Last Updated on February 8, 2024
Good skincare, just like any aspect of your health, starts in the kitchen. Sure, you could invest thousands of dollars into fancy creams and serums, but why not start your skincare journey in the same place you prepare meals? Aside from using what you find in the store, did you know that you can improve your skin health using things that are edible? For example, rosemary is amazing for hair growth.
You wouldn’t eat your face cream because those ingredients are sometimes questionable, but all of these things can be ingested in safe quantities, and when used in your cooking and on your skin, they provide incredible benefits for your skin. Here are the best herbs, oils, and essential oils for your skin.
Avocado Oil
When used on your skin in creams and lotions, avocado oil helps you fight wrinkles, reduce inflammation, and soothes sore spots. When you eat it, it helps your cells have what it needs to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and detox your systems. Your skin reflects from the outside what is inside, so use avocado oil when you can in your cooking and on your skin. It has a milder flavor than olive oil and has a high smoke point. And while it may go on oily, it absorbs quickly and shouldn’t cause clogs in your pores.
Jojoba Oil
If you want more moisture in your skin, look for items that have undergone beauty product testing and contain simple ingredients like jojoba oil. You’ll get all the great benefits including slowed signs of aging, skin protection, and antioxidant effects.
Calendula
You might be familiar with calendula in various creams that soothe skin irritations. This flower has been used medicinally as an antiseptic in poultices. It’s also been used in teas to heal stomach ailments such as ulcers. Calendula flowers have been added to lotions to reduce inflammation and skin redness. It can also reduce the appearance of acne and acne scars.
Turmeric
Need an anti-inflammatory without all the harmful side effects? Turmeric, when used in cooking or ingested through capsules, has long been used to alleviate pain associated with arthritis and other inflammatory illnesses. While ingesting it can improve your skin, you can also create a turmeric mask for your face using coconut oil and powdered turmeric.
Aloe Vera
Skip the products with “aloe” and use a real aloe plant. Aloe has soothing and healing properties that make it perfect for your skincare regimen. You’d be amazed at how soft your skin feels after doing treatment with a traditional aloe salve or homemade aloe product.
Basil
Did you know that basil is a powerful antibiotic? Not only that, but it also helps with anti-aging, anti-acne, and even skin cleansing. When you ingest basil in your cooking, you help your body overcome sickness and help your skin look better from the inside out. When you add basil essential oil to your skincare regimen you can easily improve your overall skin health.
Rose Water
Roses are amazing flowers. Did you know that they contain vitamin C? This nutrient is great for your skin because it helps detox and heal. It’s also anti-inflammatory. You can spray rose water on your face to take advantage of all its natural benefits.
Frankincense
This essential oil is one of the best to have in your arsenal. If you love essential oils, be sure to invest in frankincense, especially for your skin. It improves elasticity in your skin along with giving it better lift. Some studies show anti-cancer benefits which help reduce the likelihood of cancerous skin lesions.
Tea Tree
Want less acne? Use a face wash with tea tree oil. This essential oil is best known for its ability to improve skin affected by acne and to promote the healing of older acne scars. Tea tree oil helps reduce redness and so much more.
Rosemary
Another great option to prevent acne is rosemary essential oil. You can also use rosemary in your hair products to prevent and heal dandruff. Rosemary also prevents eczema and other skin conditions caused by fungus and bacteria on the skin. Using rosemary in your cooking can help you get more B6 in your diet which helps to boost collagen levels.