We’ve all been under lockdown for over three months and the one thing we’ve been missing (apart from being in the great big outdoors) are salons and beauty treatments. And I know they’re open for anyone who wants to venture but they’re definitely a high-risk area. During the lockdown, because I had a lot more time at home, I took up gardening as an activity and realised how therapeutic it was.
After reading about the ingredients packed in plants I figured that instead of putting on more and more chemicals on my face, I would just revamp my skincare routine to go all-natural. Most of my favourite beauty products are anyway loaded with natural ingredients so I thought why not make them at home.
Here Are 7 Plants You Can Grow At Home For Glowing Skin
Glowing skin is something I crave to have and no amount of highlighter and moisturiser truly makes my skin naturally dewy. So, after growing these plants I decided to make some at-home facemasks in the kitchen to give it a go. And of course, the results were incredible. So these plants are definitely miracle workers if you ask me!
Aloe Vera
I aloe you vera much! Okay, I’m going to stop with the puns and tell you the benefits of this plant. It’s loaded with countless vitamins and minerals and leaves your skin feeling hydrated, moisturised, and supple. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps in cell regeneration.
How Should You Use It:
You can mix it with a whole lot of stuff for a cooling effect on your skin or use it as it is. Cut open the leaves, scoop out the gel, and apply it as a moisturiser, skin-soother, leave-in conditioner or after-shave treatment.
Lavender
Lavender is both relaxing for your skin as well as your mind. Lavender is used as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory powerhouse and helps to soothe irritated, inflamed, and red skin. So if you’re someone suffering from extreme dryness or dermatitis then lavender works really well.
How Should You Use It:
You can use the flowers of the plants, both dried or fresh, and infuse it in toners, creams, or even face steamers. Your mixture will smell heavenly and will also allow you to calm your skin and improve blood circulation.
Thyme
Thyme is one of the most effective ways of clearing acne and has even proved to be better than store-bought products. It’s anti-bacterial and helps to clear up acne, acne scars, and blemishes. So say hello to happy and healthy-looking skin.
How Should You Use It:
Infuse thyme with brewed green tea and you’ve got yourself an acne-fighting toner. You can add this mixture to a mud mask and leave it on for great results.
Sage
Sage is another antioxidant powerhouse and is great for fighting pre-mature signs of ageing. It fights free radicals and acts as an astringent for sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin. It is rich in vitamin A and calcium, both of which help in cell regeneration.
How Should You Use It:
You can turn the sage leaves into a toner to help control sebum production. If you want to use it for your hair, you can boil the leaves and use the water to rinse your hair once the concoction cools down.
Calendula
Calendula has a lot of carotenoids and flavonoids which are powerful antioxidants. So, these flowers can actually solve a variety of beauty concerns like chapped lips, dry skin, fine lines etc. It supposedly heals wounds faster too and leaves the skin feeling plump and supple by increasing circulation and hydration.
How Should You Use It:
You can add the calendula flower heads to your bath and soak up all the benefits into your skin. You can light some candles and put on a face mask as you do so to get the complete spa-like treatment at home.
Rose
Rosewater is extremely gentle on the skin. It helps in firming and reducing redness and inflammation. It also boosts regeneration and moisture levels in mature skin.
How Should You Use It:
You can pull the petals and heat them in a pan of water on low flame until the petals have lost their colour. Strain the water and keep it in a sterilized jar or a spray bottle and store it in the fridge. Use it as a pick-me-up during the day or as a toner once you’ve cleansed.
Mint
Mint is again a natural cure for acne. It’s got loads of salicylic acid which helps with excessive oil and sebum. It’s anti-pruritic, meaning that mint juice can soothe and calm itchy, infected skin.
How Should You Use It:
To combat stinky and dry, cracked feet, boil mint leaves, and soak your feet in the water. You can also mash a few leaves into a paste to spot-treat pimples, or mix with oatmeal and honey for a DIY mask. You can also boil it and turn it into a cooling, soothing astringent.
So, let’s start gardening, shall we?
Featured Image: Instagram
