What are White Willow Bark Benefits for Skin Care

annmarie honest wild beautiful

One of my favorite memories growing up was attending the family reunion at my aunt’s house. She had a humongous weeping willow in her back yard under which all the relatives would gather to eat good food, talk, laugh, and tell old stories. Turns out that willows give us a lot more than good memories. The bark of these trees, particularly, has been used for centuries.

Recent studies have shown us something even more remarkable—white willow bark has many benefits that can actually help the appearance of skin look smoother, firmer, and younger.

What is White Willow Bark?

Though there are a number of varieties of willow, the type used in skin care is usually derived from white willow trees (Salix alba). They typically grow from 30 to 100 feet tall, and have pale-colored, hairy leaves. They are fast growing, but fragile, and often vulnerable to diseases, insects, and fungi.

What is White Willow Bark Good for?

Their broad, round-topped crown makes them attractive yard trees, but they’re also effective as farmstead windbreaks and wildlife shelters.

The bark of the willow trees used to be used for artificial limbs, because it is lightweight and doesn’t splinter easily. It is still used to make boxes and crates, table tops, wooden novelties, and pulp. It’s been most prized, however, because it is a natural source of salicylic acid.

White willow bark

 

Willow bark actually can help improve your skin appearance significantly.

The Discovery of Salicin

It was in the early 1800s that Italian pharmacists first isolated and identified salicin from white willow bark extract. Hippocrates, ancient Egyptians, and Native Americans were all known to have chewed on the bark and leaves, brewed willow bark tea, and used it in warm baths to help ease aches.

white willow bark

White Willow Bark

White willow has been proven to be effective for anti-aging skincare.

White Willow Bark Benefits for SkinCare

How can this herb benefit the skin? You may be surprised!

Willow Bark Anti-Aging

A 2010 study reported that salicin can help reduce the appearance of skin aging. Researchers applied a serum product containing 0.5 percent salicin on the faces of women aged 35 to 70, every day for 12 weeks. Results showed improvements in the appearance of wrinkles, pore size, radiance, and overall appearance after only one week.

This is a preliminary study and we need more research to learn more about how salicin may affect the skin, but signs are extremely positive so far. In the meantime, we already know that willow bark extract provides a number of other skin benefits:

Willow Bark Facial Cleanser for Oily Skin

Willow bark extract naturally exfoliates skin and clears pores to give skin a clearer, healthier appearance.

 

Smooths the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles

The same exfoliating action that reduces clogged pores also helps smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Willow bark is a source of natural hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate. The result is smoother, softer skin.

Rich Antioxidants

Like most plant extracts, willow bark contains flavonoids and tannins—powerful antioxidants that help protect skin from environmental stressors.

annmarie skincare gianni

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies.