Plants, Flowers, and Herbs for Skincare (Listed by Skin Type)
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An extensive list of plants and herbs for skincare, with ways to include them in beauty recipes. Plants can add powerful yet natural properties to our skincare regimen, helping to address skin that’s damaged, dry, oily, inflamed, or suffering from acne. Here’s how to use them to support happy and healthy skin!
Go to any beauty counter, and you’ll find rows of skincare products featuring plant-based extracts. Regenerative creams featuring pomegranate seed oil, anti-wrinkle serums crafted with ginseng root, and face masks enriched with kelp extract. These “botanicals” seem magical and exotic, and they attract us by both their promise of great skin and their natural credentials. They also possess a certain mystique because we may not be completely familiar with the plants or how they are transformed into the stuff in the bottle.
The truth is that plants, flowers, and herbs for skincare are accessible to all! They grow as weeds in our lawns, as ornamentals in our flower beds, and as houseplants in our window sills. We can grow or forage them ourselves, or buy them in their dried forms to use in homemade herbal skincare. When you make your own beauty products, you have much more control over what goes on your skin. It’s also incredibly fun to make herbal skin creams, soaps, lip balms, serums, and other personal care products.
Using Plants, Flowers, and Herbs for Skincare
There are an incredible number of plants you can use to make herbal skincare. Some work wonders at soothing irritated skin, others moisturize, and yet others tighten or clear up oily skin. Many plants possess multiple skincare properties, and you can use them to address a range of skin conditions. Calendula is one of my favorites, and you can use it to treat conditions such as eczema, burns, cuts, and acne. It’s also cleansing, gentle, and a good all-around skincare herb.
Typically, the first step involves harvesting and processing plants into usable skincare ingredients. That can mean picking them at the best time, when the active ingredients they contain are at their peak. Then, either using the fresh plant parts immediately or drying them for storage or to use in anhydrous (water-free) preparations, such as infused oil. You typically don’t use the actual plant material when making skincare recipes, but rather oils, water, alcohol, glycerin, and distilled compounds that contain plant extracts. Sometimes these ingredients have scents, as well as skin therapy, but not always.
Herbal Skincare Series
This first piece of the Herbal Skincare Series introduces safe, mainly temperate-climate plants you can use in natural skincare recipes. Each herb includes guidance on how the plant benefits the skin and how to use it in various skincare products, such as creams, lotions, serums, and balms. I’ve also organized the herbs into categories based on their primary function to help you choose the right ones for your needs.
Feel free to experiment with these herbs, but also know that not all plants are suitable for use on your skin. If you’re unsure about a plant or identifying it, please refrain from experimenting with it. Some plants have compounds that cause rashes rather than soothe them. Others can cause more serious harm. I’m not saying this to alarm you, but to ensure you’re aware of what you’re using and why. To be sure, you can always buy herbs online.
In each of the herbal profiles below, I’ve included a link to either a recipe or a finished product that you can try out, along with general information on how to use the herb to make extracts. For even more tips on how to use these plants in skincare, along with skincare terminology, you can read the following articles:
Healing Herbs for Skincare
Our skin can become damaged in many ways—burns, sunburn, medications, medical treatment, cuts, and bruises are just a few examples. When treating damaged skin, opt for gentle rinses, salves, and creams that protect and promote skin regeneration. If you’re using prescription medicine or treatments, always consult your doctor before using an alternative product, even if it is homemade. For more healing plants to use for skin herbal remedies, have a look at the ones I recommend growing for a salve garden.
Calendula Calendula Officinalis
Extract the flowers or petals into oil, alcohol, water, or glycerine.
Calendula flower extracts soothe the skin, reduce inflammation, and heal burns, sunburns, acne, eczema, and skin abrasions. Use it in salves, balms, creams, lotions, toners, soap, and rinses. For more in-depth learning, get the Calendula for Skincare eBook.
Aloe Vera Aloe barbadensis
Use the fresh or preserved gel or powder made from the gel only.
Fresh aloe vera gel promotes healing, soothes inflammation, and tightens the skin. Use the gel inside aloe vera leaves to soothe burned skin and reduce inflammation. You can also use aloe as an oil-free moisturizer, although regular use can cause your skin to become over-dry. You can use aloe vera gel on its own, but also in creams and lotions, such as aloe face cream recipe or this homemade eczema skin cream recipe.
Echinacea Echinacea purpurea
Use the roots, flowers, and/or leaves as a powder or infused in oil, water, or alcohol.
