Chamomile flowers COURTESY
Floral ingredients have been one of the mainstays of beauty
and skincare from time immemorial now. Age-old cosmetic recipes and remedies
have documented the use of flowers, while grandma’s handy hints across
countries and cultures include them as well. While initially, cosmetic
companies started off using flowers and flower extract mainly for the use of
their fragrance and feel-good factor, in recent times, the industry has woken
up to the potent benefits that each of these flowers offer. From perfumes to
lotions and bath essentials, a variety of floral offerings have found their way
into our daily skincare routines, and for good reason.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular flowers in skincare, what their benefits are, and how to use them.
Lavender
Queen Elizabeth I used to swear by lavender tea to do away with headaches, and spritzed herself with lavender perfume as well! You’re probably are familiar with this lilac herb, thanks to its fragrance, and predominance in teas and skincare products. Calming and relaxing, the essence of this tiny flower is good for headaches, anxiety and sleeplessness. Lavender oil is a potent skincare product with anti-bacterial properties. It keeps acne and inflammation at bay and does away with skin ailments caused by microbes. Lavender oil is helpful in treating eczema and other extreme skin conditions as well. It is also ideal for treating dandruff, controlling hair fall and healing insect bites. You can use it as a natural toner for the skin every morning and every night. Lavender oil is used in all kinds of products – from soaps to bath gels, from aroma oils to shampoos and from lotions to lip salves.
As a natural soothing agent, this beautiful white flower with its apple-like fragrance is used to treat inflamed skin by soothing it, as well as treating digestive disorders. Chamomile oil is your go-to product for all things calming – whether it is skin redness caused by allergies or freckles caused by sunburn. It also speeds up the healing process in rashes, acne scars, wounds and abscesses. Chamomile oil is also highly underrated as an anti-ageing ingredient. It contains levomenol, which is an agent that naturally moisturises and prevents photodamage, improving skin elasticity. It adds a healthy glow and radiance when you use it repeatedly over a period of time. Dip a teabag with chamomile infusion into a pot of boiling water, let it brew, and drink up for a moment of tranquillity. Don’t throw away the teabag! Instead, refrigerate used teabags, and gently rub them over your face whenever desired, to cool down the skin and work towards an even complexion. Chamomile teabags are also great to place on the eyes, to reduce the appearance of undereye dark circles, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles.
This staple hair embellishment in western and southern India is more than just that! Jasmine has so many beauty benefits, that it is hard to imagine that this small flower can pack in such a punch! Firstly, it is good for all skin types, and all kinds of seasons, making it a go-to flower all-year round. Jasmine and jasmine-based products are also easily accessible and affordable. Jasmine essential oil extracts are the ultimate skin hydrator. They trap moisture into the skin, stopping it from drying out and thereby preventing dehydrated and scaly skin. It is gentle, light and doesn’t clog pores like some heavier extracts. Jasmine oil also protects the skin against environmental stressors and pollutants and keeps it away from free radicals. It can potentially prevent various kinds of skin cancers, and keep age-related skin problems at bay. In winters, it alleviates dry skin and relieves aches and pains. The all-time favourite jasmine tea has been used in Chinese medicine from time immemorial, and purifies skin from the inside out, by eliminating toxins. It also controls blood pressure and releases anti-oxidants into the body.
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