Plants 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 both preventive and therapeutic purposes. If you choose the right herbal remedy for a specific problem and specific skin type, the effect can exceed even the most modest expectations. Do you want to look younger than your age and literally radiate health? Then this article is for you.
The main types of facial skin
It will be much 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.
- normalThe skin does not need serious care other than standard cleansing and moisturizing. This type is characterized by the absence of blackheads, 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 face of its owners. Very often, a capillary network clearly appears in it, which causes physiological and aesthetic discomfort.
- fat. With this type of skin, you don't need to wrap your face with a scarf in winter. However, all the flaws in the form of enlarged pores and characteristic shine are visible to the naked eye. In addition, it is a real magnet for all kinds of rashes and inflammations.
- combinedThe type is common to most people. Its hallmark is oily skin in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and normal skin elsewhere.
- SensitiveThe skin, like dry skin, is intolerant to weather changes, is characterized by irritability and intolerance to the vast majority of cosmetics. Itching, peeling, tightness - that's all. Medicinal plants that have a softening and soothing effect are the optimal way to eliminate these problems.
Benefits of herbs for skin
Using medicinal plants for cosmetic purposes, you can count on the following results:
- Saturating the skin with all the necessary nutrients.
- Deep cleansing and tightening of pores.
- Normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, helps to remove the oily sheen for a long time.
- Elimination and prevention of inflammation, disinfection.
- Moisturizes, softens, whitens the skin.
- Refreshing and tonic effect.
What dermatological diseases can be treated with medicinal plants?
The above-mentioned properties of phytotherapeutic agents help to cope with the following diseases, injuries 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 for different skin types
Since you probably did not find it difficult to determine the type of facial skin, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the plants suitable for their action.
| skin type | suitable herbs |
|---|---|
| normal | Nettle leaves, Mint leaves, Trifolium, Chamomile flowers, Lime flowers, Fenugreek leaves |
| dry | Nettle Leaves, Hops, Yarrow, Calendula Flowers, Sage Leaves, Chamomile Flowers, Oregano Herb, Creeping Hay Herb |
| fat | Wormwood herb, chicory herb, yarrow herb, calendula flowers, coltsfoot leaves, St. John's wort herb, aloe leaf juice, silver birch leaves and buds, common oak bark, lime root flower, large plantain leaves, greater burdock, nettle leaf, peppermint, mint leaves |
| combined | Peppermint leaves, St. John's wort, Sage leaves, Horsetail herb |
| Sensitive | calendula flowers, salvia officinalis leaves, chamomile flowers, peppermint leaves, three-way grass string, lavender grass, linseed, tricolor violet grass, bear leaves |
The most useful plants for the skin
As you can see, in the table above, some medicinal plants are mentioned more than once, which indicates their diversity. These herbs should be discussed in more detail.
Hives
This pungent plant has long been used for cosmetic purposes in skin and hair care. It owes its unique properties to its rich chemical composition. Thus, the fried "cocktail" of nettle juice, which consists of silicon salts, histamine, choline (vitamin B4) and formic acid, stimulates blood microcirculation, improves skin nutrition. Vitamin A has a bactericidal effect, helps 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 anti-inflammatory antiseptic effect and, together with a natural "whitener", helps to remove freckles and other age spots. Carotene, which this plant is also rich in, gives the skin freshness and a healthy glow. The tandem of flavonoids, tannic acids and organic acids helps to clear wrinkles, whichProvides a visible rejuvenating effect. Finally, the bioavailable potassium contained in nettle provides natural skin hydration.
Pharmaceutical Chamomile
This plant is outstanding because it is suitable for any type of skin, provides softening, anti-allergic, bactericidal, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and restorative effects. Chamomile's bioactive substances stimulate blood circulation and relax facial muscles, thus helping to reduce wrinkles. Lotions made from the infusion of the flowers of this plant help with sunburn, allergies and acne, eliminate bags and dark circles under the eyes, accelerate the healing of wounds and microcracks, and create an invisible protective layer on the skin.
This herb is also ideal for cleansing the skin of the face. Moreover, for both external and internal use. In the second option, it helps to remove toxic and ballast substances from the body, which provoke dermatological disorders.
However, there is one important nuance: not all chamomile is a medicine. The real one should be bitter, which indicates the presence of a valuable essential oil component in its composition - shamazulene, which determines the lion's share of its useful properties. Take note!
