As people transition to alternative medicine for treating various lifestyle disorders and ailments, the modern world has a lot to thank Ayurveda for. Ayurveda is a 5000-year-old science of health and wellness that holds secrets to living in harmony with nature and one’s body and mind by bringing balance to the three main bio energies or Doshas-Vata (air) ,Pitta(fire), and Kapha(earth). The Doshas represent the five great elements in nature that make up matter. How these doshas manifest in an individual determines his/her unique physiological and mental constitution called Prakruti. But what has Ayurveda got to do with skin aging? Everything.
1. Addresses the problem from its root
A unique feature of Ayurveda is the degree to which treatments are personalised to address the problem from its roots rather than just treating symptoms. Ayurvedic treatments involve elements like detoxification, purgation and cleansing therapies, herbal formulations and lepas, oleation and nutritional advice, to address any of the dosha imbalances that may be at the root of an illness that has either already manifested or is likely to manifest in an individual.
2. Delays aging
When it comes to anti-aging, it is only natural for the skin as part of our body to age. Aging results from degeneration of skin cells, breakdown of collagen production and oxidative stress (when the free radicals increase in comparison to antioxidants present in the cells). These can also occur as premature aging due to exposure to pollutants, stressful lifestyle, diet lacking in proper nutrition and other environmental factors. Ayurveda helps delay this process through its many anti-aging formulations which are natural and non invasive. In fact, the healing system documents over 200 herbs, minerals, and fats that maintain and enhance the health and beauty of the skin.
3. Antioxidants that fight free radicals
The branch of Ayurveda that deals with aging and effect of aging is called Rasayana or Rejuvenation. The herbs prescribed in Ayurveda address both the issues mentioned above-improve collagen production and reduce oxidative stress by infusing the system with antioxidants to fight rogue free radicals that act on normal skin cells to damage and quicken the pace of skin aging.
Here are some common herbs that you must include in your daily skin care routine for their anti aging benefits:
Haridra: turmeric
Shigru: drumstick
Nimba: neem
Taila parni: eucalyptus
Haritaki: myrobalan
4. Ayurvedic anti-aging products and formulations
Ayurveda-based treatments and formulations offer harmonious ways to balance the doshas to give you an ever youthful skin that glows from within. Before going into solutions, it is important to know how dosha imbalances affect our skin.
* The moisture balance in the skin is affected by aggravated Kapha.
* Vitiated Pitta affects the metabolism responsible for balanced chemical and hormonal reactions in the skin.
*Imbalance in Vata affects blood circulation and nutrients to epidermal layers.
5. Dosha specific skincare to stop premature aging
Vata skin needs frequent rehydration as this type of skin is prone to wrinkles and premature aging. Herbal moisturisers with antioxidants and warm oil massages can work wonders for Vata skin.
Solution for skin problems for Vata skin
To balance the cold, light and dry nature of Vata, products that you use for the skin should be warming, rich, highly hydrating and moisturizing. Ingredients should be selected for their regenerative qualities to help slow down the somewhat accelerated aging process.
Some products from the house of Shankara, known to be the safest blend of the best of Ayurvedic wisdom and knowledge of naturally occurring actives in the west, to best manage Vata Skin based on the properties of the skin type can be-
- Hydrating Cleanser or Deep Cleanse
- TreatmentMicrocrystal Exfoliation
- TreatmentDaily Repair Serum – Rich
- Repair (rose)Anti-Age SerumRich
- Repair Treatment Oil and/or Rich
- Repair MoisturizerAnti-Age eye
- CreamMoisturizing Mask
Pitta skin needs good facial oils. If a person has Pitta skin it means that fire and water predominates in the skin compared to other people of the same age and ethnicity. Thus Pitta skin will be found to have normal thickness, feel warm to the touch, and can have a tendency towards sensitivity.
Solutions for Pitta skin
Ingredients must have anti-inflammatory properties to calm down sensitivity, irritation, and redness if present. Moisturizing and slightly sebum balancing ingredients will adapt perfectly to the conditions of the skin and bring balance whether the skin feels perfectly normal or partially dry or oily (combination skin).
