Looking young and attractive is the main credo of a woman at any age. To achieve their cherished goal, ladies visit beauty salons and periodically leave tidy sums there. Surely, dear readers, you are one of them. Do you want to restore healthy radiance, youth, smoothness to your skin and save money at the same time? A budget product - chamomile for facial skin - will do the job perfectly. The universal component has been very popular for many years and occupies a leading position among other substances capable of resuscitating the epidermis and restoring cells. Rather, read the article and put the received tips, recommendations and recipes into practice. I promise impressive results.
Properties of the plant. Does chamomile help with acne*?
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, aseptic and cleansing effects due to its composition rich in nutrients. It contains 162:
- vitamin A (carotene) – makes the skin soft and smooth, slows down the aging process, stimulating cell renewal;
- bioflavonoids – block the action of free radicals, protect against ultraviolet rays, improve blood circulation;
- organic acids – cleanse, moisturize, even out complexion;
- caprylic acid – has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal effects;
- azulene – reduces redness, swelling, stimulates regenerative processes, soothes, therefore it is used in cosmetics for sensitive and aging skin;
- sitosterol – increases oxygen saturation of cells.
Many people use a homemade chamomile decoction for their face, although it is not a remedy for acne* and blackheads, but it has a calming effect on the skin.
Recipes
It is recommended to use products based on pharmaceutical chamomile in various ways: in the form of washes, rubs, lotions, compresses, masks, cosmetic ice, lotion, tonic, etc.
The basis for many recipes will be a decoction or infusion. In addition, you can prepare your own chamomile essential oil and tincture.
Chamomile decoction
A decoction of the plant is prepared in two ways.
- Hot method. 1 tbsp. l. a spoonful of raw materials is poured into a glass of water (250 ml) and placed in a water bath. After a quarter of an hour, the broth is removed and left to brew. The cooled broth is squeezed out and filtered, then the volume of the resulting product is brought to a full glass with boiled water.
- Cold way. The raw materials are filled with cold water (at the rate of 1 tbsp per glass of water). Bring to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes over very low heat. Then it is infused, filtered and topped up with water to a full glass. This decoction is more concentrated.
Chamomile decoction is used for compresses, lotions, lotions, etc.
Chamomile decoction is the basis of many medicinal and cosmetic products from the plant.
Decoction compress
A gauze napkin folded several times is moistened in warm, fresh broth, wrung out and applied to the face.
Important! You first need to make holes in the gauze for the eyes, nostrils and lips.
This lotion is kept on the face for up to 20 minutes, after which you do not wash it. It is recommended to carry out the procedure 1-2 times a week.
Chamomile compress helps to cope with comedones, cleanse the skin of acne, and regulate sebum secretion. With regular use, facial skin becomes clean, fresh, tightened, without irritation and acne.
Lotion
The lotion must be wiped over the face strictly along the massage lines.
Fresh, chilled chamomile infusion is an excellent refreshing and cleansing lotion. Twice a day they wipe clean facial skin along massage lines. Foci of inflammation are treated more intensively by applying a cotton pad soaked in the broth to them for 1 minute.
Ice cubes
Chamomile infusion is frozen for 24 hours in the freezer in ice cube trays. You can wipe your face morning and evening strictly along the massage lines. You can make this ice from a decoction of chamomile and mint (1:1).
Chamomile cosmetic ice is an excellent tonic and rejuvenating agent.
This product perfectly rejuvenates the skin, tones it, makes it smooth and elastic, and also relieves inflammation. The use of ice is contraindicated for spider veins on the face.
Infusion
The chamomile infusion differs from the decoction in that the raw materials are not boiled, but poured with hot water and infused.
Proportions, as for decoction: 1 tbsp. l. for 250 ml of water. If you need to overcome intense acne, the product can be made more intense: use 2 spoons per glass.
The infusion is used for washing twice a day.
It is good to use a cool infusion in the morning, as it has a tonic effect, and a warm one in the evening.
Regular use of chamomile infusion heals the skin, has a moisturizing and rejuvenating effect, lightens age spots, tightens pores and tightens facial contours.