Calendula officinalis
When talking about which herbs are the most useful for face care, it is impossible not to mention this beautiful plant, which is more familiar to many people as marigolds. Thanks to its unique composition, it is ideal for oily, dry and at the same time sensitive skin. 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 mentioned substances, among other things, contributes to the accumulation of hyaluronic acid in the body, which is the key to natural skin hydration. Carotenoids, which give the marigold flower its rich orange color, are precursors of vitamin A, whose important properties have already been discussed.
The combination of these 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 the complexion, gives it a healthy glow. .
To maintain the natural beauty and elasticity of the body skin, warm healing baths with the addition of calendula flower decoction and sea salt are excellent. And herbal treatments with hot water soothe skin itching, have a disinfecting and wound healing effect, help with any dermatological disease. At the same time, essential oils released during bathing have a beneficial effect on the whole body, stimulate the immune system and improve mood.
Looking for a truly healthy and eco-friendly skin care product? Then I recommend that you pay attention to the Calendula Kalta variety, which is grown without the use of chemicals at a long distance from large cities and industrial enterprises. And, what is also important, in the content of useful substances (in particular, flavonoids and carotenoids) it is significantly higher than wild or cultivated analogues.
mint
Another incredibly useful herb for any skin type. Moreover, everyone can easily name at least one of its features. The complex of flavonoids, ascorbic acid and peppermint essential oil, rich in menthol, has a cooling and toning effect, eliminates puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. Rhamnose stimulates the production of collagen, thereby helping to remove wrinkles and prevent the appearance of new ones. The rejuvenating effect is enhanced by the amino acid arginine, which is also found in the plant. Mint tannins are also very useful in the fight against age-related changes in the skin, and resinous substances accelerate the healing of wounds and microcracks.
Peppermint steam baths are great for deep skin cleansing, removing blackheads and rosacea (microvascular) networks, and improving the complexion. In addition, on the basis of this plant, you can prepare excellent moisturizing, softening and whitening masks, which will have a noticeable 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 the content of flavonoids and tannins.
Salvia officinalis
This plant deserves special mention because it is a source of phytoestrogens. As is known, the lack of sex hormones in women, most noticeable during menopause, has a negative impact on the health of the fair sex in general and the condition of the skin in particular. Taking sage alone or in combination with other herbs of 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 to a healthy and blooming appearance. Oral use of sage has been scientifically proven to inhibit 50% of the activity of age-related enzymes.
For those who are still too early to think about age, drinking sage is useful for preventive purposes. And as an external product, it's ideal for combination skin, tightens pores and permanently eliminates oily shine in the T-zone. Decoctions, masks, scrubs and other cosmetic herbal products based on this plant have anti-inflammatory, soothing, bactericidal and wound healing properties that help 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 a product that contains the maximum content of this component.
Tier
If we talk about which herb is the best for scalp care, then yaro is at least in the top three. In this case, its anti-seborrheic property, or, to put it more simply, dandruff removal, is particularly interesting. This is achieved due to the presence of essential oil in the plant, the components of which together provide antibacterial, cleansing, moisturizing and soothing effects.
At the same time, the complex of tannic acids, organic acids and the natural form of vitamin K provide an anti-inflammatory, astringent, wound-healing effect of the layer, relieves itching and peeling of the skin on the scalp, reduces the intensity of acne. on the face and body.
Layered masks perfectly clean, nourish and soothe the skin, making it cleaner, smoother and softer. Moreover, this effect is achieved after several procedures. After washing, you can rinse your hair with a solution, thanks to which its structure will be restored.
For many, this will be a discovery, but the layer is also selected and cultivated, due to which 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 sequence
It is difficult to name even a single disease or violation of the integrity of the skin that this amazing plant does not help. A decoction of the herb, applied externally as a lotion or bath, effectively treats dermatitis, allergic and acne rashes, psoriatic lesions, purulent wounds, urticaria, scrofula and seborrhea. Many reviews indicate that such procedures even help reduce warts.
In the form of a drink, this herb for the skin improves the work of the gastrointestinal tract, normalizes metabolism, which helps to eliminate the root causes of dermatological problems. The series owes its unique properties to the whole complex of biologically active substances, including flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids, essential oil 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 beauty and healthy skin based on medicinal herbs
We present to your attention the above plant-based proven recipes for different types of skin care.
Herbal masks for normal skin
A little explanation: apply the masks in a thin layer on previously cleansed skin. Rinse with lukewarm water. If they are made with oil/fat, then warmer but not hot. To achieve a uniform consistency, it is recommended to grind the plant material in a coffee grinder before brewing.
Recipe No. 1
Mix 1 tablespoon of crushed 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 on the herbal mixture and leave it under the lid for about half an hour. After cooling, add 1 teaspoon of starch or flour of any thickness. Mix it up. Apply the mask for 30 minutes.
Herbal masks for oily skin
Recipe No. 1
Take 1 tablespoon each of crushed dry and mint leaves, boil in 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 flower, pour 1 cup of boiling water and keep it on low heat for 10 minutes. Cool to a comfortable temperature, add a teaspoon of wheat or rice flour and mix until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Keep the mask on your face until it dries completely.
Recipe No. 3
Boil 1 tablespoon of crushed dry leaves for 10 minutes on low heat. As in the previous recipe, mix the cooled broth with a teaspoon until it becomes a thick flour. Keep the warm mixture on the skin for 20-25 minutes. To achieve a long-lasting effect, the procedure should be performed at least 2 times a week.
Herbal masks for dry and sensitive skin
Recipe No. 1
Pour ½ cup of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of crushed dry chamomile flowers 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 crushed dried chamomile, calendula, and hop flowers. Boil the herbal mixture in 1 cup of boiling water. Once cooled, squeeze out excess liquid and add 1 teaspoon of low-fat sour cream, then mix well until smooth. Apply the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe No. 3
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of chopped dry sage. Cool to +40 °C, drain the excess liquid, add ½ teaspoon of olive or sesame oil and stir until a homogeneous mass is obtained. After applying such a mask, a warm and damp cotton towel should be applied to the face. Keep the mixture for 25 minutes, rinse with warm water, then rinse with cold water.
Herbal masks for combination skin
Recipe No. 1
Pour 200 ml of boiling water on 3 tablespoons of crushed dry chamomile flowers and boil. After cooling the infusion to a comfortable temperature, wet a layer of cotton in it and apply the resulting mass for 25 minutes, covering it with a napkin. After removing the mask, rinse with warm water and apply a nourishing cream to your face.
Recipe No. 2
Pour 1 cup of boiling water on 2 tablespoons of crushed dry grass. Leave for 1 hour, drain. Soak a gauze cloth in the finished infusion and apply it as a mask on your face. Leave for about 20 minutes. In the first week, do the procedure 2-3 times, then 1 time.
Herbal masks to improve skin elasticity and 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 on the face for 20-25 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Recipe No. 2
Take 1 tablespoon each of crushed dry chamomile, peppermint, St. John's wort, coltsfoot, and sage. Boil the obtained mass with boiling water, tightly close the container and leave for 30 minutes. Then drain the excess liquid, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil (use low-fat sour cream instead of oil for oily skin). Apply the mixture evenly on the 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 resulting mixture on the face for 40 minutes, then wash it off with warm water and soap.
Healthy and beautiful skin starts from within
The listed plants for cleaning, moisturizing or softening the skin can become your faithful assistant in maintaining youth and beauty for many years. However, without help from within the body, cosmetic phytoprocedures will only be half the measure.
The first thing that comes to mind in this case is taking vitamins. And that's absolutely fair, because it's simply impossible to get all the nutrients you need to stay 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 a pharmacy. Simply, all this wealth of vitamins and minerals in synthetic form is absorbed very reluctantly. In addition, many other important problems remain unsolved, which leads to the deterioration of the skin and its early aging.
The best option, taking into account all the nuances mentioned, would be to take a natural complex. The first thing you should pay attention to when studying the composition of this drug is the flavonoid antioxidant trio from the quercetin group + vitamins C and E. The fact is that any negative process in the human body is associated in one way or another. with the activity of free radicals. It has been scientifically proven that 90% of the signs of premature aging and more than 50 serious diseases are the conscience of these subversive particles. Antioxidants are designed to neutralize their violent activity, the most powerful in the plant world being the Siberian lime flavonoid. And together with vitamins C and E, this substance acts even more confidently and effectively. Among other things, it is an excellent vascular tonic and capillary protector, providing continuous nutrition to 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 and increasing the elasticity of the skin.
The multivitamin part of the complex is represented by only two components. But how! The royal jelly contained in the preparation contains up to 250 useful substances and more than 100 bee pollen (dust). This list contains 20 amino acids, including essential ones, about 30 macro and microelements, dozens of vitamins, free fatty acids, enzymes that help to absorb all of the above as well 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, is extremely important for maintaining a woman's natural beauty and keeping her young.
However, men should not ignore the complex either. The combination of bee products in the preparation helps to produce your own testosterone - the hormone of strength, self-confidence and sexual activity. So everyone will surely win. Stay healthy and the rest will follow!