Herbs for improving the condition of the skin of the face and body have a rich history of use in cosmetology. Currently they are also actively used for preventive and therapeutic purposes. If you choose the right herbal remedy for a particular problem and a particular skin type, the effect can exceed the simplest expectations. Do you want to look younger than your years and truly radiate health? Then this article is for you.
Main facial skin types
It will be easier to achieve a rejuvenating and healing effect with the help of herbal remedies if you know your skin type. Let's do a little dermatology education program.
- Normalthe skin does not require any serious care other than standard cleansing and moisturizing. This type is characterized by the absence of blackheads, oily shine, as well as a feeling of dryness and tightness. But prevention can never be too much.
- DryThe skin is the most vulnerable and sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The consequences of the winter cold and summer heat are literally reflected on the owner's face. Very often, the capillary mesh is clearly visible 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 the characteristic shine are visible to the naked eye. In addition, it is a real magnet for all kinds of rashes and inflammation.
- Combinedthis type is common for most people. The characteristic is oily skin in the T area (forehead, nose, chin) and normal skin in other areas.
- Sensitiveskin, like dry skin, intolerant of weather changes, characterized by increased irritability and intolerance to most cosmetics. Itching, peeling, tightness - that's all. Herbal medicines that have a softening and calming effect are the best medicines to get rid of this problem.
Benefits of herbs for skin
Using medicinal plants for cosmetic purposes, you can count on the following results:
- Saturates the skin with all the necessary nutrients.
- Deep cleans and tightens pores.
- Normalizes the function of the sebaceous glands, helps to eliminate oily shine for a long time.
- Removal and prevention of inflammation, disinfection.
- Moisturizes, smoothes, whitens skin.
- Refreshing and firming effect.
What dermatological disorders can be treated with medicinal herbs?
The above properties of phytotherapeutic agents help to overcome the following diseases, damage and age-related changes in the skin:
- pimple;
- dryness, irritation, peeling;
- oily shine;
- blackheads, enlarged pores;
- sagging skin, wrinkles;
- dark circles under the eyes;
- age spots (including freckles).
Complete list of herbs to care for various skin types
Since it may not be difficult for you to determine your facial skin type, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with herbs that are suitable for their properties.
| Skin type | Suitable herbs |
|---|---|
| Normal | nettle leaves, peppermint leaves, tripartite bunch of herbs, chamomile flowers, linden flowers, large plantain leaves |
| Dry | nettle leaves, hop berries, 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 herb. St. John's wort, aloe leaf juice, silver birch leaves and buds, common oak bark, linden flowers, large plantain leaves, large burdock root, nettle leaves, butterbur root, peppermint leaves |
| Combined | peppermint leaves, St. John's wort herbSt. John's wort, sage leaves, horsetail herb |
| Sensitive | calendula flowers, salvia officinalis leaves, chamomile flowers, peppermint leaves, tripartite herb arrangement, 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 shows their versatility. This plant should be discussed in more detail.
Nettle
This spicy plant has long been used for cosmetic purposes for skin and hair care. Its unique properties are due to its rich chemical composition. So, a "cocktail" of stinging nettle juice 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 quickly get rid of acne, pimples and irritation.
Vitamin C increases skin elasticity and increases the color of capillaries that provide nutrition. Vitamin K has an antiseptic anti-inflammatory effect, and combined with natural "whitening" helps remove freckles and other age spots. Carotene, which is also rich in this plant, gives freshness and a healthy glow to the skin. The combination 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.
pharmacy camomile
This plant is remarkable because it is suitable for all skin types, providing softening, anti-allergic, bactericidal, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and regenerating effects. The bioactive substance chamomile stimulates blood circulation and relaxes facial muscles, thereby helping reduce wrinkles. Lotion made from infusion of the flowers of this plant helps to overcome sunburn, allergies and acne, removes bags and dark circles under the eyes, accelerates the healing of wounds and microcracks, and forms an invisible protective layer on the skin.
This concoction is also ideal for cleansing facial skin. Moreover, both for external and internal use. In the second option, it promotes the removal of toxic and ballast substances from the body that provoke dermatological disorders.
