What are Ayurvedic Skin Care Products? Tips for Using Ancient Methods in Modern Times
The Sanskrit word Āyurvedaliterally means, “The complete knowledge for long life.” Developed over 5000 years ago during the Vedic period in India, this evolving form of ancient medicine has consistently been affirmed to be based on sound scientific principles, while still staying true to its roots in South Asia.
While the practice of Ayurveda involves much more than just taking care of your skin, including meditation, yoga, and an emphasis on a natural and balanced lifestyle, skin care does play an important role. The skin is the largest organ in your body, and Ayurveda pays a great deal of attention to it. They developed a number of formulas using the ingredients at their disposal thousands of years ago.
Regardless of skin type, Ayurvedic skin care philosophy maintains that healthy skin begins from within, and that a healthy diet can take you a long way towards healthy skin. Furthermore, Ayurveda maintains that the skin is like a sponge, and it soaks in whatever you put on it. You shouldn’t put anything on your body that you wouldn’t put in your body. Thus Ayurveda strictly uses natural ingredients in its skin care products (as opposed to the many chemicals used in skin care products today). Some of the favorite skin care remedies used in Ayurveda are things that might remind you more of cooking than skin care. For example, Ayurveda suggests the use of cucumber to reduce “puffiness” around the eyes and to lighten under-eye circles. Also, honey is often used to rehydrate skin, as it has excellent skin-soothing properties. Other ingredients include aloe vera, clay, neem, rosehip oil, castor oil, turmeric, and grape seed oil etc.
Today, skin care products use ingredients that would have been inconceivable all those years ago. Many of the products use preservatives and chemicals that are anything but natural, and are often not very healthy. For example, modern skin care techniques often involve the use of alcohol in products to allow for quick absorption into the skin. Alcohol, however, can severely dehydrate your skin, and predispose it to conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and others. Instead of using alcohol, Ayurveda turns to natural ingredients that have no such harmful effects. For example, in toners, Ayurvedic products utilize rosewater to accomplish the effect of skin tightening, which, in most commercially available products is achieved by using alcohol.
Combined effectively, the natural ingredients of Ayurveda allow for an organic approach to skin care that is consistently safer and more effective than it’s chemical-ridden counterpart. Opting for this much gentler, natural, and holistic approach to skin care can still work wonders for your skin and overall health!
About the Author
Sheetal Rawal is Founder of Apsara Skin Care, Inc. She loves to write about Ayurvedic Skin Care Products. To know more about Skin Care Products please visit her website: apsaraskincare.com
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