Your healthier skin and thicker, more lustrous hair can be found where you least expect it! Pairing herbs and spices in your diet with clean skincare on your vanity and hair health products in your shower provides multiple avenues for utilizing Mother Nature’s gifts. Using the right herbs and spices for cooking healthy foods can enhance wellness, with many performing triple duty – being good to drink, eat, and apply topically. Here’s what to stock in your spice rack and tea caddy for a smoother, more radiant complexion and lustrous locks:

• Chamomile – Chamomile delivers mood-calming effects in a cup of tea. Every de-stressing sip indirectly helps your skin and hair, too, as a serene mind means less stress hormones and inflammation – key for skin and scalp health. Chamomile-infused skincare soothes and repairs fussy, irritated complexions, making it the bedrock of our gentle moisturizer and cleanser for dry sensitive skin. Note: Avoid chamomile if you are allergic to ragweed.
• Cinnamon – Cinnamon’s natural aroma energizes, reduces irritability, and promotes easier breathing and relaxation. Pop a cinnamon stick into your coffee or sprinkle it into yogurt to perk you up, enhance circulation, and reduce inflammation — key for healthier skin and scalps. Then, choose products for acne prone skin containing this antioxidant-rich spice for its non-drying, bacteria-inhibiting, and soothing benefits.
• Rosemary – Rosemary leaf extract contains antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory compounds said to improve circulation and boost immunity. Manganese within rosemary promotes repair, while carnosic acid can help slow cancer growth and reduce the risk of tumors. Make it your go-to to bring out the flavors of grains, mushrooms, roasted vegetables, chicken, beef, pork, and lamb! Or combine it with mint, lemon, cucumber, and water for a spa-like beverage.

A staple ingredient in natural skin care and products for hair thinning, it enriches, moisturizes, and protects the skin and scalp from free radical damage. It also imparts antimicrobial properties, helping control bacteria, dandruff, and other scalp conditions. Enjoy its refreshing effect in our natural face cleanser for oily skin, tension-relieving gel, and natural body scrub. For healthy scalp and hair, use a rosemary-infused hair growth shampoo and conditioner, followed by a growth serum, to promote hair strand thickness, volume, regrowth, texture, and shine.

• Thyme – Naturally aromatic, it makes an excellent flavor enhancer in soups, veggies, or meats. It contains vitamins A and C, antioxidants that protect skin and scalp against free radical damage. It also provides science backed blood pressure regulation, mood elevation, cough suppression, immune support, and cancer prevention benefits.

This antiseptic herb is proven to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi and help reduce acne scarring. Thyme is combined with cinnamon and other skin-clearing herbs in the ProCorrective Clear-Control Blemish Treatment and ProCorrective Clear-Control Moisturizer. A side benefit of thyme is that it is also found to ward off mosquitoes and other pests.

• Calendula – Calendula is found to help reduce inflammation and control bacteria and viruses. As inflammation is intricately tied with skin and scalp health, go ahead and sip a calming tea for health’s sake! Although a bit bitter, it can make a bright addition to salads or season foods. But avoid ingesting calendula if you are allergic to ragweed, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Multi-tasking calendula repairs, soothes, and helps control breakouts, which is why it is included throughout Pevonia skin care and body care products.

• Basil – Rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and magnesium, basil helps defend the skin, scalp, and body against damaging free radicals and inflammation. Use it in pasta and other dishes to help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Basil’s stimulating, antiseptic, astringent, and purifying properties help constrict pores and keep skin clearer, making it ideal for oily and breakout-prone skin! Find it in our sulfate free Phyto-Gel Cleanser.
• Mint– Menthol derived from peppermint, spearmint, and other mint oils cools the skin and scalp. It supports the skin structure, cleanses, and helps constrict skin pores. Pevonia uses it in the Tension Relief Gel, a lightweight, fast-penetrating formula that works quickly to diminish feelings of fatigue, tension, and discomfort.
• Lavender– Lavender imparts a natural, relaxing aroma excellent for soothing moods. Enjoy a relaxing cup of lavender-infused tea, which will indirectly calm down stress-induced skin conditions. Topically, it calms redness and irritation while naturally fostering skin repair.