Herbal Skincare
Our skin is the largest organ of our body and serves as the barrier between "I" and "Other". Our skin protects our organism, and if we listen, has a lot to say. Damage to the skin translates as pain, as it is the first line of defense against harm to our bodies and is a call to action against further injury. The skin can also tell us about what is happening inside our bodies. Often times when the skin erupts in rashes, eczema, or psoriasis, it is indicative of inflammation or poor functioning of an organ or two.
Our skin also belies our emotions by flushing, paling, sweating, getting clammy, or trembling. Furthermore, our skin informs us if we are taking care of our whole organism well. Are we hydrated? Out in the sun too much? Too little? Are we eating nourishing foods? Is our blood full of the minerals it needs? Are we resting well? Needless to say, taking care of our skin is a wonderful act of gratitude for all that it does for us. Let's take a look at some ways we can generally care for our skin, as well as some herbs that may help if our skin is telling us something is not quite right inside.
Skincare has become a term associated with an utter deluge of expensive chemical products. These products flood our awareness anytime we step into a store or engage in a space with advertising. We are told that we must have glowy, unblemished skin to be healthy & beautiful, and that a complicated "skincare regime" consisting of an arsenal of products will help us achieve this vital mission. Wrinkles must be vanquished at all costs, and acne must be expunged from the face of our existence using any means necessary. For most of my life the world of skincare was extremely uninteresting to me, as it seemed very complicated and shallow. However, recently my skin has started to tell me some stories, and I have found herbal skincare to be fun, affordable, and effective at nourishing me from the outside in.
I have discovered a playful triad to help nourish my skin: Honeys, Vinegars, and Oils.
Herbal Honeys are fun and delicious "face masks" that can be used once a week or more to brighten the skin and help decrease any inflammation that may be present. When I do a honey mask I cover my face in Honey, let is sit for 15 minutes or so, then gently rinse it off with warm water. My skin is soft, glowy, and rejuvenated. Honey is a folkloric burn remedy, and I have used it with great success to keep serious burns from getting infected while they heal. It can also help in the case of acne or other bacterial inflammations, as it is a potent anti-bacterial and encourages cell growth. Instead of a drying face mask or harsh chemical peels, try honey!
You may not think of Vinegar as a glamourous skincare product, however it is one of my favorite things to use in the shower on my head and body. Herbal Vinegars also contain anti-microbial activity as well as a nice astringency that helps the cells of the skin wake up and bolster their connections with each other, creating a fresh and shiny softness to your skin and hair. Vinegar washes can be done as often as you like. I put one ounce of herbal vinegar into one quart of warm water, and at the end of bathing dump the whole thing over my wet hair and body. You can rinse it off your skin, but don't rinse it out of your hair. Also, close your eyes! Vinegar in the eyes is not pleasant, let me tell you. You can also use herbal vinegars as a face wash to help with Rosacea, Acne, paleness from anemia, or as a general skin toner. Use 1 tablespoon in 1 cup of water and soak a clean cloth, then gently wipe the face with the cloth. For a more intense experience use a more undiluted mix, but I don't recommend straight vinegar on the face. Think of Herbal Vinegar as the replacement for your "toner".
Herbal oils are probably the herbal skincare remedy that I use the most. They are the most fragrant, and help condition my often-dry skin with a deep layer of protection and hydration. All the cells in our body are surrounded by a protective lipid layer, therefore oils are one of the best ways to consume herbs. Your skin is highly absorbent and you can "eat" your herbs through your skin as herbal oils, as the oils and lipids found on your skin are highly compatible. I love to re-hydrate my skin after a shower with an herbal oil, using it all over my body just like a lotion. Ditch the lotions with a million ingredients and instead make your own herbal oils to enjoy at home.
They are wonderful for massaging yourself or another, and can readily help ease aches and pains in your muscles and joints with the right herb. Oils are also very useful as first aid for wounds, and can even help heal old scars. It may seem counter-intuitive if you have been told you have "oily" skin to use oil, but actually oily skin is damaged skin, and your body is trying to compensate for constant drying from hot water, soaps, and products by over-producing oil to protect you. Try bathing less, or in cooler water, forget about the soap (at least on your face), and lather on some herbal oils and watch your skin calm down and find a rhythm of normal oil production.
Forget about the soap? What? Gross! Yeah. you heard me. Soap is designed to break down and damage the protective lipid layer your skin has in the form of your own natural oils. Ceasing to use soap on my face has been one of the most helpful ways to lessen inflammation and heal the cellular damage I have experienced there. Try using soap only occasionally instead of every day. Also, hot water is very drying for the skin. I absolutely LOVE hot showers and baths, but try using them as a medicine, as needed, and showering with hot then cold then hot water again to relax your muscles and tone your skin. Your body's oils and odors will get a chance to sort themselves out if you give your skin a rest from constant affront from hot water and soap. Essential oils are highly concentrated drug-like substances that can harm your lymphatic system and digestive flora so try just using an unscented castile soap instead of that "natural" body wash you bought at the Co-op. Oils and Vinegars when used cosmetically will give you a delicate fragrance if an aromatic plant is used, detected only by you or anyone you allow to get up close and personal, without potential harming your systems.
