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When you think of hibiscus, you’re transported to a lush, colourful garden brimming with fresh, crimson flowers. Or even better, you imagine sipping a soothing, refreshing tea. But this amazing flower is also brimming with goodness that does wonders for your skin as well.
Often referred to as the ‘Botox plant’, hibiscus is one of the oldest and most effective remedies for anti-ageing. The flower is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. But what makes it unique is the presence of natural AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) together.
AHAs are water-soluble acids that help peel away the dead surface cells and replace them with new, even-toned, spotless skin. BHAs on the other hand, are oil-soluble acids that dig deeper into the dermis to remove dead cells, repair sun damage and fight acne. Rest assured, when they work together, your skin is all set to receive the best possible skincare.
Hibiscus Benefits For Skin
A powerhouse skincare ingredient, hibiscus can be found in the tropical regions of Japan, Madagascar, Hawaii, and India, and works like magic to heal and prevent skin damage. Let’s take a look at some of its skin benefits in detail.
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Brightens The Skin
The water-soluble AHAs and vitamins C and E brighten the skin and target dark spots. With regular use, hibiscus will even out the skin tone, leaving you with a brighter, more hydrated and youthful complexion.
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Stalls Premature Ageing
With tonnes of antioxidants and good enzymes, hibiscus flowers happen to be one of the best natural warriors against ageing. According to a study , the collagen present in hibiscus fights free radicals and reverses skin damage caused by UV exposure, dust, pollution, and other environmental stressors.
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Tightens Pores
Hibiscus not only hydrates the skin and improves its elasticity but also helps control excess oil production and soothes inflammation. It helps tighten the pores to regulate sebum production and accumulation of impurities.
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Naturally Exfoliates
The organic enzymes, AHA, BHA, and vitamins C and E naturally exfoliate the skin. They unclog and tighten the pores to eliminate impurities and clean out your skin from within. Hibiscus also removes flaky and dead cells from the epidermis to make your skin appear more radiant.
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Minimises Inflammation
Redness, itchiness, irritation, and inflammation can be reduced with the regular use of hibiscus in your diet and skincare routine.
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Provides Hydration
Hibiscus flower also lends moisturising properties that make your skin fresh, supple, and soft. Hibiscus particles penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and boost hydration to keep it plump and smooth.
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Reduces Acne
Owing to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, hibiscus helps curb acne and clears off dead and flaky cells that may clog the pores and cause breakouts. It helps eliminate oil and excess sebum, thereby reducing the occurrence of acne.
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Heals Damaged Skin
Hibiscus also has antiseptic properties that allow wounds and scars to heal quickly. It increases the speed at which our skin cells regenerate to help heal the wounded epidermis.
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Evens Out Skin Tone
Hibiscus reduces pigmentation, improves skin cell regeneration, moisturises the skin, and reduces inflammation, redness, irritation, and itchiness, thereby evening out your skin tone.
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Promotes Collagen Production
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that helps maintain the elasticity, bounce, and firmness of your skin. This protein begins diminishing as you age, making the skin sag and look older. Incorporating hibiscus in your skincare routine can help promote the production of collagen to keep your skin looking youthful.
Other Benefits Of Hibiscus
Other than the skin, hibiscus lends ample benefits to your hair and body; let’s explore a few:
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Boosts Hair Growth
Hibiscus provides your hair with essential nutrients to grow faster. It fortifies hair follicles and nourishes the roots to increase hair growth naturally. The amino acid content also aids in healthy, luscious hair growth.
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Fights Dirt & Dandruff
The anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of hibiscus help fight a dry, flaky, and itchy scalp. It also helps eliminate dandruff-causing bacteria to keep your scalp clean and healthy.
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Prevents Greying
Hibiscus boasts naturally occurring pigments that stall the premature greying of hair. These pigments add colour and depth to the hair, helping keep those unwanted grey strands at bay.
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Nourishes Hair
Other than strengthening the roots, hibiscus helps nourish and moisturise your dehydrated scalp, making it healthier and heal faster.
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Reduces Hair Fall
With stronger roots, nourished scalp and strands, and ample hydration and care, hibiscus significantly reduces hair fall, breakage, and damage.
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Reduces Blood Pressure & Sugar
The antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamins C and E help control blood pressure levels. The naturally occurring antibiotics in hibiscus also reduce swelling and any internal inflammation.
So, sit back and achieve your best skin yet with hibiscus-infused products.
Best Hibiscus Products
Cleanse Yourself With Hibiscus
If you are lucky to own a bathtub, crush fresh hibiscus petals into warm water and pamper yourself with a fresh, invigorating bath. The fresh juice squeezed out of its petals will work as an antioxidant and leave your skin nourished and healthy. Or you can just shower regularly and scrub your body with fresh hibiscus flowers instead of soap once a week. If you can’t lay your hands on some flowers, try a body wash or a gel with hibiscus.
