The Benefits of Using Ginger for Skin, According to Dermatologists

For centuries, ginger has been known as a healing ingredient. It's the go-to home remedy for everything from nausea (a popular pick for morning sickness if you're pregnant) and an upset stomach to detoxes and cleanses. And while ginger is great for natural ailments, it can benefit your hair and skin health, too. Ginger in hair products can help strengthen your strands, thank to vitamins and nutrients. As far a skincare goes, serums and moisturizers with ginger can help to illuminate dull skin and even fade scars. To learn more about this miracle ingredient, we reached out to two dermatologists for their expert insight.

What Is Ginger?

Ginger is a root superfood that has wonderful skin rejuvenation properties. It contains numerous antioxidant properties that prevent free radical damage and protect against aging. Both ingesting ginger and applying it topically have major anti-aging benefits.

Benefits of Ginger for the Skin

• Fades scars: Because of its toning and antioxidant properties, ginger can reduce the appearance of scars: "Ginger possesses both antioxidant properties and has a toning effect, making it able to normalize hypopigmented scars (scars lighter than your natural skin tone)," says dermatologist Dr. Audrey Kunin.
• Reduce inflammation: As an anti-inflammatory, Shamban notes that ginger can reduce inflammation and irritation in some skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and enflamed acne.
• Brightens skin tone: Ginger contributes to glowing skin, and can even help reduce puffiness near your under-eye area.
• Rejuvenates skin: "There is some actual data suggesting that it has a damping influence on the enzymes that break down collagen, the MMPs aka collagenase," dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban adds. Since your collagen contributes to a youthful appearance, this powerhouse ingredient is a great anti-aging tool. It also evens skin tone.
• Promotes hair growth: Ginger, possibly surprisingly, may increase circulation to your scalp, which can help stimulate hair growth. The plethora of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids inside ginger may also strengthen strands.
• Combats dandruff: Ginger is also an excellent remedy for dandruff: "It’s antiseptic nature helps keep levels of natural yeast and bacteria, which trigger dandruff, low," says Kunin.
• Reduces cellulite: In addition to its detoxifying and invigorating qualities, ginger is also known to reduce cellulite: "Ginger has de-puffing properties which help minimize the appearance of dimpling," says Kunin.

Side Effects

There are no known side effects of ginger; however, it is always recommended to patch test when trying a new skincare ingredient.

How to Use it

For skin that is dealing with scarring, just dab a slice of fresh ginger onto the areas of your skin that are lacking color, and let the juice dry. Do this once or twice a day, every day, and you should start to see an improvement in a couple of weeks. Within a few months, your scars will be nearly undetectable.

You can also whip up a biweekly mask of equal parts grated or powdered ginger, honey, and fresh lemon juice. Leave it on for up to 30 minutes, and rinse to reveal radiant skin. You can also boil the same three ingredients to make yourself a stomach-healing tea.

In need of a hair mask? DIY it by making a hair mask of equal parts grated ginger and jojoba oil, and massage it into your hair, concentrating on the scalp. After 30 minutes, rinse and shampoo your hair as usual.

For cellulite, stimulate circulation and tone your skin with a cellulite-busting lemon-ginger body scrub. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger, and the zest of one lemon. You can store the leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.

"DERMAdoctor’s Lucky Bamboo Quench & Set Essence Spray is a refreshing wellness mist replete with antioxidants like ginger, electrolytes, and minerals," says Kunin. This rejuvenating mist is the perfect way to easily add ginger to your daily routine.

This volumizing conditioner featuring ginger is great for anyone wanting to strengthen hair with vitamins and nutrients while also keeping their scalp happy and healthy.

Rejuvenate and refresh skin daily with this face wash featuring ginger. Recommended by Shamban, Origins has a full collection of products featuring this magical ingredient.

This serum revives dull skin with a shot of antioxidants and hydration from ginger and vitamin C. Not only is it cruelty-free and paraben-free, but it's also affordable.

This ginger scalp serum soothes and refreshes a dry itchy scalp. The ginger essential oil is meant to rebalance the scalp while white willow bark prevents any buildup. Use this serum anytime your scalp feels a bit off to completely refresh.