Burdock oil for the face: properties and applications

Today, most people are trying to replace purchased cosmetics with homemade products. Most often, such experiments concern the face, since no one wants to feel the harmful effects of mass production on their appearance. One of the natural products that is gaining popularity in the field of skin, lip, eyelash, eyebrow and even beard care is burdock oil. But before using the squeeze, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the nuances of its use, and most importantly, with the contraindications.

What is burdock oil

Burdock oil is a squeeze from burdock rhizomes. It turns out that this pesky weed has many beneficial properties. The plant is distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, mainly in Eurasia. Oil is obtained in two ways:

• Extraction using oil conveyors. The most expensive method. In this case, the raw materials are filled with mineral residues.
• Distillation with carbon dioxide. This method allows you to preserve more useful substances from the rhizomes.

The pomace has a subtle odor reminiscent of the aroma of sunflower seeds. Typically, the oil has a pale yellow tint that fades during storage. Interestingly, the product has a thick and viscous consistency. Burdock root extract has a denser texture than other oils (such as sunflower or olive). That is why the product is considered more concentrated and is used in small quantities.

Burdock oil is a base oil, not an essential oil. Thanks to this feature, the product can be used for facial care both in pure form and in combination with other components. The latter often refers to essential oils that interrupt the specific aroma of the squeeze from burdock rhizomes.

Chemical composition

Burdock oil contains the following active components:

• Polysaccharide inulin (about 45% of volume). Promotes the removal of radionuclides and heavy metals from cells. The latter, accumulating in tissues, accelerate their aging.
• Proteins. They are the building material of all tissues of the body, including the skin.
• Essential oils. Positively affects the tone of the dermis.
• Fatty acids: palmitic, stearic and others. They form a thin film on the surface of the skin that protects the dermis from aggressive environmental influences: wind, ultraviolet rays, etc.
• Minerals: potassium, silicon, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, selenium and others. They are essential substances for the normal functioning of dermal cells.
• Vitamins:
  • C. It is a natural antioxidant, which means it neutralizes free radicals, and also prevents premature aging and cell death.
  • A. Helps even out the color and surface of the dermis, accelerates the process of tissue regeneration.
  • Group B. Tones up fading and aging skin, improves the production of collagen and elastin.
  • E. Helps soften the skin and also enhances blood microcirculation.
• Other components: flavonoids, arctigenin, etc.

Types of oil

On store shelves you will find not only ordinary burdock root oil, but also products with additives. Pay attention to the following varieties:

• With chili pepper. Typically used for hair. Under no circumstances should such a product be applied to the face (with the exception of the beard), even if it is in low concentration in any cosmetic composition.

• With nettles. The product is also used exclusively for hair care. However, the squeeze can also be used for eyebrows and eyelashes. In addition, oil with nettle extract accelerates the healing of minor damage to the dermis (wounds, scratches) and relieves itching.

• With vitamins (A, E, B and others). This product can be safely used in facial care.
• Others: with keratin, ceramides, propolis, etc. Mainly used in the care of hair, eyebrows and eyelashes.

How to select and store a product

Burdock oil is one of the most common. Despite its budget price, the product is often counterfeited. To avoid buying fake burdock root extract, you should pay attention to the following points:

• Purchase method. Do not purchase the product on the Internet, as this way you will not be able to smell the aroma or evaluate the color of the product. Look for oil in pharmacies and stores specializing in aromatherapy or cosmetics.
• Name. Burdock oil is sometimes referred to as “burdock root extract.” This name is synonymous with classic and should not confuse you.
• Marking. On a product from a foreign manufacturer, as a rule, you can find the inscriptions “burdock oil”, “arctium lappa” “bur oil” and “burdock root oil extract”. The presence of one of these designations is a sign of high quality oil.
• Compound. If the burdock extract is obtained by extraction, it will contain impurities of other oils. It would be good if the composition indicated which ones. In the case when you purchase a squeeze with additives (with nettles, vitamins, etc.), make sure that the product contains natural extracts and not flavors or dyes.
• Date of manufacture. Good burdock oil should be produced during the fall, since it is at this time that the raw material, burdock roots, is collected.
• Best before date. Must be specified for the period before and after the product is printed.
• Package. Typically, burdock root extract is produced in dark plastic bottles. However, a glass bottle can also serve as packaging. The main thing is that the container is intact and darkened. The fact is that when interacting with oxygen and light, oil deteriorates faster.