Preparation of infusion and cosmetic ice (video)
Compresses for eyes
Chamomile infusion is good for bags under the eyes and dark circles. You can carry out the following procedure twice a week. Pour the chilled infusion into one container and the warm infusion into another. Alternately apply cotton pads soaked in the solution to your eyes for 10 minutes. Such contrasting procedures perfectly refresh, relieve swelling and brighten the skin.
After the procedure, apply cream under your eyes.
Scrub
Crushed soaked chamomile flowers left after preparing the infusion can be used as a facial scrub. To do this, raw materials and dry natural finely ground coffee are mixed. This product is good to use once a week for oily skin without inflammatory elements.
Steam baths
The procedure is indicated before facial cleansing. Place 3–5 tbsp per liter of hot water. l. chamomile, hold your face over the steam bath for 15 minutes at a distance of 20 cm, covering your head with a towel. A bonus with this steaming will be the inhalation prevention of colds in the respiratory tract.
Steaming has contraindications:
- hypertension;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- demodicosis in the acute stage.
Essential oil
Chamomile oil effectively eliminates inflammation, moisturizes, disinfects, relieves skin itching, peeling, irritation, whitens age spots and freckles, smoothes expression wrinkles . It is recommended to use the product for sensitive, dry skin, for the treatment of pustular rashes, long-term non-healing wounds, and sunburn.
In its pure form, the product is recommended for spot application on acne, wounds, cracks, and herpes blisters. The oil is good to add to any skin care products in small quantities - 2-3 drops per application.
Before using the product, it is necessary to conduct a skin test. The oil should be stored in the refrigerator.
You can make essential oil from chamomile at home
There are two ways to prepare chamomile oil yourself:
- Hot method. Dry raw materials are thoroughly crushed and filled with any oil (olive, almond, peach, sunflower) in a 1:2 ratio. Place the container in a water bath for 20–30 minutes. Then the prepared oil is cooled, filtered and poured into a storage container.
- Cold way. This method will take more time, but it allows you to preserve almost all the biologically active substances contained in the plant. Chamomile is crushed, poured with vegetable oil 1:2 and left in a dark place for two weeks. After this, filter and pour into a clean container for storage in the refrigerator.
Chamomile cream
In winter, the skin is very vulnerable and therefore requires special care. A good way to protect your face from frost is chamomile cream. It is not difficult to prepare: for this you need to take 1 tbsp. l. honey and chamomile oil, add to 150 ml of glycerin heated in a water bath, mix thoroughly and let it brew for a day. The cream can be used daily. It should be stored in the refrigerator. Before applying to the skin, the cream must be warmed.
Chamomile flower tonic
For oily and combination skin, a good remedy is a tonic made from chamomile and mint. It perfectly cleanses pores, tightens them, and relieves inflammation.
To prepare you need:
- Take 3 dessert spoons of chamomile and peppermint flowers, add 400 ml of water and cook in a water bath for 5 minutes.
- Cool the finished broth, strain, and add water to the original volume.
You should wipe your face with tonic twice a day after washing. This product can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than a week.
There is another method of preparation. You will need:
- 30 g dry chamomile;
- 20 g calendula flowers;
- 20 g peppermint;
- 10 g rosemary;
- 1 liter of dry white wine.
Mix the ingredients. Infuse the product for at least three weeks, then strain and store in the refrigerator. Wipe your face with toner every evening before applying cream. This composition not only disinfects the skin and relieves inflammation, but also improves its elasticity and rejuvenates.
Calendula, chamomile mint and rosemary can be used to prepare an anti-inflammatory facial toner
Chamomile tincture for acne
This remedy is prepared using medical alcohol; you can use vodka or cognac.
- Chamomile flowers are crushed and poured with vodka or diluted alcohol in a ratio of 1:5.
- Leave in a dark place at room temperature for 7 days.
- Then the raw material is filtered and squeezed out.
Chamomile tincture is excellent in treating acne, furunculosis, and teenage rashes. The good thing about this product is that it retains its healing properties for a long time.
Face masks
With honey
Compound:
- 1 tbsp. l. chamomile raw materials;
- 2 tbsp. l. crumb of rye bread;
- 1 tsp. honey;
- 100 ml water.
