1. Rose

I doubt there’s a flower that’s more popular than a rose, perhaps because it’s the classic “I love you” bloom. When it comes to your hair, the properties of a rose are pretty impressive because it contains an astringent that can remove excess build-up (if you’re looking for a natural way to clarify your locks), it has anti-inflammatory elements that can soothe an irritated scalp and it can even help to reduce frizzing. Your skin will like roses because they are loaded with antioxidants, they help to fight off free radicals, they’re a great skin moisturizer and, in rose water form, roses are a gentle and soothing make-up remover.

You can learn how to make your own rose water here.

2. Hibiscus

A flower that is known for being a “feminine one” is the hibiscus. It’s popular in Asia and represents things like femininity, beauty, and love.

If you’re currently on a mission to get your hair as healthy as possible, this flower not only helps to keep your tresses hydrated, it can help to give them thickness and more volume too. As if that’s not impressive enough, hibiscus can reduce dandruff, decrease hair shedding, and even help to prevent split ends. If slowing down the signs of aging is what you’re after, the hibiscus flower has you covered in that department as well, mostly because it helps to prevent collagen from breaking down in your skin, which ends up bringing more elasticity to it.

In fact, hibiscus is so effective in that department that it’s earned the nickname “natural Botox.” Some other things worth noting about this flower are it’s a gentle exfoliant, it helps to reduce skin inflammation and it can aid in preventing oxidative stress from wreaking havoc on your skin.

A recipe to make a face and neck cream with hibiscus in it is located here.

3. Sunflower

Sunflowers are full of vitamin E, oleic acid, and antioxidants. In oil form, they can help to reduce hair breakage, condition your hair, and soothe your scalp. Something else that sunflower oil can do is reduce some of the irritation that is associated with eczema, as well as treat acne since it can help to remove bacteria from your skin without clogging up your pores in the process.

4. Chrysanthemum

Some of my favorite flowers to see during the fall (even though many bloom as soon as late July or early August) are chrysanthemums. Your hair likes them because they have properties that reduce hair loss and also encourage hair growth. As a tea, the antioxidants and anti-inflammatories in chrysanthemums can decrease stress levels, which can ultimately help to prevent breakouts and slow down the signs of aging skin.

5. Arnica

If you’re not familiar with what an arnica bloom is, it looks a lot like a daisy — only it’s completely yellow. Although it’s probably best known as a pain reliever, it does contain properties that help to reduce dandruff, reduce puffiness (especially underneath your eyes), and smooth out the appearance of wrinkles so that your skin is able to have a youthful and naturally radiant glow.

6. Moringa

In oil form, I’ve shouted out the moringa flower before (check out “Uncommon (But Totally Natural) Things That Are Great For Hair Growth”). Since it’s a great source of vitamins A and E as well as zinc, if you want to strengthen your strands so that you can retain more length, it’s a good idea to apply moringa oil at least a couple of times a week (especially to your ends).

Speaking of your ends, although there really is nothing that can “repair split ends” (it really is best to just cut them and then really nurture your remaining ends moving forward), moringa oil does have a way of hydrating your hair and smoothing your cuticles, so that split ends are less of an issue. If you have dry skin, moringa oil can help to seal in moisture for longer periods of time. It also has a reputation for softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well.

7. Passion Flower

Honestly, since one of the best things that you could ever do for your hair and skin is consistently get a good night’s rest, if you like to soak in the tub before bedtime, add some passion flower petals to the water; they will help to decrease anxiety and ultimately improve your quality of sleep (just for the record, if you’re perimenopausal, they can help with hot flashes too). Beauty-wise, passion flowers can help to restore damaged hair and hydrate and soothe your skin.

Some recipes for how to make an all-natural body wash and hair serum are located here.

8. Jasmine

Just as a random FYI, one of the sexiest scents that you can ever wear is jasmine. It’s sweet, it’s fruity, and it’s…decadently sensual; that’s why it’s known as an aphrodisiac. Your hair will adore jasmine because it has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that help to bring relief to dandruff as well as being able to strengthen your hair over time. Your skin will enjoy it, too, because it both tones and softens it (yep, you can definitely use jasmine as an all-natural skin toner).

9. Calendula

Last fall, a tea that I shouted out that’s great for your hair is calendula tea (check out “10 Teas That Are Great For The Fall Season — As Far As Hair Growth Is Concerned”). Yeah, if you’re looking for something that will give your curls more definition (because it reduces frizz), calendula is a sweet go-to. Your skin will also like this particular flower thanks to its antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that all work together to treat acne, protect your skin from damaging UV rays, and reduce the symptoms that are associated with eczema.

10. Tulip

My all-time favorite flower is the tulip. I’m not 100 percent sure why, although I once read that it represents a “perfect deep love,” which is pretty cool. Anyway, because I enjoy them so much, I have done some research on them, and yep — they come with some hair and skin benefits , too. Since tulips are considered to be a humectant and humectants pull water from the air into your hair and skin, if you’re looking for a natural way to remain moisturized, that’s one reason to try them out. Also, tulips contain the type of amino acids that help to build collagen in your skin; this means they are a bloom that can help to fight the skin's aging. Dope.

11. Lotus

Lotus flowers represent things like rebirth, strength, and grace — all are the kinds of words that seem very fitting when you’re trying to maintain natural beauty. That said, because lotus flowers are full of antioxidants that help to decrease oxidative stress, that’s good to know because that’s the type of stress that accelerates the graying process of your hair and is tied to certain forms of alopecia. Since lotus flowers contain anti-inflammatory properties, too, this is another bloom that’s effective at naturally treating breakouts.

12. Honeysuckle

When I was a little girl, something that I liked to do was find honeysuckles and literally suck on them. Although, in hindsight, I definitely should’ve washed those suckers off (chile), I do recall that they did have a subtle sweetness to them. If you have similar memories, did you know that honeysuckle contains both health and beauty benefits? When it comes to your hair specifically, the properties in this flower can help to add moisture to your hair and prevent your locks from becoming brittle or developing split ends. Skin-wise, the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in them can bring relief if you’ve got eczema or psoriasis.

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A study once revealed that people who keep fresh flowers in their homes are not only more compassionate, they are less anxious and are happier, too. So, at some point this week (if you haven’t already), treat yourself by stopping by, shoot somewhere, and copping yourself a bouquet. Use the blooms for your mental health first — then upcycle them for beauty reasons. True perfection and the ultimate investment, if you ask me.

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