Is Saint John's Wort Good For Your Skin?
Whether you are addressing adult eczema or in search of a new moisturizer, this plant is a great way to add more vitamins and minerals to your skin.
Also known as Hypericum perforatum, this plant has scientifically been proven to address hormonal and emotional conditions, like depression and mood swings.
But, what makes St John’s wort good for your skin?
When applied topically as an oil, St John’s wort soaks into the deeper surface of the skin. From there, it can target the root causes behind common skin conditions, like dryness and inflammatory acne.
In this blog post, I’ll highlight some frequently asked questions about how St John’s wort oil affects your body. Here’s what you can expect answers for:
What vitamins are in St John's wort for the skin?
Does St John's wort oil have side effects?
What’s the recommended dosage for St John’s wort on the skin?
Who should not use St John’s wort oil?
With that out of the way, let’s start off with the vitamins and minerals present in this oil.
Photo of St John’s Wort - Courtesy of Wildflowers of Ireland
What Vitamins Are In St John's Wort For The Skin?
Plant-based oils will always have an advantage over most pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter treatments. That’s because all-natural products are usually free from harmful and artificial ingredients.
So, can you use St John’s wort oil on your face? Yes!
That being said, St John’s wort oil features dozens of vitamins and minerals which benefit the skin, including:
Niacinamide - Hydrates the skin.
Hyperforin - Promotes wound healing.
Carotenoids - Increase moisture retention.
Hypericin - Fights off bacteria.
St John’s wort oil also holds anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, which helps in treating cuts, bruises, wounds, and other skin abrasions. These properties also ward off bacteria and prevent further infection.
In a 2017 study, topical use of St John’s wort oil was able to relieve pressure sores. The oily extract was applied to an ICU patient, who showed visible signs of improvement after forty (40) days.
While I’m on the topic of skin benefits, let’s also look at what side effects this serum can have.
Photo of St John’s Wort - Courtesy of Healthline
Does St John's Wort Oil Have Side Effects?
While it has a lot of key benefits, this oil has its negative effects on skin. These are some of the side effects of St John’s wort oil:
Skin irritation
Sensitivity to light
Skin irritation is a common side effect. It was reported that persons experienced symptoms like itching after applying St John’s wort topically.
To reduce the chance of irritation, you should complete a patch test before adding this oil to your skin care regimen.
A patch test is a simple way to see how your skin will react to soaps, cosmetic products, serums, creams, and other topical products. Patch testing allows you to see if a product will irritate your skin. That way, you won’t risk having a bad reaction to the product, like an allergy or chemical burn.
You should carry out patch testing on an area of your body/face that is easily hidden away. Some recommended patch test areas are behind your ear, the sides of your neck or the underside of your jaw.
The other common side effect of St John’s Wort is increased sensitivity to light.
Studies have shown that some persons experienced sunburns and further irritation when their skin was exposed to direct sunlight. One of the substances in the oil (ie: Hypericin) causes the skin to grow more sensitive to UV light. Because of this, sunburns tend to develop quicker when using this oil in “highly concentrated amounts”.
This can be prevented by wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen directly to the skin. It’s best to discontinue using this plant topically if the problem persists.
What’s The Recommended Dosage For St John’s Wort On The Skin?
Now, how much St John’s wort oil should you use on your skin? The best practice is to apply a few pumps of oil with each use!
However, this depends on what you hope to relieve. For example, there would be a difference in the amount of oil used when treating eczema versus when soothing pain caused by arthritis. Here’s how to apply St John’s wort oil to the skin.
You can use St John’s wort oil as a massage oil, too. It can be used to relieve muscle cramps and soreness. To use this, apply a few pumps of the oil then massage the serum into your skin. You can also apply heat with a hot water bottle to allow the oil to penetrate deeper into the skin and muscle tissue.
For your typical skincare routine, you can use St John’s wort oil as a face lotion. Simply add a few drops to your face to hydrate your skin, just like how you’d use a moisturizer.
For minor abrasions like wounds and bruises, you can also apply 1-2 pumps of the oil, then gently rub the oil in and around the affected area.
If you prefer to mix or develop your own salves, creams, or ointments, you can use St John’s wort oil along with other plant-based ingredients for your convenience!
Photo of St John’s Wort - Courtesy of Dr Weil
Who Should Not Use St John’s Wort Oil?
I strongly advise that pregnant women and nursing mothers avoid using St John’s wort oil, as there is not enough research done in this area.
A study from Ankara City Hospital Bilkent will take place between February 2023 and September 2023. This will test the effects that St John’s wort oil may have during pregnancy. Once the results of that research are made public, I can offer further guidance through consultation.
Persons who are allergic to the Hypericum perforatum plant, as well as the following ingredients, should also not use the oil topically:
Plants in the Asteracae/Compositae family (eg: chamomile, yarrow)
Lavender essential oil
Castor oil
Olive oil
Those who are using prescription medication for blood thinners, photosensitivity drugs, and Aminolevulinic acid should consult a medical professional before attempting to try St John’s wort oil.
Photo of St John’s Wort - Courtesy of Khela Herbs
Final Thoughts
St John’s wort can be applied directly to the skin by using oil made from the plant.
Like other herbal products, there are a few topical side effects of St John’s wort oil: Sensitivity to sunlight and skin irritation.
Persons may experience an increased risk of sunburn and skin irritation when taking this oil. To prevent that, it’s best to do a patch test. If the patch test is successful, they can continue to use the oil -- Though I recommend wearing sunscreen and/or protective clothing afterward.
While there are a select few that should avoid using St John’s wort oil, our exclusive infusion is safe for most skin types.
All-In-One St John’s Wort Oil is made with flowering buds, along with essential oils, which combine to create a soothing and hydrating serum.
This oil can be applied to the face and skin to increase moisture retention, minimize fine lines or wrinkles, and treat wounds, cuts, and bruises.
St John’s wort oil can also help with soothing aches, pains, and soreness when massaged into the affected area.
All these benefits combined are what make St John’s wort good for your skin. Regardless of what you need, start your new skin care regimen here.