When I was writing about healthy cosmetics, I was asked about Centella asiatica . It's found in a lot of cosmetics, especially in Asian countries, and for good reason. This plant truly has a stunning effect on the skin through a number of mechanisms—stimulating collagen and elastin synthesis, reducing NF-κB activity, reducing TNF-α production, and so on and so forth [1] (lots of arcane abbreviations).
To summarize, the most important effect is that centella "normalizes" connective tissue remodeling (when applied externally, this is the skin), meaning it activates fibroblasts to synthesize collagen and, on the other hand, triggers mechanisms that prevent fibrosis. This is a unique effect in my opinion, and it was invented by nature, not man...
So, I use this plant myself, both internally and externally. I don't recommend it internally because of various interactions that can harm the liver, but externally, it's an excellent remedy in the summer, when there's a lot of UV radiation and you need to protect your skin. In the photo, I show a natural Korean brand that contains only this plant extract and a solvent. There are no unnecessary chemicals, and I'm not advertising anything in my words; I simply respect such manufacturers.
I'd also like to mention another less obvious, but very cool natural remedy: coconut milk. It's full of minerals and contains plant phytohormones, such as kinetin . I'd highlight kinetin because it's a truly powerful and underrated substance with a number of beneficial properties, including its effect on cellular aging [2].
I use both coconut milk and pure kinetin (I bought it from a chemical reagent store, so I don't recommend you try that ).
Coconut milk can be used for shaving, instead of harmful "chemical" shaving foam. It helps maintain the skin's lipid barrier, making it brighter and overall better looking. Coconut milk can also be used on sunburn (not immediately, but after a couple of days). However, keep in mind that if you have acne or other skin inflammations, this treatment can trigger new breakouts, as excess lipids on the skin aren't always beneficial. However, it's a beneficial treatment for dry skin; look for organic coconut milk, free of sugars and preservatives, like the one pictured.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7498642/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9003334/
