21 Must-Try Ayurvedic Beauty And Skin Care Tips
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Tips For Glowing Skin Ayurvedic Beauty Tips For Healthy And Glowing Skin
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Tips For Glowing Skin
1. Early To Bed And Early To Rise
Apart from making you healthy and wise, this practice protects your beauty. Having too many late nights and not getting enough sleep increases the number of inflammatory cells in your body that worsen and trigger skin issues, such as acne and dermatitis. Moreover, they make the skin hydration system go haywire, causing your skin to become dry and age quickly. You need to follow a proper routine to make your skin feel rejuvenated (1), (2).
2. Do Not Mix Incompatible Foods
Food is medicine. But it can turn into poison when taken in the wrong combination. Avoid these incompatible food items to take care of your skin and health (3):
Milk And Fruit: Yes. Even if you love your bowl of yogurt mixed with fruits, avoid it. Fruits are digested quickly, and milk takes time to digest. So, during the processing time, the fruit curdles the milk and creates acidity. Milk And Meat: Avoid consuming milk products (including desserts) if you have fish and meat. Fish heats up your body while milk cools it down. Combining these contrasting foods obstructs the vital body channels. Cold Drinks After A Meal: Avoid having iced or cold drinks after meals. This is because cold suppresses the digestive juices and causes stomach issues. This is also applicable for frozen yogurt and ice cream after (or before) meals. Ghee And Honey: Both, when taken together, react with the digestive acids in the body and produce toxic byproducts that can reportedly trigger rheumatic, neurological, and skin-related issues.
3. Drink Tea
Keeping yourself hydrated throughout the day is important. Drink water and also sip herbal tea in between. Make tea using herbs like chamomile, ginger, or lemon, and have it in the afternoon to keep your digestion healthy (4). And a healthy digestive system is crucial for glowing skin.
4. Consume Vegetables With High Water Content
Vegetables high in water content can be digested easily. Vegetables such as carrot, radishes, lettuce, asparagus and fennel tips, and cucumber are beneficial for all skin types. These are revered as purifiers. Cook them or dice them and make a salad. Always combine at least 3-5 vegetables in any form to keep your skin healthy (5)(6).
5. Exercise
Not only is it good for your heart and lungs, but it is also key to beautiful and glowing skin. Exercise boosts blood circulation and regulates skin metabolism to keep it healthy and youthful. This makes your skin glow from within (7).
6. Do Breathing Exercises
More than physical stress, mental stress can take a toll on skin health. Controlled breathing exercises are a great way to kick away stress and calm your mind. Before you go to sleep, do a simple breathing exercise. Inhale and fill your belly with air. Then, let it rise. Fill your lungs and then exhale slowly in the opposite order. Follow this for 5 to 20 minutes before you sleep or during any time of the day (8).
7. Meditate
You must be wondering how this can make your skin beautiful and glowing. Well, meditation helps in calming down your mind. When your mind is at rest, the positive energy or “chi” flows through your body, flooding your cells with vital energies. This not just reduces stress but also rejuvenates your skin (9).
8. Moisturize Your Skin
Keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated is crucial. Apart from drinking enough water, indulge in oil massages. Oil massage or Abhyanga is a vital part of the Ayurvedic skin care routine. Massaging your skin with herbal oils not only relaxes your muscles and tissues but also boosts blood flow. It also keeps dry skin at bay (10). For best results, massage your skin with oil just before hitting the bed so that it gets enough time to rejuvenate itself and soak in the goodness of the oil. You may try self-massage or visit a spa for an oil massage.
9. Consume Seeds And Nuts
Seeds and nuts are not just for birds. In fact, adding them to your regular diet keeps your skin healthy. They contain healthy fats that are good for your cardiovascular system as well as your skin (11). They also contain omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Consume sunflower seeds, almonds, pistachios, and flax seeds regularly for glowing skin.
10. Cut Down On Your Sugar And Salt Intake
High salt intake affects your blood pressure levels, and this, in turn, increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. Also, excess sugar and salt can affect the overall skin health, may lead to acne, and trigger allergic reactions (atopic dermatitis) (12),(13). These two compounds keep your skin elastic, toned, and wrinkle-free.
11. Protect Your Skin From Excessive Sun Exposure
Too much of anything is bad for you. While a bit of sun exposure is a necessity for giving your skin the daily dose of vitamin D, excessive exposure can harm it. The UV rays can cause tanning, sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles (14). Whenever you go out, don’t forget to apply sunscreen. Use an umbrella, a hat, or a scarf to protect your skin. In addition to improving your lifestyle habits, you must stop slathering your skin with chemicals every day. Instead, switch to natural ingredients and remedies to keep it healthy. You will find these ingredients easily in your kitchen or fridge. Let’s look at a few.
