Popular Herbs Used in Skin Care and Their Benefits

Popular Herbs Used in Skin Care and Their Benefits: Chamomile, Aloe Vera, Lavender and Rosemary

Today skin care and cosmetics are increasingly going natural. 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. why, and what do the do? 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

chamomile herb

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 soaps, cleansers, facial masks, 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 soaps, cleaners, 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

rosemary herb

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, soaps, face masks, toners and creams.

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 heal for many centuries and now are being utilized for safe, natural ways to treat skin conditions and maintain a healthy complexion.

by Tiffany Oney

Natural Acne Treatments Vs Leading Pharmaceuticals

In June 2009, the pharmaceutical giant Roche Holding AG, pulled its Accutane acne medicine from the U.S. market after juries awarded at least $33 million in damages to users who blamed the drug for bowel disease.

According to Bloomberg.com, “Roche notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today that it was withdrawing Accutane after a “reevaluation” of its product lines showed it faced serious challenges from generic competitors, company officials said in a statement.”

This is just another in a long list of recent health concerns over pharmaceutical skincare treatments and the serious health risks they may pose.

As the natural skincare movement gains popularity, many consumers are discovering their old over the counter acne treatments can have potentially harmful chemicals that would be best to avoid. In response to these concerns, many have made the switch to all-natural acne skincare treatments. While some are convinced that natural remedies can’t be strong enough to fight stubborn acne. If you are convinced a more powerful acne medication is the best option, read on to find out what approach is right for you to become acne free.

Effective Natural Acne Treatments and Ingredients

There are various home treatments and natural ingredients that have been proven to be effective in treating mild to moderate cases of acne. Some of these may include:

· Massage essential oils into your skin at night such as Tea Tree Oil, Bergamot Oil, Clove Oil, Lavender Oil, and Rosewood Oil. Wash your face clean in the morning with pure soap and water.

· Acne starts within the body, not just at the surface of the skin. Therefore, it is important to drink plenty of water to help detoxify your body and help clear acne.

· You can exfoliate and clear pores with an oatmeal mask once or twice a week. Cook oatmeal and while it is still warm, apply to your face, allow oatmeal to dry and then wash away.

There are many varieties of at home solutions, some of which are effective, and some not. Those with more serious cases of acne however, such as cystic acne, usually turn to stronger over the counter acne treatments.

Over the Counter Acne Treatments

Over the counter acne products tend to be more powerful in fighting acne because each product works differently to target causes of acne. Certain products function by killing Prionibacterium acnes (P.acnes), the bacteria that creates inflammation. Other medications reduce sebum output and renew skin. Other products function by using combinations of these things. Acne medication treatments work in different ways depending on their active ingredient. Here are some common active ingredients that acne products contain.

*Benzoyl Peroxide works to eliminate P. acnes and reduces excess oil and dead skin cells. It is available in different strengths that come in products in certain percentages.

*Salicylic Acid prevents pores from clogging by slowing the process of skin cell shed within hair follicles. It also helps fight whiteheads and blackheads.

*Alcohol and acetone are found in astringents and cleansing washes. They clear your skin of dirt and oil.

These medications might be more powerful in treating acne but they often come with more side effects such as dryness, sensitivity to sun, stinging or irritation, redness or peeling.

There are many natural options that are now available that give you the opportunity to fight acne with powerful results but without the unnatural chemicals that may cause unwanted side effects. The top natural acne treatments have been proven to be as strong as leading pharmaceuticals, yet a perfect compromise between gentle home remedies that don’t show results and powerful but irritating over the counter products.

When it comes to the next generation of acne treatments, the most promising products are natural blends to specific herbal constituents–like Rosemary, Marshmallow, Aloe Vera, Lavender, Fennel, Angelica, and Green Tea – that evade irritating side effects. Vivoderm Laboratories offers a natural acne mask that reduces sebum output, controls inflammation, unclogs pores, and moisturizes skin. It also serves as an acne scar treatment as it regenerates skin affected by redness and scars. Many herbs also contain natural antiseptic properties to attack acne-causing bacteria. This anti-acne treatment removes dead skin cells and repairs blemishes without drying out the skin.

The bottom line is to always be aware of chemicals you expose yourself to and make the choice that is best for you. If chemicals are in any way a concern for you - opt for a natural solution that treats the root causes of acne, not just the symptoms and become acne free – naturally.

Rosemary Uses for Health and Skincare

By Van Le | Rosemary is a widely-used herb in many natural products, specifically natural skin care products.   Its use has been traced back to ancient and medieval times, when it was used as an antiseptic to care for wounds thanks to its restorative properties.  Rosemary is edible and is often used as a spice for cooking.

When added to food, rosemary provides key nutrition such as calcium, iron, and Vitamin B.  What is good for the body is also good for the skin, therefore, rosemary and its oil extracts have been used medicinally for hundreds of years.  In modern times, rosemary has been a wildly popular ingredient in many herbal skincare products and cosmetics.

Rosemary is an evergreen herb that is native to the Mediterranean region, and is known as the “dew of the sea” because it first grew predominantly along the Italian coast.  Today, rosemary can be grown in a typical garden with relative ease.  The leaves can be crushed and used as an herb for cooking, and the health and cosmetic benefits of this herb are plentiful.  Rosemary is popular in the kitchen as spice for fish, meat and poultry.

Outside the kitchen, rosemary oil improves digestion, boosts mental activities, and strengthens follicles for increased hair growth and stronger hair.  It is high in anti-oxidants, making it a key ingredient in the fight against tumors and cancer.  Rosemary stimulates brain activities, fights off free radicals, and is a key component in the fight against cancer.

The health benefits of rosemary are plentiful, but the cosmetic benefits are even more rewarding.

Also known as Rosmarinus Officinalis, rosemary is rich in minerals, has a pleasantly compelling smell, and contains powerful anti-inflammatories.  According to an article by Dr. Winston Craig, “The terpenoids in rosemary, such as rosmarinic acid, rosmanol, carnosol and ursolic acid provide effective anti-inflammatory benefits, while ursolic acid conveys anti-tumor properties.” When used on the skin it stimulates blood flow and helps improve skin functions, resulting in a healthy complexion.

A common indication of skin damage and aging skin is broken capillaries, a condition where capillary walls rip and blood seeps to the surface of the skin.  As a result, fine, red lines appear under the surface of the skin, creating an unpleasant look.  Rosemary has been known to reduce the appearance of broken capillaries.  It stimulates circulation, reduces the appearances of the red lines, which makes it an effective element in anti-aging products.  Rosemary is also effective in reducing under-eye puffiness since it is able to increase circulation and help drain toxins that accumulate in the area directly under the eyes.

Thanks to its antimicrobial and astringent properties, Rosemary is also used to treat symptom of acne.   When used as an astringent, rosemary helps cleanse the skin by clearing clogged pores, removing dead skin cells, and stimulating cell renewal.  It also prevents excess oil buildups that can lead to inflamed pores.

Rosemary can also be made into essential oils, teas, and powders.  Its soothing and rejuvenating properties are commonly used in aromatherapy for

overall wellness.  As with everything, moderation is key.  Rosemary should not be used by those suffering from hypertension or epilepsy, and women who are breastfeeding should consult a doctor before consuming rosemary herbs.
Rosemary is a key ingredient in Vivoderm’s anti-acne mask, anti-aging mask, intense moisturizer, facial cleanser, facial toner, body butter and foot cream.

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

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