A bowl full of fragrant, wholesome, colourful and soggy fruity-floral paste; a gentle touch of massage all over the face (cheeks, nose, chin and the forehead except the eyes and the lips), shoulders and the sensitive back; the right press of fingers on all the correct pressure points by a pair of trained hands; soft music to soothe the tired nerves under dimmed lights on a reclined seat at a salon or a parlour — all this to reset your body and recharge your exhausted energy batteries.
After a long day of tedious work in office or having juggled the daily chores at home, your mind and body need to unwind over the weekends only to return to the gruelling grind afresh.
At a time when going earthy and embracing holistic healing become a way of life, grooming trends then invariably tilt towards Mother Nature, looking for some pure inspiration. Evidently, cosmetic experts get busy exploring beauty hacks and extracting the same from their verdant surroundings. Yeah, you guessed it right. Organic wellness is the latest norm in the world of skin rejuvenation. Floral facials like sunflower, lotus and hibiscus are already a rage among the beauty conscious and glamour spotters.
Beauty that blooms
Endowed with revitalising properties, the pretty hibiscus flower found in a variety of hues like white, pink, red, orange, yellow, purple, blue or peach and shaped like a trumpet is a beautician’s dream to pamper his/her clients with. Often China rose is classified as a type of hibiscus with its scientific name Hibiscus rosa sinensis.
Talking about its specialty, Lemon Salons co-founder and cosmetic exponent Qurat Syed Deshmukh, said: “Hibiscus is known as the Botox plant. It is rich in antioxidants, AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and vitamin C, which facilitate natural exfoliation, skin tightening, essential hydration, amazing glow and acne control. The beauty of this blossom is that one can achieve all the beauty goals naturally.”
Aesthetic medicine expert and cosmetologist Dr. Gagan Raina explains that “a hibiscus facial meets a multi-purpose agenda. It works effectively as a natural exfoliant, hydrator and anti-aging treatment, all bundled into one.”
“It contains a plethora of ingredients to improve the quality and appearance of the skin. They are, namely alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that gently remove dead skin, antioxidants that protect against environmental damages and mucilage, a natural moisturiser that keeps the skin soft and supple. These elements help deeply cleanse the skin, thus enhancing its texture and giving it a fresh, radiant gleam,” she enlightens.
Echoing others, Dr Trishna Gupte, clinical cosmetologist, and founder and owner of the Cosmo-Square Clinic, ISCA institute, maintains, “Hibiscus is rich in natural acids, antioxidants and vitamins that synergise to scrape off the dead skin cells, refine pores and mend the overall skin texture. Opposed to the harsh chemical treatments, a hibiscus facial package provides tender yet fruitful skin renewal, making it suitable for regular use.”
Hibiscus boon
The face pack is highly beneficial to the skin as it unfurls a clutch of elements that bear a positive impact on its users. The power of natural exfoliation helps peel off the dry, dead skin cells from the top surface to reveal a fresher, spotless layer underneath. Further, it hydrates the skin, retaining its moisture level or water content and making it firm, pulpy and elastic. Hibiscus also brightens the skin tone, and reduces dullness and hyperpigmentation. Plus, its anti-aging properties minimise the fine lines and promote collagen production. Acting as a detox, it aids in unclogging skin pores and lessening acne.
Merits
Hibiscus naturally consists of AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and phenolic compounds, both of which help reinvigorate the skin. “AHAs gently dissolve the dead skin cells that turn flaky and rough, spurring cell regrowth and a smoother texture. Phenolic compounds act as powerful antioxidants, shielding the skin from environmental stress and premature aging. Together, they help keep the skin healthy, happy, plump and lustrous,” reports Dr. Raina.
Packed with the goodness of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and anthocyanins (natural pigments that may save the skin from harmful UV rays, decrease signs of old age and treat certain skin diseases), which provide multiple skin benefits, hibiscus is said to comprise antioxidants and vitamins in lumps.
“Vitamin C boosts collagen (skin protein) production to upgrade the skin texture and its flexibility. Vitamin A aids in cellular turnover, keeping the skin evergreen and springy. Last but not the least, antioxidants neutralise free radicals (a type of unstable molecule made during normal cell metabolism, which are the chemical changes taking place in a cell. Free radicals can build up in cells and injure other molecules, intensifying the risk of cancer and other acute ailments), preventing weathering and aging,” highlights Dr Gupte.
Reaping rich gains with the hibiscus unlocking some substantial value to one’s skin, the health freaks may fall back on the bud’s nourishing capacity for skin cell regeneration, fighting the harsh free radical damages and replacing dullness, blots, blemishes and scars with a glassy, luminous skin.
Downsides
Many dermatologists express concern over the use of hibiscus among people with very sensitive skin because hibiscus contains natural acids and an extremely delicate skin may experience mild irritation. “Side effects crop up rarely,” agrees Dr Gupte. “It’s always good to do a patch test before applying the face pack regularly to ward off side effects, if any. Using it in moderation ensures the skin gets all the advantages without witnessing any aridity or redness,” advises Dr. Raina.
Many complain of allergies to flower petals and pollen grains. Should then they avoid floral facials?
“Well, individuals vulnerable to florets or pollens should be cautious enough to factor in the risks before adopting any floral pack. That’s why it is so imperative to conduct an allergy test prior to applying any floral-based skincare product. However, if the niggle occurs and persists, then an array of botanical substitutes with similar benefits can be urgently taken into account to avoid further complications,” insists Dr Gupte.
D-I-Y Hibiscus Face Pack
The following ingredients can be tossed into preparing a hibiscus face mask:
2 tbsp of dried hibiscus powder (or fresh hibiscus petals blended)
1 tbsp of yogurt (for hydration and mild exfoliation)
1 tsp of honey (for moisture and antibacterial benefits)
A few drops of rose water (for added freshness) or milk
Below are the steps to follow while applying the hibiscus face pack to the skin:
Wash the face thoroughly to remove dirt, dust, oil, sweat and makeup.
Apply the pack evenly, avoiding the eye area.
Let it sit for 15-20 minutes so that the nutrients can be absorbed into the skin.
Gently massage in circular motions for mild exfoliation.
Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Follow up with a light moisturiser to achieve the best results.
