5 Life-Changing Skin Care Benefits of Hibiscus, aka "The Botox Plant"
Everybody’s heard of the beautiful hibiscus flower, but not everybody knows about the many hibiscus benefits for skin. That’s right ― this plant has way more to it than just being attractive to the eye.
Want to find out why hibiscus has turned into a skincare MVP? Keep reading!
What Is Hibiscus?
Hibiscus is an exotic flower with various uses and benefits. Apart from having vibrant, impossible-to-miss colors, the hibiscus flower is high in antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), two main factors in maintaining the appearance of youthful skin.
Hibiscus extract is found in many products, including skincare, supplements, and tea, that take advantage of this powerhouse flower. The extract generally comes from the red flowers and is known as “Roselle.”
What Are the Benefits of Hibiscus?
While the benefits are many, including helping to restore lost appetite and sometimes even cure colds, we’re going to focus on hibiscus for skin, specifically external uses for the plant. It’s not termed “the Botox plant” for nothing. Hibiscus benefits on the skin are impressive.
1. Rich in Antioxidants
The flower is rich in antioxidants called anthocyanosides, which is one of the essential hibiscus extract benefits. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, which are known to cause cell damage responsible for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s Disease.
Anthocyanosides not only help fight the damage caused by UV rays and pollution, but they also have an anti-inflammatory effect that can soothe inflamed skin, as well as reduce the appearance of large pores.
2. Evens Skin Tone
A brighter complexion is another item on the list of hibiscus leaves benefits. Not only can hibiscus reduce breakouts, but regular use will also help improve the texture of your skin. The improved texture is due to the acids in the hibiscus flower, which have a gentle exfoliating effect that helps smooth and brighten skin.
3. Anti-Aging Benefits
The most important of the hibiscus skin benefits for most people would have to be its anti-aging properties. The flower is known as “the Botox plant” for its natural skin firming benefits that help treat signs of aging on the face. The Botox plant can diminish lines and wrinkles, dark spots and also lifts sagging skin.
4. Moisturizes Skin
Another of the hibiscus flower’s life-changing benefits is the moisture factor, and this is because it contains a naturally high mucilage content. Mucilage, which is a sticky substance the plant produces that helps store food and water, helps to keep skin moisturized. Moisturized skin is essential in keeping your complexion looking young and fresh.
5. Deep Cleans Pores
Hibiscus contains natural surfactants, which stabilize water and oil, allowing you to cleanse your skin without stripping away the natural oils. You can deep clean your pores without worrying about your skin feeling raw or stiff.
Can Anyone Reap the Benefits of Hibiscus?
Hibiscus is nature’s answer to Botox, which can be both pricey and cause some unnatural effects. If you’re not sold on Botox and are wondering if the hibiscus flower extract benefits are for you, the answer is yes! All skin types can use hibiscus, and not only is it incredibly mild, but products made with this flower also have a lovely scent.
As a precaution, it’s best to do a patch test before applying hibiscus extract to your skin. While this extract is quite mild and won’t irritate most skin, floral extracts contain allergens and may cause a reaction.
What to Know When Buying Hibiscus: Forms & Ingredients
You can find hibiscus in many different skincare products, including creams, serums, toners, and oils. You can even find hibiscus face masks and hydrating mists.
Hibiscus Seed Oil
Hibiscus seed oil is the active ingredient in many hibiscus products, and it’s what will help you achieve all of those prized benefits we mentioned above. You can’t go wrong when buying a product that contains hibiscus seed oil.
Hibiscus Petal Powder
Hibiscus petal powder is more commonly used in hair care as a means to enhance shine, keep the scalp healthy, and help ward off premature graying. But hibiscus powder benefits also extend to skincare, where its fine texture makes it a wonderful mild exfoliant. You can find it in products like face masks, soaps, and scrubs.
When Should You Use Hibiscus?
Now that you know the hibiscus plant benefits, it’s time to talk about how to incorporate this plant into your skincare routine. As we mentioned, many different skincare products utilize hibiscus, so how you make the extract from this gorgeous flower a part of your skincare regimen is entirely up to you.
One way is via serum. Our Hibiscus Infused Vitamin C Serum makes an excellent addition to your arsenal of skin treatments.
Not only is it infused with hibiscus, but it also contains hyaluronic acid, another standout skin ingredient that helps keep moisture in your skin. Use the serum after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer for best results.
You can also take a few drops of hibiscus oil and mix it in with your favorite moisturizer or night cream. Or create a face mask by mashing a few hibiscus petals with some water using a mortar and pestle and then adding honey. Leave it on for twenty minutes to rid your skin of impurities.
A Natural Wonder
The hibiscus benefits for skin are fantastic for those looking to improve their complexion and halt the signs of aging. What are you waiting for? Give it a try today!