Bay leaf for facial skin: decoction, masks, tonics and reviews

Bay leaf is widely used as a spice. It is customary to add it to food 10 minutes before the end of cooking and then throw it away. But in addition to culinary value, the product is endowed with medicinal properties. The Agronom.guru portal tells useful material that the leaf of the common laurel contains a huge amount of useful substances: essential oils, tannins, bitterness. They explain the plant’s effectiveness in treating skin problems. Bay leaf for the face is used by lovers of home care recipes. By combining the product with certain components, you get an antibacterial, tightening, rejuvenating effect.

Composition and beneficial properties

The benefits of bay leaves for the human body are manifold:

The spice contains many active components such as -pinene, -pinene, myrcene, limonene, linalool, methyl chavicol, neral, -terpineol, geranyl acetate, eugenol and chavicol. These compounds have antiseptic and antioxidant properties.
Fresh bay leaves are a rich source of vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is one of the powerful natural antioxidants that fights free radicals, preventing premature skin aging. Vitamin C has immune properties, wound healing and antiviral effects.
In addition, all parts of the plant are rich in vitamin B9 (folic acid). 100 g of bay leaf contains 180 mg of this vitamin, which is about 45% of the recommended daily intake. Folates play an important role in the synthesis of nucleotides and DNA replication, and their intake during pregnancy prevents the development of neural tube defects in the newborn baby.
Bay leaf is an excellent source of vitamin A, a natural antioxidant that is essential for maintaining good vision, healthy mucous membranes in the throat and scalp, healthy skin and healthy hair growth.
The spice is a good source of vitamins such as niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid and riboflavin. These B vitamins help synthesize enzymes, strengthen the nervous system and regulate metabolism in the body.

This leafy spice is an excellent source of minerals such as:

potassium, which is an important component that regulates water balance in the body and controls heart rate and blood pressure;
manganese and copper, present in the body's antioxidant defense system, being a cofactor for the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which is involved in neutralizing oxygen free radicals;
Iron, necessary for the production of red blood cells, serves as a component of the respiratory enzyme cytochrome oxidase.

A tablespoon (2 g) of chopped bay leaves contains about 5.5 calories. It also includes:

0.1 mg manganese (7% DV);
0.8 mg iron (4% DV);
108 ml of vitamin A (2% of the daily value);
1.3 g carbohydrates;
0.1 g protein;
0.5 g fiber.

The benefits of bay leaf in facial products

Thanks to its chemical composition, laurel has an anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating effect on the skin. It improves complexion and eliminates troubles such as pimples, acne, age spots.

Essential oil serves as a natural antiseptic, relieves itching, removes toxins from the skin, has an anti-inflammatory effect, stimulates regenerative processes in the skin, and promotes cell rejuvenation.
Vitamin C nourishes and prevents premature aging of the skin.
Folic acid protects against acne and improves skin texture.
Vitamin A plays the role of a natural antioxidant, rejuvenates and strengthens the skin.
Minerals ensure normal skin metabolism, healthy cell respiration, and maintain the beauty of the skin. Selenium prevents aging, zinc whitens pigmented areas, potassium moisturizes, magnesium gives elasticity.

Bay leaf improves complexion
Bay leaf contains eugenol, a phenolic substance with a strong odor, which manufacturers of care products often include in cosmetics for problem skin.

Pure laurel oil is a fairly strong product that is not recommended for use unless specifically prescribed. At home, it is better to use bay leaf for the face in its traditional form.

Principle of action on the skin

The high content of antioxidants makes bay leaf in cosmetology an effective remedy against various dermatological problems. People often call laurel a natural antibiotic, because it contains the appropriate elements and phytoncides, which have many positive effects on problem skin:

kill bacteria;
relieve redness, soothe irritation;
disinfect;
rejuvenate;
eliminate areas of acne and existing inflammation;
tone;
activate metabolic processes and respiration inside cells;
stimulate cellular renewal;
reduce swelling;
increase the level of collagen produced.

Tips for use

Laurel contains a large amount of tannins, so it should be used carefully, following the following recommendations.

