Ayurveda. It's one of those New Age-y trends that we're still not 100 percent sure we're pronouncing correctly (along with acai and jojoba) -- or clear on why we should care much about it. The 5,000-year-old practice is steeped in tradition, handed down from generation to generation. But it also taps into the very modern and not-so-out-there idea that whatever is going on inside your body shows up on the outside (think: acne, clogged pores and rosacea).

Aparna Rai, owner of skin-care line Au Natural Ayurveda, says that unlike Western medicine, Ayurveda attempts to get to the root of the issue. "It's like when you hear the sound of a smoke detector. One way to stop it is to remove the smoke detector. Another is to turn it off. But Ayurveda tries to find the fire," she says. As such, the best way to unearth your glowiest, most youthful-looking skin, say Ayurvedics, isn't by slathering on an expensive serum -- it's by treating whatever's masking your glow in the first place.

These are the beauty practices Ayurvedics swear by -- and soon, you will too.

Ayurvedic beauty rule No. 1: Get out of bed with the sun. Ripping the covers off at the crack of dawn may seem bad for a fresh-faced glow, but according to Ayurvedic principles, to look and feel great all day, our routine must be in sync with nature. To that end, bedtime should be no later than 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., says Rai.

Because sleep is a time when the body repairs itself and digestion shuts down, make lunch your biggest meal of the day. "If you eat a big meal before sleeping, your body doesn't digest it properly," says Rai.

The not-so-pretty result: a buildup of toxins in the body. "What we call ama," says Rai. Ama shows up as dull skin and a white coating on the tongue, which Rai says you should remove daily with a tongue scraper.

"I dry brush every single day," says Ayurvedic practitioner Denise Baron. "When the lymphatic system, which is the garbage remover of your body, is clogged, it's like a road block," she says.

Dry brushing your body will increase circulation, calm your nervous system and help a sluggish lymphatic system get moving.

What that means for your exterior: major glow-inducing exfoliation and skin-toning (buh-bye, cellulite) that celebrities like Elle Macpherson, Molly Sims and Miranda Kerr all swear by. And we thought they were just blessed with perfect genes.

Baron recommends using a garshan glove for dry brushing. Made of raw silk, the gloves are a slightly gentler alternative to stiff brushes that might cause irritation to skin.

See our step-by-step guide to dry brushing here.

Have you heard of ghee? Touted as a superfood, it has one very distinguishing characteristic: It's full of fat. The paleo-approved clarified butter is a staple in Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic practitioners use it as a carrier oil when mixing up skin-healing tonics and massage oils, and as a once-daily supplement -- kind of like a buttery, liquid vitamin that detoxifies your system.

It's also great for the eyes. Baron says that because the eyes hold so much tension, it's important to keep them well lubricated. A ghee bath stimulates hydration in the eyes and can help reduce redness. "It also gives the eyes luster and softens wrinkles around your orbital bone," says Baron.

But don't head off to your fridge just yet. This is not something you should DIY at home, says Baron. Because it involves creating a dam-like bath for the ghee to sit in, trying to do it yourself (with your eyes closed) will stimulate more stress than relaxation. Instead, visit an Ayurvedic practitioner for a ghee bath, also known as netra basti eye therapy.

Before diving into an Ayurvedic practice, you first need to know your dosha, -- a mix of physical and emotional qualities that make you you. There are three types: Pitta, Vata and Kapha.

Kind of like a "Which 'Sex in the City' Character Are You?" quiz, most people don't fall under just one type. You may be 80 percent Charlotte with a sprinkle of Miranda and Carrie thrown in.

Those who are Pittas, the fire dosha, tend to be intelligent, passionate, fiery and competitive, and when they become unbalanced, that usually shows up as inflammation and acne. The Vata types are usually thin, lively and always on the move, which can translate to anxiety, insomnia and dry skin. Kaphas are grounded people who are strong, stable and muscular, which means they're also prone to sluggishness, weight gain and holding grudges when their dosha is out of whack.

Shadoh Punnapuzha, owner of Arya Essentials, says that an Ayurvedic practitioner will look at your pulse, skin, hair, nails, eyeballs and tongue to get an idea of what your dosha is and what might be out of whack. When your dosha is out of balance, it shows up physically and mentally. But when it's brought into balance, says Punnapuzha, it will show. "These are not overnight results, because Ayurveda is not as aggressive as Western medicine, but the results will make you smile. Your skin will have a natural glow, you will look younger and there is a freshness to you," she explains.