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 preventive and therapeutic purposes. If you choose the right herbal medicine 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.
The main types of facial skin
It will be much easier to achieve a rejuvenating and healing effect with the help of herbal medicines if you know your skin type. Let's do a little dermatology educational program.
- Normalskin 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 is never too much.
- Drythe skin is more sensitive and sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The consequences of winter cold and summer heat are literally reflected on the face of its owners. Very often, a capillary network is clearly visible through it, causing physiological and aesthetic concerns.
- Fat. With this type of skin in winter, you don't 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. In addition, it is a real magnet for all kinds 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.
- Sensitivethe skin, like dry skin, is intolerant to weather changes, characterized by increased irritability and intolerance to the vast majority of cosmetics. Itching, skin, tightness - that's all. Medicinal plants that have a soothing and calming effect are the optimal remedy for eliminating these problems.
The benefits of plants 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 pore tightening.
- It normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, helping to eliminate oily shine for a long time.
- Elimination and prevention of inflammation, disinfection.
- Moisturizes, softens, whitens the skin.
- Refreshing and toning effect.
Which dermatological disorders can be treated with medicinal herbs?
The above properties of phytotherapeutic agents help to cope with the following diseases, injuries and age-related changes in the skin:
- acne;
- dryness, irritation, skin;
- greasy 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 your facial skin, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the herbs that are suitable for their action.
| Skin type | Suitable plants |
|---|---|
| Normal | nettle leaves, peppermint leaves, yarrow, chamomile flowers, linden flowers, plantain leaves |
| Dry | nettle leaves, hop fruit, yarra herb, calendula flowers, sage leaves, chamomile flowers, oregano herb, creeping thyme herb |
| Fat | wormwood herb, chicory herb, yarrow herb, calendula flowers, mushroom leaves, St. John's wort, aloe leaf juice, silver birch leaves and buds, common oak bark, sturgeon blossom, large plantain leaves, large burdock roots, nettle leaves, butterroot, mint leaves |
| Combined | mint leaves, St. John's wort, sage leaves, horsetail grass |
| Sensitive | calendula flowers, salvia officinalis leaves, chamomile flowers, peppermint leaves, tripartite herb, lavender herb, linseed, tricolor herb, bear leaf |
The most useful plants for the skin
As you can see, in the table above, some medicinal plants are mentioned more than once, which shows their versatility. These herbs should be discussed in more detail.
Stinging 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. Thus, a stinging "cocktail" with 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 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 "whitener" helps remove spots and other age spots. Carotene, which this plant is also rich in, gives the skin freshness and a healthy glow. The tandem of flavonoids, tannins and organic acids helps to soften wrinkles, providing a visible rejuvenating effect. And finally, the bio-available potassium contained in nettles provides natural skin hydration.
pharmaceutical chamomile
This plant is exceptional because it is suitable for any type of skin, offering a softening, anti-allergic, bactericidal, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect. 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 form an invisible protective layer on the skin.
This herb is also ideal for cleansing 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 provoke dermatological disorders.
However, there is an important nuance: not every chamomile is a medicine. The truth must be bitter, which indicates the presence in its composition of a valuable component of the essential oil - chamazulene, which determines the lion's share of its useful 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 people 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's antioxidant properties. The last group of substances 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, the important properties of which we have already discussed above.
The combination of these and a number of other bioactive substances hydrates, softens, softens, cleans, protects and tones the skin, restores its structure at the cellular level, has a brightening and anti-aging effect, improves the complexion, giving it a glow ofhealthy. .
To maintain the natural beauty and elasticity of the skin of the body, warm medicinal baths with the addition of decoction of calendula flowers and sea salt are perfect. And herbal treatments with hot water soothe itchy skin, have a disinfecting and wound-healing effect, helping with any dermatological disorder. 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 a truly healthy and eco-friendly skin care product? 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 significantly superior to wild or cultivated analogues.
menthol
Another very useful herb for any skin type. Moreover, everyone can easily name at least one of its properties. A complex of flavonoids, ascorbic acid and peppermint essential oil, rich in menthol, has a refreshing and tonic effect, eliminating puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. Rhamnose stimulates the production of collagen, thus helping to remove wrinkles and prevent the appearance of new ones. The rejuvenating effect is enhanced by the amino acid arginine, also present in the plant. Mint tannins are also very useful in the fight against age-related changes in the skin, while resinous substances accelerate the healing of wounds and microcracks.
Peppermint steam baths are great for cleansing the deep layers of the skin, getting rid of blackheads and rosacea (microvascular) webs, and improving the skin. In addition, on the basis of this plant, you can prepare wonderful moisturizing, softening and whitening masks, which will have a noticeable effect after the first use.
As for the most biologically valuable mint varieties, 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 it is known, a lack of sex hormones in women, more visible 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 to reduce prolactin and at the same time increase estrogen levels to optimal values, which in question creates a rejuvenating effect, turning women into a figurehealthy and thriving. 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 ideal for combination skin, tightening pores and permanently eliminating oily shine in the T-zone. Decoctions, masks, cleansers and other herbal cosmetic products based on this plant have anti-inflammatory, soothing, bactericidal and wound healing, helping to 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 ingredient.
