5 of the best healing herbs for beautiful skin

Everyone knows how powerful herbs can be their in their diet, but just how savvy are we when it comes to using them in skin care? I never really thought about using herb-based skin care ingredients until I was pregnant. But it got me yearning for more intel about natural remedies and how they can benefit your complexion.
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Who better to chat to about which herbs are good for your skin, then one of the biggest herb aficionados I know, Liezel Barnard, Weleda’s naturopath and trainer.
Check out the list of herbs, for beautiful skin, Liezel recommends.
1.Calendula or pot marigold (Calendula officinalis)
What is it: For centuries, the luminous yellow petalled Calendula flower has been treasured for its ability to heal irritated skin. The flowering heads of the blooming plants are used to create calendula extracts in lotions, oils, creams and many other body products. It’s the valuable carotenoids and flavonoids (powerful anti-oxidants) that give the calendula its bright yellow colour. The carotenoids speed up the healing rate of skin and flavonoids reduce cellular aging and strengthen the integrity of cell walls. Plus, triterpenoid saponins and mucilage in calendula have anti-inflammatory properties and help to soothe inflamed skin.
What it’s good for:
- Anti-inflammatory – for any inflammatory skin conditions such as redness, sensitivity, skin rashes, eczema, psoriasis and pruritus.
- Anti-bacterial – for wound healing and for bacterial infection on the skin such as acne, leg ulcers and boils.
- Anti-fungal – for fungal infections on the skin and vagina such as thrush.
beautyheaven loves: Weleda Aknedoron Cleansing Lotion ($25.95, www.weleda.com.au), Jurlique Calendula Redness Rescue Calming Mist
2.Chamomile or German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita)
What is it: Chamomile is one of the oldest, most widely used and well-documented medicinal plants in the world. Containing flavonoids (especially apigenin) and essential oil compounds such as alpha-bisabolol and chamazulene, it has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe inflammation in the skin.
What it’s good for:
- Anti-inflammatory – for any inflammatory skin conditions such as redness, sensitivity, skin rashes, eczema, psoriasis and pruritus
beautyheaven loves: Weleda Rash Relief Cream ($24.95, www.weleda.com.au), Burt's Bees Soapbark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream
3.Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
What is it: Researchers from Leeds Metropolitan University* tested the effect of thyme, calendula and myrrh tinctures on Propionibacterium acnes – the bacterium that causes acne by infecting skin pores and forming spots, which range from white heads through to puss-filled cysts. The group found that while all the preparations were able to kill the bacterium after five minutes exposure, thyme was the most effective of the three. What’s more, they discovered that thyme tincture had a greater antibacterial effect than standard concentrations of benzoyl peroxide – the active ingredient in most anti-acne creams or washes. Thymol, a natural monoterpene phenol contained in thyme oil is responsible for the strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal actions of the plant.
*Society for General Microbiology’s spring conference in Dublin, March 2012
What it’s good for:
- Anti-bacterial - Strongly anti-bacterial to treat acne.
beautyheaven loves: Weleda Aknedoron Purifying Lotion, Lush Grease Lightning Spot Treatment
4.Marshmallow or white mallow (Althaea officinalis)
What is it: Marshmallow has been used as a food and medicine since ancient Egyptian times. The botanical name for marshmallow is Althaea officinalis. “Althaea” means “to heal” in Greek, which gives us an indication of how important this medicinal plant was in ancient times. The high concentration of mucilaginous substances (plant gel) in the roots gives marshmallow its calming, soothing, emollient, protective and moisturising properties.
What it’s good for:
- Anti-inflammatory – for any inflammatory skin conditions such as redness, sensitivity, skin rashes, eczema, psoriasis and pruritus.
- Anti-pruritic – skin itchiness.
- Emollient – for dry and sensitive skin.
beautyheavenloves: Weleda White Mallow Face Cream ($18.95, www.weleda.com.au), Sisley Gentle Cleansing Gel with Tropical Resins
5.Pansy (Viola tricolor)
What is it: Commonly referred to as pansy, this European wildflower is made up of large, deep blue or purple flowers. It is thought that the bioactive cyclotides in pansy are responsible for its anti-inflammatory action on the skin.
What it’s good for:
- Anti-inflammatory – for any inflammatory skin conditions such as redness, sensitivity, skin rashes, eczema, psoriasis and pruritus.
beautyheaven loves: Weleda Skin Food ($14.95, www.weleda.com.au), Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum
Have you tried herb-derived skin care products? What are your fave herbs to use in skin care?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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51 Member Comments
Great read! Going back to basics
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I won a heap of Weleda skin food a while ago and it is very soothing and nourishing, great to use in winter for dry skin.
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I love this!! My mums always used calendula tea on her dogs when their skin has been irritated, I’d never thought to use it on myself. Great tips and information
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Ooh i didnt think to use this for pets thankyou
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I have been drinking lots of chamomile tea the past couple of months to help with my anxiety but I haven't noticed much of a difference in my skin. I am really intrigued by thyme though! I'd love to try it out
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I really like the idea of plant-based skincare
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I like chamomile, I find it so calming for my skin.
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I love calendula for its anti-inflammatory properties. Another great one for pain relief is arnica. Lavender is another great anti-bacterial.
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I’ve been drinking chamomile tea everynight for the past few weeks - maybe that is why my skin looks so good!
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I haven’t even thought about plant based skincare, great article.
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For some weird reason certain plant oils really irritate my skin, sometimes natural isn’t better
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I'm the same, especially with Lavender and any citrus type pure essential oils. Due to their purity, they can be highly irritating to the skin to the point of burning. I have quite sensitive skin so I find they need to be in small concentrations or heavily diluted if I am to be able to use them without adverse effects.
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I knew about all of them except thyme. Very interesting. Sounds similar to tea tree, although tea tree is far more common.
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I'm currently using a Natio Rosewater and Chamomile mist toner which is very refreshing, and I know I've used other herb based products because of their fragrance. I'll have to pay more attention from now on, particularly when I'm purchasing a new product.
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Definitely should try some of these for a day.uly member with psoriasis
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Oh wow! Thanks for the info BH. To be honest, I've never really researched on plant derived herbs
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anything plant derived love! My skin just love so far any herb extracts and oils
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I use a lot of natural derived plant products! I drink heaps of herbal tea too! Love chamomile and rooibos to name a few!!
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The calendula sounds like soothing winter sunshine in a bottle - I want to try the calendula calming mist by Jurlique after reading through this article!
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I have heard calendula is great for soothing irriation but have not yet tried any products with this in it
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Great article. Who would of thought Marsh Mellow could do all of this? I certainly didn't, maybe I should be eating more of them. Chamomile- I've used this in a hand wash that's all & I liked it but when it comes to my hand's I need something more nourishing. I keep a look out for all of these in beauty product's.
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I probably have used herb-derived beauty products before, but can't remember what they are. Funnily enough, I grow thyme in a pot in my backyard! I LOVE the smell of it, so nice.
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I've tried chamomile but haven't tried the others, thanks for the info!
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I have ginseng, green tea and licorice root in my Skinstitut multi-active mist. It also has B3 as a top ingredient. I really like things that can do good for my skin. I'm sure I've used products with chamomile in it in the past.
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I have a toner with chamomile. I love herb based beauty products, they always smell nice and feel good on your skin. I have the above cream by Jurlique, had no idea that it had pansy in it
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