- Hydrating Cleanser or Deep Cleanse Treatment
- Microcrystal Exfoliation Treatment
- Daily Repair Serum – Fine-Line (rose)
- Anti-Age Serum
- Fine Line Treatment Oil and/or Fine Line Moisturizer
- Anti-Age Aye Cream
- Calming Mask
If Pitta skin is too sensitive, blend Microcrystal Exfoliation Treatment with a little water or cleanser toadjust to your skin’s needs. If skin is extremely sensitive, skip exfoliation or use Deep Cleanse Treatment instead.
If you have a Combination SkinTo address an oily T-Zone, use the Daily Repair Serum-Balance (meadowsweet) instead of the Daily Repair Serum – Fine-Line (rose). You may also use the Purifying Cleanser.
For Kapha skin, a daily warm oil massage and cleansing of the skin with gentle exfoliation is advised. Because of the natural amount of oil present and the thickness of the skin, Kapha skin will only show signs of aging much later in life than the other two types.
Bringing balance to Kapha skin
To bring into balance the cold, heavy and oily nature of Kapha, products will be warming, light and sebum-balancing. Ingredients will also have stimulating qualities to help with congestion and sluggishness.Note about very oily skin: An excessively oily skin is actually dehydrated at a deep level and tries to compensate by overproducing sebum.
Kapha products should hydrate the skin deeply while balancing sebum production.
Products suited for Kapha Skin:·
Purifying Cleanser or Deep Cleanse Treatment·
Microcrystal Exfoliation Treatment·
Daily Repair Serum-Balance (meadowsweet)·
Anti-Age Serum·
Balance Treatment Oil and/or Balance· Moisturizer·
Anti-Aging Cream·
Balance Oxygenating Mask
A quick lowdown on the three most popular products that come handy for any of the three doshas.
Microcrystal Exfoliator
Uncover beautiful, radiant skin with this exceptional exfoliation treatment. Ultra-fine silica crystals combine with aloe gel and five algae extracts to gently sluff away dry, dead cells revealing a healthy, youthful glow that is touchably soft.
Soothes, protects new skin
Gentle, non-damaging to capillaries and pores
Refines texture and promotes younger looking skin.
Comes with the goodness of Amorphous Diatomaceous Earth flux-calcined; Glycerin (veg.); essential oils like Sandalwood, turmeric and Melissa, CO2 extract of Helio Carrot; Oregano leaf extract, Thyme extract, Olive leaf extract, Rosemary leaf extract, Lavender flower extract, Golden seal root extract; Neem extract; Papaya leaves extract; Fulvic minerals.
Anti-age serum
This 100% active serum combines gotu kola and chamae rose to deeply moisturize and rejuvenate your skin. Watch fine lines and wrinkles just fade away while your skin appears brighter and healthier.
A 100% active serum that deeply moisturizes and rejuvenates your skin.
Significantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Supports natural skin renewal
Deeply hydrates and oxygenates.
Anti-age eye cream
Take a step towards younger days with a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and dark under eye circles. This calming cream gently nourishes the delicate skin around the eyes, restoring it to a more youthful appearance.
Calming, cooling and nourishing to the delicate skin around the eyes.
Rich in nutrients and antioxidants.
Deeply hydrating and moisturizing.
Comes with the goodness of structured energized water; Glycerin (veg.); Squalane (Olive-derived); Vitamin C ester; Microalgae extract; Carbohydrate complex; Hydrolyzed Milk protein, Aspen bark extract; Hydrolyzed Algin and Chlorella Vulgaris Extract; Vitamin E Tocopherol; Vegetable-derived sugars; essential oils of Rose Absolute, Mandarin, and sandalwood; Golden Flax extract; Echinacea Purpurea extract; Sodium Hyaluronate; Hibiscus extract; Amla extract; Ashwagandha extract; Neem extract; Wheat protein extract; Gotu Kola extract; Kelp extract; Chamae Rose extract; Rosemary Extract; Aloe Barbadensis; and Fulvic minerals.
