Herbs are a precious natural resource. Foraged from meadows and forests, they’re one of the earliest known medicines. Our ancestors used herbs to heal wounds, brighten the complexion, and soothe the spirit.
Although herbal medicine is less common today, we still use herbs almost daily. From tea and food seasonings to herbal tinctures and skincare, these natural resources deserve our attention.
One of our favorite ways to harness the benefits of herbs is through skincare. Adding calendula flower or jasmine to a skincare product is a simple way to elevate its effectiveness. Some herbs help soothe redness, reduce acne, or diminish scarring. Others hydrate and contain antibacterial properties.
Let’s explore some of our favorite herbal skincare remedies, their benefits, and how you can determine quality and efficacy for yourself.
The Benefits of Herbal Skincare
Herbs are one of the earth’s most readily available natural resources. You can find them in your garden, backyard, and any natural habitat.
If you go foraging, you may notice that your local wild herbs are helpful for local health concerns. For example, the aloe plant grows in tropical climates where sunburns are common. Stinging nettle (a popular allergy remedy) flourishes in high-pollen areas.
Herbs are easy to add to skincare remedies. In some cases, they work as a natural preservative (eliminating the need for chemical preservatives). Select herbs contain antibacterial and antifungal properties, too — which can fight infection and balance the skin’s microbiome.
Herbs in skincare are also extremely potent and offer a pleasant scent. They make a wonderful substitute for conventionally scented products, which can contain over 3,000 chemicals.
Herbs That Are Good for Your Skin
Calendula Flower for Skin Health
Known for its calming properties, calendula flower is best used to soothe redness, rosacea, eczema, and acne. It’s a lovely addition to any facial serum and should also be added to your first-aid kit, especially if you have kids. You can also use calendula flower on fine lines and wrinkles to firm, plump, and hydrate your complexion.
Jasmine Flower for Skin Health
Jasmine is a multi-use herbal remedy, with potent antioxidants for cellular regeneration. It contains antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can naturally balance your skin’s microbiome without disrupting healthy bacteria. Try herbal skincare with jasmine flower to address acne, or drink it as a tea for hormone-balancing support.
Rose Petal for Skin Health
The sweet-smelling rose flower is extremely hydrating. We recommend it for dry skin (whether on the face or body). You can make your own rose water at home and pair it with an oil cleanser for best results.
Arnica for Skin Health
This high-altitude herb is also a popular homeopathic remedy. It’s commonly used both internally and externally to reduce swelling. If you suffer from lymphatic issues, morning puffiness, or skin irritation, arnica herbal skincare may be helpful.
Lavender for Skin Health
This herbal skincare ingredient is known to calm irritation and is best used for eczema and psoriasis. You can grow lavender in your backyard, dry it, and use it as a natural scent throughout your home. Use lavender lotion or essential oils at night to promote healthy and restful sleep.
Hibiscus Flower for Skin Health
Hibiscus flower is considered an anti-aging herb, with properties that firm the skin and boost elasticity. It’s also a natural astringent, which can reduce pore size and oil production in those who are acne-prone.
Basil Leaf for Skin Health
This is one of our favorite acne remedies that most people grow at home. Basil is a potent antioxidant that delivers vitamin and mineral nutrients straight to the skin. Rebuilding your skin cells with these nutrients can help your body respond better to acne.
Yarrow for Skin Health
This lesser-known herbal skincare remedy is native to North America. Its pretty white flowers are commonly sighted in prairie grasses. Not only is yarrow known to diminish scars, but it also helps brighten the skin.
Blue Algae for Skin Health
Algae is packed full of the vitamins and minerals your skin cells need to perform optimally. It’s also rich in antioxidants, which purge free radicals from the cells. Algae is best used to smooth and brighten the skin, prevent wrinkles, and eliminate age spots.
How to Use Herbal Skincare
There are many different methods to preserve and use herbs in skincare. Herbs can be used fresh, dried, crushed into a paste, or turned into an essential oil. Here are some popular ways to include them in your skincare routine.
- Essential Oils. With this method, herbs are turned into a potent oil. Instead of harvesting a handful of herbs, you can use one drop of essential oil for the same medicinal effects. Just make sure your oils are steam-distilled or cold-pressed to avoid chemical extraction.
- Herbal Absolutes. An absolute extracts the properties from a delicate plant, like a rose petal. Otherwise, it has similar properties to essential oils.
- Tinctures. For a tincture, fresh herbs are steeped in water and alcohol. This helps preserve their delicate properties. Herbal tinctures can be used medicinally or for herbal skincare, and they last for years.
- Dried Herbs. This is the easiest way to preserve herbs and use them for aromatherapy. We don’t usually use dried herbs in our skincare, but they make a wonderful at-home remedy.
- Steeped Herbs. For our facial tonic recipe, we steep herbs in witch hazel for thirty days. Although there will be no visible herbs in the final product, the nutrients from the herbs should stay intact in the witch hazel.
You Deserve High Expectations for Your Herbal Skincare
We have lost connection with the herbal remedies of our great-grandparents' generation. In fact, it’s common to assume these natural resources don’t work — because we’ve diluted them with chemicals and low-quality fillers.
We’re here to set the record straight.
In their pure form, herbs are one of the best things you can use for your skin. The right herbs can target any skin concern — from acne to psoriasis, aging, and tone.