Skin ageing is unavoidable; your skin will change over time, and you will notice wrinkles and fine lines. Chemical treatment is a quick option, but it’s still a chemical, so injecting chemicals into your face doesn’t sound good and isn’t cheap either.
Ayurveda, the science of self-healing, has your back. Ayurvedic herbs can help you delay the signs of aging and reduce their appearance on your skin. These herbs are high in antioxidants, which fight cell damage and stimulate new cell growth. So here are some herbs that can help your skin and reduce the signs of ageing.
1. Basil
Basil is the most effective herb for combating visible signs of ageing on your skin. It is the latest anti-ageing superfood that can help you fight wrinkles. Basil can be applied topically to the skin to help it retain moisture and hydration, reduce roughness, and provide a smooth texture. Thus, the extract of basil is incorporated into various skin care products such as Vitamin C face serums, face washes, and creams.
You can also incorporate basils in your diet to reduce aging. Adding basil to your food can help prevent wrinkles and make your skin look smooth and hydrated. It also aids in the repair of collagen depletion caused by excessive sun exposure. Long-term exposure to UV rays and pollutants causes oxidative stress, which damages skin cells and causes them to appear dull and dehydrated.
2. Ashwagandha
This herb has long been known for its skin, hair, and overall health benefits, as well as its rejuvenating properties. Consuming Ashwagandha regularly will significantly improve your skin’s appearance, making it more youthful, glowing, and of higher quality.
Ashwagandha root extracts increase telomerase activity, extending the lifespan of healthy skin cells. This slows aging by preventing telomerase loss. In addition, the high antioxidant content of Ashwagandha aids in the treatment of skin aging symptoms such as wrinkles, fine lines, blemishes, and dark spots.
3. Guduchi
This herb, also known as Giloy, has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It works to revitalize skin tissue and fight inflammation. Along with skin benefits, the herb boosts the immune system and promotes mental clarity.
Giloy is also said to have anti-ageing properties. It can aid in the treatment of pimples, dark spots, and fine lines. Aside from that, Giloy is classified as vyah-sthapan in Ayurveda, and it is thought to have anti-ageing properties that can help reduce wrinkles and provide naturally glowing skin.
Giloy can support keeping your skin looking young, fresh, and beautiful by rejuvenating it. Giloy can be combined with Amla and Haridra for skin benefits. Giloy stem or leaf paste can also be applied to the skin.
4. Green Tea
Green tea contains high levels of catechins, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-ageing properties on the skin. Topical application of green tea can also benefit from thickening the epidermis, speed wound healing, and inhibiting the production of an enzyme that causes uneven pigmentation, resulting in fewer sunspots.
Using a green tea extract lotion or serum at least half an hour before going out in the sun has been shown in studies to reduce DNA damage caused by the sun and the risk of sunburn. You can also apply green tea above your sunscreen before you go out is an excellent idea if you’re about to stay outside for several hours and will only have time to reapply sunscreen as diligently as you’d like.
5. Chamomile
Fine lines, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and other signs of ageing have all been linked to oxidative stress. Chamomile contains antioxidants such as polyphenols and phytochemicals. It also helps reduce skin ageing by protecting it from free radical damage when applied to the skin.
Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory with the ability to reduce redness, swelling, and itchiness, and it’s an excellent alternative to cortisone. To treat beard burns, take a chamomile tea bag and steep it in boiling water for two to three minutes to release anti-inflammatory enzymes, then store the tea bag in a small container in the refrigerator.
6. Gotu – Kola
Another extremely important and influential anti-ageing herb is Gotu-kola. It contains flavonoids and antioxidants, which nourish the skin and boost collagen production to combat visible signs of ageing. The herb also promotes overall body well-being.
The use of Gotu Kola for topical applications is known to provide significant skin-firming and anti-wrinkle benefits. It also prevents the formation of cellulite. In addition, it is high in triterpene saponins and a good source of flavonoids, which act as antioxidants and protect against free radical damage.
How to incorporate these herbs into your skincare routine?
While these herbs will not make you look younger forever, they will keep your cells healthy, and your skin nourished. So instead of looking for chemical-laden anti-ageing products, try these herbs and see what they can do for your skin, hair, and overall health.
You can consume them in the form of tea or apply them on the skin topically. Nowadays, many skincare brands have started incorporating natural extracts in their products for better efficiency. For example, the vitamin C serum by The Wolfman has both basil extracts and green tea extract to make it an elixir for men’s skin.
