Sure, everyone wants beautiful and glowing skin, but it can take work and commitment. Maintaining a natural glow also means taking care of our bodies: In addition to a well-rounded skin care routine, it also entails eating healthily, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep. Because of this, some people choose to take things up a notch by focusing on using natural products and learning more about how our bodies work.
And that's where Ayurveda come in. The term refers to an ancient Indian natural healing practice that dates back over 5,000 years. In Ayurveda, the focus is generally achieving balance and this is achieved through the right diet, daily routine and skin care routine. An Ayurvedic treatment is based on identifying your dosha, a system composing of three elements: Vata (wind), Pitta (fire) and Kapha (earth). Each person generally has a dominant dosha (or two), which can be determined with the help of an Ayurvedic practitioner (or with a handy guide like this).
Getting started on Ayurveda may seem intimidating at first, but it's becoming quite popular — and as such, it's becoming more and more accessible. Today, there are many Ayurvedic beauty brands on the market that are offering luxe skin care products consistent with Ayurvedic principles. Want to learn more? Here are some of our favorite Ayurvedic beauty products.
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This facial oil is perfect for those with dry skin as it is made with natural moisturizing ingredients (such as almond oil) as well as traditional Ayurvedic ingredients like Tulsi (aka holy basil, a popular adaptogenic skin care ingredient). Designed to repair, rejuvenate and hydrate skin, this face oil also helps fade away fine lines and wrinkles. The founder of the brand, Pratima Raichur, has a background in Ayurvedic medicine and curates and designs the skin care products herself.
What better way to start rebalancing your skin than with a thorough cleanse? This unique cleansing oil uses turmeric as its main ingredient, a spice that has been used in India for over 4,000 years. Turmeric has amazing healing properties and has the ability to treat pimple scars, blemishes and even fine lines (Priyanka Chopra even makes a DIY face mask out of the stuff, in case you need more convincing). This cleansing oil emulsifies into a moisturizing milk when it comes in contact with water. This helps remove dirt and other impurities off your skin without overly drying.
Feed your skin with the right food and prevent dryness with this skin balm. It is primarily made from ghee, a type of butter that is created from buffalo or cow's milk. Ghee is typically used in South Asian cooking, but it is also known for its highly moisturizing properties and healing abilities. Use this balm to moisturize hands and cracked heels or apply this on your face as a deep moisturizer.
Detoxing and removing impurities from the body is crucial in Ayurvedic medicine, and this wash-off mask will do just that. Made with a luxurious blend of honey, clay and various plant oils, this mask will gently exfoliate your skin while also bringing nourishment. It also has black cumin to clear out your pores, turmeric and clove to rejuvenate the skin, and sage and pomegranate to prevent dullness and restore balance.
