Radiant Skin Through Ayurveda: Timeless Beauty Secrets for a Healthy Glow

Ayurveda is an ancient school of medicine that originated historically in India and is widely practiced in many parts of Asia. The literature, preserved through the ages, talks about 200 herbs, minerals, and fats that are naturally derived and have the potential to restore and strengthen the health and beauty of your skin.

Ayurveda skin care shares long-standing evidence of truly evolved concepts of “self-beautification” and a wide array of cosmetics that focus not only on enhancing your external looks but also on ensuring that you enjoy good holistic health for a long time. It's interesting to note that in ancient India, both men and women used these cosmetics.

There has currently been a surge in efforts to revive Ayurveda, and therefore, more and more of its teachings and traditions are being studied to assess their scientific viability.

Nowadays, we find herbal and fruit extracts (along with essential oils) increasingly becoming a fundamental component in numerous medicines, health supplements, and personal care products.

In Ayurveda, the skin is called Twacha, and it is borrowed from the Sanskrit term Tvak Dhatu, which means an organized system or organ that covers the whole body. The different layers of twacha perform multiple protective functions, and any disease affecting twacha is primarily due to the inadequate supply of nutrients to these layers.

The Ayurvedic rituals depend on two factors: Rutus (a Sanskrit term meaning “season”) and Dinacharya (again a Sanskrit term meaning “daily routine”). They include skin care procedures that employ different combinations of herbs and other natural ingredients, depending on the season or the particular interval of a day.

No two people have the exact same skin color, texture, thickness, or glow. Why is that? Ayurveda says it is due to the difference in their individual Deha Prakriti (meaning, body constitution).

Doshajas (i.e., Deha Prakriti categorized on the basis of Doshas) play an elemental role in understanding the principles of Ayurvedic medicine for skin care. To not complicate things, just know that these doshas are bioenergetic forces believed to be made of five elements: air, space, fire, water, and earth.

The doshas regulate the body, mind, and behavior of an individual, defining his or her physiological, mental, and emotional health. They are of three types: Kapha (earth and water), Pitta (fire and water), and Vata (air and space).

In this article, we will elaborate on the skin types associated with each doshaja (that include Kapha Prakriti, Pitta Prakriti, and Vata Prakriti) and what simple steps you can take to attain healthy and glowing skin.

People with Kapha Prakriti have a dominant Kapha Dosha and usually have oily, thick, and cold skin (that can sometimes be pale too). They are prone to cystic acne, and if not taken care of well, their skin may become dull and develop enlarged pores.

If you have a properly functioning Kapha, you possess a super-intact balance of moisture in your skin.

To keep your body and skin warm and active, you can use:

• Mahanarayan oil(made of different ayurvedic herbs)
• Dhanwantharam oil(a combination of sesame oil, castor oil, and ghee).

To rule out excessive oiliness from your skin, you can apply:

• Kumkumadi Lepa (saffron paste)
• Mahatikta Lepa (a paste made from green chirayta and other herbs, including that which grows annually and is native to India and Sri Lanka).

Moreover, green chirayta helps treat eczema, chronic ulcers, blister formations, pruritus (i.e., a painful or irritative sensation that causes an urge to itch), and other skin ailments.

• Kolakulathadi Churna is an ayurvedic product made from several grounded herbs; it is believed to keep your body fats under control and help to eliminate the extra oiliness from your skin.
• Licorice and sandalwood powder paste also work like magic for oily skin.

People with Pitta Prakriti have a paramount_ Pitta Dosha_ and generally have soft, moist, and warm skin (with medium thickness). They are extremely sensitive and can easily get tanned by sunlight. Their skin is susceptible to slight wrinkles, moles, or acne.

If you have a smoothly working Pitta, the metabolic activities of your body will lie in complete harmony and coordination with the different chemical and hormonal processes of your skin.

A body massage with Manjistha oil (Rubia cordifolia / Indian madder) can lessen rashes, inflammation, and acne on your skin; plus, it also reduces uneven pigments and improves overall complexion. One of the most well-known ayurvedic oils for skin, its major components include Indian Manjistha oil (Rubia cordifolia / Indian Madder) and sesame oil.

Jeshthamadh oil has a soothing effect on skin, especially for sensitive types. It knocks off redness, irritation, and swelling. It is made of sesame oil (acting as the base oil), cow’s milk, and Yashtimadhu (i.e., licorice roots). Note that you must pair it with a coolant oil, such as coconut oil.

Sandalwood mixed with rose water can be used as a facial cream—effective for acne skin.

Dashanga Lepa is a multi-herbal preparation that treats skin rashes and lessens wound pain. This lepa or paste contains extracts from a variety of herbs, including Raktachandan (red sandalwood), Harida (gall nuts), Kushta (costus root), Vala (vetiver grass), and more.

• A mixture of sandalwood, jasmine, and turmeric (all in powdered form) can keep your skin calm and moist, reducing inflammation.

People with Vata Prakriti have a prominent Vata Dosha and commonly have dry, uneven, or rough skin. They are prone to fine lines, wrinkles, and cracks (possibly due to premature aging). Their skin has a thin texture with minute pores.

If your vata is working just fine, you will have an effective circulation of blood and nutrients to all the layers of your skin.

• Tila oil (or sesame oil) alone can be beneficial to reduce dryness.
• A pleasant mix of avocado oil, sesame oil, and extra virgin olive oil can serve as an excellent body massage oil.
• Kumkumadi oil (or saffron oil) moisturizes and rejuvenates skin cells, giving them a radiant and healthy glow.

Shata Dhauta Ghrita is a Sanskrit phrase that literally translates to pure cow’s ghee that is washed with water a hundred times until it attains a silk-like consistency. It is an Ayurveda healing ointment that treats multiple skin conditions, such as burns, scars (caused by wounds or cuts), skin marks, burning sensations, etc.

Traditionally, it has existed as an emollient (made manually at home) that provides ample nourishment to your skin, keeping it soft and supple.

Udvartana largely employs dry herbal powder pastes during body massages. But when medicated fats (or oils) or medicated ghee is used along with the herbal powders, this process adopts a slight change in terminology and is now called Snigdha Udvartana.

A revitalizing blend of herbal oils and ghrita (or ghee) can do wonders for your skin; it can be your best skin moisturizer that minimizes dryness significantly.

You might be using the best ayurvedic skin care products available on the market, but unless you take care of your diet, lifestyle, and sleep routine, you won’t be able to achieve your skin care goals to the fullest. On the contrary, if you mess up, your skin may start to lose its elastin and collagen, grow dull, and then have wrinkles all over it.

Avoiding fat-rich, fried, and processed foods, sugary foods, and salty foods is a strategic way to improve your diet and get closer to achieving your long-term skin care results. Consider opening your heart to more fruits and vegetables. You will also benefit from reducing your intake of salt and sugar—you can have them, but not more than what’s absolutely necessary!

Exercising is yet another factor that can boost your physical and mental health and, in a way, affect the beauty of your skin. You can also do yoga—a simpler alternative—if the gym is a place that you aren’t comfortable with.

If you suffer from any serious skin ailments, it is advisable to consult your doctor before initiating major alterations in your routine skin care medicine.