Nykaa Recommends:
Try A Hibiscus Night-time Regime
In for a night-time ritual to get the anti-ageing miracles working? Mix some hibiscus petals and their dainty pistil with some aloe vera and coconut oil in your mixer. You can use this gel-based night cream every night. The ingredients will boost your collagen renewal and you’ll notice younger skin within a week. If this seems too much work, opt for a night cream infused with hibiscus .
Nykaa Recommends:
Pamper Yourself With A Hibiscus Mask
Indulge in some hibiscus-loaded self-care with a DIY mask. The natural AHAs and BHAs will work their way into different layers of your skin to heal and nourish it. Whip up some Greek yoghurt with hibiscus petals and ginger oil. Apply it on your face and neck, then rinse it off after 20 minutes. This mask will attack your acne, help with sun damage and reduce lines or wrinkles. Not a DIY person? Get Wild Organic Hibiscus Flower Powder for an instant youthful glow.
Nykaa Recommends:
Take A Breather With A Hibiscus Mist
This super flower is deeply hydrating and helps the nutrients stay locked in. Rich in vitamins C and A, hibiscus will keep working miracles on your skin even as a mist. Just add a couple of flowers to the water and refrigerate overnight. Pour the water into a spray bottle and mist away. For something extra soothing, we recommend Auli Dazzle Instant Glow Floral Face Mist .
Nykaa Recommends:
Scrub-a-dub With Hibiscus
Afraid of chemical peels and paraben-based harsh scrubs? Try something natural. With the two unique natural exfoliants (AHA & BHA) that peel away your dead skin and boost collagen production in your skin, hibiscus is probably one of the best natural ingredients for a great scrub. Just use fresh or dried hibiscus petals and crush them with some almonds and a teaspoon of olive oil in your mixer. Exfoliate with this natural scrub for fabulous results. Too many ingredients? Just mix Nature's Tattva Pure Herbal Hibiscus Powder with some water and use as a scrub.
Nykaa Recommends:
Get A Natural Detox With Hibiscus Tea
This is by far our favourite hibiscus therapy. Sip on a cup of hot, refreshing hibiscus tea and feel the nutrients work their way to your skin. Plus point? It’s one of the rare ingredients that helps your heart get healthier. Yummy and nutritious. Try out Tea Treasure Hibiscus Flower Tea and feel all your skin despair melt away.
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Pamper & Nourish Your Hair
A hibiscus shampoo nourishes, moisturises, and repairs hair damage. It strengthens the roots, nourishes the scalp, fortifies your hair follicles, and reduces premature ageing. You can take some hibiscus flowers and leaves and grind them to procure its essential juices. Apply this concoction directly to your hair. If you’re unable to obtain ground hibiscus, try the Nat Habit Five Oil Hibiscus Shampoo instead.
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Parting Thoughts
Hibiscus flower is a powerhouse ingredient that not only helps the skin but also your hair and body. It helps reverse and stall signs of ageing, moisturises the skin, and reduces inflammation, redness, and itchiness. It also helps even out skin tone, reduce hyperpigmentation, and brighten the complexion. When it comes to the hair, hibiscus nourishes the scalp, reduces hair fall, increases hair growth, and minimises premature greying. As fo the body, it reduces swelling, inflammation, blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
FAQs
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Is hibiscus anti-ageing?
Yes, according to a study, hibiscus contains collagen and antioxidants in abundance, helping reverse signs of premature ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles that may be caused by UV exposure and environmental stressors.
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Does hibiscus reduce inflammation?
Yes, hibiscus not only reduces inflammation on the skin but also internally. The antioxidant-rich flower evens out skin tone and reduces itchiness to brighten and soothe the epidermis.
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Does hibiscus stop hair fall?
Yes, the naturally occurring amino acids, collagen, and other fortifying nutrients help reduce hair fall and damage. It improves scalp health and decongests hair follicles, eliminating dandruff and flaky skin cells that could lead to breakage.
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Is hibiscus good for UV protection?
Yes, hibiscus has naturally occurring collagen and antioxidants that reduce the damage caused by ultraviolet rays. A very common skin condition caused due to UV exposure, called melanoma, may also be treated with the power of hibiscus.
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Why is hibiscus beneficial?
Hibiscus is a powerful antioxidant, full of vitamins and power-packed with amino acids, collagen protein, and essential nutrients that your skin, hair, and body needs. It reduces hair fall, increases hair growth, curbs greying, and fortifies scalp health. It also reduces swelling, inflammation, and blood sugar and pressure levels. When it comes to the skin, it offers anti-ageing, hydrating, nourishing, moisturising, and brightening properties.
