What is that one special herb which your grandmother always pushes you to use for healthy skin and hair? You guessed it right, it is the magic herb Neem; but do you know why?

Neem has been a huge part of every Indian woman’s life since childhood. The cure to all your hair and skin issues, to grow longer and stronger hair, for acne-free skin and much much more, Neem has always come through. In the world of Ayurveda, neem is a popular medicinal herb that's been part of traditional remedies that date back almost 5000 years. Also known as 'Neemba' in Sanskrit, the neem tree is a really good example of how nature holds both the problem and the cure.

This excellent herb is a great source of fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that are needed for healthy skin and hair. It contains active constituents like nimbidin, nimbolide and azadirachtin that have some amazing medicinal properties that can help you get rid of every skin and hair problems. Plus, it is suitable for all skin types, be it oily, normal, dry, combination or sensitive.

 If you were oblivious to the many uses and benefits of neem leaves, you have come to the right place. Here is everything you need to know about how these bitter, green leaves are a wonderful ingredient which helps keep your beauty game strong.

10 Healing Benefits of Neem for Gorgeous Skin and Hair

Take a look at these 10 surprising benefits of neem leaves and how exactly you can use them to get enviably gorgeous skin and beautiful hair.

1. Treats Acne Effortlessly

Neem leaves are a godsend ingredient and a safe home remedy for oily and acne-prone skin. Since they exhibit antibacterial properties, they help keep skin free from pimple-causing bacteria and thus reduce acne.

We, at Soundaryah, have concocted this amazing Anti-Acne Healing Face Pack which is an all-natural Ayurvedic treatment most effective for healing sensitive skin prone to acne, inflammation, rashes, blackheads and scarring.

• Mix 2 tbsp Soundaryah’s Anti Acne Healing Face Pack in a bowl.
• Add sufficient water/yoghurt* to form a thick wet paste and leave the mixture aside for 2-3 minutes.
• Before application splash face with lukewarm water and gently pat dry.
• Now apply the pack all over the face and neck area and relax for 15 minutes or till the pack is semi-dry.
• Wash off with lukewarm water in very gentle circular motions.
• Finally splash face with cool water to close off pores and pat dry.
• Use the face pack twice a week for active acne and once a week for lightening acne scars. Can be used daily for spot treatment on active pimples and scars.

*To choose the perfect base for your skin use:

-plain filtered water if the weather is humid and warm or your skin feels oily and sticky.

-yoghurt if the weather is cold or your skin feels dry and stretchy.

2. Pacifies and Soothes Irritated Skin

Neem leaves have anti-inflammatory properties, high content of fatty acids and glycerides which help soothe irritated and itchy skin. Not only that, but they can also heal serious skin issues like eczema which makes your skin red, dry and flaky. With the advantage of getting a cooling effect on the skin, neem is beneficial for treating skin sensitivity.

You can use neem oil every day before bed or make a paste of neem leaves and apply it on your face twice a week for 15 minutes to relieve skin of any irritation.

3. Reduces Blemishes

Not only do neem leaves help eliminate zits but they also help you get rid of the scars they leave behind. They heal and lighten stubborn acne marks and dark spots, all thanks to the vitamin E in them. They also have healing and soothing properties which makes them a well-known remedy for acne scars.

Applying a paste of neem leaves on your face every week can help you fade blemishes and acne marks and get spotless skin and improved complexion in no time. Mix one tablespoon of neem powder, lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric and apply on the affected area once a week. Rinse and moisturize.

4. Reduces Signs of Aging

Neem leaves are stuffed with antioxidants, moisturizing triglycerides and vitamin E, which makes it an ideal anti-ageing treatment. They lower wrinkles, fines lines and dark spots and make your skin look firm and toned. Besides boosting collagen and improving skin elasticity, they also protect skin from ageing signs caused by sun exposure and UV radiation.

Regular use of neem leaves paste can slow down your ageing clock and rejuvenate skin. Prepare a neem face pack with neem paste and sandalwood powder and use it twice a week to achieve and maintain youthful and radiant skin.

5. Deeply Moisturizes the Skin

If you thought neem leaves are only suitable for oily and acne-prone skin, you will be glad to know that one of the benefits of neem leaves is that it moisturizes dry skin. Since they have essential fatty acids and vitamin E, they are known to be nourishing and can make even seriously dry skin moisturized and visibly plump.