Echinacea promotes skin healing and is helpful in treating acne. Different parts of the plant can have different uses in herbal skincare. The root has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and promotes skin regeneration. The leaves, flowers, and stems are soothing and can help improve skin tone and complexion. A popular product containing echinacea is RAWQUEST- Echinacea Calming Moisture Foaming Cleanser.
Comfrey Symphytum officinale
Use the leaves to make oil infusions or tisanes, or mix the ground powder into healing face masks.
Comfrey possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties, making it a skincare herb for inflamed and damaged skin, eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Infusions, such as comfrey-infused oil, can be made from these parts for use in creams, salves, and massage oil. You shouldn’t apply comfrey directly to broken skin, but it can be gently rubbed around injuries to help speed up wound healing. Try it out in Dr. Christopher’s Comfrey Ointment.
Herbs for Acne
Acne and pimples are not only unsightly but are often indications of an imbalance in your system. They’re caused by various factors, including diet (dairy can be a trigger), increased oil production, bacterial overgrowth, clogged follicles, hormonal imbalances (such as puberty or perimenopause), and the use of skin care products that are comedogenic (pore-clogging).
If you’re dealing with breakouts, reducing stress and staying hydrated can make a significant difference. You should also gently cleanse your skin and avoid touching it with your fingers throughout the day. Here are some herbs that can support oily and acneic skin:
Green Tea Camellia sinensis
Use the dried or powdered leaves to make water infusions, tinctures, or mix directly into recipes.
Green tea contains antioxidants (flavonoids and catechins), tannins, and caffeine, which are useful in helping control sebum production, inhibiting bacterial growth, reducing inflammation and puffiness, and treating the signs of aging. Use green tea in creams, lotions, serums, face masks, or as a facial toner. Green tea extract is also available to purchase and is standardized to have a high amount of active constituents. A popular Korean beauty product made with green tea is Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum Green Tea + Panthenol
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia
Use the flowers to make infused oil, tisane, tincture, essential oil, and hydrosol.
Lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for those with skin irritation and inflammation. Lavender essential oil has also been shown to help speed the healing of cuts, burns, and abrasions. Use dried flowers to make tisane or lavender-infused oil, which can be used in creams, lotions, massage oil, or body balm. You can also infuse dried or fresh flowers into witch hazel to use for cleaning and toning the skin. Lavender is one of the main ingredients in 96% NATURAL LAVENDER Facial Serum
Thyme Thymus vulgaris
Use the leaves to make tinctures or to infuse in oil, water, or glycerine. It can also make essential oil and hydrosol.
A recent study has shown that thyme is more effective at clearing acne than treatments using Benzoyl peroxide, the most common ingredient in acne treatments. Scientists used a tincture to conduct the study and presumably applied it to specific spots. It killed the bacteria responsible for blemishes within five minutes. Simple Daily Skin Detox Purifying Facial Wash is a classic skincare product that includes thyme.
Turmeric Curcuma longa
Both the powder and fresh root can be used in acne skincare recipes.
Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory (relieves redness and inflammation) and is also anti-bacterial, making it a great ingredient to use in acne preparations. It’s usually used in face masks and can temporarily color your skin. Use micellar water, mild exfoliants, and/or soap and water to wash it off. Turmeric is a key ingredient of Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask
Herbs for Mature Skin
Mature skin is delicate and can be dry, lacking in luminosity and firmness. It may also have wrinkles, larger pores, and hyperpigmentation. If your skin fits this description, keep treatments gentle, and make sure to take precautions against further sun damage and dehydration. Some herbs can also gently tighten and plump your skin.
Gotu Kola Centella asiatica
Use the leaves and flowers to make infused oils, glycerite, or tisane.
One of the best herbs for mature skin is gotu kola, a tropical groundcover plant characterized by its kidney-shaped leaves. It is the only known plant that contains madecassoside, a compound that enhances collagen production, improves skin elasticity, and soothes skin irritation. Use it in skin creams, serums, and repair balms. Gotu kola is an ingredient of the famous Dr. Jart+ Cicapairâ„¢ Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment
Lady’s Mantle Alchemilla vulgaris
Use the leaves and flowers to make infused oils, glycerites, tinctures, or tisanes.
Found in anti-wrinkle creams, lady’s mantle is a natural astringent that helps firm the skin and decrease the size of pores. It also has soothing, tightening, and toning properties, making it beneficial for mature skin. Use it in skin serums, moisturizers, and toners. Lady’s Mantle is used to make Belif — The True Cream Aqua
Helichrysum Helichrysum italicum
Use the flowers to make infused oils, glycerites, tinctures, or tisanes. You can also make essential oil and hydrosol from this plant.
