7 Ayurvedic Herbs to Look for in Your Facial Cleanser

Sheetal Rawal, Founder, Apsara Skin Care

By: Marty S.

Here is a question that we’d like to ask everyone right now: when shopping for a facial cleanser, what do you look for? The reason why we ask is that when people purchase skin care products, they are often looking at the label to see what the potential benefits are. For example, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you want to find a product that claims it can heal acne and minimize excess oiliness. However, while that may sound practical, it may not be the best decision for your skin because these products could contain chemicals like parabens and phthalates that can damage your skin and make your existing skin issues even worse.

Instead of looking at just the label, consider reading the list of ingredients as well. Natural ingredients should be your utmost priority because they won’t damage your skin like harsh chemicals. Ideally, you should look for any facial cleanser that contains Ayurvedic herbs. Many Ayurvedic herbs have been used for thousands of years to beautify their skin so their inclusion is not a coincidence. Today, we will tell you a few to look out for. Keep reading to learn 7 Ayurvedic herbs that you must look for in a facial cleanser. While you don’t have to find a product that contains all 7, having at least a few in your facial cleanser is bound to be good for the health and beauty of your skin.

1. Clove

For those looking to resolve their acne issues, a clove-based cleanser can be very beneficial. Clove is a natural ingredient that has been used in Ayurveda for countless years because of its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. One of the reasons why acne forms in the first place is a bacterial infection. When bacteria become clogged in your pores, they could fester and infect your pores, leading to acne, inflammation and swelling. 

And yet, despite clove’s well-respected history in Ayurveda, you should not use this natural ingredient directly on your skin because it may irritate and damage your skin. Though we regularly share with you home remedies for your skin and hair, we cannot recommend using clove on your skin because we don’t believe it is safe enough to use. This is why you should look for clove in your facial cleanser or facial lotion instead: a few drops of clove in a formulated product will be able to give you all of clove’s benefits without it burning your face.

Related: The Neem Herbal Facial Cleanser gets rid of excess oil and makeup and dirt, but also doesn't strip your skin of its moisture.

2. Neem

Another herb that has been known in Ayurveda to fight acne is neem. Neem has antibacterial properties that help stop acne as well as antioxidant properties that keep your skin healthy. Unlike clove, you can use neem on your face via a home remedy; it is easy to apply and it won’t irritate your skin. Neem is even a popular choice to balance combination skin. Still, if you don’t want the hassle of going to your local Indian grocery store to find neem powder, you should look for a neem-based facial cleanser instead to get its acne-busting benefits.

3. Camphor

When acne strikes, it is rare for you to see a single pimple or zit. Acne is usually accompanied by inflammation, and this might show up on your skin as redness, swelling, and irritation. Even when that acne goes away, inflammation may still be present on your skin in the form of acne scars. To soothe your skin as well as reduce your acne, you should try to find a facial cleanser that contains camphor. Camphor is well-known in Ayurveda to calm your skin down and minimize inflammation. Plus, it is known to have antibacterial properties, which means that you can use camphor to stop acne breakouts as well as minimize any scarring and inflammation left behind by prior acne.

4. Aloe Vera

The point of using a facial cleanser is to unclog your pores of dirt, excess oil, acne-causing bacteria, and other impurities. However, even if you don’t have a dry skin type, your skin will likely be dry after washing off your facial cleanser. Dryness is normal; after all, you are removing the excess sebum that is protecting and nourishing your skin. This is why you should look for a facial cleanser that contains aloe vera. Aloe vera is well-known in Ayurveda and other traditional wellness systems for its ability to hydrate and nourish the skin like no other. Obviously, you should always follow up your facial cleanser with a facial lotion (in fact, an aloe-based facial lotion will work wonders on your skin), but using an aloe-based facial cleanser will help your skin maintain its moisture so that it continues to look soft and supple.

Apsara Skin Care's Root of Vetiver Facial Cleanser

5. Vetiver

When you open an aloe vera leaf, you will be able to notice just how much water is in that plant. However, vetiver is different. While it may look long, thin, and dry, it is actually capable of retaining a lot of water; many farmers plant crops of vetiver to improve water conservation. Because of this, vetiver has been used in Ayurveda to alleviate dry skin. Similar to aloe vera, using a vetiver-based facial cleanser can hydrate your skin so that it looks soft, supple, and healthy in no time. 

6. Tulsi (Holy Basil)

For those who want a facial cleanser that supports an anti-aging skin care routine, holy basil (otherwise known as “tulsi”) is an Ayurvedic herb that should be at the top of your list because of the antioxidants found in it. Antioxidants heal your skin by neutralizing free radical damage, which can be responsible for not just fine lines and wrinkles, but also dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration. By reducing the impact free radical damage has on your skin with holy basil, you can encourage a more glowing, youthful look. Plus, holy basil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help get rid of acne and keep your skin healthy.

Using a facial cleanser that contains holy basil is a great choice, but if you cannot find one, we have a holy basil-based facial scrub that can be just as effective in your skin care routine. Exfoliation is a vital step in your weekly skin care routine because it helps remove dead cells on the surface of your skin, speed up cell turnover, and fade signs of aging from your skin. 

7. Turmeric

If the skin care products you currently use don’t contain any turmeric, you’re seriously missing out! Turmeric is widely loved in Ayurveda because it can easily brighten up and even out your skin. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help mitigate free radical damage. Not only does turmeric work with any skin type, but it is also a great anti-aging ingredient that can diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

One of the concerns with turmeric is that using too much of it may temporarily stain your skin. If you’ve ever tried using it in a home remedy, you would know that a lot of turmeric may give your skin a yellowish hue. However, that is not the case when using turmeric in a formulated skin care product. You can comfortably enhance your skin’s glow without worrying about staining your skin. 

Related: Castor Oil & Turmeric Face Mask to Remove Blackheads and Fade Acne

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Go natural. It is good karma!

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