This article was contributed by our friend Emma Wilson
We obviously want to look and feel our best at all times. In fact, we spend more money on beauty each year than we do on education. Today’s beauty industry nets over $160 billion dollars a year! Sure, this includes make-up, skin care, hair products, fragrances, plastic surgery, diet fads, and health club memberships, but it does shine a big spotlight on how important it is for people to look their best. While it’s tempting to believe beauty can come from a bottle, we should acknowledge that a majority of these products contain a variety of harsh and artificial ingredients.
Unknowingly, many people are slathering their largest organ, the skin, with chemicals and unnatural products that might cause health problems. Currently, cosmetics do not have to pass a pre-market approval process and manufacturers are not legally required to report health problems associated with their products to the FDA. Instead, any health complications are solely reported by consumers and doctors to the FDA. This is a little frightening, especially after certain hair products have made the news recently when they caused scalp damage and people’s hair to fall out.
In our own backyards
Thankfully, the answer to these beauty problems might be growing in our own backyards: flowers, herbs, and plants. These natural and organic elements have the ability to soothe and transform our skin and hair, without overloading our bodies with toxic or harmful chemicals. For more information on the benefits of flowers for our skin, hair, and more, please keep reading.
The Surprising Beauty Benefits of Flowers and Plants
Research is finding that exposure to flowers and plants can improve our levels of happiness, reduce stress, make us more productive, and improve moods. We also have research and studies proving that the power of flowers can even ease anxiety and negativity and data shows that experiencing green spaces can improve memory and concentration. If those alone aren’t enough reasons to appreciate flowers, plants are also known to benefit our complexions, hair, and overall beauty in some amazing ways.
For years, the natural soothing abilities of flowers, herbs, and plants have been used to manage a variety of our beauty dilemmas. Very often we find flowers that have been dried or turned into essential oils so we can concentrate their natural healing and beauty qualities. Compiled below is just a small sampling of the ways people have been harnessing the natural and organic qualities of flowers in beauty products:
1—Dried marigolds
Also known as…calendula! These ordinary flowers do more than add color to your garden. When dried they are used in products to relieve sunburn, soothe wounds and dermatitis flares, and alleviate symptoms of skin ailments like athlete’s feet.
2—Oregano Oil
Oregano oil—don’t get it confused with the popular herb—is commonly used in products to alleviate symptoms of acne, soothe rashes, reduce shingle outbreaks, help with anti-aging, smooth calluses, and so much more.
3—Bergamot
A strong tea of the citrusy bergamot flower is often used as an astringent or as a rinse to strengthen hair.
4—Chamomile
This small flower is easy to grow and, when made as a tea, it can help you get your beauty sleep and reduce under eye puffiness.
5—Jasmine
Used for years in lotions, shampoos, soaps, and oils, this fragrant flower is highly favored in beauty products because of its natural skin and hair boosting qualities.
6—Dandelion
This often misunderstood flower, or weed, holds wonderful healing properties for our skin. People can use the leaves and yellow flowers to create a natural tea to soothe itchy skin, irritation, and redness.
The power of flowers
Understanding the benefits of flowers for skin, hair, and more is crucial so we can make better decisions about the products we purchase or use on our bodies. Our favorite blooms and plants can be used to create safer and natural beauty products, especially when it comes to our health, hair, skin, and more.
The following post 6 Flowers Used for Healthier, Vibrant Skin and Hair was first published on Annmarie Skin Care.