Helichrysum, also known as the curry plant or everlasting flower, has natural anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and promote regeneration. It’s also an effective skincare herb for conditions ranging from acne to aged and damaged skin, and it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s most often used in serums and skin creams such as this Helichrysum Italicum Facial Serum.
Sea Buckthorn
Hippophae rhamnoides
Use the berries and their juice to make skin masks and creams.
Sea buckthorn is loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, antioxidants, and compounds that combat damage caused by free radicals. It’s considered an anti-inflammatory skin superfood and found in restorative and anti-aging formulas. Typically, sea buckthorn oil is used, which is extracted from the berries and seeds, but you can also use the juice. It can leave a temporary orange stain, so be aware. One product to try out that contains sea buckthorn oil is Sibu Hydrating Facial Serum.
Herbs for Oily Skin
Toners and astringents are liquid solutions that cleanse excess oil, tighten skin, and reduce the size of pores. They’re especially great for oily skin, but also beneficial for helping to firm the skin. Use any of the following herbs in skincare recipes to create oil-reducing toners, facial sprays, and cleansers.
Witch Hazel Hamamelis
Use the bark and twigs from fresh growth to make a decoction by gently simmering in water. You can also make an essential oil.
Used in many commercial toners, witch hazel contains naturally high levels of astringent tannins. These help to remove oil and tighten the skin. Use a water infusion of the leaves as a natural toner. You can also try witch hazel in THAYERS Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Use the flowers and leaves to create infused oils, hydrosols, and tisanes, or incorporate the powdered plant material into recipes like face masks.
Yarrow is a wild plant that is now often used in medicinal herb gardens. Its flowers and leaves have anti-inflammatory, regenerative, antiseptic, calming, and astringent properties. In herbalism, it’s sprinkled as a powder on wounds to stop bleeding. In skincare, it can help tighten skin, improve skin tone, relieve irritation, and help balance oiliness. Try yarrow hydrosol as a skin toner.
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
Use the leaves to make tisane, glycerite, tincture, or a simple infused oil.
A lemony and minty plant that works as a refreshing toner for oily and acne-prone skin. Use as a toner and light lotion. Lemon balm has also shown anti-viral properties, which makes it an ideal extract to use in homemade cold sore lip balm.
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis
Use the leaves to make tisane, glycerite, tincture, or a simple infused oil.
An infusion of Rosemary leaves can be used as an aromatic astringent for all skin types. It also helps in promoting healing by stimulating blood flow to the skin and scalp. Use an oil or water infusion of this herb in making massage oils, toners, creams, hair rinses, balms, and lotions. I also have a Rosemary Soap Recipe you can use.
Moisturizing Herbs for Skincare
Dry skin can be caused by factors such as age, skin disorders, environmental conditions, dehydration, certain medications, or the use of specific products. Even overusing some herbs for skincare can cause over-drying, as is the case with aloe vera gel. Improving dry skin should begin with drinking lots of water daily. A dehydrated body = dehydrated skin. It’s also best to avoid using very hot water to clean your face, and moisturize with gentle creams and lotions that create a barrier on your skin to lock moisture in. These plants contain extracts that can help dry skin, too:
Violet
Viola odorata
Infuse the flowers and leaves in oil or use them to make a tisane or glycerite.
Fragrant and only slightly astringent, violet leaf and flower extract is juicy and moisturizing. Perfect for dry skin, violets are also anti-inflammatory and help heal cuts and wounds. Use violets to make skin moisturizers, balms, face masks, serums, facial mists, massage oils, and toners. Violet extract features in TATCHA The Violet-C Radiance Mask.
Plantain
Plantago major or Plantago lanceolata
Use the leaves to make infused oil, tincture, tisane, or glycerite.
A ‘weed’ that you’ll find happily growing in your lawn, plantain contains moisturizing and healing mucilage. It’s an effective skin repairer and anti-inflammatory that you can use to help heal wounds, stings, insect bites, rashes, and bruises. Use plantain in salves, creams, lotions, balms, and massage oils. Try it in Natural Plantain Salve.
Rose
Rosa
Use the flower petals to make glycerite or homemade rose water. Does not extract into oil unless the alcohol-intermediary method is used.
Rose petals are excellent for sensitive skin and adding moisture to all skin types. They’re rich in antioxidants and can help reduce redness, irritation, and brighten and improve your skin tone. Rose essence also smells incredible and supports collagen production, making it a common ingredient in skincare formulas such as Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream.
Marshmallow
Althaea officinalis
Soak the root in cold water overnight, then use the liquid to make water-based skincare recipes.
