Ballerific Health: Showing Love to the Skin You Are In

We all know the saying about caring for your body on the inside, will reflect on the outside. However, our skin needs to be cared for on the outside as well. If you are like me, you have shelves of beauty products that either do not work or do not work as well as the next product you want to try. Many times beauty product advertisements market their products highlighting the “natural ingredient” it contains—“Try our new skin care product now with real aloe vera”. Well if that “natural ingredient” is so good, why do we not just use that ingredient instead of all of the other chemicals? Well, the real reason is that it’s no money in it for big business, because we could just grow the plant or herb or buy the natural product much cheaper at our local market. Well if you want to take a break from all of your regular beauty products and try out some natural plants for your skin, here are a few that I recommend:

Chamomile. It is not just a sleepy tea. It is a powerful anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory that reduces pimples as well as fine lines and wrinkles. If you cannot find the leaf, just take a wet chamomile tea bag and rub it onto your face or use the tea water as a face rinse.

Aloe Vera. Aloe vera is very popular and known for its benefits to the skin. If you do not have an aloe vera plant, try finding a 100% aloe vera gel. Aloe vera is an anti-inflammatory and is high in vitamin C and E. It fights acne, kills bacteria and hydrates the skin. It has healing properties too which can be used to help heal and reduce scaring for cuts or scrapes.

Witch Hazel. Witch hazel is the world’s natural astringent. It reduces acne, clears excess, pore clogging sebum, kills bacteria and hydrates dry skin. Witch hazel also tightens the skin and reduces dark circles around the eyes.

Calendula. Calendula is a plant similar to a daisy that is loaded with antioxidants. Calendula oil can be found at most health food stores. Like the other plants mentioned, calendula has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It helps to heal skin damaged from sunburn, scrapes and wounds. It also helps treat eczema.

Our skin is the largest organ on our body and the first thing that people see. Clear, vibrant, wrinkle-free skin is what we all aim to achieve. Our planet is full of wonderful plants to help us along the way, so let us not forget to use all the wonderful gifts Mother Nature offers us. Not only are her remedies effective, we can save money in the process.