• Color. High-quality burdock root extract has a yellowish tint. The brown color of the product is a clear sign of counterfeit or low-quality oil.
• Smell. Barely noticeable, similar to the aroma of sunflower oil. If the pomace smells too strongly, then most likely it contains flavorings. The latter, when regularly introduced into the body, have a negative effect on its functioning.
• Consistency. The texture of burdock extract is always thicker than that of other oils. The product should not quickly flow out of the bottle, but gradually slide off the walls.

Burdock squeeze should be stored in a dark place out of reach of children. In this case, the air temperature should not exceed 25^оC. The oil can be stored in a sealed bottle for two years, and it is recommended to use an open product for several months.

Contraindications for use

Burdock root squeeze is a natural herbal product, therefore it has only a few contraindications when used for facial care:

• Individual intolerance.
• Eye diseases in the acute stage. Any external influence in this situation can have an extremely negative impact on the health of the mucous membranes.

It should also be remembered that burdock oil significantly accelerates hair growth and also awakens dormant follicles. That is why women suffering from excessive facial hair (on the upper lip or chin area) should not use burdock root extract for skin care, so as not to aggravate the situation.

Precautions and Side Effects

When using burdock oil for facial care, try to observe the following precautions:

• Test the product for individual intolerance. To do this, apply a little squeeze to the inside of your elbow or wrist. Monitor your skin condition throughout the day. If after the specified time no significant changes (redness, rashes, itching, etc.) have occurred in the dermis, feel free to use the facial care product. Otherwise, it is not recommended to use the squeeze. Remember that an allergy test should be performed every time you change oil manufacturer. Also, try to remember to check product formulations in the same way. The fact is that some people are allergic not to the pomace itself, but to its combination with other components.
• Do not add burdock root oil to commercial cosmetics. Any squeeze helps the ingredients that enter the skin along with it to penetrate deeper into the layers of the dermis. Mass-produced facial care products contain a certain amount of harmful ingredients. Getting the latter into the deep layers of the skin can negatively affect its appearance.
• Do not use pure oil if you have oily skin. In this case, squeezing can provoke increased activity of the sebaceous glands, which will certainly aggravate the problem.
• Use the product only on dry and clean skin. This rule is also true for eyebrows, eyelashes and beard. Many people do not pay attention to this rule and use the squeeze on the skin, the cosmetics from which have not yet been washed off. This method of using the product will lead to clogged pores, the appearance of acne and deterioration of the complexion.
• Do not use oil that has expired. Such experiments will negatively affect not only the appearance, but also the health of the skin. The fact is that the pomace goes rancid and oxidizes over time. Substances formed during this process slow down intracellular metabolism and interfere with normal cell function.
• Be sure to take breaks from using burdock root oil. The best option would be to use the product for 6–8 weeks (depending on the composition of the product and the intended purpose).

If you use burdock oil incorrectly, and also ignore precautions and contraindications, then the following side effects may occur when caring for your face:

• For the dermis on the lips and face:
  • itching,
  • rash,
  • redness,
  • greasy shine,
  • pimples,
  • black dots.
• For eyebrows and eyelashes:
  • thinning,
  • dropping out,
  • loss of density and thickness.

Benefits of burdock oil for the face

When caring for the face, a squeeze of burdock rhizomes has the following effects:

• Helps normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Only relevant when mixing the product with other ingredients, for example, lemon juice or fermented milk products.
• Accelerates the metabolism inside the cells of the dermis, due to which the skin color significantly improves and its tone increases.
• Accelerates the process of tissue regeneration. With regular use of oil, the skin renews itself faster, making it look younger and fresher.
• Saturates tissues with moisture and nutritional components.
• Forms a thin film on the surface of the dermis. The latter not only protects the face from wind, ultraviolet radiation and other aggressive environmental influences, but also helps the tan to go on more evenly. In addition, the product prevents the formation of burns during prolonged exposure to the sun, which is especially important for residents of warm countries.
• Effectively relieves minor inflammations. This is facilitated by arctigenin, which is present in the pomace.
• Smoothes out wrinkles. Of course, the product will not cope with deep wrinkles, but it will cope with small expression wrinkles.
• Helps quickly eliminate peeling. The latter cause significant discomfort to owners of dry skin, especially during the cold season.
• Helps tighten pores. This property only works when the oil interacts with other components.
• Soothes irritated skin. Burdock squeeze quickly and effectively relieves redness of any nature (except allergic).
• Accelerates blood flow. Increased supply of moisture and nutrients to cells improves their functioning.
• Provokes increased production of collagen and elastin. These substances are responsible for the elasticity of the dermis.
• Tightens the skin. The effect is noticeable only with regular use.
• Helps remove waste and toxins from tissues. The latter, accumulating in cells, impair their functioning.
• Stabilizes water-fat balance.
• Cleanses the skin surface from dead particles of the dermis.
• Intensively softens the skin.
• It fights bacteria on the surface of the dermis, due to which it is used in the fight against acne.
• Awakens hair follicles.
• Increases the thickness of eyelashes and eyebrows.
• Makes hair stronger and thicker.
• Prevents thinning of eyebrows and eyelashes.
• Eliminates chapped lips.

