Your Mom Knew This Ingredient Was Bomb Before You Did

If your first memory of ginger is your mom thrusting it in your face at the first sign of sniffles, then, same. But, as it turns out, mamma knows best! As well as being the literal pioneer in fighting off colds, ginger comes with a ton of benefits that work on the outside as well as the inside. Upholding its reputation as a healing ingredient, ginger has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, thermal, antioxidant, and basically, magical properties.

Source: Tetiana Rostopira

Ginger Skin Benefits

Ginger is packed with antioxidants, which means it helps to protect the skin from damaging free radicals that cause aging. It’s also one of the most popular home remedies for treating hyperpigmentation and acne scars since forever – rub a piece of ginger on areas you want to treat twice a day.

Due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, ginger is great for acne. The anti-inflammatory properties reduce the swelling caused by breakouts while soothing pain, and the antiseptic properties penetrate deep into the skin to help combat bacteria.

Ginger Hair Benefits

As well as being great for your skin, ginger is the answer to some age-old hair woes. Ginger has thermal properties, which means that when in contact with the skin, it can feel like it’s heating up. When we experience hair loss or thinning, it can be caused by a lack of circulation. So, by applying a warming agent such as ginger, which increases circulation, it can help to stimulate the hair follicles, and encourage long, strong and healthy hair! Ginger also contains minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids that help strengthen and feed the hair.

5 Ways to Use Ginger

Use it raw: Fresh ginger works as a spot treatment. When you start to feel an uninvited visitor coming on, apply fresh ginger to the area and let it work its magic.

Use it as an essential oil: Add ginger essential oil to your shampoo. A few drops in your shampoo will help stimulate your hair follicles, promoting growth, and also helping to keep dandruff at bay.

Make a cellulite scrub: Combine two tablespoons of fresh, grated ginger with 1/4 cup of sugar and 4 tbsps of coconut oil, then work the scrub into your skin. As well as exfoliating, the mixture’s heat will encourage the breakdown of fatty deposits caused by cellulite.

Use ginger as a toner: Peel and thinly slice a whole root of ginger. Then, boil it in a pan for at least 20 minutes and allow it to simmer. Let the mixture cool down and store the water in a glass spray bottle. Using a cotton ball, apply it to your face for a gorgeous, warm glow.

Ginger tea: Ginger is also amazing for your body – but your mom probably told you that already. Ginger is great for soothing sore throats and drinking ginger tea is also an amazing way to help get rid of nausea and soothe period pains – sounds weird, but it works.

Ginger Products We Love:

Sweet Chef Ginger + Vitamin C Serum Shot, $20. Brighten and even out your complexion with this delicious, antioxidant-rich serum.

Majestic Pure ginger essential oil, $28.50. Add a few drops into your shampoo or your face cream for gingery goodness.

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Moisture Lather Shampoo, $20. Strengthen your locks with this dreamy, lathery, sulfate-free shampoo.

First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Ginger & Turmeric Vitamin C Jelly Mask, $32. Perfect for all skin types, this mask revitalizes skin to ease dryness, redness, and dullness.

Origins Ginger Souffle™ Whipped Body Cream, $37. A spa day in a pot, this body cream nourishes dry and tired skin.

Have you guys used ginger in your beauty routine before? Let us know how you use it in the comments below.