Top 7 Hibiscus Benefits For Skin And Its Uses
Hibiscus is not just a decorative plant, it is packed with medicinal properties and has been used for centuries. Not only it has various beauty benefits as well and has a long history for its multiple uses. Its herbal tea can help in reducing hypertension, treating liver disorders, reducing hair problems, and making skin healthy.
Not only it's beautiful to look at that beautiful radiant red color but should be included in daily routine. It has an excessive amount of skin benefits and in this article, you will learn that.
What is a Hibiscus plant?
The Hibiscus plant is also known as Hibiscus sabdariffa or roselle and is identified by its vibrant red color. It is found in warm or tropical places including countries like Hawai, Fuji, Madagascar, and India. They are not just found in red color but also in pink, yellow and orange color.
Hibiscus is specially cultivated for its stems, flowers, seeds, roots, and leaves. But the most used parts for pharmaceuticals and cosmetic purposes are the flowers and seeds.
Why is hibiscus good for the skin?
Hibiscus is one of the greatest hydrating and nourishing herbs for the skin. It is because it's a rich source of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, along with that Vitamin-A, B6, C, E, and K as well. Not only that it consists of thiamin, antioxidants, BHAs, AHAs, and many more which are considered great for the skin.
What are the 7 skincare benefits of hibiscus?
Being rich in vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other bioactive compounds, hibiscus yields promising health benefits for your skin. Take a look at hibiscus benefits:
1. Prevents breakdown of elastin
Our skin's tightness is mostly maintained by elastin, a highly elastic protein found in connective tissue and skin. As you age, elastin decreases and the skin begins to look saggy and loose.
However, you will be really happy to know that here hibiscus can help you in decreasing the activity of elastin. The myricetin present in it helps in supporting ths skin protein and hence protecting the skin from loosing its elasticity.
2. Exfoliating the Skin
Hibiscus is a natural source of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and it consists of a good amount of citric acid and malic acid. This is why hibiscus is considered to be great for naturally exfoliating and brightening the skin. The topical application of hibiscus helps in removing the dead skin cells and also catalyzing the new skin cells.
This process gently exfoliates the skin and the AHAs present in it help in reducing hyperpigmentation. Along with that, it is great for making the skin look much smooth and fresh.
3. Speeding the Healing Process
A correct wound-healing process is crucial to avoid scars, preventing skin-related complications, and maintaining healthy skin. Research has depicted that hibiscus contains phytochemicals that have antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects that facilitate wound healing.
By boosting fibronectin protein production in the skin, hibiscus speeds up wound healing. It also fastens the body's healing mechanisms and increases the recovery rate of wounds. Besides this, it also stimulates gene expression implicated in multiple healing processes like skin regeneration and hydration.
4. Easing the skin inflammation
Inflammation is one of the natural defense mechanisms of our body against free radicals. Whereas antioxidant helps in protecting the tissues as well as cells and also neutralizing free radicals. While Hibiscus is a rich source of antioxidants and has anthocyanin considered to be anti-inflammatory.
Also, it's due to the anthocyanin which gives hibiscus such a bright red-pink resemblance. Consuming hibiscus tea can reduce oxidative stress as it acts as a soldier for the army fighting free radicals.
5. Slows down the degradation of collagen
We all know that increasing the production of collagen but have you heard about reducing the reduction of collagen? Hibiscus is packed with an antioxidant known as myricetin and this effective compound helps in targeting the enzyme degrading the collagen.
The myricetin present in the hibiscus helps in reducing the degrading of collagen and naturally pumping up the production of collagen. This makes the skin firm and strong as well. Also being a great source of Vitamin C it helps in stabilize the collagen molecules making it effective both internally as well as externally.
6. Hydrates skin
Drinking enough water or fluid is one of the great news for your skin as it needs hydration. Increased hydration helps in increasing flow of blood in the skin. This naturally makes the skin moistured and radiant as well.
7. Tightening the open pores
Hibiscus is one of the greatest source of astrigent which not only helps in tightening the open pores but also controlling the production of sebum. As said earlier this plant is one of the greatest source of Vitamin C.
This helps in naturally increasing the firmness of connective tissue and giving your skin youthful appearance.
How to use hibiscus?
Hibiscus Tea
You can directly buy loose hibiscus tea or tea bags from the market and incorporate them into your everyday routine. Steep it in hot water, strain, and enjoy!
Hibiscus Face Mask
Besides this, you can also make a paste of hibiscus flowers at your home. Just follow the below steps:
- Take 3-4 petals of hibiscus and grind them to make a powder
- Take 1 spoon full of Multani Mitti
- Pour few drops of rose water to make a thick paste.
- Apply the paste to your face.
- Let it stay for 15-30 minutes
- Rinse with cold water
Take Away!
Mother nature is full of beneficial fruits, flowers, and plants. Apart from being a pretty addition to the garden, hibiscus has great benefits for your skin too. It is bestowed with wonderful healing properties and nutrients that can help your skin look youthful, supple, and hydrated.
If you are someone with rough and dehydrated skin, hibiscus can do wonders. Unlike harmful chemicals, which can strip off the natural oils from your skin, the natural acids from hibiscus give your skin a radiant and glowing complexion.
It has everything you require in a skincare ingredient. As you read the amazing 7 benefits of hibiscus for skin, try to add hibiscus parts to your daily routine and reap its valuable benefits.
FAQs
Q. How is Hibiscus beneficial for the skin?
Ans. Hibiscus is one of the rich sources of anthocyanins (a type of antioxidant) which helps in fighting the free radicals. Hence, it helps in reducing ageing signs and also reducing inflammation from skin.
Q. Does Hibiscus help in brightening the skin?
Ans. Yes, it is one of the greatest ways to brighten the skin as it has AHAs which helps in exfoliating the skin and hence removing dead skin cells. This is why hibiscus is so great for naturally brightening the skin.
Q. Is Hibiscus effective in case of dark spots?
Ans. Hibiscus is the high source of Vitamin C which helps in not only treating dark spots but also reducing hyperpigmentation and blemishes.
Rebecca Kouam on
Thank you so much this is very helpful. Also I want to know how you can use hibiscus for hair loss.