Neem leaves are natural moisturizers that combat dryness and make your skin soft and supple. They restore lost moisture and reduce flakiness and extreme dryness. Plus, they also help in improving the texture of your skin, leaving it with a healthy glow. Use neem oil every night before bed for smooth and hydrated skin.

6. Fights Blackheads and Whiteheads

Neem on skin, particularly on face is helpful to say goodbye to whiteheads and blackheads when used regularly. It pulls back large pores and works as an exfoliating agent to pull out impurities and tighten pores.

Using our Anti Acne Healing Face Pack regularly will magically transform your skin in every way. It is soothing on the skin and also wards off impurities.

7. Relieves Itchy Scalp

Neem leaves are a natural cure for scalp infections and dandruff. They possess antifungal and antibacterial properties that help remove dandruff once and for all and work wonders for itchy and flaky scalps. They reduce dryness, flakiness, itchiness and leave your scalp moisturized and healthy.

We present to you an all-natural ayurvedic dandruff treatment most effective for healing the scalp restoring hair health naturally with properties of Organic Neem – Anti Dandruff Herbal Hair Mask by Soundaryah Wellness.

• Mix Soundaryah’s Anti Dandruff Herbal Hair Mask with sufficient amount of coconut oil or any pure oil to form a thick wet paste.
• Apply all over scalp starting from the front area to the back.
• Use soft circular motions to massage the mask into the scalp.
• Now apply the mask on the hair length as well.
• Cover hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap and then wrap head with a towel to prevent dripping and drying out.
• Leave the mask on for ½ an hour to 1 hour and wash off with lukewarm water and a mild herbal cleanser.
• Use the mask once a week for active dandruff.

8. Promotes Hair Growth

One of the many benefits of neem leaves includes strengthening hair follicles and simultaneously reducing hair fall. The result is luscious, strong and healthy hair. They also improve hair texture and keep hair woes like thinning, breakage and hair loss at bay.

Apply a hair mask made from neem powder and coconut oil onto your hair from root to tip once a week and massage to stimulate blood circulation in your scalp. Wash your hair and repeat this twice a week. It is an age-old remedy for hair fall caused due to stress, pollution and overuse of heat tools.

9. Averts Premature Greying of Hair

Neem is rich in antioxidants that curb the action of free radicals that cause premature greying of hair. This is one of the lesser-known benefits of neem leaves. The high level of antioxidants in neem leaves prevent premature greying of hair caused due to hormonal imbalance, sun damage and stress.

Mix some neem powder in half a cup of yogurt and apply this mixture onto your hair. Wash it off after 20 minutes and follow up with a mild shampoo. Regular usage of neem powder or neem oil for the same is useful.

10. Conditions Under-Nourished Hair

Neem contains a significant ingredient, fatty acids like linoleic, oleic, and stearic acid which help the scalp to nourish thereby keeping the hair smooth. Neem leaves benefit your hair a great deal by hydrating your dry strands and improving their health. Dry and frizzy ends contribute to stunted hair growth and make your mane look unkempt and shabby. Neem leaves condition your hair from root to tip and makes it healthy-looking and visibly soft.

Soundaryah’s Royal Herbal Hair Wash with Pure Neem Powder is a 100% chemical free non-foaming herbal hair cleanser for naturally healthy and nourished hair.

• For medium length hair, mix 3 tsps. of Soundaryah’s Royal Herbal Hair Cleanser in a bowl.
• Add sufficient lukewarm water to form a rough, wet paste.
• Wet hair thoroughly and then apply the paste all over scalp and hair.
• Massage scalp for a few minutes in circular motions.
• Wash with lukewarm water until no residue is left.
• Apply a small amount of a light hair oil like almond or coconut all over hair length to semi damp hair and let dry naturally.

It also promotes hair growth, curbs dandruff and cures itchy scalp. So basically, this hair wash powder cures every hair problem without having to make different hair masks for different hair problems.

Pro-Tip: Neem is a great ingredient to be used in the do-it-yourself remedies for lice. In fact, many types of research and studies have proved that neem is beneficial in getting rid of lice and lice eggs. That is why many herbal and medicinal oils for lice have neem as an active ingredient. Another way of using it would be heating neem oil and apply it on the scalp. Leave it for an hour and then rinse off.

Neem, an absolute magical ingredient for skin and hair care which can be used in different ways such as neem leaves, neem powder, or neem oil to treat different issues associated with hair and skin or to merely improve the health in general. Now that we have spilled our beauty secrets to you, it’s time to put them to good use!

Let us know in the comments, which is your favourite use of neem that your mom passed down to you!

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