Yarrow
If we talk about which herb is the best for scalp care, then yarrow will be at least in the first three. Of particular interest in this case is its anti-seborrheic property, or simply put, the removal of dandruff. This is achieved due to the presence of essential oil in the plant, the components of which 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, wound-healing effect of yarra, relieving itching and skin sliding on the scalp, reducing 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 a decoction after washing, thanks to which its structure is restored.
For many, this will be a discovery, but the yard 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.
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 plant, used externally as a lotion or bath, effectively copes with dermatitis, allergic rashes and acne, psoriatic lesions, purulent wounds, urticaria, scrofula and seborrhea. Numerous reviews show that such procedures even help reduce warts.
In the form of a drink, this herb for the skin improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, normalizing metabolism, which helps to 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 plants for the care of different skin types.
Herbal masks for normal skin
A small clarification: apply the masks in a thin layer on previously cleansed skin. Rinse with lukewarm water. If they are made with an oil/fat base, then warmer, 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 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 of chopped dry herb leaves and mint. Pour 1 cup (150 ml) of boiling water over the herbal mixture and let it cook under the lid for about half an hour. Once cooled, add 1 teaspoon of starch or any flour for thickness. Mix it up. Apply the mask for 30 minutes.
Herbal masks for oily skin
Recipe no. 1
Take 1 tablespoon of crushed dry plantain leaves and mint, leave it with 1 glass of boiling water. Once cool, strain off excess liquid and add 1 dessert spoon of runny honey. Apply the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe no. 2
Take 1 tablespoon of chopped dry herbs, St. John's wort and chamomile flowers, pour 1 cup 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 dried crushed leaves for 10 minutes on low heat. As in the previous recipe, we concentrate the cooled liquid with a teaspoon until it becomes a thick flour. Keep the warm mixture on the skin for 20-25 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 no. 1
Pour 1 tablespoon of crushed dried chamomile flowers into ½ cup of boiling water and leave covered for 25-30 minutes. Cool, strain excess liquid, add 1 teaspoon of honey, mix until smooth. Apply the mask for 15 minutes.
Recipe no. 2
Take 1 tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers, calendula and crushed hops. Boil the herbal mixture with 1 cup of boiling water. Once cool, strain off excess liquid and add 1 teaspoon of full-fat sour cream, then mix thoroughly until smooth. Apply the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe no. 3
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped dry sage herb into 1 cup of boiling water. Cool to +40 °C, drain the excess liquid, add ½ teaspoon of olive or sesame oil and mix until it becomes a homogeneous mass. After applying such a mask, a warm and wet cotton cloth 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 no. 1
Pour 3 tablespoons of dried crushed chamomile flowers into 200 ml of boiling water and let it brew. After cooling the infusion to a comfortable temperature, soak 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 the nourishing cream on the face.
Recipe no. 2
Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped dried herbs into 1 cup of boiling water. Leave for 1 hour, drain. Wet a gauze cloth in the finished infusion and apply it as a face mask. Keep it 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 the same amount of full-fat kefir and 1 raw egg. Apply the resulting mass to the face for 20-25 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Recipe no. 2
Take 1 tablespoon each of crushed dry chamomile, mint, St. John's wort, mushrooms, and sage. Boil the resulting mixture with boiling water, tightly close the container and leave it for 30 minutes. Then drain the excess liquid, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil (for oily skin types, use low-fat yogurt instead of oil). Spread the mixture evenly on the face and cover with a cotton cloth on top. Keep the mask for 20 minutes.
Recipe no. 3
Take 1 teaspoon of crushed dry mint leaves and green tea, add 1 tablespoon of fat sour cream. Blend 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 plants listed for cleaning, moisturizing or softening the skin can become your faithful helpers in maintaining 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 right, since it is simply impossible to get all the nutrients necessary to keep yourself in good shape and in great shape from food. It seems that the trouble is not worth it at all - everything that our body lacks can be easily found 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 remain unsolved, leading to the deterioration of the skin and its early aging.
The best option, taking into account all the nuances expressed, would be to take 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 every negative process that occurs in the human body is accompanied in one way or another. with the activity of free radicals. It has been scientifically proven that 90% of the signs of early aging and over 50 serious diseases are in the consciousness of these subversive particles. Antioxidants are designed to neutralize their violent activity, the strongest of which in the plant world is the Siberian larch flavonoid. And in combination 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 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 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 well as possible. The icing on this nutritional cake are the hormone-like substances in royal jelly, which, in particular, provide a natural boost to estrogen levels. And the latter, as we already know, are extremely important for preserving the natural beauty of women and preserving youth.
However, men should not ignore the complex either. The combination of bee products in the medicine stimulates the production of your testosterone - the hormone of strength, confidence and sexual activity. So everyone will definitely win. Stay healthy and the rest will follow!