- Chamomile is poured with boiling water and left for 30 minutes.
- Strain and mix with honey and bread.
- The resulting mass is applied to the skin of the face, avoiding the area of the lips and eyes.
- After 15 minutes, wash off with warm water.
Can be used once a week.
Honey and chamomile mask suitable for oily and combination skin
This mask perfectly cleanses pores, smoothes and brightens the skin. Recommended for oily, combination and aging skin.
Moisturizing with glycerin
Add 5 ml of glycerin to 50 ml of chamomile infusion, mix well and apply to the face. Do not wash off the residue, but blot it with a napkin.
The procedure can be performed 3-4 times a week.
This mask is good for dry, flaky, irritated skin; it perfectly moisturizes, nourishes and tones the skin.
Firming gelatin
Compound:
- 1 tbsp. l. chamomile;
- 1 tbsp. l. gelatin;
- 0.5 tsp. vegetable oil;
- water.
- Gelatin is poured with water and left to swell.
- Chamomile is poured with boiling water (250 ml) and left for 30 minutes.
- The cooled and strained infusion is mixed with gelatin and oil is added.
- The resulting product is applied to the face and left for 20 minutes.
- Then remove the cooled mass and wash with cool water.
This mask perfectly tightens the oval of the face, the skin becomes elastic and smooth.
It is recommended to use for aging skin 1-2 times a day.
Toning mask with aloe
Mask composition:
- 2 tbsp. l. chamomile decoction;
- 1 tsp. dry cosmetic clay;
- 2 tsp. aloe juice;
- 1 tsp. vitamin E;
- 1 tsp. honey;
- essential oils of rosemary, lavender, geranium - 2 drops each.
All components are mixed and left for two days in a glass container. The product is applied to the face for 15 minutes, then washed with cool water.
The mask remarkably tones, refreshes, brightens the skin, cleanses inflammatory elements, and saturates it with beneficial microelements.
You need to make a mask once a week. Recommended for use on aging, sagging, dry or combination skin.
A mask of chamomile and aloe is a good tonic, anti-inflammatory and cleansing agent.
Scrub mask with oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp. l. dry chamomile;
- 0.5 tbsp. oatmeal;
- a glass of boiling water.
- Chamomile is poured with boiling water, left for half an hour, and filtered.
- Pour in oatmeal, stir and leave for 5 minutes.
- After the oatmeal swells, apply to the face with massage movements.
- After a quarter of an hour, wash off with warm water and apply cream.
The mask is suitable for oily and combination skin, cleanses it, refreshes it, tightens pores.
This procedure can be carried out every 3-4 days.
With white clay
Mask composition:
- kaolin;
- 100 ml chamomile decoction.
The clay is diluted with a decoction to a thick sour cream, applied to the face, lightly massaging the skin, and after 10 minutes, washed off with warm water.
The mask exfoliates the top layer of skin well, cleanses pores and heals inflammation. The product is recommended for problematic oily skin. Can be done once a week.
With strawberries for dry skin
- 2 tbsp. l. chamomile decoction;
- 0.5 cups of strawberries;
- 1 tsp. jojoba oils.
- The berries are crushed in a blender or mashed with a fork.
- Mix with broth and oil.
- Apply the mask to the face and leave for 15 minutes.
- Wash off the product with cool water.
This procedure can be done once every 5–7 days.
The mask saturates the skin with useful substances, perfectly tones, moisturizes, brightens, and relieves swelling. Recommended for tired, aging, dry skin.
Chamomile, mint and oatmeal mask
Mask composition:
- chamomile and mint 3 tsp each;
- 2–3 tbsp. l. oatmeal;
- 100 ml water.
- The herbal mixture is brewed with boiling water and left for 30 minutes.
- Warm infusion is poured into oatmeal, stirred, and applied to the skin for a quarter of an hour.
- Wash off the mask with warm water, then rinse your face with cool water.
The mask tones the skin, cleanses, relieves inflammation.
Can be used for oily, dull and aging skin 1-2 times every 7 days.
Indications and contraindications
Cosmetics with chamomile can be used for acne* on the face; it helps combat the following skin problems:
- wrinkles, including crow's feet;
- dark circles under the eyes;
- swelling;
- dryness;
- irritations;
- age spots;
- loss of elasticity.
