Top Herbal Skin Care Treatments and Ingredients

Natural, herbal skincare has been the topic of many skincare symposiums in the last decade. As consumers are more aware of chemical, laboratory-made ingredients and suffering form harsh allergic reactions, they are finally looking toward natural and herbal treatments to alleviate their skin conditions.

You may have heard that herbs and oils are commonly used in skin care and cosmetics; but, you may not know why or what purpose they serve. Four very common and popular herbs that are used in the form of oil or gels are Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Lavender, and Rosemary. All provide unique benefits for the skin and body.

The benefits of chamomile for the skin and body range from calming effects to healing. Recent and on-going research has identified chamomile's specific benefits as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-allergenic. Chamomile is most often recognized as an herbal tea; however, chamomile is present in many skin care products. Chamomile's active ingredients extracted from the flower are essential oils and flavonoids. Essential oils help to calm and relax irritated skin. Essential oils have also been found to be beneficial to treat and sooth acne prone skin. Flavonoids – or plant metabolites- are rich in anti oxidants that help the body repair and heal damaged skin, as well as fight free radicals, which create damage to bodily cells. Chamomile has few side effects and is effective and beneficial to the skin topically or if ingested.

Aloe Vera contains numerous, minerals, vitamin, enzymes, and natural sugars that help with inflammation. Aloe Vera is commonly known for its healing properties, which explains its popular use in skin care. Aloe Vera aids in the healing of skin burns and cuts and moisturizes and softens skin. Aloe Vera is used in skin care products to help with dry sensitive skin as the plant has unique healing and soothing properties. Taken internally, Aloe Vera has been found to regulate digestion, which in turn builds healthy skin from the inside out. Aloe Vera is available as a gel, spray, lotion, juice, cream and in the form of a capsule. Aloe Vera is most commonly found in skin care gels or creams.

Lavender has many uses in skin care that include aiding skin repair, stimulating cell growth, reducing inflammation, preventing scarring and pigmentation, regulating oil production, and reducing pain. Lavender also works as antiseptic or antibacterial agent and is considered an essential oil. Due to its extensive benefits to the skin, lavender is often found in skin care or facial masks formulated to treat acne prone skin.

Rosemary can be used as an essential oil just like chamomile and lavender. Rosemary and lavender are actually found in the same herbal family. Rosemary tones the skin, helping to even out skin tone and texture, while reliving dryness. Rosemary strengthens capillaries and is good to use on aging skin. Rosemary is found in skin care cleansers, face masks, toners and creams.
HERBAL FACIAL MASKS

There are many other herbs used in skin care and cosmetics today-most in the form of essential oils or extracts- and all can have different or positive effects on the skin and body. Herbs and oils have been used to treat and heal skin for many centuries and now are being utilized for safe, natural ways to treat skin conditions and maintain a healthy complexion.

Herbal skincare products are usually a combination of selected herbs that helps to rejuvenate dead facial skin. An effective herbal treatment is replete with all kinds of antibacterial and antifungal components. These components are fully charged to fight various skin disorders. Herbal skin care is especially helpful to tackle damaged skin but a person with already good to normal skin can use them to keep their skin looking good and remaining healthy.

Herbal facial masks are excellent for skin nourishment. Such treatments are widely used to treat patchy and pigmented facial skin. Facial masks are especially good at controlling melanin production – the reason you get dark sun spots or age spots. Facial masks also help to remove all the dirt and contaminants that have embedded deep down into the innermost layers of the skin.

Chamomile extracts, diamond ash, rosemary, turmeric, sandalwood, comfrey leaves, Aloe Vera, calendula, fuller's earth and mint are the most common herbs known to work well on lifeless skin.

Herbal treatments are chemical-free and treat the facial skin very gently. There are many different types of herbal products out there, so shop around for the one that best suits your skin type. Before making the final decision, go through the ingredients to make sure the product that you are considering is actually from a natural source.