20 Incredible Neem Leaves Benefits for Skin and Hair

Neem leaves are derived from neem trees that are considered as a ‘divine tree’ in India because of its medicinal properties. It is also considered as a sacred tree due to its mythological linkage. Apart from its mythological importance and its health benefits, it has many beauty benefits as well. It is found to be very useful in combatting various skin and hair problems.

Benefits Of Using Neem Leaves For Skin

Neem has antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties among various other properties that make it very beneficial for fighting against various skin problems and improving skin health. Some of the benefits of neem leaves for skin are as follows:

1. Cures Acne

Neem is said to be an exceptional natural agent that helps in the fast treatment of acne outbreaks and acne scars. Neem prevents and treats acne in both oily and dry skins by maintaining the normal pH level of the skin.

Procedure

1. Make a paste of neem leaves and add a few drops of almond oil to it and mix it thoroughly.
2. Apply this paste gently on the problem area and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
3. Rise it off with normal tap water.

2. Cures Ring Worm Infection

Ringworm is very common among children and appears as red, scaly patches on the skin which is caused due to fungal growth and is contagious and spreads from skin to skin contact. Neem oil is used for curing ringworms because of its antifungal properties.

Procedure

1. Take neem oil and warm it before application in case it is solidified.
2. Apply it on the affected region.

3. Removes Dark Circles

There are various reasons that can cause dark circles that is they can be caused due to lack of sleep, drinking and smoking problem or due to heredity. Regenerative properties of neem make it very effective in removing dark circles.

Procedure

1. Take neem powder and add water to it to make a paste of good consistency.
2. Apply this paste on your under eyes and keep it for about 15 minutes and then wash it off.

4. Moisturizes Skin

Neem is rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids that make neem useful for providing moisture to the skin. It helps in restoring the natural elasticity of the skin and helps in treating rashes and redness of the skin that can be caused due to skin dryness.

Procedure

Mix a few drops of grapeseed oil in neem powder and apply it on your face to moisturize your skin.

5. Shrink Large Pores

Neem helps in shrinking large pores that are present on our skin. It also helps in deep cleansing of these pores in order to prevent any other skin infections. It also improves skin texture.

Procedure

1. Mix equal portions of neem powder and orange-peel powder and add rose water to it to make a paste of high consistency.
2. Apply this paste on your face and let it dry. Later, rinse it off with water.

6. Soothes Sunburned Skin

Sunburn is caused due to harmful UV rays of the sun and can also be caused due to some chemical products. Neem is considered as a natural remedy for healing sunburned skin. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of neem help in soothing sunburned skin.

Procedure

Apply neem oil on the sunburned skin. You can also dilute it with some other oil if required.

7. Delays Signs Of Ageing

Neem is rich in Vitamin E, omega-6, omega-9, fatty acids and palmitic acid that helps in repairing damaged skin and prevents wrinkles. It helps in protecting the skin and improves the elasticity of the skin thus delaying signs of ageing. The procedure of making a neem face-pack having anti-ageing benefits is as follows:

Procedure

1. Take half a cup of oatmeal in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of milk and 1 teaspoon of honey to it.
2. Add 2 teaspoons of neem paste or powder to it and apply it gently on your face in a circular motion.
3. Keep it till it dries and later, rinse it off with water.

8. Skin Toning

Skin toners help in skin cleansing and shrinking of pores. Neem leaves are found to have all the properties required in a skin toner.

Procedure

1. Take half a litre of water in a pan and add about 20 neem leaves to it and let it boil till the leaves are discoloured.
2. Strain the solution and use a cotton ball to apply it on your face as a toner.

[Read More: 10 Best Toners for Oily Skin]

9. Makes Skin Glow

Neem helps in getting a natural glow to the skin because of its inherent properties. It prevents the outbreak of acne and provides moisture to the skin thus leading to clear glowing skin.

Procedure

1. Make a face pack using dried neem leaves and adding yogurt/milk, honey and rose petal powder to it.
2. Mix it well and apply it on your skin and keep it for about 20 minutes.
3. Later, rinse it off with water mixed with a few drops of rose water.

