Skin & Hair
Breakouts, dry or sensitive skin, itch, tone, texture, sun protection and a simple routine.
General information, not medical advice. Each goal page shows what helps, what to avoid, the evidence and the safety points.
Goals in this category
11 goals
Manage Breakouts & Support Clearer Skin
Breakouts are common, and most people can calm them with gentle, steady habits and by leaving spots alone, while a few natural options have small amounts of evidence beh…
Relieve Dry Skin
Dry skin that feels tight, rough or flaky is common, and for most people it eases with gentler washing and regular moisturizing. This page is about everyday dry skin and…
Support Your Skin Barrier
The skin barrier is the outermost layer of the skin, and its job is to hold water in and keep irritants out. This page is about keeping that layer comfortable and intact…
Care for Sensitive Skin
Skin that itches, flushes or stings can often be calmed by gentler products, cooler water and a short list of trigger checks, and the NHS says itchy skin is not usually …
Reduce Skin Irritation
Skin that is red, stinging, dry or itchy after touching something is often reacting to an irritant such as soap, detergent, fragrance or too much water. This page is abo…
Manage Itchy Skin
Itchy skin is very common, and for most people it settles with cooling, gentle moisturising and a few changes to washing, clothing and heat. This page is about easing th…
Improve Uneven Skin Tone
Dark patches, sun spots and marks left after breakouts are common, and for most people they are harmless and can be softened with steady sun protection and a few well-st…
Improve Skin Texture
Skin that feels rough, bumpy or uneven is very common, and it is usually harmless. Most people can make it feel smoother with gentle care, steady moisture and sun protec…
Support Skin as It Ages
Skin changes with time through natural aging and through a lifetime of sun exposure, and fine lines, age spots and uneven tone are common and usually harmless. This page…
Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage
Sun damage builds up over years, and most of it can be reduced with a few steady habits: shade, cover-up clothing, and sunscreen used properly on the skin that is left. …
Build a Simple Skin-Care Routine
A simple routine for most people comes down to three habits: wash gently, moisturize, and protect your skin from the sun. This page explains what health agencies and tri…
Conditions
Ingredients and supplements
Claim checks and safety
Research
Foods, herbs, vitamins and supplements studied for this category
Strongest evidence first. Most evidence is low, so read each page's studies and safety points.
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) Vitamin
Preventing and correcting low riboflavin
Safety first: Riboflavin has a very good safety record at food levels - Aloe Vera Herbs
Minor burns (first- and second-degree): faster healing
Safety first: Aloe vera is three different products: only the clear inner-leaf gel is the 'gentle' one - Calendula Tea Herbal tea
Skin reactions from breast cancer radiotherapy (radiodermatitis)
Safety first: There is no safety study of calendula tea, and the EU infusion is for rinsing, not drinking - Calendula Herbs
Skin reactions from breast cancer radiotherapy (radiodermatitis)
Safety first: On the skin, calendula looks gentle for most people, but allergy is the main risk - Sweet Almond Oil Carrier oil
Stretch marks in pregnancy (on skin)
Safety first: Tree nut allergy comes first - Coconut Oil and Fractionated Coconut Oil Carrier oil
Eczema in children (virgin coconut oil on the skin)
Safety first: Mixing essential oils into a carrier oil lowers skin risk but does not make them safe - Gotu Kola Herbs
Fine lines and wrinkles
Safety first: Taking gotu kola by mouth has been linked to liver injury - Oregon Grape Herbs
Plaque psoriasis: skin severity (topical cream or ointment)
Safety first: Pregnancy, breastfeeding and newborns: avoid berberine-containing herbs