There’s never been a better time to invest in self-care, embracing holistic rituals to balance your mind and body. Busy is the new normal so it’s important to take some time to recharge and calm your nervous system, regrounding yourself as often as possible. Self-care trends come and go, however there’s one ancient holistic approach that continues to heal and balance from within – Ayurveda.
Translated to “the science of life”, Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest healing systems, with roots deeply planted in ancient India. Ayurveda is a philosophy that believes our body, mind and spirit are interlinked – made up of the 5 elements of space, air, fire, water and earth. These energies (Doshas) exist in a delicate balance and influence how our bodies feel and function.
Whilst diet and traditional medicine play an important role in aligning the Doshas, there are also a few Ayurvedic practices that assist to holistically balance and improve overall health and wellbeing.
AYURVEDIC SKINCARE INGREDIENTS
Ayurvedic skincare draws heavily upon nature’s gifts, harnessing the power of herbs, oils, and botanical extracts. Here are a few to look out for in your skincare products.
Turmeric
Turmeric Extract is used traditionally in Ayurveda and is a potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant. When used topically, it provides therapeutic benefits—reducing scarring and improving wound healing, while also soothing inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis.
Rose Water
Rose water is a beloved Ayurvedic staple used for thousands of years for medicinal, food and beauty purposes. Boasting powerful anti-inflammatory properties, rose flower water has been shown to inhibit the enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, thereby reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps to reduce redness and calm the complexion.
Ashwagandha Root Extract
A powerful adaptogenic herb, ashwagandha has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Particularly useful in helping the body adapt and respond to stress—ashwagandha also contains phytochemicals that support immune health, heart health and help to fight inflammation. Its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties also make it beneficial in the treatment of acne, while its powerful antioxidant profile supports collagen production, making it useful in the fight against ageing.
Amla Berry Fruit Extract
This rejuvenating Ayurvedic herb is commonly known as the Indian Gooseberry and is a potent antioxidant containing naturally high levels of vitamin C—essential for healthy skin function and protection against skin ageing. In Ayurveda, ‘Amlaki’ is thought to balance pitta types, easing digestive fire, supporting healthy liver function, immunity and reducing inflammation.
Holy Basil
Not to be confused with basil that we commonly use for cooking, Holy Basil is a plant that is native to India, playing an important part in traditional medicine. With a peppery taste, it contains anti-inflammatory properties believed to assist with reducing pain and swelling.
AYURVEDIC SKIN RITUALS TO BALANCE & GLOW
Central to Ayurvedic skincare is the concept of self-care as sacred ritual. Daily practices such as Abhyanga Self-Massage not only nourish the skin but also calm the mind and promote overall well-being. Additionally, practices like dry brushing stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage, aiding in detoxification and contributing to some serious skin glow. Follow our rituals guide below to improve your skin health and overall wellbeing in as little as 10 minutes per day!
GARSHANA DRY BODY BRUSHING
Inspired by ancient Ayurvedic healing traditions, Garshana dry body brushing is a nourishing ritual that stimulates lymphatic drainage, improves the body’s natural detoxification channels and boosts circulation to revitalise and rejuvenate skin. Topically, the gentle bristles work to exfoliate and slough away dead skin cells, stimulating cellular turnover, for brighter, firmer, more radiant skin. On a deeper level, incorporating Garshana dry body brushing into your daily routine is a powerful way to implement self-care, energise the body, increase blood flow, boost overall vitality, decrease puffiness and reduce the appearance of cellulite.
For optimal results, incorporate Garshana dry body brushing into your daily routine and always brush towards your heart to work with your body’s natural flow of lymph and promote improved blood flow.
On dry skin before a bath or shower, begin your Garshana practice by using firm, short strokes across the soles of the feet.
Continue with upwards strokes to brush the legs, then circular motions around and behind the knees, before returning to long sweeping strokes up the thighs towards the buttocks.
To brush the arms, begin at the hands, using sweeping upwards strokes up your forearms, around the elbow and up towards your armpits.
Then, use circular clockwise motions to brush the belly in order to assist with the natural flow of digestion.
Follow with the lower back, again using upward strokes as much as possible, before gently brushing downwards from the neck towards your heart.
To complete your Garshana practice, follow with your daily Abhyganga massage and a warm shower.
KANSA WAND FACE MASSAGE
Just as our bodies benefit from massage, so too does our complexion. The practice of Ayurvedic Kansa Massage has been around for centuries and is considered sacred due to its ability to bring harmony to the mind and body—balancing the doshas, unblocking energy channels and improving the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
Massage your way to smooth skin, de-puff your eyes and relax tense muscles with a Kansa Wand Massage.
Begin by applying your chosen Face Oil to freshly cleansed skin.
Beginning in the middle of your forehead, use small, circular motions up towards your hairline, working your way across the forehead.
Use gentle, fluid motions around the eyes to ease tension and reduce puffiness.
Apply firm strokes around the mouth area to increase circulation and smooth the skin.
Use upwards and outward strokes from jawline up towards the cheekbones.
Finish your practice by using the Kansa Wand in long upwards and outwards strokes, up neck towards the jawline.
For targeted tension relief use firm pressure with small circular motions around the temples and masseter muscle area.
ABHYANGA MASSAGE
Abhyanga Massage benefits extend beyond the skin’s surface, encouraging daily self-care to help strengthen and balance the five essential elements within each of us and ensure our dominant Dosha is supported. Abhyanga can improve lymphatic drainage and detoxification, increase and strengthen circulation, alleviate inflammation and muscle pain and most importantly, bring calm and balance to the nervous system.
Here’s a quick guide on how to reap the rewards at home.
Before showering or bathing, take your Ayurvedic Body Oil and warm it beneath hot water or between your palms.
Then, begin your massage at the crown of your head, rubbing in a clockwise motion.
For your hands and feet, use an open palm, then increase to upwards and downwards strokes to massage your arms and legs.
To help assist with your body’s natural flow of digestion and promote improved detoxification, use circular clockwise motions on your belly.
Follow with upward strokes towards your chest, from underneath the breasts up towards your collarbone and neck.
And finally, finish with your lower back, using your fingertips to massage in a downwards motion to energise the body.
It’s important to embrace the ritual and spend time connecting with yourself and your body—without rushing. Your Abhyanga ritual should take up to 20 minutes and once completed, simply jump into the shower or bath to gently rinse off any excess oil.
Ayurvedic skincare invites us to return to the roots of beauty – to embrace simplicity, harmony, and the timeless wisdom of nature. In a world that often pulls us in a hundred different directions, incorporating Ayurvedic skincare into your daily routine offers a gentle reminder to slow down, breathe deeply, and nurture the body, mind, and soul.
