Plants and herbs have a lot to do with skincare. Most chemical products are made from extracts of these plants and herbs.
If you want to go the organic way, the purely natural and direct way, these 5 plants and herbs are some of the best you can use.
1. Mint
You’ll find mint in a host of personal care products, and it’s no surprise. This fragrant leaf can refresh the skin and help clear up acne. How? Mint contains natural salicylic acid, a gentle and effective exfoliate that can help clear pores and combat breakouts. Mint is an anti-pruritic agent, helping to calm infected, itchy skin. Mint also contains a healthy dose of Vitamin A, which can help strengthen skin tissue and reduce oil production.
2. Green Tea Leaf
Want to soothe your skin and improve your complexion? Pull out your teacup. Green tea is a master at skin rejuvenation. Taken internally, it can help flush out toxins from the body. Applied topically, it can heal blemishes faster, reduce the appearance of scars, and alleviate inflammation. Green tea is also packed with antioxidants, helping delay signs of ageing and combating skin damage.
3. Cucumbers
On any day, I’ll say cucumber is the king of all plants that deal with skincare. Fresh cucumbers contain plenty of antioxidants, helping you combat wrinkles and prevent sun damage. Cucumbers contain important compounds called curcumin and cucurbitacins that can help fight inflammation and minimize the effects of ageing. They also pack a mean punch of Vitamins C and K, antioxidants that can help fight dark circles under your eyes. The Vitamin B5 found in this crunchy produce helps the skin retain moisture, while silica found in cucumbers promotes collagen production, which can help combat wrinkles. These are just some of the reasons why we included cucumber in our vegan face wash.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary is a staple in flavorful dishes, and as it turns out, a great addition to an at-home skincare routine. With its natural antiseptic properties, it’s a great disinfectant for your skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce redness from breakouts and soothe the skin. Rosemary is bursting with antioxidants, helping fight against free radicals and prevent wrinkles.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a known miracle worker when it comes to skin ailments. It’s been used for centuries and was called the “plant of immortality” by the ancient Egyptians. Have a sunburn? Rub Aloe Vera gel on inflamed skin for instant soothing. This cactus plant produces a clear gel that can help heal wounds; this gel contains two hormones called Gibberellins and Auxin that can stimulate the growth of new cells and cut down on acne scarring. Easy to grow and quick to heal? Aloe Vera is a definite wonder plant.