There are no contraindications to the use of chamomile. The exception is individual intolerance, which manifests itself in the form of itching, redness, and rash.
How to prepare chamomile decoction
Washing, rubbing, sprays, ice cubes, compresses and masks are all options for using the product. But the first step, of course, is to prepare the decoction itself. The recipe is extremely simple:
- Place the prepared raw materials (2 tablespoons) in an enamel pan and add a glass of water;
- Bring to a boil and simmer covered over low heat for 10 minutes;
- Remove from heat and leave covered for 40 minutes.
The decoction is ready for use as a lotion or spray, and for compresses and lotions.
It is important to remember that such a remedy has a short shelf life (no more than 3 days), and therefore you should not prepare it for future use.
It is recommended to store the decoction in the refrigerator, or, if we are talking about preparing ice to eliminate puffiness under the eyes, then immediately in the freezer in ice molds.
Some chamomile recipes for cosmetic purposes involve the use of an infusion of flowers. It's even easier to prepare than a decoction.
It is enough to pour one teaspoon of dried plant into 200 ml. boiling water and leave covered for 20 minutes. Afterwards, the infusion is filtered and can be used for therapy.
For cosmetic procedures, both a pharmacy mixture and independently prepared flowers can be used.
Gel Klindovit®: use for acne
Using chamomile masks at home is beneficial for problematic facial skin, but acne treatments* should be selected by a dermatologist. The doctor can recommend not only medications, but also skincare products.
For mild to moderate acne, a dermatologist may prescribe Clindovit® gel6,18. This is a topical antibiotic. The main active ingredient of the drug is clindamycin phosphate, which is hydrolyzed to form clindamycin, which exhibits antibacterial activity against P. acnes6.
*acne
Useful tips for using chamomile at home
The use of any cosmetic product requires certain knowledge and compliance with certain rules. Pharmaceutical chamomile is no exception.
- It is better to purchase dried chamomile flowers, tinctures and extracts in pharmacies. If you prepare raw materials yourself, then you must take into account the environment - collect the plant in a field far from highways and enterprises.
- For medicinal purposes, chamomile inflorescences are used, which are collected from June to August.
- Chamomile flowers should be dried in the shade outdoors or in special dryers.
- Decoctions and infusions are prepared from crushed raw materials: dry inflorescences are easily rubbed with your hands, and a fresh plant - using a blender.
- Decoctions, infusions, and cosmetic ice from chamomile should be prepared using clean drinking water. An excellent option would be to use table mineral water without gas.
- You should not prepare a lot of chamomile decoction for future use. The shelf life of the product when stored in the refrigerator is no more than 3 days.
- You can use chamomile for a long time, however, you need to take breaks (every 2-3 months).
- If your skin gets a yellowish tint from using chamomile, you can wipe your face with lemon toner for whitening or take breaks more often.
- You can wash your face with chamomile decoction and wipe your face with ice cubes based on it every day, and it is recommended to do masks 2-3 times a week.
- Before using any chamomile products, be sure to cleanse your skin of makeup and impurities.
How to collect, store and use chamomile (video)
Insomnia, stress, irritability
Many people know that chamomile tea is an excellent remedy in the fight against insomnia. It is enough to drink a cup of warm drink, adding a little honey to it. It is recommended to drink it about an hour before bedtime.
One cup of this drink is enough to help you fall asleep faster (Photo: sott.net)
Another reason to drink chamomile tea is that the drink helps with stress and nerves. By using it regularly, you can stop taking sedatives. You can make it more effective in combating the effects of nervous tension with the help of fireweed tea or mint.
For hair
Chamomile is often included in hair care cosmetics. And all thanks to the essential oils, organic acids, tannins and polysaccharides in the composition.
You can collect flowers yourself, but pharmaceutical chamomile is no worse (Photo: pixabay.com)
With its help, you can solve many problems: restore damaged curls, reduce hair oiliness, lighten it, reduce the amount of dandruff. The latter became possible due to the fact that the substances contained in this plant soothe the skin, nourish and soften it.
