Ayurvedic medicines have been used by many patients for the treatment of a variety of disorders. They are very effective for curing many different skin disorders. Use of some herbs for skin whitening has been in practice since ages. These herbs can give a lighter tone to the skin and make the person look much fairer than they actually are. These herbs also give a healthier glow to the skin. Some very beneficial herbs for skin whitening are mentioned below:
- Lady’s Mantle:This herb boasts of an ability to soften and lighten the skin. It is commonly used for getting rid of age spotsandfreckles. The fresh leaves of this herb should be crushed and the juice extracted. Then, this juice should be dabbed over the skin and left for a few minutes. Then, the skin can be washed with water. Use of this technique, 2-3 times in a week, can give one much lighter skin. You can also infuse the leaves of this herb in hot water. The liquid, thus prepared, can be used for preparing a face pack or skin lotion. This canprovide a very good skin whitening effect and also give you a glowing skin.
- Lemon Juice:It is known to all that lemon juice is acidic in nature. It has the ability to clear away the dark outer layers of the skin. This helps in revealing the lighter layers of skin beneath it. Lemon juice can be used for treatment of freckles and age spots. It is also effective in removing tobacco stains formed on the fingers. A cotton ball soaked in lemon juice should be applied over these parts for treating such conditions and getting a cleaner and whiter skin. Take care not to touch the juice to the eyes as it can cause irritation of eyes. Also, avoid touching the juice to open wounds as it can lead to intense burning of the part.
- Chamomile:Chamomile works wonders for whitening the skin. It gives you a fairer complexion. Bags of chamomile tea or infused flowers of chamomile can be used as a facial steam for getting fairer skin. You can also cool the mixture and strain it. This can be used as a hand soak for skin whitening.
- Red onion: This herb contains acid compounds that are similar to those present in lemon juice. They are very effective for skin whitening. You can apply a slice of red onion on the skin everyday to get a lighter skin. Take care not to rub it near the eyes as it can cause redness and irritation of the eyes. Dark patches over skin can be treated with red onion.
- Wild strawberry, Ground Ivy leaves and Solomon’s Seal: Strawberry leaves are known to have very strong skin whitening properties. You can use fresh leaves of any of these herbs for skin whitening.
These herbs have proved to be very beneficial for lightening the skin. You can also make use of some other medicines that are equally beneficial for giving you a whiter skin.
Effective skin whitening medicines
Vitamin C and Kojic acid are very effective for skin whitening. Vitamin C is needed by the body for the production of collagen that is essential for the regeneration of cells. Use of vitamin C can help in rapid regeneration of skin cells that makes the skin look lighter and younger. Kojic acid can also help in skin whitening as it blocks the production of pigments in the skin. Thus, it makes the skin appear fairer. It can also be used for getting rid of freckles and dark spots on the skin.
Herbs for Dry Skin
These days, you will come across numerous natural skincare products made from herbs. People are interested in buying herbal products, since they know how good these natural ingredient based products are. If you have dry skin, you should try using some products made by using herbs for dry skin. It is important to be sure that the products you choose include the right herbs meant for dry skin. Some herbs for dry skin include Aloe Vera, Fennel, Borage, Marigold, Lady’s Mantle, Orange flower, Comfrey, Salad Burnet, Red clover, Coltsfoot, Calendula, Chamomile, and Sage. All these herbs have proved effective for dry skin. Amongst these herbs, Orange flower functions like a tonic for dry skin. It helps maintain the moisture in the skin and promotes the growth of new cells.
Dry skin can lead to some premature signs of ageing such as, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and enlarged pores. However, using some natural herbs for dry skin can really help deal with dry skin and delay the process of aging. Dry skin can also be caused due to nutritional deficiency, hereditary factors, excessive use of chemical based products, and weather conditions.
Some possible causes for dry skin include:
- Lack of humidity in the air
- Bathing with hot water for a long time
- Frequent or repeated exposure to water
- Use of products and soaps that contain harsh chemicals
- Nutritional deficiency including the lack of some essential minerals and vitamins also plays a major role in dryness of the skin
- Inadequate intake of water and excessive sweating
- Dry skin is also caused as a result of chronic smoking as well as due to side effects of certain medications
Herbs for Dry Skin:
Aloe Vera: The gel from the Aloe Vera plant has been made use of for a very long time in order to treat minor burns and wounds as well as skin irritations. The Aloe Vera plant contains around 96 percent water and other active ingredients including some essential oils, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, and glycoprotein. All these ingredients present in Aloe Vera, offer a natural glow in addition to helping to retain the moisture of the skin even during the harshest climates.
Calendula: This herb belongs to the same family of herbs as arnica and offers wound healing properties as well. The main ingredients of the herb are resin, carotenoids, essential oils, Flavonoids, mucilage, sterol and saponins. The herb offers moisturizing qualities and is an excellent remedy for skin inflammation.
Chamomile: As a result of its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, this herb is ideal for the treatment of different types of skin conditions which include eczema, skin irritations etc. This herb can be soaked in bathing water. Tie half or one cup of dried or fresh herb in a linen bag. Then place the bag in a tub of hot water and leave it to soak for ten minutes. Following this, add cold water as per your preference.
Sage: This herb contains resin, a volatile oil, a bitter principle and tannin. The oil is composed of pinene, camphor, cineol, and salvene. The leaves of this herb contain vitamin A and vitamin C which help treat many skin conditions including dry skin. This herb is also considered to be a natural antiseptic.
Essential Oils for Dry Skin:
Lavender oil: This oil is an active ingredient for aromatherapy. Lavender oil contains hormones, pheromones, antibiotics and cell regenerating agents that help nourish, energize and protect the skin.
Hyssop oil: This oil works as a stimulant and tonic. Massaging the skin with this oil helps deal with wounds, burns and skin dryness.