Ayurvedic Remedies To Enhance Skin Structure

Both external and internal factors such pollution, hot sun, and skincare products, poor dietary choices, life style habits, your health and nutrition intake affect the texture of your skin and makes it look dull and lifeless. You may feel rough, bumpy, or uneven skin structure when you touch it. Your skin is representation of overall well-being or health. According to Ayurveda, the balance of primary body energies (doshas) determines oneâ€™s good health: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha

When any of these doshas become inflamed, it causes a range of diseases, including an uneven skin texture. For example, as per Ayurveda, increased Vata level causes major skin dryness and cell damage, resulting in rough and flaky textured spots or it may become too prone to creases and ageing prematurely. In addition to these, excessive exertion, inadequate rest, and exposure to harsh elements and sun can worsen such problems. You may think that parlor may magically fix the blemishes but it is a temporarily solution and the health of skin may deteriorate by the day. At the same time, you may be looking for best creams, lotions, and moisturizers but they may or may not work efficiently on your skin.

What are the Ayurvedic secrets that can help to have a flawless skin?

According to Ayurveda, most of the skin issues can be cured with the help of natural remedies made from easily available ingredients and herbs to improve skin structure and make it smooth. All you have to do is mix them with few other healing spices as they are without the harmful ingredients/chemicals.

1. Chandan/Sandalwood Paste

Ayurveda recommends applying of Chandan paste to your face as a summer skin ritual that helps to smooth your skin, cure pimples, rashes, acne, and lightens blemishes.

1. Take one teaspoon of sandalwood powder with one teaspoon of turmeric and camphor. Add few drops of rose water or sandalwood oil and mix them well. Apply this quick facemask on your face, leave it on overnight, and wash it off the next morning, with just plain water. Repeat this once or twice a week.

2. Prepare a facemask with 2 teaspoons of almond oil, 4 teaspoons of coconut oil and 4 teaspoons of red sandalwood powder. Use this regularly for soft and glowing skin. Leave it on overnight, and wash it off in the morning.

3. Apply a paste of 2 tablespoon of curd or cucumber juice with an equal amount of sandalwood powder on affected area for removing suntan. Wash it off when it dries.

4. Make a simple face pack with 2 tablespoons of sandalwood and 2 tablespoon of milk and apply it every day for removing dark spots and pigmentation.

5. Mix 1 tablespoon of sandalwood powder, half tablespoon of turmeric, 2 tablespoon of curd or milk to make a face pack. Apply this to your face and let it dry. Later wash it off with lukewarm water and enjoy radiant complexion.

6. A pack made with 1 tablespoon of sandalwood and 2 tablespoons of mashed ripe papaya can help in exfoliation (removal of dead skin) and rejuvenation.

7. Mix sandalwood powder with lemon juice to prepare a facemask for oily skin because it regulates the secretion of sebum and makes the pores tight. Wash it off with lukewarm water when it dries up.

2. Haldi/Turmeric Paste

Haldi/Turmeric is becoming a global phenomenon because Turmeric's active compound curcumin helps rejuvenate the skin from within and kills dead cells. Turmeric acts as a natural exfoliator. In India, Haldi is used in their curries, and to heal their injuries, and to relieve pain and inflammation. It has also been used as an auspicious item in the religious rituals and as an intrinsic part of skin and beauty rituals since time immemorial. Turmeric contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components that will provide glow and luster to the skin. Turmeric is an age-old remedy to address a plethora of skin issues.

1. Apply a facemask made of turmeric and yogurt twice a week and see the results yourself.

2. Apply a facemask made of turmeric, yogurt or milk with chickpea flour to your face and neck. Leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water. Apply this paste twice a week for a glowing smooth skin.

3. Amla/Indian Gooseberry

As per Ayurveda, Amla is considered as one of the superfoods you should be including in your diet. Its tart, sour, bitter and somewhat astringent taste may not be too pleasing for you but it is full with vitamin C and other vital antioxidants that can help prevent free radical activity responsible for premature ageing, dull skin, and wrinkles. You can eat whole Amla in raw or powder form, pickled, cooked, or juice form or can also be blended into other drinks. Amla/Amla powder is best known for its invaluable properties such as preventing premature aging of the body, boosting immunity, improving blood circulation, lowering cholesterol, and strengthening the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Therefore, adding Amla/Amla powder into your diet would be a great investment.

4. Curd/Yogurt

A small bowlful of nutrient-dense Curd/Yogurt can do wonders for your dull and lifeless skin. Including it in your diet or applying it topically will provide moisturizing effect, which helps heal the skin naturally. Acne often stem from gastro-intestinal problems. Therefore, eating Curd/Yogurt helps keep your gut and tummy in good condition. Curd is often applied on face; its rich lactic acid content can act as an exfoliator and clear dead cells.

5. Iron-Rich Foods

In addition to vitamin C, make sure to include many natural sources of iron as well. According to Ayurveda, eating seasonal foods is very beneficial because seasonal produces are fresher and taste better, sweeter and perfectly ripe and have all the nutrients needed for the body as per the season. So, in winters, eat a lot of carrots and beetroot and in summers, you can have loads of pomegranate juice. Iron acts as a natural blood-purifier that helps induce natural glow.

What are the other methods to treat skin problems in Ayurveda?

Ayurveda recommends other skin treatment methods that involve a healthy diet and lifestyle with proper balance of food, exercise, herbs, meditation, and daily routines. There are also several Ayurvedic therapies, such as traditional oil massage (Abhyanga), designed to restore balance and promote skin health. You can use Kumkumadi oil massage for skin brightening, anti-aging and lightening dark circle and Castor oil massage for increasing moisture that helps in maintaining skin health.

You can also include Aloe Vera, Saffron, Tulsi, Ashwagandha and Neem in your daily diet and skin care routines to fight against wrinkles and other outward indications of ageing.