But there is one important nuance: not all chamomile is medicinal. The real one should be bitter, which indicates the presence in the composition of a valuable essential oil component - chamazulene, which determines the lion's share of its beneficial properties. Take note!
Medicinal calendula
Talking about which herbs are most useful for facial care, it is impossible not to mention this wonderful plant, better known to many as marigold. Thanks to its unique composition, it is ideal for oily, dry and sensitive skin at the same time. Oleanolic acid in calendula flowers improves blood supply to cells and tissues, glycosides provide anti-inflammatory properties, and a complex of flavonoids provides antioxidant properties to the plant. The last group of substances mentioned among others promotes the accumulation of hyaluronic acid in the body, which is key to the skin's natural hydration. Carotenoids, which give the flowering parts of marigolds their rich orange color, are precursors of vitamin A, an important property of which we discussed above.
The combination of these ingredients and a number of 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 skin tone, giving it a healthy glow. .
To maintain the natural beauty and suppleness of your skin, a warm bath with the addition of a decoction of calendula flowers and sea salt is very suitable. And hot water herbal treatment soothes itching of the skin, has a disinfecting and wound healing effect, helps to overcome dermatological disorders. 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.
Looking for skin care products that are truly healthy and environmentally friendly? Then we advise you to pay attention to the Kalta calendula variety, which is grown without the use of chemicals at long distances 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 wild or cultivated analogues.
Candy
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, eliminating puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. Ramnose stimulates collagen production, thereby helping to eliminate wrinkles and prevent the appearance of new wrinkles. The rejuvenating effect is enhanced by the amino acid arginine, which is also found in the plant. Mint tannins are also very useful in fighting age-related changes in the skin, while resinous substances accelerate the healing of wounds and microcracks.
Steam baths with mint are great for cleansing the deep layers of the skin, removing blackheads and rosacea (microvascular) tissue, and improving skin tone. In addition, on the basis of this plant, you can prepare an excellent moisturizing, softening and whitening mask, 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 give preference to the "Kip" variety, as the 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, a lack of sex hormones in women, which is most visible during menopause, has a negative impact on women's health in general and skin condition in particular. Taking sage individually or in combination with other herbs that have similar properties helps to reduce prolactin and at the same time increase estrogen levels to optimal values, which literally creates a rejuvenating effect, returning a woman a healthy and blooming appearance. Oral use of sage has been scientifically proven to inhibit 50% of enzyme activity associated with aging.
For those who think about age too early, drinking sage is useful for preventive purposes. And as an external product, it is ideal for combination skin, tightening 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 wound healing properties, helping to eliminate 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 products that have the maximum content of this component.
yarrow
If we talk about which herbs are best for scalp care, then yarrow will be at least in the top three. What is interesting in this case is its antiseborrheic properties, or, more simply, it eliminates dandruff. This is achieved due to the presence of essential oils in the plant, the components of which together provide antibacterial, cleansing, moisturizing and soothing effects.
At the same time, a complex of tannins, organic acids and natural forms of vitamin K provides the anti-inflammatory, astringent, wound-healing effect of yarrow, eliminates itching and flaking of the skin on the scalp, reduces the intensity of acne. on the face and 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. You can rinse your hair with the decoction after washing, so that its structure can be restored.
For many, this will be a discovery, but yarrow is also selected and cultivated, so that 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.
Tripartite order
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 treats dermatitis, allergic and acne rashes, psoriatic lesions, purulent wounds, urticaria, scrofula and seborrhea. Many reviews show that the procedure even helps reduce warts.
In the form of a drink, this decoction for the skin improves the functioning of the digestive tract, normalizes metabolism, thereby helping to eliminate the root cause of dermatological problems. The unique properties of this series come from a whole complex of biologically active substances, including flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids, essential oils and vitamin C.
This plant is also 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 ingredients for the care of various types of skin.
Herbal mask for normal skin
Small clarification: apply the mask in a thin layer on previously cleansed skin. Wash off with warm water. If it is made from oil/fat, it will be warmer, but not hot. To achieve a uniform consistency, it is recommended to grind the plant material first in a coffee grinder before brewing.
