This potent spice is worth more than gold. It smells like damp hay and honey and turns food a rich golden color. Why would you want to use it for skin and hair care? Because it’s a powerful anti-aging ingredient packed with antioxidants and it fades hyperpigmentation, too. Ayurvedic medicine has been aware of its value for centuries, and now the Western world is clueing into it as well.
We researched the best saffron brands for your skin and hair because we want you to enjoy the benefits of the best saffron in the world. We also included saffron skin care products at the end of the reviews.
Let’s begin with how to use saffron for skin.
Contents
- 1 How to use saffron for skin and hair care
- 2 Why is saffron so expensive?
- 3 Why is saffron good for the skin and hair?
- 4 Which is the best saffron?
- 5 How to tell if the saffron is pure
- 6 How to keep saffron fresh
- 7 Best Saffron Brands for Your Skin & Hair in 2024
- 7.1 Golden Saffron, Finest Pure Premium All Red Saffron Threads, Grade A+ Super Negin
- 7.2 Mehr Saffron
- 7.3 SAFFRON, All Red Super Negin Grade A+ Premium by EXOTIC BioNaturals
- 7.4 Premium Pure Red Saffron Spice Threads | Super Negin Grade | by Vanilla Bean Kings
- 7.5 UMA ULTIMATE BRIGHTENING FACE MASK
- 7.6 Shankara Kumkumadi Tailam Oil
- 8 Conclusion
How to use saffron for skin and hair care
The principles of cooking with saffron are similar to using it for your skin and hair. For example, most people will grind a pinch of saffron into a powder then add it to 4 tablespoons of hot water and let it steep for 10 minutes.
The water will turn yellow and pick up the saffron aroma. After that, you can blend the water with other ingredients like sandalwood, honey, coconut oil, or your favorite moisturizer or hair conditioner. This method will make a limited supply of saffron stretch further.
Or instead of steeping the saffron in water, you can simply use the powdered spice directly with other ingredients to make a face mask or hair mask.
Another option is to soak a few strands of saffron in rose water or witch hazel for two days to make facial toner.
How do you grind saffron? The easiest method is with an electric grinder or food processor that’s equipped with the right function. However, it doesn’t take long to do with a mortar and pestle.
Why is saffron so expensive?
Crocus sativus, or saffron, was originally grown on the island of Crete in Greece, but it’s now raised in diverse places like Spain, Iran, Kashmir, and Afghanistan. The reason it costs so much is that it’s difficult to raise and must be harvested by hand during a two-week window once per year.
Each pretty little purple flower only produces three saffron strands, so it takes tens of thousands of plants to make one ounce of spice.
Why is saffron good for the skin and hair?
UV rays and pollution create oxidative stress that makes the skin and hair age faster. But saffron contains antioxidants that neutralize the problem and reduce inflammation. Therefore, it helps the skin stay firm while it brightens the complexion. It’s even safe for sensitive skin and it blends well with other beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid and plant oils.
Saffron also has antifungal benefits for the scalp and can promote glossy, stronger hair.
Lastly, saffron helps wounds heal faster, plus it keeps melanin from overproducing, which treats hyperpigmentation (1).
Which is the best saffron?
There are different grades of saffron. Most of what we reviewed is in the category of Super Negin, which is the most costly and rarest as it has the longest red threads with no yellow or orange bits.
The cheapest is Pushal which consists of the orange and yellow portions of the thread. It’s considered low-quality.
If you’re on a budget, look for Sargol or Negin as these are still aromatic although they contain orange and yellow threads and sometimes crumbs.
How to tell if the saffron is pure
Look at the saffron– does it consist of long red threads with little to no orange or yellow? Each thread should be about an inch to an inch and a half long.
If it’s damp, that’s a bad sign as the manufacturer may be trying to cheat by making the spice heavier with added water. The texture should be delicate and dry (2).
Speaking of water, the cold water test is the easiest way to check saffron’s purity and quality. Fill a clear glass with cold water and gently lay two threads of saffron on top. Wait 15 minutes and you should see the water has turned golden.
The important thing is to check how fast it turns color. Pure, premium saffron doesn’t release the yellow color immediately in cold water. The spice itself won’t change color and turn white.
If you lift the saffron from the water and rub it between your fingers, it shouldn’t fall apart easily.
Finally, if you are familiar with how saffron should smell and taste, you already know that it smells sweet like honey and hay, but doesn’t taste sweet.
How to keep saffron fresh
Now that you have saffron from one of the best brands in the world, here’s how to store it properly to keep it fresh.
- Keep it in an airtight container stored in a cool, dry place
- Close the container immediately after using the spice to keep it away from oxygen exposure and humidity
- A smaller container is better
The shelf life is about two years.
The best saffron brands for your skin | Why we love them |
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Golden Saffron, Finest Pure Premium All Red Saffron Threads, Grade A+ Super Negin |
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Mehr Saffron |
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SAFFRON, All Red Super Negin Grade A+ Premium by EXOTIC BioNaturals |
|
Premium Pure Red Saffron Spice Threads | Super Negin Grade | by Vanilla Bean Kings |
|
UMA ULTIMATE BRIGHTENING FACE MASK |
|
Shankara Kumkumadi Tailam Oil |
|
Best Saffron Brands for Your Skin & Hair in 2024
Golden Saffron, Finest Pure Premium All Red Saffron Threads, Grade A+ Super Negin
Packed in a food-safe metal tin, this is Super Negin, the best type of saffron in the world. You can tell by looking at it, feeling it, smelling, and tasting it. Even better, it’s been assessed by a laboratory in the USA and found to have high levels of crocin, picocricin, and safranel, the essential molecules that make saffron so precious.
