Herbs were used as an ancient remedy that can be traced back to the Egyptians and other ancient civilizations. Though herbs were initially used to flavor and preserve food, it wasn’t long before the uses for herbs expanded. Before making their way into skincare, herbs were used to scent perfumes and lotions. So, it wasn’t a big leap to start using different herbs as treatments for our largest organ, the skin.
The benefits of herbs like rose petals, jasmine, and lavender go further than being flavorful or good for the body. When used in skincare, these herbs help soothe dry skin, replenish skin cells, treat hyperpigmentation, kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and more. Not only do the herbs provide restoration to skin and hair, but herbal ingredients can also be used for color and to make products smell incredible without synthetic ingredients.
Using herbal formulas for skincare started in ancient civilizations. In Greece, people would use olive oil as a moisturizer and yogurt as a kind of facial mask. There were, of course, many other countries that used herbs and anything that grew naturally for skincare, in places like India, Korea, and other parts of Asia. These ancient techniques are particularly fascinating to people today who are looking to the past for natural treatments for skin and body care.
Right now natural skincare products are on the rise. In fact, 70% of the global market revenue within the skincare market come from natural skincare products*. With the popularization of essential oils in the United States and other areas of the world, people in the West are now realizing the incredible natural effects of herbal ingredients. A couple of notable trends in the beauty industry this year are the notion of cleanical skincare and fermented ingredients.
What is cleanical (clean + clinical) skincare? It means going beyond using only clean ingredients like herbs and botanical extracts in beauty products. The movement pushes for proof of the efficacy of those herbal formulas, knowing where ingredients are sourced, and an overall concern for sustainability.
We talked to herbalists to find out which botanicals are essential for skin and beauty products and why these herbs and plants repeatedly make the top of the list.
3. LAVENDER
Lavender is used by multiple industries for its potential healing properties, beautiful color, and calming fragrance. The oil of lavender flowers is a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antiseptic that is used to make a variety of cosmetic products like floral water, facial toners, soap, shampoo, lotions, creams, and other personal care products. Lavender is one of the well-known herbs that may have the potential to boost hair growth. More studies have to be done, but if nothing else, it will make the hair you do have smell amazing.
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8. HIBISCUS
Hibiscus is a good source of vitamin C, and it has natural alpha-hydroxy acids and omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails. The dried, powdered flowers, known for their vibrant color, are used to make cosmetics and other beauty products like shampoos and conditioners, body washes, lip balms, facial scrubs, lotions, soap, bath bombs, and more. Like so many other botanicals, there are plenty of uses and benefits of hibiscus both in the cosmetics and culinary industries.
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There is a reason natural products have such a hold on the skincare market today; people trust methods they can understand and that have been used for longer periods of time. Herbal ingredients are a large part of why natural skin and body care products are appealing. Not only do herbs like jasmine add a fruity, sweet smell to any lotion or soap, but it treats the skin as well. So, if you’re trying or making a new skin or body care product, whether anti-aging, wound-care, or hair care, try one with natural, herbal ingredients and discover the possibilities that plants can bring to your products.
