Camphor is one of the primary ingredients used in zit creams and acne. This crystalline substance is taken from the camphor tree bark. It provides many benefits for skin health, including acne prevention. Camphor oil for acne is one of the good home remedies.
The camphor tree is inherent to Japan, China, Vietnam, and Madagascar is non-deciduous with red leaves that transform into a dark green color while growing. The stem and leaves of this tree are scorched using its steam distillation to extract 3-types of camphor oil, such as white, yellow, and brown. Out of that all-white camphor oil is utilized for medicinal purposes.
HISTORY OF CAMPHOR OIL
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Camphor essential oil is extracted from Cinnamomum camphora botanical is also called a Tru Camphor, Gum Camphor, Common Camphor, and Formosa Camphor. It belongs to Taiwan and Japan forests. It is also popularly known as Hon-Sho and Japanese Camphor. Before the Camphor tree was introduced to Florida in the late 1800s, it had already started to be vastly cultivated in China. When its benefits and applications develop in popularity, its cultivation gradually spread in more countries with tropical climates that are conducive to these tree growths. It was also introduced in South Africa, Egypt, India, and Sri Lanka.
Early varieties of camphor oil were taken from the barks and woods of camphor trees that were fifty years of age or older. However, when producers gradually became aware of the benefits of preserving the environment by skipping the cutting of trees, they also came to know that the leaves were fat better for taking oils, as they had instant regeneration rate.
For ages, Camphor essential oil has been adopted by the Indians and Chinese for both medicinal and religious purposes, as its vapors were thought to have healing effects over the brain and body. In China, the sturdy fragrant wood and sturdy of the Camphor tree were also used in the construction of temples and ships. When utilized in Ayurvedic treatment, it was a medicine ingredient meant to show symptoms of colds, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and coughing.
It was beneficial for addressing everything from skin disease such as eczema, to problems linked with flatulence such as gastritis, to stress lined concerns like low libido.
Historical Views
Camphor was even added to medicine that was thought to treat speech impediments and mental disorders. During the 14th century Europe and in Persia, Camphor was added as a disinfectant ingredient in fumigations at the time of the plague also an embalming process.
Camphor essential oil is fume distilled from the branches, chipped wood, root pieces of the Camphor Tree, at that point it is vacuum improved. Then, it is channel pushed during which measure the four segments of Camphor oil, for example, White, Yellow, Brown, and Blue are produced.
Can you use Camphor oil for acne?
Camphor is largely used in acne products to clear the breakouts and stop them.
Camphor oil consists of rich antioxidants, which helps to reduce skin damage. The antioxidant activity also helps to repair the skin cells damage, and bring life to the skin.
This oil helps to lower inflammation, redness, and swelling over the skin. It helps to calm the breakouts. Camphor oil is also the best astringent for acne-prone skin. It also helps to tighten the pores and prevent pore-clogging. This oil balance the oil production in skin and control acne.
Camphor Oil and Coconut Oil for Acne
Coconut oil provides the best antibacterial and stimulating properties. Combining camphor with coconut oil helps to stimulate the clogged pore and removes dirt and clear acne.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Coconut Oil
- 1 tsp Camphor Oil
- Jar/Bottle for storage
Method
- In a bottle or air-tight jar mix the coconut oil and camphor.
- Clean face using your regular cleanser and pat dry.
- Take around one teaspoon of oil blend and apply on the face and massage.
- Leave this solution overnight on the skin.
- The next morning wash it with cleanser and lukewarm water.
- Use this every day.
Camphor Oil Steam Massage
Steaming helps to open the pores, which will stimulate and purify the skin with castor oil. Following this method helps to remove the acne in some weeks.
Ingredients
- Some drops of Camphor oil
- A pot for water steaming
- Towel
Method
Wash face using cleanser and pat dry. Boil some water in a pot using a lid for steaming. Once the water has boiled, keep it on a table and lean on it using a towel on the head. Eliminate the lid and steam face for around 20 minutes.
After steaming the face, massage the camphor oil over the skin and focus on problem areas.
Use it two times a week.
Camphor Oil with Other Oils
Castor oil is best for removing dirt and bacteria during moisturizing skin. It promotes collagen production, helps to heal scars. It also soothes the existing acne. Combining almond oil and camphor make it a good remedy for acne.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Castor Oil
- Jar/Bottle for Storage
- 1/2 cup Almond Oil
- 1 tsp Camphor Oil
Method
- Take a bottle or airtight jar and combine almond, castor, and camphor oil.
- Cleanse face using a cleanser and pat dry.
- Take around one teaspoon of oil blend and massage it over the problem area of the skin.
- Keep it overnight.
- Next morning wash face using a cleanser and lukewarm water.
- Use it every day.
Camphor Oil, Gram Flour, and Rose Water
These all ingredients provide a cooling effect on the skin, which helps to calm the inflammation. Using this face mask regularly helps to tighten pores, control oil production, and heal the breakouts.
