Best Herbs for Glowing Skin

December 14, 2022 ECOSYS

Did you know that the skin is the largest organ in the human body? In fact, the skin makes up more than 15% of your total body weight, which makes it no surprise that the skin holds so much responsibility for your overall health.

Your skin is the first line of defense against the outside world and helps regulate your body temperature, dispose of waste materials, and represents the overall health of the human body through its color and appearance.

Even your diet, level of hydration, toxic load, and circulation all play a vital role in the health and appearance of your skin.

Today, many of us know the conditions of our skin, whether we suffer from dryness, acne, eczema, and more.

While we all have our skin care routines, some of the best ingredients for our skin come from the Earth! It’s like they always say, Mother Nature has the best medicine.

Many herbs contain bioactive compounds that contain healing properties and have been used for centuries around the world for their anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, hydrating, and wound-healing benefits.

Because of this, people world-wide have been using herbs to achieve healthy and glowing skin! There are several herbs and plants that can be easily incorporated into your skin care routine to naturally achieve radiant skin.

Even if your skin is commonly relaxed, incorporating natural herbs into your daily routine can enhance your skin’s tone and texture.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a highly beneficial herb that has been used in food and medicine for centuries.

Rosemary contains natural anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties making it a natural key herb to fight acne, while its high levels of antioxidants help fight free radical damage from sun exposure and environmental pollutants.

It also contains vital nutrients to promote collagen production for healthy skin and hair, including iron, calcium, and vitamin B6.

Because of this, Rosemary is one of the most versatile herbs to integrate into your skincare routine.

What’s great about Rosemary is it can be used on the skin in many different ways.

To integrate it into your skincare routine, simply take a little as ¼ cup of fresh Rosemary leaves, ½ cup witch hazel hydrosol, and ¼ cup rose water and simmer in a pan.

Turn off heat and let cool, strain the infusion, and store it for up to 2 months in a small glass jar.

You can use this on your skin twice a day to help fight acne, boost circulation, and rejuvenate your skin’s glow.

Sage

The sweet smell of sage. Along with its earthy aroma, sage holds some powerful benefits for the overall health of the skin and body.

Rich in Vitamin A, Calcium, and antioxidants, sage works with your body to promote daily cell regeneration, which helps minimize and delay the onset of facial wrinkles.

Sage also carries the presence of volatile oil, ursolic acid, and carnosic acid all of which act as a powerhouse to help treat UVA/UVB skin damage, acne, eczema, skin fungus, psoriasis.

Additionally, oil from a sage leaf contains flavonoids, which protect our body and skin from aging, cancer, and other diseases.

Because sage naturally increases your body’s blood circulation, not only will it promote healthy, glowing skin, but can also be used to reduce cellulite throughout the body. Its natural calming effect is also a major plus.

To make the best and most effective sage oil, give yourself 4 weeks for a slow infusion.

Simply fill a jar with wilted sage leaves and pour extra virgin olive oil, completely submerging the leaves in the oil.

Store in a cool and dark place for 4 weeks, shaking it occasionally to prevent the oil from evaporating. After 4 weeks, strain the oil and transfer into a dark bottle.

You can directly apply the oil all over your body, face, and hair to promote all benefits mentioned above, or use the oil as a base for a sage salve, lotion, or cream.

Aloe Vera

While you may think aloe vera is just used to treat hot, burned skin from the sun, think again.

Packed with vitamins and minerals in its gel-like substance, aloe vera is a powerful herbal remedy for many skin uses.

Research shows that aloe vera plants contain up to 200 different active compounds, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that work together to treat a variety of skin conditions.

Aloe vera is extremely hydrating, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory thanks to its compounds aloin and anthraquinones, making it the perfect natural remedy to treat burns, insect bites, rough skin, rashes, and wounds.

It also contains mucopolysaccharides, which bind moisture into the skin and helps flaking epidermal skin cells stick together, resulting in softer skin and improved skin integrity.

Additionally, this super plant also contains naturally occurring salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamic acid, phenols and sulfur—all of which inhibit the growth of fungi, bacteria and viruses, making it easy to use to manage acne and psoriasis flare-ups.

Because its gel comes straight from the plant, it’s extremely easy to integrate aloe vera into your skin care routine.

Carefully cut open the leaves, scoop out the gel, and apply it directly onto your skin to help treat all mentioned benefits above and use it as a moisturizing lotion on your face and body.

Turmeric

Turmeric root has been used across the world for over 4,000 years as a holistic healing herb and culinary spice.

While it tastes delicious, the medicinal use of turmeric holds one of the best natural anti-inflammatory properties for skin.

The turmeric plant contains a compound called curcumin that is packed with antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory compounds which can be used to treat several different skin ailments and provide glow and tone to the skin.

Inflammation is one of the root causes of a lot of skin problems, including eczema, rosacea, acne, under eye circles, and premature lines and wrinkles, which is why keeping inflammation at bay is key to healthy skin and overall health.

Thankfully turmeric naturally inhibits the production of inflammatory genes while boosting your body’s natural defense system against free-radical damage.

Additionally, turmeric inhibits the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots and other kinds of hyperpigmentation.

Turmeric can naturally help these blemishes fade away and even out the tone on your face.

Struggling with dull skin? Turmeric is also great to boost circulation, enhancing your skin’s natural complexion and glow.

Want to try it for yourself? It’s super easy to make your own turmeric face mask! All you’ll do is mix 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon organic apple cider vinegar, 1 1/2 tablespoon of organic honey, and 1 teaspoon milk or yogurt in a bowl, apply to a clean face, rest for 10-15 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

Do this 3 nights a week and you’ll have glowing, clear skin in no time. Another way to integrate turmeric in your life is eating it! There’s plenty of healthy and delicious recipes to eat turmeric which will positively benefit your skin from the inside out.

Calendula

Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is nature’s secret flower to glowing, radiant skin.

A member of the daisy family, it contains high levels of carotenoids, flavonoids, saponins, and triterpenoids, giving it the ability to prevent your body’s release of histamines that cause inflammation, redness, and allergic reactions.

Additionally, Calendula oil contains linoleic acid which helps your skin absorb moisture and nutrients, combatting that annoying dry skin.

If you’re someone who is susceptible to injuries and cuts, calendula is great for wound-healing.

The flower helps increase blood flow and oxygen to the skin, giving it more nutrition, naturally plumps and firms the surface of your skin, and enhances your skin’s collagen and elastin supply.

Want to feel like a goddess when incorporating calendula into your life? You can simply pick natural-growing calendula and add the flowers to your bath.

You can also make your own calendula oil and salve by steeping calendula flower heads in your oil base of choice for 4 weeks.

We find that organic jojoba oil is best to steep calendula flowers in.

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The best thing about using herbs on the body is that they are natural and free of toxic additives and chemicals that are often found in most beauty and skincare products.

It’s 2022 - it’s time to start thinking about your skin and overall health of your body.

If you’re wanting to make a positive change, consider using one or more of the herbs mentioned above and let us know how it’s helped you!