The 5 Best Herbs for Men's Skin Care

Even dermatologists can appreciate the benefits of herbs for maintaining healthy, youthful skin. Since many ingredients in cosmetics and skincare products are synthetic, herbs offer a natural approach to skin health and may even have anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects.

Some of them are beneficial for your skin when applied topically, while others may be more beneficial for your skin when consumed as part of your diet. Let’s take a look at some of the best herbs for skin care and the benefits they offer.

Green Tea

Green tea is rich in antioxidant catechins, which help combat oxidative damage. This is important because oxidative damage plays a key role in skin aging by damaging collagen and elastin, two proteins in the skin’s dermis that support your skin and keep it firm and youthful. One way the sun’s UV rays damage the skin is through oxidative damage. With green tea catechins on your side, you have a way to combat this.

Although you can benefit from the anti-aging properties of green tea, additional benefits may be gained by applying green tea catechins directly to the skin. There is a growing number of anti-aging skin care products, serums, and moisturizers that contain green tea extract or green tea catechins. You can also find recipes online for making your own green tea-based skin creams.

Aloe Vera, one of the best herbs for men's skin care

Aloe vera has a long history of use as a skin conditioner and for treating wounds and burns. However, it can also help keep your skin looking young. According to Dr. Kenneth Mark, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist from New York, in an article on Prevention.com, aloe stimulates the activity of fibroblasts—the cells that produce collagen and elastin, two proteins that support your skin and keep it looking young.

It is also a source of antioxidant vitamins, including vitamins C and E, which combat oxidative stress. Aloe vera also helps moisturize dry skin and has natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Turmeric

Turmeric is an herb and spice with natural anti-inflammatory properties. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Some studies suggest that taking curcumin as a supplement or adding the spice to food reduces inflammation, including skin inflammation. Consequently, it may be helpful in treating inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema.

One drawback of turmeric is its low bioavailability, which means it’s difficult for your body to absorb it and reap its benefits. One way to increase its bioavailability is to combine turmeric with black pepper and a source of fat. For example, add this spice to a dish along with black pepper and olive oil.

You can also use turmeric topically by adding turmeric powder to skin creams or making a mask out of honey, turmeric powder, and coconut oil, but it’s unclear how much turmeric can be absorbed through the skin when applied topically. In addition, the curcumin in turmeric has a vivid orange color that can stain objects. So be careful when using it. You can also find skincare products that contain turmeric as an ingredient.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a herb from the Asteraceae family. Studies show that chamomile has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent choice for people with eczema or psoriasis. Thanks to its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, it’s also a gentle option for sensitive or acne-prone skin. One study even showed that apigenin, found in chamomile, improves the skin’s barrier function, helping to protect it from irritants. Look for moisturizers and serums that list chamomile as an ingredient.

Another option is to brew chamomile tea and store it in the refrigerator. After cleansing, apply the tea to a cotton pad and use it as a gentle toner for your skin. Some people use chamomile oil after mixing it with a carrier oil. One option is to add one or two drops of chamomile oil to a container of moisturizer and mix thoroughly.

If you are allergic to daisies, marigolds, ragweed, or other flowers in this family, you may also be allergic to chamomile, so do not use it.

Witch hazel

Witch hazel is a herb that is beneficial for oily skin. Derived from the witch hazel shrub, this herb acts as a natural yet gentle astringent that tightens pores and reduces oil production. In addition, witch hazel contains tannins with anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that reduce oxidative damage, which is harmful to the skin.

Thanks to its ability to reduce inflammation, witch hazel also helps reduce skin redness caused by irritation. Dermatologists often recommend that people with oily skin use witch hazel after cleansing to help minimize enlarged pores and mild irritation.

Sometimes natural approaches work best, and that’s certainly true of these five herbs, which have beneficial properties for skin care. Don’t be afraid to take a more natural approach to keeping your skin young and healthy.

Sources:
Prevention.com. “8 Ways Aloe Vera Gel Can Benefit Your Skin, According to Dermatologists”
Redonline.co.uk. “Why turmeric is brilliant for your skin”
Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors.
Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011.
Mol Med Report. 2010 Nov 1; 3(6): 895-901.doi: 10.3892/mmr.2010.377.