Zits, blackheads, blemishes, irritation,. dry patches… the list of ways that the delicate skin on our faces can be challenged seems endless! While many of the products on the shelves these days can help ease symptoms and even give relief for some time – but at what cost? Many of the most popular skin and blemish treatments out there are based in powerful acids and other chemicals that may provide short-term relief while causing long-term problems.
Today, I’m going to introduce you to an affordable, simple, all-natural, and truly effective way to help your skin heal itself from the inside out so that you can look as good as you feel!
How Tea Heals The Skin
Like any topical product you might choose to help heal your skin from acne or other blemishes, specific formulas of natural herbal tea solutions can be applied to the surface of the skin where they will effectively absorb into the deepest layers of your largest organ and do their healing magic.
I have experimented with doing daily face washes with herbal teas that I’ve made up in advance and kept in the fridge, but I’ve found that a weekly thorough herbal tea facial is the most effective for my skin. You can certainly experiment with both to see what works for you!
How To Do An Herbal Tea Skin Treatment
I like to keep things simple – and for me this is the simplest skin treatment I’ve found so far.
To benefit from the healing power of the herbs listed below, all you need to do it combine your chosen herbs in equal parts and fill up a cloth or paper tea bag. You can find the cotton muslin reusable bags I like best.
Have some water that’s steaming hot but not boiling ready to go. Once your tea bag is stuffed and sealed, soak it in the water for 60 seconds. All you’re trying to do here is get the herbs wet and warm.
Allow the bag to cool until it’s a comforting warm temperature, then lay back and rest it against the area of skin you want to treat for 6-10 minutes. Repeat the wetting and resting cycle over and over again until you’ve covered every part of your skin you want to treat.
You may want to lay on a towel to catch dripping tea, or wrap your face in a towel to prevent tea from getting in your eyes or ears. Make yourself comfortable and really enjoy the aroma, warmth, and energy of the herbs as they work themselves deep into your skin for natural healing!
Which Herbs Should You Use?
To get started, you’ll need to select your herbs. Choose from the list below, then click on the image to see where I order my organic herbs online.
Calendula
Considered to be the champion of loving your skin. This sweet flower helps rejuvenate the skin while nourishing it with an array of beneficial properties including beta-carotine and sterols.
Lavender
This is one of my personal favorites when it comes to doing herbal tea facials. Lavender is a natural anti-viral and gentle cleanser that helps heal wounds, calm aggravated skin, and even helps fight issues that lead to breakouts. Lavender is such a powerful cleanser that it was used as part of a wash in the 1600s against the plague.
Echinacea
Known to be one of the most thorough and gentle cleansers for the whole body, echinacea actually makes a wonderful addition to any topical skin treatment! It effectively fights infections, inflammation, swelling, boils, zits, blackheads, and other skin issues with gentleness. It works well for all skin types and it’s one of my top picks for herbs to use on the skin!
Oatstraw
Packed with skin nourishing vitamins A, D, and E, this soothing herb is an amazing alternative to harsh chemical skin treatments that are packed with synthetic vitamins and isolated concentrates of minerals. Zinc also makes an appearance in oatstraw to help cleanse, tonify, and protect the skin… naturally!
Thyme
For intense skin issues, recurring infections like pimples and eruptions, and deep-seated acne, thyme is my go-to favorite! This common culinary herb packs a big punch when it comes to skin infections of all varieties – all while begin extremely gentle and nourishing to even the most delicate skin. Thyme helps increase the flow of healthy blood to areas of the skin where blemishes are occurring so that nutrients, anti-inflammatory agents, and natural detoxification can take place. For any common skin issues that are red, warm, infected, or swollen – I go to thyme!
Chamomile
Adding chamomile flowers to your herbal tea skin treatment will help balance out skin tone, soften the skin, soothe irritated or rough areas, and relax the muscles under the skin which could lead to less appearance of lines and wrinkles!
Healing Herbal Tea Skin Treatment Recipe
Combine:
- 1 tsp. Calendula
- 1/2 tsp. Lavender
- 1/2 tsp. Echinacea
- 1/2 tsp. Oatstraw
- 1 tsp. Thyme
- 1/2 tsp. Chamomile
Pack as much of the blend as you can into your tea bag. Make sure to leave enough room for the herbs to expand and absorb water.
Soak closed bag in very warm water for 60-90 seconds, or until all herbs are wet. Remove from water, cool to comfortable temperature, then apply directly to skin for 6-10 minutes. Repeat soaking and applying process over and over for each section of skin.
Allow skin to air dry.
Safety
Because all skin is unique, test your herbal tea treatment on a small patch of the inside of your arm before applying to your face. The most likely herbs to cause reactions on the skin in the list above are chamomile for people with hayfever and related plant allergies and oatstraw for people with oat sensitivities or allergies.
Enjoy your naturally beautiful skin!
Do you have any specific herb for black circles under your eyes? ?
I suggest using a warm green tea bag as a compress for just that issue 🙂
Also, make sure your diet is supportive of good circulation and that you are hydrated properly and are getting enough restful sleep – all things that can play a role in general skin health and especially eye-area skin.