When preparing a cosmetic product, you must strictly adhere to the proportions specified in the recipe.
Before using the prepared product, it is necessary to test for an allergic reaction on a small area of the skin - if itching, rash, or redness appears, you should stop using it.
Products with bay leaves should be left on the hair for no longer than 1 hour.
You should not add more than 6 drops of essential oil to cosmetic products containing bay leaves.

Contraindications

Crushed bay leaf is safe to consume orally up to 3 g per day for 30 days. It is not safe to swallow bay leaf whole; it is not absorbed and can cause suffocation by getting stuck in the laryngopharynx or disrupt the integrity of the intestinal mucosa.

Real life examples

Some famous people, whose fame sometimes trumpets all over the world, were also hostage to the pathology of the facial nerve.

Sylvester Stallone, who is known for his enchanting roles, was injured at birth. The actor's mother had a difficult birth and he had to be pulled with forceps. The result is damage to the vocal cords and paresis of the left side of the face. Because of this, Stallone had problems with speech, which became a reason for ridicule from his peers.

The actor grew up as a difficult child. But, in spite of everything, he managed to overcome his defect and achieve considerable success, although partial immobility of his face remained.

Domestic showman Dmitry Nagiyev received facial asymmetry, which was nicknamed “Nagiyev’s squint”, due to paresis of the facial nerve. The illness happened unexpectedly. As a theater student, one day he felt that his face was not moving.

He spent 1.5 months in the hospital to no avail. But one day in his room a window broke due to a draft. Fright provoked a partial return of mobility and sensitivity of the facial part, but the left part retained its immobility.

Methods of using laurel

At home, you can use the spice in various ways, adding it to tonics, lotions and masks. These remedies have a targeted effect on the problem (bacteria, sebaceous gland walls, blood vessels, inflammatory foci) and cope well with it.

Decoction

The benefits of using bay decoction are as follows:

Helps balance and restore the natural pH level of the skin and improve complexion;
dissolves dead cells and triggers skin regeneration;
reduces the visibility of pores;
helps eliminate acne spots, heals scars and smoothes the skin.

To prepare the decoction you need:

Place 5 dried bay leaves in a saucepan, add 2 cups of water, cover with a lid and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, remove the lid from the pan and continue to cook for about 2 minutes, then pour the broth into a large bowl.

Use of the decoction:

Bend over the bowl, covering your head and bowl with a large towel. You need to sit over the steam bath for 10 minutes. This procedure helps open the pores and thus makes it easier to remove blackheads.

Baths

Bay leaf infusion is added to a hot bath, used as a remedy for acne on the body.

To prepare the infusion, you need to brew 10-15 fresh or dried laurel leaves with boiling water. Leave to infuse for about 30-40 minutes. Strain before using in the bath.

Lotion

Using antiseptic lotions is another great way to get rid of acne effectively. To prepare it you need:

Pour 100 ml of water into a saucepan and add 10 bay leaves.
Heat the mixture and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Cool, strain and pour into a dark glass jar or bottle.

It is recommended to use the lotion daily in the morning and evening: the cleanser is applied to slightly damp skin with slow circular movements. After this, the product must be washed off. Once a week, instead of lotion, it is recommended to use a scrub to remove dead cells and remove the keratinized top layer of skin, which prevents the cleanser and its active components from being absorbed into the skin.

Tonic

Laurel tonic will moisturize your facial skin and make it silky.

To prepare the product, you need to bring a glass of water to a boil and add 4-5 tsp. laurel essential oil. After complete cooling, it is recommended to pour the tonic into a dark glass jar.

Apply the product to the face with a cotton swab or light patting movements with your fingertips. To achieve the best effect, it is recommended to use the tonic every day before bed.

Unusual sensations

It happens that a person can feel phenomena in the face and head that are unusual for the usual state. They are called paresthesias and are manifested by the following symptoms:

tingling;
burning;
"goosebumps"
numbness;
itching and rashes.

Often facial paresthesias have an organic basis and become a sign of the disease:

neuritis, neuralgia of the cranial nerves;
multiple sclerosis;
stroke and other circulatory disorders in the brain;
shingles;
migraine;
diabetes;
epilepsy;
hypertension.

