Ginger Benefits for Skin: Uses, Treatments, and Side Effects

Ginger is a great addition to most skin care routines thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can be used as a toner, mask, scrub, and more.

Ginger deserves its skin care street cred. This spicy root may help:

Here's the dope deets, plus six super easy ginger skin care treatments you can DIY at home.

Here are five of the best benefits of ginger for skin.

Free radicals are a natural byproduct of your body's normal metabolic process. They can also form from external factors like cig smoke, air pollutants, or industrial chemicals. These highly reactive and unstable molecules can lead to oxidative stress which can show up as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or fine lines.

Since ginger is a great source of antioxidants — compounds that protect against oxidative stress — it may help reduce your risk of these common skin concerns.

Ginger's antioxidant content may also promote healthy blood flow throughout the body. Some suggest this can help scars blend back into the regular color of your skin. However, there's limited evidence to prove this.

Additionally, some say ginger can pump up the volume on collagen production. Collagen fibers are what the body uses to knit itself back together, resulting in a scar. But again, most of the research is anecdotal and we def need more science to show if this is legit.

Ginger is widely thought to be great for your hair. It's been used in hair treatments for a long, long time. Reported benefits include:

Ginger's antiseptic and antimicrobial properties are also fab for your scalp. This root is particularly effective at treating dandruff. So, maybe consider a home remedy before you go splashing big dolla dolla bills on high end brands.

There's no shame in the cellulite game. After all, up to 80 percent of women experience cellulite to some extent. But if cellulite isn't your vibe, ginger might come in clutch.

Remedies containing ginger may help your body flush toxins and keep the blood pumping. This stops the buildup of fat deposits beneath your skin. However, we def need more research to prove these perks.

Ginger is packed with a phytochemical called gingerol which is full of anti-inflammatory goodness. That means it's great for treating and preventing certain types of acne.

But wait, there's more! Ginger has also been shown to help reduce the amount of excess oil (aka sebum) your skin produces. Of course, ginger isn't an acne cure-all. But since it tends to be gentle on most skin types, it's def worth a shot.

If you like, you can simply cut a thin slice of ginger from the root and apply it direct to your skin. Be careful to avoid your eyes (it’ll sting!) and leave it on for 15 minutes or so before rinsing. Alternatively, there are all kinds of ginger skin treatments you can make at home in minutes.

We rounded up six easy DIY ginger skin treatments you can whip up at home.

To make a DIY toner, you’ll need:

How to:

If you want to make a ginger face mask at home, grab:

How to:

This is one scrub that even TLC would want. Making it calls for:

How to:

A DIY ginger bath salt treatment isn't simply kind to your skin, it also smells amazing! You’ll need:

How to:

Ginger naturally warms the body when you apply it to your skin. So, it's no surprise that it makes a magical massage oil. You’ll need:

How to:

PSA: Don't get any on your private parts.

Turbocharge your regular shampoo with a touch of ginger to pack in extra benefits for your scalp and hair. You’ll need:

How to:

Ginger allergies are rare but not unheard of. Be sure to do a spot test before your rub it all over your skin to make sure you’re not allergic.

To do a patch test, simply rub a slice of ginger on the inside of your wrist. If you don't experience any irritation after 24 hours, congrats! You should be good to go.

Not all of ginger's reported health benefits have been backed by science. But it does have enough proven upsides to be a powerful tool in your skin care regimen. Considering how cheap it is, it could be a great idea to experiment with ginger home remedies and see if you can get better results than with store-bought products.