Let these therapeutic plants coax your skin back into balance. The herbs I’ve chosen are renowned for their skin-perfecting qualities. You can use these herbs as simple cleansers or toners, incorporate them into skin creams, add them to face and body masks, or soak them in your bath. Many can also be taken as tisanes and tinctures to evoke beauty from within.
Top Herbs for Skin Care
Lets have a look at some of the important data for these herbs –
| Herb | Benefit |
| Rosemary | Antioxidant properties, improves circulation. |
| Camomile | Soothes skin, anti-inflammatory. |
| Comfrey | Heals skin, promotes new cell growth. |
| Echinacea | Antimicrobial, boosts skin immunity. |
| Elderflower | Softens skin, anti-wrinkle. |
| Horsetail | Collagen production, skin strength. |
| Jasmine flowers | Hydrates, softens skin. |
| Lady’s mantle | Pore minimizer, anti-aging. |
| Lavender | Heals skin, relieves stress. |
| Lemon balm | Cleanses skin, tightens tissues. |
| Lime blossom | Clears pores, lightens complexion. |
| Marigold | Heals cuts, fungal infections. |
| Marshmallow | Moisturizes, softens skin. |
| Meadowsweet | Astringent, clears acne. |
| Peppermint | Controls oil, refreshes skin. |
| Rose | Tones, moisturizes skin. |
| Sage | Regulates sebum, anti-inflammatory. |
| Soapwort | Gentle cleanser, soothes skin. |
| St John’s wort | Repairs skin, anti-inflammatory. |
| Yarrow | Treats wounds, skin tightening. |
Camomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
This herb has small daisy-like flowers that smell like newly mown hay. Camomile contains azulene, a soothing, anti-inflammatory chemical that promotes healing. It soothes irritable skin conditions such as eczema. It benefits combination and sensitive skin.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
This is also known in country lore as knit-bone. Rich in soothing and healing allantoin, comfrey encourages cuts and bruises to heal without scarring. It is helpful for acne and smoothing wrinkles. It benefits oily, normal, and combination skin.
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia)
Echinacea is a statuesque plant with purple daisy-like flowers. Sipped as a tea, it cleanses blood and lymph and supports the immune system. Through inner cleansing, echinacea helps to clear spots and blemishes. When applied externally, echinacea speeds tissue repair. It benefits spots, acne, slow-healing wounds, and mild burns.
Elderflower (Sambucus nigra)
This plant has subtly scented, creamy white flowers. Elderflower water is an old remedy for refining skin, removing freckles, and keeping skin blemish-free. Elderflower is helpful in a steam facial for clearing blackheads. It benefits sallow skin and wrinkles.
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Horsetail is one of the richest plant sources of silica, a nutrient that keeps skin soft and supple. When used externally, it helps to firm and strengthen skin. It also helps prevent stretch marks and smooth away cellulite. Horsetail benefits oily skin and skin problems such as acne and eczema.
Jasmine flowers (Jasminum officinalis)
The Jasmine flower is a heavenly, aromatic, natural aphrodisiac. Its infusion is a good floral refresher, and it benefits dry and sensitive skin.
Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
Lady’s mantle is a valuable herb for women. Sipped as a tea, it is helpful for menstrual disorders such as period pains. On the skin, it soothes chapped, sore, and itchy skin. It benefits dry, sensitive skin and wrinkles.
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)
This plant has misty violet flowers with a cool, distinctive aroma. Sipped as a tea, lavender has a calming and rebalancing influence on the nervous system. It is good for skin problems exacerbated by stress. Lavender promotes healing. It benefits oily, sallow, and blemish-prone skin.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm is a fragrant herb with a lemony, uplifting, yet calming smell. As a tea, it is a useful tonic for the heart, circulatory, and nervous systems. It relieves tension. On the skin, it helps reduce redness and soothe inflammation. Lemon balm is ideal for normal and sensitive skin.
Lime blossom (Tilia europaea)
Also known as linden, this herb has gentle, tranquilizing qualities when sipped as tea. On the skin, it promotes healing and smooths wrinkles. Lime blossom is very helpful for eczema. It benefits normal and aging skin.
Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Marigold is a plant with brilliant orange flowers and amazing powers to soothe and heal. It encourages burns, cuts, and blemishes to heal without scarring. It is mildly antiseptic and benefits oily skin.
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)
Marshmallow is a soothing and healing herb with moisturizing properties. It is very helpful for treating eczema, boils, and slow-healing wounds. Marshmallow Smooths wrinkles. It is ideal for dry, sensitive skin.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
Meadowsweet is a sweet-smelling herb rich in iron and calcium. It helps to preserve a sense of balance and is ideal for combination and dry skin.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
This herb has a distinctively refreshing, clean, and uplifting aroma. Peppermint is a stimulating herb with decongestant properties. It is good for clearing blackheads. It makes a cooling skin refresher for the summer months, and it is ideal for normal and oily skin.
Rose (Rosaceae)
Rosehips (berries of the wild rose) have a soft, feminine aroma. They also have cooling and soothing properties. Infusions are helpful for itchy, inflamed, or sunburned skin. Rosehip oil is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C. Rosehips also help heal scar tissue. Thus, they are ideal for virtually all skin types.
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)
This plant has small purple flowers and an intensely refreshing and stimulating aroma. It revitalizes and helps boost circulation. It is very helpful for shifting cellulite and is Ideal for sallow and oily skin preparations.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage is a plant with soft, silvery-colored leaves with a distinctive aroma. As a tea, sage promotes and normalizes menstrual cycles. It helps relieve excess sweat, is also recommended for menopausal hot flushes, and is unsafe to take during pregnancy. Sage relieves puffiness linked to pre-menstrual tension, and it might help shift cellulite and help treat eczema.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)
The root, resembling fine wood chippings, gives rise to a decoction that is one of the gentlest natural cleansers. Soapwort is a true soapless soap. Adding aromatherapy oils can tailor this lotion to suit your skin type. It is ideal for wealing dry, sensitive skin and acne.
St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Recently acclaimed as a natural antidepressant, this plant bearing bright golden flowers has long been prized for its skin-enhancing qualities. On the skin, hypericum soothes swelling and encourages the healing of cuts, burns, and wounds. St John’s wort is helpful for sunburn and rashes. It may cause photosensitivity, so don’t apply it before going out in the sun.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
One of the oldest healing plants, yarrow, was used as a first-aid treatment by warriors. As a tea, it promotes circulation and has diuretic properties, but it should be avoided during pregnancy. Infusions of yarrow cleanse and help to heal wounds. Yarrow is helpful for treating acne and skin blemishes. It is ideal for oily and dry skin.