In certain cases, unusual sensations are observed in certain parts of the face. For example, similar manifestations in the language may appear for the reasons listed above, but often have a different etiology. They are provoked by cancer of the tongue and larynx, as well as trauma by a splintered tooth or denture.

Dental procedures cause numbness and other unusual feelings, especially after tooth extraction. Another reason for their appearance may be an uncomfortable position during sleep or an unsuitable pillow. But the sensations caused by such phenomena usually pass soon.

Another group of provoking factors consists of psychogenic and neurogenic disorders.

Bay oil

Thanks to its antifungal and antibacterial properties, laurel essential oil has a number of benefits for problem skin:

treats cystic acne;
cleanses the skin surface from excess sebum and impurities;
reduces facial skin sensitivity;
removes scars from deep acne.

Read also: The meaning and types of peeling around the eyes

Before using the oil, you need to clean and moisturize your skin. Then you need to drop the oil onto your fingertip and treat every pimple, rash or redness on the skin. It is recommended to use this product before bed for best results.

Compress

Bay leaf decoction can be used as a compress to treat small pimples and to remove excess sebum. Warm compresses are suitable for dry and sensitive skin.

To make a compress to treat acne, you need to moisten a piece of cotton cloth in the broth and apply it as a lotion to the problem area of the skin for 3 minutes.

Tincture

Bay leaf tincture has a calming effect on the skin, relieving inflammation. The effect of its use exceeds all expectations.

To prepare the tincture, you need to take a small jar and put 200 g of bay leaves in it. If the leaves are used dry, they can be crushed by hand, and fresh leaves can be cut. You need to pour vodka into the jar, close the lid tightly and put it in a dark, cool place for infusion for 3 weeks. Use the infusion to wipe problem areas of the skin with acne. It is advisable to carry out this procedure 2 times a day.

You can also prepare a tincture that not only treats acne, but also helps regulate sebum production and balance the pH of the skin. To prepare, place a bay leaf in a glass, add hot water (80°C) and leave for several hours or overnight. Then the infusion should be filtered, poured into a dark glass jar and refrigerated. This tincture is used to wipe the face or the most problematic areas 3 times a day.

Ice

Ice is an effective remedy in reducing redness and inflammation at the site of squeezed pimples. Ice made from bay leaf decoction is beneficial for all skin types.

Before using ice cubes, you need to wash your face and pat it dry with a towel. Wrap ice cubes in a clean paper towel and place on the pimple for a minute. Repeat the process after 5 minutes. It is better to use ice cubes before bed to constrict blood vessels and prevent unwanted inflammation.

To prepare cosmetic ice, you need to take 10 large bay leaves and add a liter of water. Bring water with bay leaves to a boil over low heat. Remove the broth from the heat, cool, pour into molds and freeze.

Laurel in folk medicine

Hippocrates also wrote about the use of laurel oil to relax muscles and soothe pain of spasmodic origin. The ancient Roman physician Galen himself used laurel to treat urolithiasis. In the Middle Ages, laurel tincture was used to heal wounds and against severe coughs.

In folk medicine, bay leaf is recommended for the treatment of fever, paralysis, rheumatism, and skin rashes.

Disinfectant and antibacterial properties make laurel an excellent raw material for cosmetic recipes.

Face mask recipes

Bay leaf is used for many masks.

For acne

Since bay leaf has powerful antibacterial and astringent properties, it is an excellent home remedy for treating acne. Take:

5 dried bay leaves;
4 tbsp. l. French green clay;
1 glass of water.

Boil water and add bay leaf. Let it brew for 10 minutes. Cool, discard the leaves and pour the liquid into the clay. Mix all ingredients until creamy and pour the resulting emulsion into a dark glass jar.

Apply the mask to your face and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.

From blackheads

Being a highly absorbent substance, clay works like a magnet, drawing out excess sebum and dirt from the skin. This effect is enhanced when combined with bay oil.

2 tsp. blue clay;
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar;
1 drop of bay oil;
1 drop of lavender oil.

