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Hibiscus has long been known as an ornamental plant which is commonly available in our garden. Did you know this decorative plant with so many coloured varieties of flower is powered with health benefits as well as beauty benefits? Hibiscus tea is considered to be beneficial for your health as it helps to lower body fat and blood pressure, boosts liver health and keeps heart ailments at bay. Similarly, Hibiscus plant extract is considered to be a natural remedy in treating many of your skin care issues. In this article we are going to discuss on how beneficial is Hibiscus extract for your skin and how effective is Hibiscus extract in treating various skincare issues.
Hibiscus Plant
Hibiscus plant is a flowering plant from the mallow family, Malvaceae. Its species are native to warm, tropical regions. Hibiscus is also known as ‘rosemallow’ , hardy hibiscus, rose of Sharon and tropical hibiscus. It is an ornamental plant which can be grown indoors as well as outdoors. It has large flowers which are trumpet shaped, with five or more petals with colors such as white, pink, red, orange, purple, or yellow. Hibiscus extract is mostly taken from the red flowers, also known as “roselle”. Hibiscus plant is known for its medicinal value as well beauty benefits. Hibiscus tea which is made from the flower is famous all over the work and well known for its medicinal value. This beverage has a red colour, tart flavour. Hibiscus extract is known to be a rich source of Vitamin C that is beneficial for your health, skin and hair. Hibiscus flowers are mainly used for treating skincare issues and the leaves of this plant are used for promoting hair growth.
Also Read : 20 Amazing Vitamin C Benefits for Skin, Hair and Health
How Is Hibiscus Used?
Hibiscus tea which is renowned all over the world is made from the Hibiscus flowers and served as a beverage - both hot and cold. In many Asian, European and African countries, people like to enjoy the tangy flavor of hibiscus tea.
Dried hibiscus is edible and is used in salads, for flavoring, or as a delicacy. Certain species of Hibiscus are also used as a natural food colouring agenst. Hibiscus powder is used in weight loss, in lowering blood pressure, reducing body cholesterol. Hibiscus Tea is useful in treating indigestion, urinary tract infections and kidney ailments.
The flowers of Hibiscus or the hibiscus extract is used in treating many skincare issues. The leaves of Hibiscus are considered to be effective in promoting hair growth, treating dandruff, prevent premature greying and are also known for the hair conditioning property.
Also Read : Premature Gray Hair - Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Benefits Of Hibiscus In Skincare ?
The bright and vibrant coloured flowers are used for skincare. The extract of Hibiscus flowers is considered to be a natural remedy and used in treating many skincare problems. The extract is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants. The malic acid present in the extract, makes your skin clean, clear, healthy and youthful. Hibiscus is considered to be the best natural ingredient for skincare because it is rich in AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) which is considered to be beneficial in rejuvenating your skin and making it soft, smooth and young. Let us find out about the beneficial properties of Hibiscus extract in skincare.
1. Rich In Antioxidants
Hibiscus is known to be rich in anthocyanosides. Antioxidants are considered to be beneficial in fighting free radicals which are formed due to exposure to dust, pollution and UV rays which make your skin look dull, dry and damaged. Anthocyanocides not only provide protection against free radical damage, but they also have slightly astringent properties, that assist in toning up your skin and reducing the open pores providing an even skin tone.
2. Intense Moisturizing Property
Hibiscus extract is rich in mucilage content that helps to keep your skin hydrated for a longer period of time. Mucilage is a sticky substance which is found in plants to help them store water and food. Mucilage acts as an excellent moisturizer which helps to moisturize your skin and also helps to retain it for a longer time. Thus Hibiscus acts as a natural moisturizer which helps to keep your skin soft, hydrated and well nourished.
3. Anti-Ageing Property
Hibiscus extract is known for its antioxidant property which reduces the damage caused by free radicals on your skin. Long exposure to UV rays, dust, pollution, lack of sleep, poor eating habits and unhealthy lifestyle are other contributing factors to free radical damage of your skin. Hibiscus is rich in AHA which helps to boost collagen production and increase the elasticity of the skin. Hibiscus is known to inhibit the activity of the enzyme elastase, which is responsible for breaking down elastin. It has the ability to tighten up your skin and make the connective tissues firmer, thereby effectively reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
Also Read : Natural Tips for Anti-Ageing
4. Deeply Cleanses The Skin
Hibiscus is rich in chemical compound - saponin which acts as a natural surfactant due to which Hibiscus extract is effective in cleansing your skin in a natural way. The natural saponins and organic acid in Hibiscus not only clean your skin but also remove the dead skin cells. Hence, it is used effectively in cleansing your skin.
