Many plants possess properties that can benefit skin health, contributing to cleansing and overall improvement. While no single plant definitively "cleans" skin in the way a soap does, several plants offer cleansing and beneficial effects.
Aloe Vera: The Healing Succulent
Aloe vera, a well-known succulent, is famous for its wound-healing properties. The gel within its leaves speeds up skin regeneration, contributing to a cleaner and healthier appearance. [Source: Aloe vera has dominated the beauty aisle for decades. The clear gel found in the leaves of the succulent is famous for treating wounds, bites, and burns. Researchers credit those healing powers to the plant's ability to speed up skin regeneration. 29-Jun-2018]
Oil Cleansing with Plant Oils
Certain plant oils, such as hemp, jojoba, and olive oil, can be used in the process of oil cleansing. The principle of "like dissolves like" suggests that these oils can help remove excess sebum (natural skin oil) from the skin. [Source: Proponents claim that because “like dissolves like,” plant oils (such as hemp, jojoba, olive, etc.) will cleanse excess oil from skin. Apr 16, 2021] This method isn't about cleaning in the traditional sense, but rather balancing the skin's natural oils.
Plants in Skin Care Products
Many plants are incorporated into cleansers and other skincare products for their beneficial effects. Green tea extract, for example, acts as a powerful antioxidant, cleaning and detoxifying the skin. Chamomile extract is another commonly used plant that soothes and cleanses. [Source: Powerful antioxidants found in Green Tea Extract clean and detoxify the skin naturally in our Cleanser. Chamomile. Calming Chamomile Extract cleans ick and oil.] These plants are often part of a broader formulation, not solely responsible for cleansing.
Important Note: Poisonous Plants
While many plants are beneficial to the skin, some are toxic. Contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac requires immediate washing to remove the plant's oils and prevent a rash. [Source: Immediately wash areas of the skin that may have touched the plant. Sometimes the resulting rash (contact dermatitis) can be completely avoided by washing the skin.] This washing is crucial to prevent a reaction, not to cleanse the skin in the traditional sense.