The roots, leaves, and flowers of marshmallow contain rich sources of mucilage, pectin, and sugars that soften and moisturize the skin. The roots contain the highest amounts, and when soaked in cold water, create an extract that makes skin creams, cleansers, and moisturizers silky and extra hydrating. One of the most popular skincare products containing marshmallow is Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream.
Plants for Red and Inflamed Skin
Skin can become inflamed for several reasons, including allergic reactions, sunburn, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, poor health, or an unhealthy diet. Use these herbs for skincare to create simple herbal rinses or as one of the suggested skin products. Each can help to relieve redness, puffiness, and inflammation.
Germander Speedwell
Veronica chamaedrys
Use a water infusion (tisane) of the leaves and flowers as a toner or in skincare recipes, such as creams and moisturizers.
Speedwell is an anti-inflammatory flower used to soothe the redness and itch caused by eczema and other skin conditions. It’s also hydrating, can protect from free radical damage, and improve skin tone. It’s not commonly used in skincare, but it’s one to work with if it grows wild in your garden.
German chamomile
Matricaria recutita
Use the flowers to make infused oil, tisane, or glycerite.
A gentle herb, chamomile is used to soothe dry and irritated skin, such as that caused by dermatitis and eczema. It’s sometimes used to lighten hair (used as a rinse), and you can also use it to create balms, creams, lotions, toners, eye gels, or massage oils. If you have an allergy to ragweed (ragwort), avoid using chamomile. A lovely product that contains chamomile is Eminence Vitaskin Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizer.
Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
Use fresh, such as sliced, juiced, or pureed, or as a dried powder.
A common vegetable, the moist flesh of cucumbers helps reduce puffiness, soothe irritation, and tighten the skin. Use a water infusion of cucumber in creams and lotions. Puree the flesh and use it as a facial mask, or apply the well-known treatment of cucumber slices over the eyes to soothe, tighten, and brighten dark circles.
Chickweed
Stellaria media
Use juiced or make an infused oil using fresh leaves. Ensure the leaves are held under the oil when making it.
A very common weed in many gardens, chickweed is an effective anti-inflammatory and can reduce skin puffiness, add moisture, and promote healing. It can also soothe chronic itching. Use chickweed to make balms, salves, creams, moisturizers, and face masks. One product that uses this plant is Chickweed Salve.
Herbs to Brighten or Darken Hair and Skin
Some herbs for skin care can help gradually lighten or darken hair, blemishes, and nails. Although their effects aren’t as immediate as those of chemical options, you can use them with confidence, knowing that they are more natural and potentially homegrown.
Elderflower
Sambucus
Use the flowers to make tisane, glycerite, or oil infusions
Elderflowers blossom in late May through June, and you can use them to make sweet drink and dessert recipes. Less well known is that the flowers can be used to help fade freckles, age spots, and scars, as well as brighten the skin. The extract is also anti-inflammatory and is used to make SUNDARI Elder Flower Moisturizer.
Licorice
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Use the dried root to make infused oils, tisanes, glycerites, or as a powder to make face masks
Licorice root contains the powerful skin-lightening compound glabridin and is a popular ingredient in Asian skincare. It inhibits melanin production after exposure to the sun and can reduce the signs of freckles, age spots, or tanning. Licorice root is an ingredient of the popular CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Use the leaves to make a strong tisane and use it as a follow-up rinse after washing your hair.
Although sage helps to cleanse oily skin, it can also be used as a rinse for dark hair. Though it won’t permanently tint your hair, it can gradually darken your hair with regular use. Grey or coarse hair may be resistant to picking up color, though. You could also use it in combination with rosemary, crushed black walnut hulls, nettles, or coffee for increased darkening effects.
Henna
Lawsonia inermis
The young, mature leaves should be dried and powdered before being mixed with lemon juice and applied to the hair.
Henna is the most used plant dye for coloring hair and skin. Often used in conjunction with three other plant dyes, indigo, cassia, and amla, it’s used to create rich red, brown, and black hair and decorate the skin with traditional temporary tattoos. Here’s where to get henna hair dye in various shades.
Grow a Skincare Garden
I hope you’ve found this piece interesting and that one or more of the plants mentioned have intrigued you enough to want to incorporate them into your skincare routine. The easiest way to do that is to look for natural beauty brands and products that include them. However, the more exciting way is to make your own!
All of the various herbs introduced in this piece can be grown, harvested, foraged, or purchased to create your natural skincare. Interested in learning more? To get started with making natural herbal skincare, continue reading the next piece in the series, Grow a Skincare Garden.
Can l use water infusions of other herbs in place of rosewater in your lotions? Thanks, this is a very informative article.
Yes you can, but the water infusions should be made with distilled water.
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Great thorough information on herbs for skin and hair. Learned from it. Thank u.
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