The health of our skin goes a lot deeper than just the products we use and how we take care of it externally. Skincare is what we put in our bodies, on our bodies, and how well we take care of our overall health and well-being.
The health of our skin is primarily determined by the health of our gut, hormonal system, and mental wellness. It is equally important that we use quality, nourishing products on our skin to support a radiant complexion and a healthy glow. Beauty is a holistic endeavor and having a self-care practice in place that considers our entire being helps us cultivate beautiful, glowing skin from the inside out.
Try these Ayurvedic beauty tips and remedies to support your beauty routine this spring.
Stimulating our digestive fire first thing in the morning helps prepare the body to properly eliminate and digest all day long. Warm water with lemon helps boost our agni first thing in the morning, cleanses the blood and liver, and allows us to begin the day hydrated. A healthy digestive system and proper hydration aids healthy and glowing skin. Upon waking, heat 8oz of water and add a squeeze of lemon. Sip and enjoy.
Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic full-body massage with warm oil. It helps balance the doshas, promotes skin radiance, and supports the lymphatic system, aiding healthy detoxification. Abhyanga consists of massaging warmed oil on the body in long strokes toward the heart for 15-20 minutes. The oil used may vary depending on your dosha; you can find out more about which oil to use for your constitution here.
It is a time to deeply nourish and connect with yourself and your body and improve skin texture, tone, and radiance. Take a warm shower after, rinsing off the oil and avoiding using too much soap. Dry off and enjoy the nourishing and calming effects of your self-massage.
Chickpea flour has been long used for skin health in ancient Ayurvedic tradition. Chickpea flour provides benefits of detoxification, improved circulation, and gentle exfoliation. It is excellent for cleansing and exfoliating the skin, especially for oily, Kapha-like skin.
You can use chickpea flour on its own as a gentle exfoliating cleanser or add other powdered herbs like licorice, neem, or rose for added benefits. Dampen your face and scrub the flour gently into the skin for a few moments before rinsing and drying. Follow by applying nourishing face oil or moisturizer to avoid over-drying.
What we eat directly affects the health and radiance of our skin. The more foods with higher prana, or life force we can consume, the better. Prioritize eating fresh and lightly cooked vegetables and fruits for optimal digestion.
Try incorporating leafy greens or vegetables in most of your daily meals. Avoid stale, frozen, or overcooked foods as it reduces the life force of the food and isn’t as easily assimilated by the body. Easy to digest and high in nutrient food nourishes the body from the inside out and supports radiant skin.
The liver removes and eliminates unwanted toxins so that they do not circulate through the rest of our bodies. The health of our liver is critical when it comes to skin health. If we are not adequately detoxing and metabolizing what enters our bodies, the accumulation of toxins can lead to breakouts, skin redness, inflammation, and other skin issues.
Herbs are an excellent way to support the health of our liver. Kutki has a deeply cleansing action on the liver and the gallbladder, supporting healthy liver function. Other herbs like Guduchi, turmeric, and Triphala are all highly effective in cleansing and supporting the liver when taken regularly. Consult your Ayurvedic practitioner on dosage and which herbs may be right for you.
*Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.
Release winter stagnation and refresh your energy with Spring Release and Refresh, a four-part Ayurveda series with Dr. Sheila Patel, available now in the Chopra App under For You.
The health of our skin is primarily determined by the health of our gut, hormonal system, and mental wellness. It is equally important that we use quality, nourishing products on our skin to support a radiant complexion and a healthy glow. Beauty is a holistic endeavor and having a self-care practice in place that considers our entire being helps us cultivate beautiful, glowing skin from the inside out.
Try these Ayurvedic beauty tips and remedies to support your beauty routine this spring.
Morning Warm Water with Lemon
Stimulating our digestive fire first thing in the morning helps prepare the body to properly eliminate and digest all day long. Warm water with lemon helps boost our agni first thing in the morning, cleanses the blood and liver, and allows us to begin the day hydrated. A healthy digestive system and proper hydration aids healthy and glowing skin. Upon waking, heat 8oz of water and add a squeeze of lemon. Sip and enjoy.
Abhyanga
Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic full-body massage with warm oil. It helps balance the doshas, promotes skin radiance, and supports the lymphatic system, aiding healthy detoxification. Abhyanga consists of massaging warmed oil on the body in long strokes toward the heart for 15-20 minutes. The oil used may vary depending on your dosha; you can find out more about which oil to use for your constitution here.
It is a time to deeply nourish and connect with yourself and your body and improve skin texture, tone, and radiance. Take a warm shower after, rinsing off the oil and avoiding using too much soap. Dry off and enjoy the nourishing and calming effects of your self-massage.
Chickpea Scrub
Chickpea flour has been long used for skin health in ancient Ayurvedic tradition. Chickpea flour provides benefits of detoxification, improved circulation, and gentle exfoliation. It is excellent for cleansing and exfoliating the skin, especially for oily, Kapha-like skin.
You can use chickpea flour on its own as a gentle exfoliating cleanser or add other powdered herbs like licorice, neem, or rose for added benefits. Dampen your face and scrub the flour gently into the skin for a few moments before rinsing and drying. Follow by applying nourishing face oil or moisturizer to avoid over-drying.
Eat Fresh Foods
What we eat directly affects the health and radiance of our skin. The more foods with higher prana, or life force we can consume, the better. Prioritize eating fresh and lightly cooked vegetables and fruits for optimal digestion.
Try incorporating leafy greens or vegetables in most of your daily meals. Avoid stale, frozen, or overcooked foods as it reduces the life force of the food and isn’t as easily assimilated by the body. Easy to digest and high in nutrient food nourishes the body from the inside out and supports radiant skin.
Liver Supporting Herbs
The liver removes and eliminates unwanted toxins so that they do not circulate through the rest of our bodies. The health of our liver is critical when it comes to skin health. If we are not adequately detoxing and metabolizing what enters our bodies, the accumulation of toxins can lead to breakouts, skin redness, inflammation, and other skin issues.
Herbs are an excellent way to support the health of our liver. Kutki has a deeply cleansing action on the liver and the gallbladder, supporting healthy liver function. Other herbs like Guduchi, turmeric, and Triphala are all highly effective in cleansing and supporting the liver when taken regularly. Consult your Ayurvedic practitioner on dosage and which herbs may be right for you.
*Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.
Release winter stagnation and refresh your energy with Spring Release and Refresh, a four-part Ayurveda series with Dr. Sheila Patel, available now in the Chopra App under For You.