Recipe No. 1
Mix 1 tablespoon of crushed dried nettle leaves with the same amount of warm milk and half a raw egg yolk. Mix well 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) boiling water over the herbal mixture and let sit under the lid for about half an hour. Once cool, add 1 teaspoon of starch or any flour to thicken. Mix. Apply the mask for 30 minutes.
Herbal mask for oily skin
Recipe No. 1
Take 1 tablespoon each of dried plantain and crushed mint leaves, brew with 1 glass of boiling water. Once cool, drain the excess liquid and add 1 tablespoon of liquid honey. Apply the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe No. 2
Take 1 tablespoon of chopped dry St. John's wort herb. St. John's wort and chamomile flowers, pour 1 glass of boiling water and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Cool to a comfortable temperature, add a teaspoon of wheat or rice flour and stir 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 on low heat. Concentrate the cooled stock, as in the previous recipe, with a teaspoon until it becomes a thick powder. Keep the warm mixture on the skin for 20-25 minutes. To achieve a long-term effect, this procedure must be carried out 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 boiling water and leave covered for 25–30 minutes. Cool, drain excess liquid, add 1 teaspoon of honey, stir until smooth. Apply the mask for 15 minutes.
Recipe No. 2
Take 1 tablespoon each of crushed dried chamomile flowers, calendula and hops. Brew the herbal mixture with 1 glass of boiling water. Once cool, drain off excess liquid and add 1 teaspoon full fat sour cream, then stir until smooth. Apply the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe number 3
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped dried sage into 1 cup of boiling water. 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. Leave the mixture for 25 minutes, rinse with warm water, then wash with cold water.
Herbal mask for combination skin
Recipe No. 1
Pour 3 tablespoons of crushed dry 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, rinse with warm water and apply a nourishing cream to your face.
Recipe No. 2
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped dried herbs into 1 cup of boiling water. Leave for 1 hour, strain. Moisten gauze in the finished infusion and apply as a mask on the face. Leave it for approximately 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 the same 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 dry chamomile, mint, St. John's wort. 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 remaining liquid, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil (for oily skin types, use low-fat sour cream instead of oil). Apply the mixture evenly all over your face and cover it with a cotton cloth on top. Leave the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe number 3
Take 1 teaspoon each of crushed dry mint leaves and green tea, add 1 tablespoon of fatty sour cream. Mix until smooth. Apply the mixture to your face for 40 minutes, then rinse with warm water and soap.
Healthy and beautiful skin starts from within
The listed herbs for cleansing, moisturizing or smoothing the skin can become your faithful helpers in maintaining youth and beauty for many years. However, without helping the body from within, cosmetic herbal procedures will only be half measures.
The first thing that comes to mind in this case is taking vitamins. And this is completely fair, because it is impossible to get all the nutrients necessary to keep yourself fit and in shape from food. It seems that the problem is meaningless - everything that our body lacks can easily be found in pharmacies. It's just that all this wealth of vitamins and minerals is very reluctant to be absorbed in synthetic form. Apart from that, there are still many other important problems that have not been resolved, causing skin damage and premature aging.
The best option, taking into account all the nuances voiced, is to use natural complexes. The first thing you should pay attention to when studying the composition of this drug is the antioxidant trio of flavonoids from the quercetin group + vitamins C and E. The fact is that every negative process occurring in the human body is somehow related. with free radical activity. It has been scientifically proven that 90% of signs of premature aging and more than 50 serious diseases are caused by these saboteur particles. Antioxidants are designed to neutralize its violent activity, the strongest in the plant world are Siberian larch flavonoids. And in combination with vitamins C and E, these substances work 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 the organs and systems of our body. 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 what kind! About 250 beneficial substances are contained in royal jelly which is included in the preparation and more than 100 other substances are found in bee pollen (pollen). This list contains 20 amino acids, including essential amino acids, about 30 macro and microelements, dozens of vitamins, free fatty acids, enzymes that help all of the above to be properly absorbed. 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 finally, as we already know, it is very important to maintain women's natural beauty and maintain youth.
However, men should not ignore the complexity either. The combination of bee products in the drug increases your own production of testosterone - the hormone of strength, self-confidence and sexual activity. So everyone wins. Stay healthy and the rest will follow!