Using burdock extract for the face

Squeeze from burdock rhizomes is widely used in home facial care. The oil is used to improve the condition of the skin, eyelashes, eyebrows and even beard.

For the skin

Burdock extract can be used for both normal and oily, combination and dry skin. Most often, the product is used in its pure form or is part of masks.

Preparing the skin for oil exposure

To ensure that the results of using the squeeze for skin care are as high as possible, each time before using the product, follow the proposed algorithm for preparing the dermis:

1. Remove makeup from your face. It is recommended to do this using a special product: micellar water, milk or gel. Make sure that there is no eye shadow, lipstick, foundation or other decorative cosmetics left on the skin.
2. Visit the sauna, steam bath, or just take a bath. You can also use a warm compress or inhalation. The fact is that steamed skin better absorbs the active components of the applied compositions. The compress is made as follows: dry nettle leaves, chamomile flowers and mint, taken in an amount of 1 tablespoon, are poured with 300 ml of hot water. The liquid is infused for an hour.
3. After the allotted time has passed, the water is filtered.
4. A napkin or cotton cloth is moistened in the resulting infusion. The latter is applied to the skin of the face.
5. After a third of an hour, the compress can be removed

Pure use

In its pure form, burdock root extract is used exclusively for spot use. The use of the product is relevant for several purposes:

• elimination of acne and blackheads;
• treatment of skin diseases: eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and furunculosis;
• accelerating the healing of scars left after cuts or large pimples.

In order to use the product precisely, you should stock up on cotton swabs. Dip the tip of the latter in the squeeze, and then apply it to the places that bother you. The product should not be washed off, but left until completely absorbed.

In cases where acne-affected areas have a large area, it is recommended to use the squeeze a little differently:

• Dilute burdock oil with water. The ratio of products in this case is 1:1.
• Wipe your face with a cotton pad soaked in linden or chamomile infusion (1 tablespoon of dried flowers, pour 1/2 cup of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes).

• Apply the water-oil mixture to problem areas using the pads of your fingers.
• Massage your skin for 3-5 minutes. In this case, all movements should be directed from bottom to top to achieve an additional effect: lifting.
• Wait until the product is completely absorbed. There is no need to rinse off the product. However, if there is excess composition left on the skin, you can blot it with a paper napkin.

Masks

Most often, a squeeze of burdock roots for facial skin care is used as part of homemade masks. The latter are usually used 1–2 times a week. The exact frequency depends on the components that the mask contains. If the composition contains very active ingredients, such as essential oils, panthenol or citrus juices, then it is not recommended to use the product more than once every 1 days. In other cases, the procedure can be performed twice a week. The course of masks includes 7–15 sessions at your discretion. Upon completion, you should take a break for a month. After resting, the procedures can be safely resumed if the resulting effect suits you. All compositions should be applied following the massage lines.

Try the following recipes for face masks with a squeeze of burdock roots:

• 2 tsp burdock oil, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 10 g honey. Cook oatmeal in the classic way without adding sugar, salt, milk and other ingredients. Mix the ingredients. The product should have the consistency of thick yogurt. The exposure time of the mask is a quarter of an hour. The product should be washed off with plenty of plain water. The composition intensively tones the skin and increases its elasticity.

• 2 tsp burdock oil, 5 ml panthenol, one egg yolk, 1 apricot. Beat the latter in a blender or mash with a fork. Add the yolk to the fruit slurry, and then the other ingredients. When applying the product, avoid the skin around the eyes. The duration of the procedure is half an hour. It is recommended to wash off the composition with water with the addition of fresh ginger root. The mask prevents premature aging of the dermis and makes existing wrinkles less noticeable.

