Radiantly beautiful and healthy skin with Ayurveda

Our complexion speaks more than 1000 words – about us, our feelings, and our health. Whether we live in harmony with ourselves and our environment, whether we achieve a good balance of work and rest or suffer from chronic stress – all this is also reflected in our skin. We will tell you what, from an Ayurvedic perspective, lies behind healthy skin and what you can do yourself for radiant, beautiful skin.

Beautiful Skin – Not Just a Matter of Aesthetics

Rosy and youthfully fresh? Or grey, tired, and saggy? How we appear to other people largely depends on our skin. It shapes our appearance and our aura. At the same time, healthy skin does a lot for our health. As our largest organ, it envelops and protects our entire body. It is the first barrier in protecting against bacteria, viruses, and allergens. In Ayurveda, we distinguish six layers of skin, of which the outermost, Avabhasini, is the strongest. The skin is also considered the "mirror of our soul." It reflects our inner health and our emotions. We express this linguistically, for example, when we say that something "gets under our skin," certain emotions make us "turn pale" or "blush," we "don't feel comfortable in our own skin," or we "radiate with joy all over our face."

What makes healthy and radiant skin?

Healthy, radiant skin is characterized by good viscosity. It is neither dry nor excessively oily. According to Ayurvedic understanding, the skin is the manifestation of the Pitta Dosha in our body. One of the five Pitta Subdoshas, "Bhrajak" stands for the "glow," blood circulation, and metabolism of the skin. "Bhrajak" influences color, radiance, metabolic activity, blood circulation, thermoregulation, and oil absorption and processes all actions affecting the skin (massage, bathing, etc.). The main seat of the Pitta Dosha in our physiology is the liver area. Therefore, good liver and duodenal function is important for healthy, strong, and beautiful skin. Imbalances in these organs and hormonal regulation will sooner or later leave their marks on the skin. Ayurvedic doctors also know how to use this by paying particular attention to how the skin looks and feels.

Ojas – the Secret of Positive Radiance

What gives us radiance and charisma? From an Ayurvedic perspective, it is Ojas, the finest metabolic end product, which is closely associated with our life energy, a light, joyful body feeling, glow, and aura. If we have strong digestive power, plenty of Ojas can be produced, making us radiate from within.

The Skin as a Mirror of Dosha Balance

The characteristics and ratio of the three Doshas Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are also reflected in our skin. Dry skin, which many people have, primarily indicates an imbalance of Vata (and Pitta). In Vata types, the skin is usually dry, in Pitta types dry and viscous. Particularly beautiful skin is often found in Kapha types. However, it tends to be more oily, sometimes slightly greasy, and can therefore be prone to allergies and infections.

Healthy and Beautiful Skin Needs Care

For your skin to remain fresh and healthy, it needs good care from within and without. Our Ayurvedic 10-point program will show you the way:

10-Point Program for Healthy and Radiant Skin

Skin care from within – with the right nutrition Liver care Abhyanga Daily cleansing Best natural cosmetics for wonderfully nourished skin Sufficient sleep Relaxation Exercise Relaxing face mask as a pampering program for the skin Mindfulness & Joy of Life

1. Skin Care from Within – with the Right Nutrition

The alpha and omega of Ayurvedic skin care from within is a diet tailored to the strength of the individual digestive fire (Agni) and to the Dosha type. Furthermore, for all constitutional types:

• Wholesome and warm foods are particularly important for the skin. Preferably of good organic quality!
• Eat at regular and favorable times if possible. It is best to have breakfast by 8:00 AM (latest 9:00 AM), eat your main meal between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, and have a light dinner between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
• Never combine sweet things like milk with salty foods.
• Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables. They are rich in minerals and vitamins that give your skin radiance and strength.
• Consume enough vitamin C – e.g., in the form of citrus fruits. Vitamin C protects against oxidative stress and is involved in collagen formation.
• With the right, high-quality fats and oils, you give your skin radiance and moisture. Organic Ghee is considered particularly valuable for the skin. It balances Pitta and Vata and is considered Agni-strengthening. For skin care from within, 10 to 15 ml per day are sufficient. You can also consume some milk and cream from time to time.