Ayurvedic Beauty Tips For Healthy And Glowing Skin
12. Orange For Improving Your Complexion
The peel of orange contains vitamin C and antioxidants that keep your skin clear and bright (15). It is the perfect ingredient to make the ayurvedic face pack for oily skin. It also minimizes acne outbreaks. Dry orange peels under the sun, and powder them to use on your skin.
1 tablespoon orange peel powder 2 tablespoons yogurt
13. Sandalwood And Turmeric For Controlling Acne
Both sandalwood and turmeric are revered in Ayurveda for their antibacterial properties. Both are extensively used in ayurvedic skin care too. They kill the acne-causing bacteria, clear the skin, tighten the pores, and prevent inflammation (16), (17).
1 tablespoon sandalwood powder ½ tablespoon turmeric 2-3 tablespoons honey (adjust as per the consistency)
14. Raw Potato For Pigmentation
According to anecdotal evidence, potatoes contain starch and have mild bleaching properties that help in fading pigmentation, dark spots, and scars naturally. Moreover, they also contain helpful enzymes that prevent premature aging. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove this claim.
1 potato Cotton ball
15. Fenugreek For Preventing Wrinkles
Fenugreek leaves contain essential vitamins and minerals that are effective in treating many skin issues, including wrinkles. You can use both fenugreek leaves and seeds. Your skin absorbs it easily, and you will see visible results with daily use (18). A handful of fresh fenugreek leaves (or 1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds)
16. Cow Ghee Massage For Anti-Aging Benefits
Pure cow ghee has multiple benefits. It enhances digestion and flushes out toxins from your system. And when you apply it to your face, it boosts collagen production, keeps your skin moisturized, and slows down the aging process. However, there is not enough empirical evidence to support the topical benefits of ghee.
½ teaspoon pure cow ghee A few drops of water
17. Tulsi Leaves For Instant Glow
The benefits of tulsi are beyond comparison. From fighting common ailments to keeping your skin healthy, this wondrous herb holds a special place in ayurvedic treatment for the skin. Tulsi extracts can help maintain youthful and glowing skin (19).
A handful of tulsi leaves (basil) 1 tablespoon raw milk
18. Chickpea Flour For Dark Spots
Chickpea flour or besan is easily available in Indian kitchens and has amazing skin cleansing and antimicrobial properties. It is best for removing dark spots, tans, and pigmentation (20).
2 tablespoons chickpea flour ½ teaspoon lemon juice (diluted) 1 teaspoon milk (or yogurt or milk cream)
19. Chamomile And Fuller’s Earth For Toning Your Skin
Chamomile is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. When mixed with fuller’s earth or multani mitti, it tightens the pores, prevents breakouts, and tones your skin to make it appear clear and bright (20), (21).
1 cup chamomile tea (brew it strong) 1 tablespoon fuller’s earth 2 teaspoons honey
20. Sandalwood And Yogurt For Cleansing And Moisturizing
Sandalwood is a common ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine for glowing skin. It cleans the skin thoroughly, killing germs and bacteria, and leaves it looking fresh and bright. Yogurt has a brightening and moisturizing effect on your skin. It reduces blemishes and extra oiliness (17), (22).
1 teaspoon white sandalwood powder ½ teaspoon milk ½ teaspoon yogurt ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
21. Saffron And Aloe Vera For Radiant Skin
Saffron or kesar is among the most expensive spices in the world. It is a time-tested spice that nurtures your skin and keeps it radiant and blemish-free. Aloe vera soothes your skin and reduces inflammation (23), (24).
A pinch of saffron strands 1 teaspoon milk 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
Can Ayurveda cure skin problems? Yes. Ayurvedic practitioners believe that skin issues are caused by a dosha imbalance. Thus, their treatment aims to restore balance and harmony in the individual’s doshas. In addition, long-term skin illnesses and chronic conditions like dermatitis and eczema can be treated with Ayurveda. Is Ayurveda better for skin? Possibly. It can be better for people who prefer using natural ingredients to treat their skin issues. Ayurveda claims that skin issues are caused by an imbalance in any of the three doshas. This imbalance may be caused by food, lifestyle or other external factors including pathogens and pollutants., Ayurveda provides a comprehensive treatment that is both safe and effective over time.
