Hibiscus is an exotic flower with quite a number of uses & benefits! In this article, we shall explore 10 beauty benefits of hibiscus for skin & hair! Be on the look out for amazing DIY recipes with hibiscus you can try too! You’ll find: Hibiscus-rose face mask for glowing skin, Hibiscus hair spray for hair growth, hibiscus oil and more!
There’s no flower like hibiscus – a beautiful red, pink, pale yellow or white edible flower that also has stunning beauty benefits!
In Indian Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, hibiscus is steeped in boiling water and drank as a tea for its various health benefits. It is a rich source of Vitamin C and antioxidants that keep the body healthy. Ayurvedic texts also mention hibiscus as a natural cleanser &hair growth booster! More and more beauty products nowadays contain hibiscus in them because of the amazing things they have to offer for amazing skin & hair!
Below, we shall discuss 10 stunning beauty benefits of hibiscus so read on!
10 Beauty Benefits of Hibiscus for Skin & Hair
Here are 10 stunning beauty benefits of hibiscus for your skin, hair & more! With DIY recipes to make at home!
1. Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are amazing for your skin’s health! Hibiscus is chockfull of antioxidants known as anthocyanocides. These antioxidants are powerful against skin damaging free radicals that cause premature aging of skin. Anthocyanocides also have natural astringent effects that control excess oily skin & tighten large pores. They also have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation!
- Hibiscus-Rose Face Mask: In a mixer jar, grind 1/4 cup hibiscus flower and 1/4 cup rose petals and make a fine powder. Get 1 Tbsp of this powder and put it into a bowl. To this, add 1 tsp honey, and also prick 1 vitamin E capsule and squeeze out the oil into the bowl. Now mix in 1 Tbsp of rose water and make a smooth paste. Apply this anti-oxidant face mask onto your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Then wash off with warm water and pat dry.
2. The Botox Flower
If there’s any flower that has botox properties, it’s hibiscus! It firms and lifts the face, which leave it looking youthful! Mash up a few hibiscus flowers using a mortar and pestle then apply them onto your face, avoiding the eyes. Rinse off after 15 minutes to experience a natural face lift! Don’t forget that it’s filled with Vitamin C that also boosts collagen production!
3. Natural Shampoo
Indians have been using hibiscus leaves & petals as a natural shampoo for ages! It works because it becomes slippery just like soap when crushed up due to the natural saponins (cleansing agents) in it. Here’s how to use hibiscus as shampoo:
- Cleansing Hibiscus Shampoo: In a mason jar, pour ½ cup of hot water then add fresh petals & leaves from 2 hibiscus flowers. Allow the petals & leaves to soak up and soften in the mason jar for 15 minutes. Then pour the mixture into a blender and blend till smooth. You may strain the mixture using a plastic strainer into a bowl to remove any lumps. Now mix in ½ tsp olive oil, ½ tsp honey and 7 drops of lavender essential oil (optional) to your mixture. Work it into your scalp & hair for 2 minutes then rinse off thoroughly with tepid water. Enjoy clean and fresh hair!
4. Evens Skin Tone
Got an uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, dark spots and other discolorations? It’s time to use hibiscus on your skin! It contains AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) including citric and malic acid that have exfoliating powers which speed up cell turn over, revealing fresh new lighter skin!
5. Intense Moisturizing Action
The petals of hibiscus and also its leaves have a high mucilage content. This means when crushed, they are slippery and slimy. Don’t be grossed out! This property makes hibiscus incredibly moisturizing! That’s why you can find hibiscus in curly hair products especially those that are designed to provide slip & hold while sealing in moisture. This moisturizing action is also good for keeping skin hydrated and looking fresh instead of dry and dehydrated!
5. Encourages Hair Growth
In Ayurveda, hibiscus is a potent ingredients used in hair growth oils to foster growth of new hairs while strengthening existing ones. This is because it’s rich in nutrients such as amino acids that are necessary for producing keratin which makes up the key structure of our hair. Infuse hibiscus petals in sweet almond oil for a month in a sunny place to make a hair growth oil as follows:
- Hibiscus Hair Growth Oil: In a 4 oz mason jar, add clean & dry hibiscus flower petals from 2-3 flowers. Now pour sweet almond oil to fill the jar to the top. Store on a sunny window sill for a month while shaking often to release the nutrients from the petals. When the time is up, strain the hibiscus-infused oil in another jar, discarding the petals. Massage a suitable amount on your scalp 2 hours before washing your hair to see hair growth & thickness!
- Hibiscus Hair Growth Spray: Steep a handful of dry hibiscus flower in 2 cups of hot water. Allow to steep for 1 hour and cool down completely. Now strain and pour into a spray bottle. Then spray all over your scalp and hair once a day for amazing hair growth.
- Hibiscus Hair Butter: Mix hibiscus powder with thick Greek yogurt to make an ultra-moisturizing pre-poo leave in hair butter treatment.
6. Exfoliates Dead Cells
Hibiscus is a rich source of Alpha Hydroxy Acids which are known to be powerful exfoliators in the skin care industry. The AHAs in hibiscus dissolve dead cells and flaky skin on the skin’s surface, revealing fresh new skin underneath!
7. Delays Premature Graying of Hair
Another amazing beauty benefit of hibiscus is that it delays premature graying of hair! Ancient Ayurvedic texts talk of hibiscus as a natural hair dye to mask gray hairs and it’s also recently been scientifically proven to have such powers! You can check out the 2015 study here. Use it by making and massaging the hair growth oil in Point 5 above to see results.
8. Deep Cleanses Pores
Hibiscus has natural surfactants that cleanse skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Just like it works in cleansing hair, it also acts as a deep cleanser for your pores! It’s also very gentle so it won’t leave your skin feeling sensitive and stiff.
- Deep Cleanser: Using a mortar & pestle, mash up a few hibiscus petals with a little water to create a paste. Add a tsp of raw honey and apply this all over your face to help suck up impurities in your pores. Rinse off after 20 minutes. Tone and moisturize as usual.
9. Silky Hair
Whether you use hibiscus as a shampoo, hair oil or hair rinse, you’ll notice your locks becoming softer, silkier and shinier! You can use this hibiscus hair rinse that not only makes your hair silky but also helps cover gray hairs, dye red hair and also strengthens the hair shaft:
- Hibiscus Hair Rinse for Silky Strands: In a Pyrex measuring cup, pour 4 cups of hot water then steep 1 tbsp of dried hibiscus or 2 hibiscus tea bags for 20 minutes. When the time is up, discard the tea bags and allow the hibiscus tea to completely cool down. Use this tea as your final hair rinse after showering and conditioning.
10. Controls Oily Skin
Suffering from greasy skin? Use hibiscus tea as a facial toner! You can make hibiscus tea then pour it into ice cube tray and freeze for 2 hours. Use an ice cube all over your face after cleansing it to tone your skin naturally, tighten large pores and regulate the amount of sebum secreted on your face.
How do you plan on using hibiscus on your natural beauty routine? Share below!
Leave a Reply