauty of women 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. So everyone will definitely win. Stay healthy and the rest will follow!