I. Introduction
St. John’s Wort oil is derived from the vibrant yellow flowers of the St. John’s Wort plant (Hypericum perforatum). Due to its medicinal properties, this oil was used for centuries in ancient Egypt, Europe, and in traditional Chinese medicine.
St. John’s Wort oil has become well-known as a popular all-natural treatment for various skin issues due to its impressive array of skincare advantages. Let’s dive in and discover the skin benefits of St. John’s Wort oil! In this article, we are going to discover the benefits of st john’s wort oil on skin.
II. Reduces Inflammation
The anti-inflammatory properties of St. John’s Wort oil for the skin are one of its main advantages. A substance in this botanical oil by the name of hypericin has been discovered to have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. St. John’s Wort oil can be used topically to calm and soothe redness and irritated skin, and reduce inflammation brought on by a variety of skin conditions like acne, eczema, and dermatitis.
To use St. John’s Wort oil for reducing inflammation:
Apply a few drops of St. John’s Wort oil to the affected area and gently massage it into the skin. For best results, repeat this procedure frequently. It’s crucial to avoid exposure to direct sunlight after applying St. John’s Wort oil to the skin because some people may experience photosensitivity as a result of the oil. Before applying St. John’s Wort oil to your skin, it is advised to conduct a patch test and speak with a skincare expert if you have sensitive skin or are prone to sunburn.
III. Promotes Healing
St. John’s Wort oil has been found to promote healing of minor cuts, burns and bruises on the skin. It contains hypericin (a red pigment that has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties), hyperforin (a compound that has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties), and flavonoids (such as quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin, which are known for their antioxidant properties).
All of these compounds present in St. John’s Wort oil help to contribute to the healing process of the injured skin.
To use St. John’s Wort oil for promoting healing:
Apply a few drops of St. John’s Wort oil to the affected area and gently massage it into the skin. For best results, repeat this procedure frequently. It’s crucial to avoid exposure to direct sunlight after applying St. John’s Wort oil to the skin because some people may experience photosensitivity as a result of the oil. Before applying St. John’s Wort oil to your skin, it is advised to conduct a patch test and speak with a skincare expert if you have sensitive skin or are prone to sunburn.
IV. Moisturizing properties
St. John’s Wort oil contains several bioactive compounds and qualities that contribute to its moisturizing properties, including:
Emollient properties:
This botanic oil has emollient properties due to its rich content in essential fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid and oleic acid.
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Improves barrier function:
The natural lipid barrier of the skin, which is made up of lipids (fats) that form a protective layer on the skin’s surface, is strengthened by the essential fatty acids found in St. John’s Wort oil. This lipid barrier helps to keep moisture in, keeping the skin hydrated and preventing water loss. It also serves as a barrier to external elements like harsh weather and environmental pollutants. St. John’s Wort oil helps to maintain the skin’s natural moisture balance by strengthening the skin’s barrier function, which makes the skin more supple, smooth, and soft.
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Occlusive properties:
St. John’s Wort oil has occlusive qualities, which means it forms a thin layer on the skin’s surface to help retain moisture and stop it from evaporating. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is prevented, and the skin’s hydration levels are maintained by the occlusive effect, which works to seal in moisture and form a barrier of protection.
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Lubrication:
By lubricating the skin’s surface, St. John’s Wort oil works to reduce friction and improve skin smoothness. This can make the skin feel softer and more comfortable while soothing dry, flaky, and rough patches.
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Skin Feel:
John’s Wort oil has a light, non-greasy texture, and absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy film. As a result, it can effectively moisturize a variety of skin types, including oily or combination skin without clogging pores or adding an excessive amount of greasiness.
Essential fatty acids:
Essential fatty acids like linoleic and oleic acid, which are well known for having excellent moisturizing properties, are abundant in St. John’s Wort oil. These fatty acids support the skin’s lipid barrier, which keeps moisture in and wards off moisture loss.
Flavonoids:
Flavonoids like hyperoside, rutin, and quercetin, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, are found in St. John’s Wort oil. These flavonoids support the skin’s natural moisture balance, reduce inflammation, and shield the skin from environmental harm.
Hypericin and Hyperforin:
These two substances are specific to St. John’s Wort and are well-known for their ability to reduce inflammation and heal wounds. They support skin healing, reduce redness and inflammation, and calm and soothe the skin, all of which can help the skin retain more moisture.
Tannins:
Tannins, which are astringent substances that can help to tone and tighten the skin, are present in St. John’s Wort oil. This can lead to a smoother and more hydrated complexion.
Phytosterols:
Phytosterols, which are substances derived from plants and resemble cholesterol, are found in St. John’s Wort oil. Phytosterols aid in enhancing the skin’s ability to act as a barrier, stop water loss, and retain more moisture.
Overall, the essential fatty acids, flavonoids, hypericin, hyperforin, tannins, and phytosterols in St. John’s Wort oil combine synergistically to give the skin moisturizing properties and support the maintenance of its hydration, nutrition, and health.
How to?
Apply a few drops of St. John’s Wort oil to clean, dry skin and gently massage it in circular motions until absorbed to enjoy the benefits of the oil’s moisturizing properties. It can be applied as a facial oil or combined with your preferred serum or moisturizer to provide additional benefits. St. John’s Wort oil can help your skin look more youthful and radiant by enhancing its overall tone and texture.
N.B:
St. John’s Wort oil is generally safe for use on most skin types, but it is always advised to perform a patch test before using it on your face or body, especially if you have sensitive or reactive skin. Discontinue use and speak with a skincare expert if you have any negative reactions.
V. Anti-aging properties
St. John’s Wort oil has several potential anti-aging properties for the skin. Here’s why:
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Moisturizing properties:
Since St. John’s Wort oil is a natural emollient, it can aid in hydrating and moisturizing the skin. Maintaining healthy skin and avoiding dryness, flakiness, and roughness—common aging symptoms—requires proper hydration. The skin’s moisture barrier can be replenished with St. John’s wort oil, which enhances the skin’s capacity to retain moisture and maintain the skin soft, smooth, and supple.
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Collagen boosting properties:
St. John’s Wort oil naturally contains compounds like hypericin, hyperforin, flavonoids, and essential fatty acids that contribute to support collagen production or support a favourable environment for collagen synthesis.
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Antioxidant properties:
St John’s Wort oil has high concentrations of flavonoids, which are potent antioxidants. Free radicals are produced by environmental factors like UV radiation, pollution, and stress, and antioxidants help in their neutralization. Free radicals can harm skin cells and speed up the aging process by causing wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. St. John’s Wort oil can reduce the effects of aging and oxidative stress on the skin by scavenging these free radicals.
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Anti-inflammatory properties:
Due to the anti-inflammatory qualities of St. John’s Wort oil, skin inflammation can be reduced. Chronic inflammation can accelerate skin aging by breaking down collagen and elastin, which are essential proteins that provide structure and elasticity to the skin. St. John’s Wort oil can support extracellular matrix integrity and provide a more youthful appearance by lowering inflammation.
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Photoprotective properties:
St. John’s wort oil has been discovered to have photoprotective qualities, which may aid in shielding the skin from harm caused by UV radiation. One of the main contributors to wrinkles, fine lines, and sunspots is UV exposure from the sun. As a natural sunscreen alternative, St. John’s Wort oil may assist to reduce the damaging effects of UV radiation on the skin when applied topically before exposure.
VI. Skin brightening properties
St. John’s Wort oil contains skin-brightening effects, which can help to enhance the tone and texture of the skin. It has hypericin, a naturally occurring substance that has been shown to prevent the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. St. John’s Wort oil can help lighten black spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone by lowering melanin production, giving the skin a more young and radiant appearance.
VII. Conclusion
The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, collagen-stimulating, and skin-brightening qualities of St. John’s Wort oil contribute to anti-aging effects on the skin. The use of St. John’s Wort oil or any other new skincare product should always be done after consulting with a dermatologist or skincare expert because individual outcomes may vary.
Patch test
Always patch test before deciding to use any new product. Take a small amount and apply it to a small patch of skin, like the inside of your wrist, elbow, or jawline. Wait 24-48 hours to check for any signs of redness or irritation. If there’s no negative reaction after this period, then you can apply it on your skin. Always conduct a patch test before incorporating any new product into your routine.
Legal disclaimer
This content does NOT provide medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is NOT a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult your own doctor for more information.
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