Furthermore, it’s organically grown and non-GMO Project Verified. Once harvested by hand, it’s flash-dried to retain freshness. Should you have any issue with it, the brand offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Upon further investigation, we discovered that the saffron is grown in northeast Iran which is why it’s sometimes called Persian saffron.
Pros:
- Laboratory verified to have high levels of crocin, picocricin, and safranel
- Organically grown, non-GMO Project Verified
- Packed in a food-safe metal container with a twist-off lid
- From Crocus sativus plants grown in northeastern Iran
Cons:
- Pricey, but available in different quantities
Mehr Saffron
This saffron brand won the Superior Taste Award from the International Taste and Quality Institute. To achieve that lofty goal, it passed a review by a jury of 120 sommeliers and chefs.
The all-red saffron stigmas come from plants grown in Afghanistan. They are trimmed after drying and sorted so that no yellow stems are included. Moreover, the moisture level is kept under +/-0.05%. This single standard alone is a promise of freshness and an indication that the brand isn’t interested in cheating consumers.
The saffron is packed in a glass jar that’s easy to use and looks classy in a spice cupboard. Similar to other reputable manufacturers, Mehr offers a full refund if you’re not satisfied.
Pros:
- Award-winning saffron prized by chefs
- All red stigmas, no yellow parts included
- Grown in Afghanistan
- Packed in a glass jar
- Comes with a money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Not the cheapest option, but available in a variety of sizes
SAFFRON, All Red Super Negin Grade A+ Premium by EXOTIC BioNaturals
This saffron is packaged in a food-grade round paper carton. The majority of your money is going to pay for the spice itself, not the packaging.
It’s Super Negin saffron, grown in Herat, Afghanistan on organic farms. It comes from a manufacturer that meets the ISO 3632 standard for purity and quality. Plus, the ITQI (International Taste and Quality Institute) has given it a 290 color reading based on the deep red shade.
Pros:
- Grown in Afghanistan on organic forms
- From an ISO-certified manufacturer
- Carries a high rating from the ITQI
Cons:
- Not the most attractive packaging, but functional – be sure to store it in a cool, dry place
Premium Pure Red Saffron Spice Threads | Super Negin Grade | by Vanilla Bean Kings
This brand says that saffron grown in Afghanistan is better than Indian, Kashmiri, and Spanish types. (However, the Spaniards may take issue with that seeing as how often saffron is used to cook paella in Spain!)
The standout feature here is that the company triple inspects the saffron to make each food-grade tin contains only fire red saffron threads. What’s more, the spice meets or exceeds ISO 3632 standards for color, flavor, and aroma.
Pros:
- Organically grown in Afghanistan
- Triple-inspected for quality
- Meets or exceeds ISO 3632 standards
- Packaged in a food-grade metal container
Cons:
- Container lid pulls off instead of twist off, so be careful not to spill the spice
UMA ULTIMATE BRIGHTENING FACE MASK
Although there’s not yet a wide variety of saffron skincare and hair care products available, you don’t have to make your own if you’re not comfortable with the idea. Take a look at the UMA saffron brand of cosmetics based on Ayurvedic traditions.
We like the brightening clay mask with saffron. Regular use of it leads to even skin tone and firmer, dewy skin. It can help fade dark spots like acne scars and sun damage. Moreover, it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin and much more moisturizing than the typical clay mask.
The silky-feeling mask blends saffron with all-natural ingredients like bentonite clay to pull out impurities and papaya to gently exfoliate dead skin. Sandalwood and neroli contribute to a clear complexion and give it a delicious fragrance.
There’s no need to worry about artificial fragrances, parabens, or mineral oil – none of that is included. It’s easy to use, too. Apply the mask after cleansing and wait at least 7 minutes before rinsing.
Pros:
- All-natural clay mask with saffron, no artificial ingredients
- Brightens the complexion, reduces discoloration
- Smooths fine lines, firms the skin
Cons:
- None
Shankara Kumkumadi Tailam Oil
Facial oil with saffron is a highly prized Ayurvedic treatment to counteract signs of aging. It’s handmade with botanicals like sandalwood, turmeric, lotus, and licorice. These ingredients are Nature’s way of giving the skin a healthy glow.
Use it daily to brighten dull skin, clear up blackheads, and fade blemishes. It’s surprisingly lightweight yet luxurious as well as fast-absorbing (for an oil). What’s interesting is that it seems to reduce acne for many users.
You’ll need 3 to 5 drops to cover the entire face. Apply it after cleansing.
Pros:
- Ayurvedic treatment that rejuvenates tired skin and fades discoloration
- Handmade with saffron, sandalwood, turmeric, licorice, and other botanicals
- Pleasant natural fragrance and luxurious texture
Cons:
- None
Conclusion
Don’t hesitate to try one of the best saffron brands on your skin and hair. The world is full of natural wonders that can give you the youthful glow you’ve been seeking.
What’s more, even if DIY skincare with saffron ends up being too much work, you can use any leftover spice to cook delicious meals.
We hope our reviews helped you find exactly what you need today. If you’re pleased with your purchase, we’d love to hear about it. Feel free to leave us a comment below.
Sources:
1. http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?pr14248 Skin Depigmentation Activity of Crocus sativus Extract Cream, by Naveed Akhtar et al., Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research November 2014
2. https://zaransaffron.com/blogs/blogs/how-to-test-saffron-distinguishing-pure-saffron How to Test the Purity of Saffron, published September 11, 2017
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