Whether or not you’ve got a green thumb, at some point, you’ve likely toyed with the idea of getting a houseplant or two. Maybe you’ve been admiring urban jungles on Instagram or even collecting plants for years. Either way, we can all agree that these little beauties add a natural touch and bring a sense of calm to the home. Not only do they boost your home decor, which is much appreciated now that we’re all spending more time at home than ever, but they can also improve your skin. Read on to learn which houseplants can help your skin and even become part of your skincare routine!
Alongside bringing a pop of colour to your space, plants also purify the air which is important even at home. Unfortunately, our homes are not completely free from pollutants which can prematurely age us. These can occur in the forms of cleaning chemicals, dust, and other toxins from paint, furniture, or gases from cooking. Plants have been proven to cleanse the air and remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), so it’s no surprise that NASA uses houseplants in their space stations. Furthermore, a 2018 joint study conducted by RHS and the University of Reading found that house plants could minimize symptoms of dry skin.
Looking forward to naturally cleansing your home’s air and getting some healthy skin benefits along the way? This is where you take matters into your own hands. Choose the houseplants that best fit your lifestyle, home, and expectations! Bear in mind that not all of these botanical babies may be the right fit for you. Here are our five favourite houseplants for glowing skin:
Also known as sansevieria or Mother-in-Law’s tongue, you’ve likely seen this tall and stripey plant in many magazines. Snake plants can grow to be quite big — as tall as eight feet if you’ll let them! This architectural plant is one of the best air-purifying houseplants that you can find. Rather than absorbing oxygen at night for its own use (as many plants do), snake plants give off oxygen and add to the airflow of your home. Also, they’re notoriously hard to kill as they don’t require much light or water, making them ideal for any houseplant newbies.
We’re sure that you’ve used your fair share of aloe vera skin care products, as this plant has blown up and become wildly popular in recent years. However, did you ever think about having a healing aloe vera to care for at home? Beyond being handy for treating wounds, acne, and a variety of skin conditions, this houseplant also helps remove pollutants in the air. It can help remove formaldehyde and benzene, which are often used in household cleaning products, leaving behind cleaner and fresher air for you to breathe. Just take care not to overwater it!
This houseplant, otherwise known as ficus robusta, is recognizable for its broad, shiny leaves that range in colour from green to red. One of the most popular houseplants, the rubber plant is easy to care for and requires minimal attention. NASA found that this plant was particularly good for improving air quality as it converted carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen. With cleaner air in your home, you may notice your skin is less stressed and you may even catch fewer colds.
Providing long-reaching leaves and beautiful lilies when cared for properly, the peace lily is another houseplant approved by NASA. This plant can help cleanse the air but more importantly, it adds humidity to the air. When it comes to skin, humidity is important for helping skin stay moisturised, as well as maintaining its barrier. Furthermore, keeping your house at the right level of humidity can help you overcome dry skin, especially in winter! Again, simply take it easy when it comes to watering, as overwatering can send this lovely houseplant to an early grave.
Depending on where you live, you may or may not have a hard time growing a rose bush. Luckily, there are some varieties of this plant that can grow indoors. Often considered a romantic flowering plant, roses also offer plenty of natural skin health benefits, meaning they can beautify your home and skin at the same time. You can use rose petals to craft rose water, calming baths, natural face scrubs, or even rose petal powders for soap making. There’s a world of opportunity with this houseplant!
Houseplants can add a natural touch to your home, cleanse the air and, yes, help give you naturally beautiful skin. Have any of these plants at home? Let us know in the comments! Anyone looking to craft safe and natural skincare may want to take advantage of the discount on our Traditional Soapmaking eBook. Those searching for guided learning should find out more about WapoBeauty’s Complete Facial Skincare Online Course for Beginners and discover how to make professional, safe, and stable natural beauty products. Join the ranks of students who found this class valuable and rewarding!
Ashuni Pérez is an American writer based in Valencia, Spain. She has a passion for natural beauty and the environment. Ashuni loves to cycle and drink smoothies in the sun. Follow her on Instagram at @ashuuuuni.
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