Ayurveda is based on the principle of maintaining a balance between the mind, body, and spirit to achieve optimal health. The word “Ayurveda” comes from the Sanskrit words “ayur” meaning life and “veda” meaning knowledge or science. Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. Considered to be the oldest science of healing, it is one of the oldest forms of holistic medicine and is widely used today.
Ayurveda skin care is part of this system that focuses on using natural remedies to improve the health and appearance of the skin. It emphasizes the importance of internal health for external beauty. Ayurveda believes that the skin reflects the overall health of the body and that external beauty is a reflection of internal balance. Practitioners recommend eating a balanced diet, practicing stress-reducing activities like yoga and meditation, and getting enough sleep to maintain overall health and promote radiant skin. Indeed
Ayurvedic skin care is becoming increasingly popular, as people seek natural alternatives to chemical-laden skin care products.
After being embraced throughout India, Ayurveda eventually reached other parts of the world, including China, Tibet, and Greece. In the 8th century, the Arab physician Rhazes translated an Ayurvedic text into Arabic, which helped to spread the message across the Islamic world. During colonial rule the British in India did take steps to suppress Ayurveda and promote Western medicine. However, Ayurveda remained stubbornly popular in India and was eventually recognized as a legitimate system of medicine by the Indian government. Ayurveda has a rich history and continues to be practiced around the world today.
Ayurvedic practitioners believe that different skin types require different treatments, based on the three doshas. They are – vata (wind/air), pitta (fire), and kapha (water and earth). They are bioenergetic or life forces, also known as bodily humor that make up the constitution of the body and mind. This constitution determines an individual’s personality and health. For instance, individuals with a vata dosha are said to have dry, delicate skin that requires nourishing oils and gentle exfoliation. Those with a pitta dosha have sensitive skin that can become inflamed, so they should avoid harsh chemicals and use cooling ingredients like aloe vera and cucumber. Those with a kapha dosha tend to have oily skin, so they should focus on cleansing and balancing their skin with ingredients like turmeric and neem.
Ayurveda skin care involves using natural ingredients, such as herbs, oils, roots, and spices that are believed to have healing properties for the skin. Natural ingredients include neem, turmeric, sandalwood, ashwagandha (withania somnifera), manjistha (rubia cordifolia), kumkumadi, amla, rose, and aloe vera, to nourish and protect the skin. Ayurvedic skin care also emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle for maintaining healthy skin. Ayurvedic skin care has gained popularity in recent years as people have become far more interested in sustainable, natural, and holistic approaches to health, wellness, and beauty.