Making an Herbal Honey, Oil, or Vinegar is extremely easy, quick, and affordable. I use the most unadulterated honey I can find, Organic Olive oil, and Apple Cider Vinegar for my remedies. The process is very similar for all three remedies, and goes a little something like this:
Fill a jar 2/3 of the way with your herb of choice. Fresh is always better, but dried will do. If you are using a flower with lots of "air space", pack it down a bit so you get more herb in.
Pour your menstruum (that's a fancy word for liquid used to break down an herb) of honey, oil, or vinegar over the herb, up to the top of the jar.
Use a chopstick or butter knife to stir it up, making sure the herb is totally saturated in your menstruum.
Cap (using a plastic lid or wax paper under a metal like for vinegar).
Check the first few hours & days to see if you need to top up your remedy. Mix it up regularly the first few days, and make sure there is never any herb poking out the top for too long.
Infuse for 2-8 weeks. Honeys can keep the herb in if you like, oils and vinegars can be strained. All finished remedies should be labeled and stored in a cool, dark cupboard or shelf when not being used.
Which herbs do I use?
Great question! Here are a few herbs that can nourish your skin and alleviate skin-related discomforts like rashes, itchy bites, acne, rosacea, psoriasis/eczema. If you are experiencing psoriasis or eczema I also recommend taking a liver-loving tincture like Dandelion, Milk thistle seed, Burdock, or Yellowdock internally and eating less fried/greasy/fatty/sugary foods.
Lavender - This is a total duh. It smells amazing, calms your nerves, tones and tightens the skin cells, soothes achy muscles, and can be used as a first aid defense to prevent infection of wounds and itchy bug bites. Lavender is the best remedy for itchy anything, and easily infuses into honey, oil, and vinegar. Both the stems and buds can be used.
Lilac - A classic cosmetic herb, lilac is astringent and aromatic, lending itself easily to honeys for an internal and external treat. Try making a lilac honey and then doing a face mask with it while sipping a tea made from a scoop of the honey in hot water. Deeelightful.
Rose - The cosmetic industry has kindly made us all aware that Rose is AMAZING for toning our skin. It can help the cells of the skin increase collagen production, giving our faces and bodies a naturally beautiful and healthy glow. Rose petals can be infused in oil for a deliciously romantic experience, as well as in honey and vinegar.
Yarrow- Yarrow vinegar is the herbal world's best kept secret for external use. Spray it on anything itchy whatsoever, and watch that rash/bug bite/whatever diminish in redness and fade away before your eyes. It is also a natural mosquito repellent. Spray it liberally anywhere your skin is exposed every 20-30 minutes to prevent mosquitoes from biting. A little more work than DEET, but a lot kinder to your body! Yarrow is also astringent and tightening and can be used in the vinegar form as a wonderful toner for the skin. Yarrow in oil is highly effective for skin infections as it is powerfully anti-microbial and can be used as herbal first-aid on cuts and scrapes to prevent infection as well as a hemostatic on profuse bleeding.
Calendula - Calendula is a famously effective wound healing herb, and can even help soften and heal old scars if used regularly as an oil. Calendula is typically infused into oil, but it will give its constituents readily to vinegar and honey as well. Calendula is calming and nourishing, and can be used externally on the belly for a stomachache and all over the body as a skin nourisher in liberal amounts, as it is a very safe herb. Expect to feel relaxed and uplifted after working with calendula!
Comfrey- Comfrey is another champion of cell proliferation, which means it heals wounds like magic. It is so effective it promoting cell growth that it is not to be used on deep puncture wounds, as it will close up the surface of the wound before the deeper layers have healed. Comfrey is wonderful for arthritic joints and sore backs, and can be used on sprains and bone breaks to help promote quick healing. Comfrey oil is excellent, and the skin soaks it up readily. Comfrey is also highly emollient, leaving skin soft, supple and strong.
Violets- Violet honey is soothing, toning, and brings a sense of beauty into your very cells. Violets flowers and leaves are amazing for the skin, refreshing the cells with moisture and sweetness as well as providing nutrition for the senses. Violet leaves are also wound healers and can help prevent cancer in the skin. Voila! Fresh Violets will be wonderful in oil, honey, or vinegar, so what are you waiting for?
The world of herbal skincare is vast and wide, and there are many wonderful books available if you are interested in exploring it in more depth.
Thank you for joining me here on the blog!
In Love,
Susan Marie
This article is intended for educational purposes only. The information provided here should not replace the advice of a licensed medical professional of your choice. Any effects of herbs or foods used by the reader are their responsibility entirely. Use your own discretion and do your research.