Rosemary has become widely known in the world of self-care. While it is mostly associated with hair care, recent buzz suggests that it works great for our skin as well. In fact, the skincare community, due to its powerful properties, is now classifying it as a ‘secret weapon’ for healthier, more luminous skin. However, is it really true or just another one of the fading trends on the internet? To have a better understanding, we reached out to our expert, Dr Sanjeev Gulati, Department of Dermatology, Sharda Hospital, Noida, and he explained to us that rosemary actually works great for the skin. Here is everything he shared with us and you need to know!
How Rosemary Benefits Your Skin
“Rosemary benefits our skin in not one but an extensive number of ways, owing to its dense blend of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and antimicrobial agents,” he added. Here are a few reasons why you should add it to your skin care regimen and ways to use it:
1. Balances Sebum Production
Rosemary regulates your natural oil production, thus making it ideal for oily skin as well as combination skin. Studies also suggest that rosemary can keep your skin moisturised without becoming greasy.
2. Reduces Redness and Inflammation
Due to its powerful anti-inflammatory quality, rosemary can easily calm irritated skin, tone down redness, and treat conditions such as acne, inflammation, eczema, and rosacea.
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3. Fights Acne and Blemishes
Rosemary has strong antibacterial and astringent properties, which make it the ideal rescue for acne-prone skin. It can emulsify oil residue, de-clog pores, and combat bacteria responsible for acne, resulting in smoother, less breakout-prone skin.
4. Enhances the Elasticity of Skin and Tightens Skin
Additionally, rosemary is rich in rosmarinic acid, an ingredient known to stimulate collagen production. Collagen is crucial for maintaining elastic skin and firmness, and the natural loss of collagen with age can be negated by rosemary's ability to enhance collagen production, resulting in smoother skin and a less fine-lined and wrinkled appearance.
5. Offers Antioxidant Protection
Packed with antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid, rosemary prevents skin cells from the damaging effects of free radicals and environmental stressors (such as UV radiation, pollution, and blue light), which are heavy drivers of premature ageing.
6. Improves Circulation and Skin Tone
Rosemary can stimulate circulation to the skin, which helps to increase the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to skin cells. Improved circulation helps to create a healthier, brighter-looking complexion and can be used to even out skin tone and minimise hyperpigmentation.
Ways to Use Rosemary for Skin
If this lures you into adding rosemary to your skincare, here are a few expert-approved ways:
1. Rosemary Essential Oil (Always Dilute!)
Rosemary oil is very potent and should be blended with a carrier oil (such as jojoba, sweet almond, coconut, or olive oil) before use on the skin to prevent irritation.
- Facial Serum: Blend two to three drops of rosemary essential oil with a tablespoon of your preferred carrier oil. Gently apply a few drops to your cleaned face in the morning and at night.
- Spot Acne Treatment: Mix one drop of rosemary essential oil with a tsp of carrier oil and apply to blemishes.
- Massage Oil: Blend four to five drops of rosemary essential oil with 2 tbsp of carrier oil. Massage on your face and neck to enhance circulation and ease tension.
- Add to Moisturiser: Mix a drop or two of diluted rosemary essential oil into your everyday moisturiser for an antioxidant punch.
2. Rosemary Water/Toner
It is possible to prepare rosemary water by infusing fresh or dried rosemary in boiling water.
- Facial Toner: Bring a quarter cup of water to a boil, add a new sprig of rosemary (or one teaspoon dried rosemary) and one teaspoon of black peppercorns. Allow it to cool, strain, and then mix in two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Use on your face with a cotton pad following cleansing, particularly for oily or combination skin. Refrigerate.
- Facial Steam: Mix five to six drops of rosemary essential oil in a bowl of hot water. Cover your head with a towel and bend over the bowl to let the steam open your pores.
3. Face Masks and Scrubs
- Rosemary and Clay Mask (for acne): Mix aloe vera gel, bentonite clay, a few drops of rosemary essential oil, and a drop of tea tree oil together to make a paste. Apply to a clean face, leave on for 15-20 minutes, then wash off.
- Rosemary and Oat Scrub (for oily skin): Finely grind oats and dried rosemary. Mix with cool boiled water to form a paste. Gently exfoliate your face in circular motions for 15 minutes, then rinse.
- Rosemary and Milk/Honey Scrub (for dry skin): Finely grind oats and dried rosemary. Mix with milk and one tablespoon of honey to form a paste. Apply topically to the face, wait 15 minutes, and rinse.
With knowledge of its varied advantages and careful integration into your regimen, rosemary can truly be a worthwhile addition to your path to healthier, more lovely skin. Note that this article is just for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Please reach out to a dermatologist before making any changes in your skin care.