10. Treats Skin Rashes

Anti-inflammatory properties of neem help in treating skin rashes effectively. It can be applied in the form of a paste on the affected region in order to soothe these rashes. Sunburn is also a kind of a skin rash that is treated by neem oil as described above.

11. Reduces Pimple Scars

As described above, neem helps in treating acne and pimples. Along with it, it also helps in treating pimple scars or acne scars that are often left behind after the treatment of acne and pimples.

Procedure

1. Mix 5 drops each of jojoba oil and neem oil and use a cotton ball to apply it on your acne/pimple scars.
2. Keep it for about 25 minutes and then rinse it off with water.
3. Repeat this twice a day in order to get the best results.

12. Prevents Recurrence Of Blackheads

When we use neem as skin toner it not only cleanses the pores of the skin it also helps in the removal of blackheads from the skin. Continuous application of this neem skin toner prevents the recurrence of blackheads.

13. Treats Skin Infection

Rashes that are treated with the help of neem oil can also be caused due to some allergic reactions. Neem leaves for skin allergies are one of its major applications. Topical application of neem in the form of a paste or oil can help in reducing inflammations. It can also be ingested in the form of a neem tea for internal treatment of allergies.

Benefits Of Using Neem Leaves For Hair

Apart from its various skin benefits, neem leaves are also found to be very helpful in treating various hair problems. Some of its benefits for hair are described below:

1. Treat Scalp Infections

Scalp infections are caused when fungi or bacteria enter the scalp due to damaged skin or hair follicles. Neem leaves have antimicrobial properties that help in the treatment of scalp infections and help in soothing itchiness caused by the scalp infection.

Procedure

1. Apply neem oil on the scalp. Add coconut oil to it as well for best results.
2. Keep it for about 25 minutes and then rinse it off with water.

2. Cures Lice

Neem is also found to be very effective in getting rid of lice. Azadirachtin present in neem oil helps in killing lice. The procedure is described below.

Procedure

1. To 1 teaspoon of neem oil add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and apply this on your scalp.
2. Keep it on for about an hour and then shampoo it as usual.
3. Repeat this every alternate day for a month or two.

3. Promotes Hair Growth

Neem leaves for hair growth are one of its most common applications. Fatty acid content present in neem helps in the development of a healthy scalp that promotes hair growth. Massaging neem oil on your scalp improves blood circulation thus enhancing the rate of hair growth. A neem paste can also be used for this purpose.

Procedure

Add water to neem powder to attain a grainy texture and apply it on your scalp.

4. Cures Dandruff

Neem leaves also help in curing dandruff which is flaky substance developed in our scalp that can cause itchiness in the scalp. Using neem leaves for hair dandruff is described below:

Procedure

1. Make a neem paste and add curd to it.
2. Apply this mixture on your scalp and keep it for 20 minutes and then rinse it off.

5. Reduces Hair Fall

Neem leaves not only help in increasing hair growth but also prevent hair fall. It prevents hair thinning and balding. Applying neem oil on the scalp not only promotes hair growth, but it also improves scalp health thus reducing hair fall. Application of neem leaves for hair loss is the same as neem leaves for hair growth.

6. Prevents Premature Greying

Neem oil can also be helpful for preventing premature greying of the hair by providing it with nutrients and minerals whose deficiency can lead to premature greying.

7. Conditions Hair

Neem has a moisturizing effect not only on the skin but also on the hair making it smooth and shiny. It helps in providing a silky texture to the hair.

Procedure

1. Make a paste of neem leaves and add honey to the paste.
2. Apply this on your scalp and keep it for about 10 minutes.
3. Later, wash it off with a mild shampoo.

8.Improve Scalp Health

Neem leaves help in deep exfoliation and cleansing and nourishing the scalp. The combination of curd and neem leaves helps in improving scalp health thus promoting hair growth and reducing other hair related problems.

Procedure

Mix neem paste with curd and apply it on your scalp and keep it for 15 to 20 minutes.

Also read:

20 Amazing Neem Powder Benefits

Neem Oil for Hair Growth- Benefits, Uses & more