• 5 ml of burdock root extract, 10 g of black cosmetic clay, 5 ml of viburnum extract (can be purchased at the pharmacy or replaced with lemon ether, taken in the amount of 2 drops). Combine the clay with warm water so that the mass acquires the consistency of thick sour cream. Pour the remaining ingredients into the resulting slurry and mix everything thoroughly. Session duration is 10 minutes. It is advisable to wash off the product using onion broth (pour the peels of 3-5 onions with a liter of water and boil for 5 minutes, then cool and strain). The mask helps normalize the activity of the sebaceous glands, due to which, with regular use, it prevents the occurrence of acne and blackheads.

• 1 tbsp. burdock root squeeze, 2 tbsp. natural liquid honey. Combine the ingredients and apply them to the skin. After a third of an hour, rinse your face generously with water. The mask has the property of drawing out accumulated impurities from the pores and then narrowing them. Thanks to this, the product is used in the treatment of blackheads.

• 80 ml burdock extract, 200 ml unrefined olive oil. Combine the components and heat the resulting mass in a water bath. Ten minutes should be enough. After this, cool the product slightly and put it in a room whose temperature does not exceed 20^оC. Apply the finished mask to the area under and around the eyes. The product smoothes out fine wrinkles and reduces the appearance of bruises under the lower eyelids.

• 5 drops of burdock root extract, 1 tsp. aloe juice, a sprig of parsley. Grind the latter using a blender or knife. Mix greens with remaining ingredients. The exposure time of the mask is half an hour. Rinse off the product with warm water. The composition promotes intensive tissue hydration and eliminates flaking on the skin, and also enhances blood microcirculation. The mask is suitable for normal and dry skin types.

• 1 tsp burdock oil, 2-3 drops of geranium ether, 15 g of crushed brewer's yeast, 1 tsp. water. Mix the ingredients. The exposure time of the mask is a quarter of an hour. The product should be washed off with water and grapefruit juice, the recommended ratio is 3:1. The mask soothes irritated skin, quickly relieves various types of inflammation, and also makes the face softer and velvety. The product is ideal for oily dermis.

• 10 ml of burdock root extract, 10 g of homemade cottage cheese, 1 capsule of vitamin E (sold in any pharmacy), 10 ml of full-fat milk. Mix dairy products in a blender. Add vitamin E and oil to the resulting mass. The exposure time of the mask is half an hour. At the end of the procedure, rinse off the product with plain water and then wipe your face with a damp cotton pad. The composition intensively softens and nourishes the skin, and also treats minor damage and eliminates flaking. The mask is ideal for caring for dry skin types.

• 10 ml burdock oil, 10 g natural liquid honey, 12 g rye flour, 2-3 drops of cinnamon ether, 1 tbsp. dry nettle leaves. Pour a glass of boiling water over the latter and leave for half an hour. After the allotted time has passed, strain the infusion and mix it with flour. Add the remaining ingredients to the resulting slurry. The mask is effective for a quarter of an hour. Rinse off the product with warm water with the addition of 2-3 drops of peach seed oil. The composition intensively tones the skin and also fights puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.

• 10 ml of burdock root extract, 1 raw egg, 5 ml of glycerin (sold at the pharmacy), 10 g of grape seed powder (can be replaced with almond crumbs). Apply the mixed ingredients to the skin. Massage your face a little and leave the mask on for 15 minutes. After the required time has passed, wipe the skin with a damp cotton swab. The composition accelerates cell regeneration processes and actively moisturizes the dermis.

• Burdock oil and yellow cosmetic clay, taken in an amount of 1 tablespoon, 2-3 drops of pine ether: spruce, fir or other. Dilute the dry ingredient with water so that the mass acquires the consistency of thick yogurt. Pour the remaining ingredients into the resulting slurry. The exposure time of the mask is 10 minutes. At the end of the procedure, it is recommended to do a contrast wash: turn on either hot or cold water. The mask carefully cleanses the surface of the skin from dead particles. The product is suitable even for sensitive and dry skin types.

Application for lips

When cracks, boils and herpes appear on the lips, burdock oil will also come to the rescue. The latter not only heals damage of any nature, but also makes the skin more hydrated and soft. In addition, the squeeze fights viruses and bacteria that get into the cracks of the dermis, thereby preventing the further development of infection. The product should be applied to the lips in its pure form in a thin layer. It is recommended to do this before bed to allow the oil to work overnight.