5. Prevents Acne
The natural acids present in Hibiscus, help to unclog the blocked pores and act as an exfoliator removing the dead skin cells and debris from the skin, thereby preventing acne. Unlike synthetic skincare products, Hibiscus extract does not stripe the natural oil from your skin.
6. Exfoliation
The Alpha Hydroxy Acid and the organic acid in Hibiscus helps in getting rid of dead skin cells from the surface of your skin just like your facial scrub. The Hibiscus extract unclogs the blocked pores and removes dead skin cells and debris from the skin making it visibly soft, smooth and radiant.
7. Wound Healing
Hibiscus extract is also known to accelerate wound healing. The extract on wound helps to increase the production of fibronectin- a protein which helps to close the edges of the wound, thus speeds up the healing process. It also helps in cell-regeneration and hydration, thereby playing a crucial role in the wound healing process.
8. Even Skin Tone
Dark spots, blemishes and hyperpigmentation are some of the visible signs of ageing. Hibiscus extract is rich in Vitamin C, which is powerful antioxidant that helps to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation. The organic acids such as malic acid help in exfoliating your skin, thereby providing an even skin tone.
Thus, Hibiscus extract is known to have myriad skincare benefits which help to make your skin look radiant, well nourished, moisturized and more youthful. Due to these beauty benefits, Hibiscus extract is widely used in many skincare products including moisturizing creams, lotions, facial cleansers, toners.
Role Of Hibiscus Extract In Skincare Products
Hibiscus extract is known for its anti-ageing property due to which it is used in many anti-ageing creams and lotions. The antioxidants present in Hibiscus extract help to fight free radicals responsible for causing skin damage. It is known to inhibit elastin degradation, thereby increasing the elasticity of the skin, giving a youthful appearance. Due to its beneficial properties, Hibiscus extract is used in skincare formulations that target skin tone, skin tightening and skin firming products. The extract is effectively used in many skincare products such as creams, lotions, moisturizers, cleansing lotions, toners and facial serums.
DIY Recipe Using Hibiscus
Hibiscus extract is enriched with essential nutrients that are beneficial for your skin. It is considered to be natural alternative for botox because of its powerful anti-ageing property which helps in fighting early signs of ageing. It boosts collagen production, which makes your skin tight and firm, thereby erasing age spots. Due to high mucilage content, it is able to retain moisture which helps to plump up your skin and erases wrinkles and fine lines, thereby giving a youthful appearance. You can make a homemade Hibiscus face mask and apply on your skin for a healthy, glowing and younger looking skin.
Hibiscus Anti-Ageing Face Pack
Gram flour or besan is known for its skin tightening and lightening effect. It also acts as an excellent exfoliator. Yogurt helps to moisturize your skin and its antibacterial property helps to prevent acne. It helps to reduce blemishes, dark sports, dark circles around the eyes and effective against various skin infections. Honey is known to be a natural bleach, which evens out your skin tone.
Ingredients
- Hibiscus Powder or freshly ground Hibiscus flower paste (if available) 2 tablespoon
- Besan- 2 tablespoon
- Yogurt - 1 tablespoon
- Honey- 1 tablespoon
Method
- Mix all the ingredients to make a smooth paste.
- Apply this face pack evenly onto your face and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with water.
Note: Do not keep the face pack for too long as it can draw the moisture from the skin and make it dry.
Applying it twice a week will show you effective results on your skin. It will make your skin have a healthy and radiant and a youthful look as Hibiscus acts a natural botox for your skin because of its powerful anti-ageing property.
Side Effect Of Hibiscus Extract
Hibiscus extract is generally considered to be safe for topical application. But Hibiscus is known to be a mild irritant and can cause slight burning or itching sensation and redness in people with sensitive skin. The only drawback of Hibiscus extract is that it is quite unstable and its absorption from skin surface is minimal. Internal consumption of Hibiscus is considered to be safe when taken in moderation. Anything in excess can have a damaging effect on your body. Same is true in case of Hibiscus.
When taken in excess it can cause stomach disorder, pain, constipation, gas, nausea, headache. Internal consumption of Hibiscus is not advisable for pregnant women and breast feeding mothers as it is known to lower blood pressure and sugar level in the blood. Hibiscus supplements are not advisable to be taken 2 weeks before and after surgery, as it has a blood thinning effect.
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