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp Camphor Oil
- 1 tbsp Gram Flour
- 2 tsp Rose Water
Method
- Mix all the components till you get a creamy mixture.
- Wash face utilizing a cleanser and pat dry.
- Begin using this paste over the affected skin.
- Keep this for 15 minutes.
- After the 15-minutes, wash the mix from the skin.
- Use it 2-3 times a week.
Fuller’s Earth and Camphor Oil Mask
Fuller’s earth is excellent properties for clearing acne. It helps to remove bacteria, excess oil, and impurities from the skin. It keeps skin smooth and soft.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Fuller’s Earth
- 1 1/2 tbsp Rose Water
- 1/2 tsp Camphor Oil
Method
- Mix all the components till you make it smooth.
- Cleanse face utilizing a cleanser and pat dry.
- Begin applying this mix onto a face like a face mask.
- Let it sit for 15-minutes till the mask get dry.
- After 15 minutes, wash face and pat dry.
- Try these one to two times a week.
Camphor Benefits for Skin
May Relieve Skin Irritation and Itching
Camphor provides antibacterial and antifungal properties that may help in reducing skin related problems like irritation and itching. According to one animal study, camphor helps to heal wounds by increasing elastin and collagen in dermal fibroblasts. It is also used in anti-wrinkle cosmetics.
Relieves pain
Applying camphor helps to relieve inflammation and pain in the skin. According to a study of 2015, a spray consists of natural ingredients like menthol, camphor, essential oil like eucalyptus, and clove worked effectively for treating mild to moderate pain. This oil spray also relieves the shoulder, joints, and lower back for 14 days. You may experience warming, tingling, or cooling sensation when using camphor products.
May Soothe Burns
Camphor can be an effective treatment for minor burns. It can be used to heal burn scars. According to a rat study, it was shown that an herbal ointment consists of camphor, honey, sesame oil helps to heal burns on the skin. Applying some camphor with water also effectively treats skin burn.
May Treat Acne
Camphor works effectively for lowering acne. It is said to reduce swelling and pain caused by inflammation in sebaceous glands and hair follicles. It provides bioactive synthesis such as 1,8-cineole, camphene, a-pinene is effective for acne treatment.
May Treat Eczema
Camphor is also used to treat eczema and prevent itching. It is an effective home remedy to lower eczema by controlling itching and inflammation.
May Cure Nail Fungus
Fungus on toenails can be painful. Using camphor paste helps to lower growth. Camphor has been shown to work effectively in reducing nail fungus because of its antifungal and antiseptic properties.
Good for Cracked Heels
Anecdotal evidence recommends that camphor can soften cracked heels. However, there is no scientific proof to prove the same. For relief from cracked heels, you need to soak your feet in a solution of water and camphor then scrub your feet. Following this, use petroleum jelly or moisturizer on them. It will help to moisten the skin and prevent cracks.
Soothe Skin Rashes
Camphor consists of many compounds of anti-inflammation that could help to provide relief from rashes. It is said to be specifically good for skin rashes that happen because of perspiration and extra heat. Camphor, when dissolving with water and applied on skin rashes is claimed to remove them after some days with repeated use.
Things to Remember Before Using Camphor Oil
- Do not apply camphor oil over broken skin of acne as this may cause poisoning.
- Do not ingest camphor oil or camphor.
- It is known whether camphor oil is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Keep camphor oil out of reach of children.
- In case of asthma, avoid using undiluted camphor oil.
- Using camphor oil alone will not work effectively for acne. You must also make sure to maintain a healthy diet for nutritional needs.
- Treating acne is not easy, especially if you do not care about your skin much. Simple camphor oil helps to remove acne load.
Risks and precautions
Camphor is commonly safe for adults when it is used correctly. Creams or lotions consist of small amounts of camphor when applied to the skin. Avoid using undiluted camphor or products consist of more than 11% of camphor. Apply some of the camphor products to the inner forearm and wait for 24 hours to see if any reaction happens.
Minor side effects like irritation or redness can happen when using camphor over the skin. Camphor products should not be utilized on injured or broken skin because the body could absorb toxins.
Do not use more than 1-tablespoon of camphor liquid per quart of water when using it from steam inhalation. Try not to utilize heat items that comprise of camphor, for example, Vicks VapRub, Bengay, in the microwave as they can possibly detonate.
Be careful of Synthetic Camphor
Camphor can be produced synthetically from turpentine oil and it is commonly sold in the market. It is added to many products for pain relief, soaps, and aromatic candles. This synthetic Camphor is non-edible and unhealthy if eaten. It is also known to consist of chemicals that lead to cancer.
Purity check
Although natural camphor is known to eat and provide different internal use benefits, you should not eat it until you are confident about its purity.
Natural Kapur is also known as Bheemseni Kapur. Here is how to check if your camphor is pure:
It gets burns completely without sparking and does not leave a residue.
Pure camphor settles down in the water.
Pure camphor oil also has yellow, white, and brown color are not safe for use as they consist of high safrole.