Bay leaves are commonly used in cooking, and some people use them in home skin-care remedies. However, there is limited scientific evidence that bay leaves provide significant skin benefits. They should not be considered a treatment for skin conditions.
Possible benefits
Bay leaves contain plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies. Because of this, some people use bay leaf preparations to:
- Soothe minor skin irritation
- Cleanse the skin
- Add to homemade facial steam or bath water
Common home uses
- Bay leaf infusion: Simmer a few dried bay leaves in water, let the liquid cool, strain it, and use it as a facial rinse or compress.
- Facial steam: Add a few bay leaves to hot water and let the steam rise toward your face from a safe distance. Avoid getting too close to the hot water to prevent burns.
Be cautious
- Bay leaves can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people.
- Essential oil made from bay leaves is much more concentrated and should not be applied directly to the skin without proper dilution.
- Test any homemade preparation on a small patch of skin first and stop using it if redness, itching, or burning develops.
For concerns such as acne, eczema, rosacea, or persistent rashes, products with well-studied ingredients (or advice from a dermatologist) are likely to be more effective than bay leaf remedies.
