History

• While it's not clear exactly when people began using herbs in beauty routines or in the treatment of skin conditions, evidence has been found that indicates the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese made use of herbal treatments. Herbs and oils were used to create makeup and hair dye and treat various skin conditions. While herbal treatments were visibly useful in treating skin conditions, it was Hippocrates, responsible for the creation of dermatology, who was best able to explicate the scientific reasons behind the successful herbal treatments.
  
  

Common Ingredients

• Herbal facial treatments often include many of the same ingredients. Some of the most common ingredients are chamomile, aloe vera, grape seed oil, rose water, lavender and coconut oil. Chamomile and aloe vera are useful in soothing and healing skin. Grape seed oil helps to improve blood circulation and diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Rose water can be used as a skin toner. Lavender also improves skin tone and helps with cell regeneration. Coconut oil acts as a light moisturizer.
  
  

Salon Treatments

• Salons and spas are a reliable source for quality herbal facial treatments. One of the most desirable aspects of using a salon or spa service is that they often offer herbal treatments customized for your skin type. Salons and spas also come with a plethora of additional services such as aromatherapy, massages and reflexology. Herbal facials offered by salons can be reasonably priced, but when combined with the extra services, the cost can increase dramatically.
  
  

At-Home Treatments

• Creating an herbal facial treatment at home is an easy and less expensive way to pamper your skin. Even more importantly, when you make your own herbal treatment, there are no questionable ingredients to worry about. However, making your own skin product can be somewhat challenging when trying to find all of the desired ingredients. The best sources for herbal skin treatments are usually health food stores and in some cases, vitamin stores.
  
  

Benefits and Drawbacks

• The 'all natural' label that comes with herbal treatments is very attractive as it indicates the lack of chemical or harsh ingredients. Herbs can provide noticeable results when it comes to evening-out skin tone and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Unfortunately, herbs and herbal treatments are not guaranteed to be hypoallergenic. Individuals with sensitive skin may want to exercise caution when using herbal products as allergic reactions or clogged pores are a possibility.