Makeup remover

To remove makeup using a squeeze of burdock roots, you need to stock up on the product itself, cotton pads and warm water. Follow the suggested algorithm:

1. Dip the cotton swab in the water for a few seconds and then squeeze out the excess moisture.
2. Drop a little oil (5–6 ml) into the center of the disk.
3. Fold the cotton and rub the halves of the tampon against each other.
4. Straighten the disc and move it over those areas of the face where cosmetics are applied. The natural product acts slower than store-bought analogues, so if you are unable to completely remove your makeup the first time, repeat the procedure.

Interestingly, you can remove makeup using burdock oil even from the eyes and lips.

For eyelashes and eyebrows

Squeezing burdock roots not only strengthens hair, but also makes it more manageable. In addition, when used regularly, the product prevents eyelash loss and increases their volume. For these purposes, you should choose regular burdock oil without any impurities.

When using burdock extract for eyebrows and eyelashes, follow the following algorithm:

• Take an old mascara bottle and rinse it thoroughly. Do the same with the brush.

• Pour burdock oil into a vertical container. Do not fill the bottle completely, as this will cause the squeeze to spill during use.
• Apply the product as you would regular mascara or eyebrow gel. It is recommended to do this before bed.
• Frequency of use: 2–3 times a week for a month. At the end of the course, take a break for 30–45 days, and then, if necessary, resume the procedures.

For beard

Burdock oil is actively used by men to care for their beards. Squeeze has the following effects on vegetation:

• activates growth,
• increases thickness and density,
• adds shine,
• eliminates fragility.

Remember to prepare your skin and strands before using a beard product. To do this, visit a sauna or bathhouse. Procedures such as showers and inhalations are also suitable. Once the skin is steamed, proceed to one of the following beard care methods with burdock oil:

• Masks. Try a few recipes:
  • 1 tsp. castor oil and burdock oil. Combine the ingredients and heat them in a water bath for 5 minutes. Dip your fingertips into the oil mixture. Run your hands through your beard, trying to pay attention to each strand. It is recommended to do this before bed 1-2 times a week. In the morning, wash off the product with water and shampoo. Once every 2 months you should stop for 20–25 days so that your hair and skin do not have time to get used to the active effects.

• • 1 tsp pepper tincture (sold at the pharmacy), 2 tsp. burdock root extract. Apply the mask in the same way as in the previous recipe. The product should not be kept on all night, but only for a quarter of an hour, since the composition contains an aggressive component. Use the mask once a week. The course consists of 1 procedures. At the end, you should rest for 10 month, and then, if desired, resume sessions.

• Massage. To complete the procedure you will need 1 tsp. burdock root extract. Rub the product into your palms and begin to intensively rub it through the strands of your beard, as well as along the root zone. Five minutes of active exposure should be enough. This can also be done using a small comb. To do this, apply a few drops of the product to the device and run it through the strands 10-15 times. Perform massage 1-2 times every 7 days.

Reviews about the use of burdock oil in facial care

I have been using burdock oil for more than two months - morning and evening. The first results from use became noticeable after three weeks. The eyelashes became a little thicker and what pleased me even more, they became brighter. Then things got even better - my eyelashes literally shot up.

I decided to use burdock oil only for my eyebrows. I used this product every day before bed, after removing makeup. I felt the first results only after a couple of weeks. The hairs became less brittle and many new ones began to appear.

Burdock oil with red pepper for beard growth will be especially effective; additionally, wrap your face with a towel. This will create active blood circulation in poorly nourished areas of the hair. After using this oil, the skin is clean, rested and full of energy to grow new, small hairs)) I really like the effect, my beard grows faster!

I buy burdock oil and mix it with castor oil in a 1:1 ratio. We apply this mass directly to the place where we want vegetation. I used this product for half a year, during which time the result exceeded all my expectations. Thick, soft and all this is my beard after taking burdock oil. So guys, I advise you!

Burdock oil is widely used in facial care due to its many beneficial properties. The product helps improve the condition of the skin, eyebrows, eyelashes and even beard. The main advantage of the oil is its affordable price. In addition, the product has almost no contraindications. However, improper use of oil leads to side effects, which can only be avoided if all precautions are taken.