Mix the clay and vinegar in a bowl to form a thick, paste-like consistency. Add essential oils to the paste and stir.

Read also: Natural creams and masks for facial skin

Apply the mask in a thin layer to clean skin, avoiding areas around the eyes and mouth. Let dry for 5-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and apply moisturizer.

For wrinkles

This bay leaf face mask against wrinkles tightens the facial contour well and is suitable for any skin type. Have to take:

15 lava leaves;
30 g boiled water;
1 egg white;
2 tbsp. l. olive oil;
10 g of burnt alum.

First you need to prepare a decoction: bring water with bay leaf to a boil, remove from heat and cool. All ingredients must be mixed until smooth.

Apply the mixture in a thin layer onto gauze, which is then placed on a clean face. Leave the mask on for half an hour, then rinse with warm water.

For pigment spots

A brightening mask using a combination of oils, including laurel, will not only get rid of age spots, but also rejuvenate and tighten the skin.

5 drops of frankincense essential oil;
6 drops of geranium oil;
6 drops drops of lemon oil;
5 drops of bay oil.

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a dark glass jar. Shake well before use and apply the mask to problem areas of the face for 15-20 minutes, then wash with cool water.

For oily skin

The antioxidants present in bay leaf boost melanin production, help flush out toxins, and reduce acne.

ripe avocado;
1 tbsp. l. organic raw honey;
1 tbsp. l. aloe vera gel;
1 tsp. vitamin E;
tsp lemon juice;
3-5 drops of bay essential oil.

Mix all ingredients until smooth, and then apply the mask generously onto the skin of the face and neck using massaging movements. Leave for 15-25 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

For dry skin

Another sought-after property of bay leaf is its ability to soften and moisturize the skin. A simple moisturizing mask looks like this:

2 tbsp. l. coconut oil;
ripe banana;
3 drops of laurel essential oil.

Mix all the ingredients together and apply the paste to a clean face. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cool water.

Banana has an antioxidant effect, while laurel oil stimulates the skin regeneration process.

Use creams with spf protection.

We need sun protection creams not only in the summer, but also at any other time of the year when going outside. Ultraviolet rays have an adverse effect on the skin, causing the appearance of premature wrinkles and age spots. Creams with a light thickening effect, such as BB-cream Ideal Skin with 10 spf protection, will help protect your skin from troubles.

The main thing to remember:

Ideal skin is, first of all, your good mood and properly selected facial care products. Clean Line has developed lines of cosmetics with natural ingredients that meet the individual needs of different skin types.

How to get rid of nervous tics

In order to free yourself from unpleasant sensations, you must first eliminate their problem. Sometimes all it takes is a good night's sleep. In another case, you need to change the situation for a while, get out of the destructive environment.

Among the auxiliary methods used are herbal soothing teas, baths with the addition of aromatic oils, swimming, walks in the fresh air or sports: running, yoga.

Add ingredients with a high content of calcium and magnesium to your menu. These include fermented milk products, buckwheat, bran bread, red fish, eggs, and meat. Vegetables and fruits include beets, currants, dried fruits, nuts and parsley.

If these foods do not fit into your diet, consider taking appropriate vitamin supplements. Do not overuse strong tea and coffee.

And most importantly: remain optimistic and calm in any situation!

In cases where the condition worsens, psychotherapy is sought. Cognitive behavioral therapy is especially effective in helping to stop tic disorders at the stage of their precursors.

Habit reversal therapy teaches patients movements that help prevent the development of neurological facial symptoms.

Medications include anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants, Botox injections, and antidepressants.

If the above methods are ineffective in combating nervous tics, they turn to deep brain stimulation. A device is installed in the GM that controls electrical impulses.

How to remove teak yourself

If a nervous facial tic is situational and is not too intense, but at the same time obsessive, you can try to get rid of it using physical methods.

One way is to try to disrupt the pathological muscle rhythm by overexerting it. For example, if your eye twitches, try to close your eyes tightly.

It is possible to calm an overexcited muscle through a light massage. Or apply cold to it. The temperature difference will also help. Wash your face alternately with cold and warm water.