Whether you’re setting yourself up for a good night’s sleep, or just steeling your nerves before a big presentation, a warm cup of chamomile tea usually does the trick. The herbal remedy has been used for years to calm an upset stomach, relieve stress and promote restfulness. And like other gems in your kitchen cabinet, it can be a great addition to your skin and hair elixir repertoire as well. Here’s how you can use chamomile tea in your DIY beauty routine.
A gentle scrub for glowing skin
Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory properties make it an ideal element to calm and soothe irritated skin. And it can help alleviate redness and irritated patches too. For a safe-to-use scrub that won’t break your skin’s natural moisture barrier, mix oatmeal with honey and freshly-brewed chamomile tea to make a thick paste. Apply this onto your skin, and massage it in using rolling motions with your fingers to remove dead skin and grime from the face. The end result? Bright skin that looks refreshed and even-toned all over.
A rinse to rejuvenate dull strands
Chamomile tea is able to adjust the pH of hair to close the cuticle so it lays flat, therefore leaving tresses healthier, shinier and in the prime position to reflect light and boost shine. Mix just-brewed chamomile tea with yoghurt and rake it through the hair, from the scalp down to the ends. The lactic acid in yoghurt will help clean your scalp of debris, promoting clean, shiny hair that is soft to the touch. However, chamomile tea can also lighten the strands with prolonged use, causing natural highlights. Use this with caution if you already have coloured hair.
A calming face mask for stressed skin
The polyphenols and phytochemicals in chamomile are able to rev up cell regeneration, which then reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They also fight against the free radicals that protect skin from sun damage, and slow visible signs of ageing. Mix chamomile tea together with honey and aloe vera to create a mask. The humectant honey will moisturise, the aloe vera will provide extra hydration to hasten the healing process, and the chamomile will cool down the skin.
A quick pick-me-up for puffy eyes
The antioxidants in chamomile tea can considerably lighten the under-eye area and reduce puffiness. Just brew black tea and chamomile tea, and then freeze the two to take care of your puffy eyes. The black tea is high in caffeine, which helps constrict blood vessels and reduce eye bags, while the chamomile helps to mollify the irritated skin. Dab the ice around the eye area for five to 10 minutes—the best way to do this is to make outward rolling motions as you massage your face. Since cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, they will lead to a shrinking effect on the appearance of pores as well.
A skin-repairing mask
Banana is a great natural moisturising agent, which is why it works well for hair and face masks. The fruit’s potassium content will help hydrate the skin, and many other essential minerals and vitamins such as A, B, C and E, and zinc will reduce spots and aid collagen production, thus helping you fight ageing skin. Mash one ripe banana and whisk it with two spoons of chamomile tea. Apply this mixture on your face and neck and rinse with cold water after 10 minutes. Due to its astringent qualities, chamomile tea also decreases excess sebum production, and can also help skin conditions like rosacea and psoriasis because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Also read:
5 honey-based DIY masks that are great for your skin and hair
The DIY coconut oil-based skincare and haircare elixirs you need to try
Why green tea needs to be an important part in your skincare products
