The beauty business experienced a new awakening when it brought back herbal home remedies of the past into skin care of the present. Some of the ingredients found in the latest skin care products are good enough to eat; they smell great too.

There are many herbal skin care products on the market including those in my line, which contain many of the herbs listed below. Natural products are definitely worth a look as your skin absorbs everything and sends it right into your body. Staying away from products filled with chemicals can only be a good thing. As our skin absorbs everything we put on it, oil and toxins are pushed out through the pores. That’s why it is so important to allow the skin to breathe. Products with petrolatum (petroleum) like Vaseline and Mineral oil (Baby Oil is mostly mineral oil), cut off the skin’s ability to breathe and can be harmful in the long run. Healthy products are as important as a healthy diet. Skin care products filled with vitamins, minerals, fruit, vegetable, and botanical extracts not only make you feel great but bring health and vitality. Try to start reading labels and really learning how product ingredients, including herbs, affect your skin. Remember never apply an herb essence/oil directly to your skin, make sure it’s diluted in a cream or oil formula.

Here’s a list of herbs and what they do:

To clear, regulate, and increase circulation in the skin, try products with rosemary, eucalyptus, sage, thyme, spearmint, lavender, yarrow, tea tree oil and ivy. They are often used in toners and can greatly benefit oily skin.

To soothe and calm the skin, as well as help remove redness and irritation try products with, aloe vera (also moistens), marigold, saint johns wart (also helps with chapping), witch hazel (also mild astringent), linden tree, and camphor tree, licorice (de-sensitizes), chamomile, kola nut, and wild pansy.

To increase circulation and give a healthy glow to the skin try products with orchid (also a moisture retainer), peppermint, mint, lavender, and ginseng. Oolong tea and green tea reduce under eye puffiness.

For firmer and younger looking skin try products with, chamomile (also calming), and rose hip seed oil (also moisturizes and protects). Cornflower extract reduces facial lines and firms.

For moisturizing and keeping your skin soft , try products with irish moss, violet (cleansing), marshmallow, comfrey, and jojoba oil (the closest natural oil to our own sebum). Cold pressed and extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil (anti-bacterial too), avocado oil, and grape seed oil are wonderful.

Herbs to the rescue

These help solve:

Dull skin is different from dry skin. Dull lacks water not oil. Symptoms can range from lack of vibrancy to tiny pimples, patchy red, dry and itchy skin. Helpful herbs to look for are: marine extracts, citrus or lactic acids, or plant extracts like chamomile, sage, or rosemary.

Dry skin lacks water and oil. Symptoms include thin, tight, cracked, flaky skin. This skin type needs a moisturizer to really penetrate. Helpful herbs to look for are: rosewater, aloe vera, and products containing glycerin.

Oily skin secretes too much oil, breaks out and shows large pores. Helpful herbs to look for are: clarifying sage, mint, pine, camphor, rosemary, tea tree oil, watercress and eucalyptus.

Again all skin types should avoid mineral oil and petrolatum that clog and interfere with penetration. Look for natural oils like from olives or nuts.

Try growing herbs at home. It’s fun!

Natural at Home Facials

Some claim that holistic remedies are better for you because they are natural. It’s fun to take time for a little pampering and if it can be with all natural ingredients that are healthy for your skin and body so much the better! Our grandmothers knew these methods now you can too.

We want to remind you that before using any of these treatments it’s helpful to consult a qualified doctor. If you are allergic to any treatment, do not use the remedy; try something different. Also use masks as soon as they are prepared as they can spoil.

Do not apply to irritated skin as it may aggravate the problem.

Remember: If you are not used to taking good care of your skin and using regular treatments, you might notice a sudden increase in breakouts after a new regime has been started. Removing dead skin cells and debris, as well as an increase in circulation can bring faster rejuvenation than usual. New breakouts not yet apparent could come to the surface more quickly than usual, causing a sudden breakout condition. Do not get discouraged, after this initial breakout condition your skin should improve dramatically.

At home Masks.

To purify and remove dead skin try this tropical treatment to give your skin a glow: blend together half a papaya, one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of lime or lemon juice. Apply to face. Leave on 8 to 12 minutes and rinse. For a fast treatment, take the meaty part of a papaya peel and rub gently onto your face. Leave on for 5-8 minutes.

For a super moisture try this avocado boost: mash a ripe avocado and apply it to your skin. Leave on a few minutes and then rinse. For dry patchy areas, puree one peeled mashed banana and one tablespoon of olive oil. Leave on 20 minutes.

At home beauty treatments

To restore skin to the proper PH (acid/alkaline) balance, stir ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar to 8 oz. Water. Apply to face and throat using cotton pads, in upward sweeping strokes.

To breakdown heavy make-up, massage natural cold pressed avocado, olive, almond, or coconut oil over skin. Remove with cotton pads saturated with water. Cleanse skin after.

To treat a cold , place a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a bowl of hot water. Place a towel over your head and breathe in the healing oils. This will clear mucus and helps breathing.

Puffy eyes: take two chilled spoons by the handles and hold the bowl portion of the spoon over your eyes or try two wet and cooled down Chamomile tea bags over eyes for 5-10 minutes. Brown tea bags works well too. Chilled cucumber slices placed on your eyes for about 10 minutes will reduce swelling and whiten eyes. Another secret, popular with models, is to refrigerate your eye moisturizer. When the cold eye cream or gel is applied it can quickly reduce puffiness and moisturize.

TIP: To avoid puffy eyes, stay clear from salty foods (water retention), especially at night, sleep in a room with good fresh air circulation (allergies), put an extra pillow under your head while sleeping (keeps swelling from face) and keep facial creams away from eye area (eye irritants).

Red, rough skin: rub avocado gently onto skin, or try a wet chamomile tea bag or aloe vera gel.

Soothe irritated skin: dip a cloth in cool milk or buttermilk and let it rest on your face for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water. Plain yogurt massaged onto skin works great too.

Aromatherapy and the power of steam

Aromatherapy is treatment through scent. Different aromas are thought to have different effects on us physically as well as our moods, feelings, and mind. Some invigorate, (citrus or mint), some make us relax (lavender or chamomile), some make us feel nostalgic (rose and sandalwood), and some relieve nausea or headaches (chamomile or spearmint). The list goes on and on.

Aromatherapy can be very effective not only because it can treat your mind but also treat your skin at the same time with the natural healers. Steaming is a great way to release this healing power. When boiling water is poured over the natural healers, the oils are released into the steam and are absorbed into your skin as well as breathed into your body