Your skin will thank you! If you want to do even more for yourself and your skin, you can complement your skin-friendly diet with food supplements. For example, with Turmeric (yellow ginger). In Ayurveda, this popular spice is valued not only for its mild, spicy taste but also for its Pitta-balancing properties. In addition, there are some valuable food supplements made according to traditional recipes, which we would also like to introduce to you:

2. Liver Care

In Ayurveda, the liver is considered the key to perfect skin! It is a central starting point when it comes to improving the complexion or alleviating skin complaints. For an overloaded or imbalanced liver, Ayurveda experts often recommend

• Measures for elimination and cleansing – to relieve the detoxifying organ liver
• a conscious intake of nutrients – to nourish and strengthen the liver

3. Abhyanga – Self-Massage with Oil

Give your skin the attention it deserves every day – with Abhyanga. It is no coincidence that self-massage with oil is an integral part of the Ayurvedic daily routine. You will be amazed at how beneficial it is to give your skin a quarter of an hour of attention in the morning and pamper it with precious oils. The gentle massage movements support tissue cleansing and give your skin new strength, radiance, and elasticity.

4. Daily Cleansing

In Ayurveda, we know various rituals with which you can thoroughly cleanse your skin and prepare it for the absorption of nourishing substances. A nice, warm bath after the morning Abhyanga cleanses the body and relaxes. Alternatively, choose a warm shower. Thorough cleansing is particularly important for Kapha types, where bacteria and allergens adhere more easily to the oilier skin. You can wash your face several times a day with warm water. This reduces the likelihood of infections and allergies. For the delicate skin of the face and neck, we also recommend gentle cleansing mornings and evenings with our Cleansing Milk, a freshly scented cleansing milk suitable for all skin types – with moisturizing aloe vera, nourishing shea butter, natural vitamin E, valuable omega fatty acids, and pure lemongrass oil.

5. Best Natural Cosmetics for Wonderfully Nourished Skin

For your skin to remain smooth and supple for as long as possible, it needs external protection and care. With the unique Ayurvedic systemic care series from Maharishi Ayurveda, you give your skin exactly the care it needs. Whether you choose the Cleansing Milk, the refreshing Skin Tonic, or a facial care cream tailored to your skin type – with our systemic care, you rely on the best natural cosmetics according to the BDIH/COSMOS seal, one of the highest standards in Europe! All products are carefully manufactured according to authentic Ayurvedic recipes – from exquisite herbs, pure, fragrant essential oils, and pure Himalayan water.

6. Sufficient Sleep

Sleep is the time for regeneration. This also applies to our skin, whose cells regenerate significantly faster during sleep than during the day. This is due to a growth hormone that our body primarily releases during deep sleep. With persistent lack of sleep, the skin becomes thinner and more wrinkles form. Conversely, sufficient restorative sleep can counteract skin aging. Ayurveda experts recommend going to sleep before 10:00 PM to get up early in the morning. Sleep yourself beautiful.

7. Relaxation

Make sure you relax regularly. Experience shows that this works particularly well if you schedule fixed times for relaxation in your daily routine, e.g., for yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation.

8. Exercise

Exercise regularly. With every movement, you promote blood circulation in your skin, its supply of nutrients and fresh oxygen, and the removal of waste products. Ayurveda recommends sporting activities preferably between 6 and 10 AM and adjusting the duration, intensity, and type of movement to the respective Dosha type.

9. Relaxing Face Mask as a Pampering Program for the Skin

Pamper yourself and your skin once a week with a face mask. Ideal for this are the 3-in-1 facial care creams from our natural cosmetics series, which you can use for day and night care as well as a care mask:

• Vata Care Cream for normal to dry skin and combination skin
• Pitta Care Cream for normal and sensitive skin
• Revital Cream for normal, mature and demanding skin

10. Mindfulness & Joy of Life

Give your skin the mindfulness it deserves. This care will benefit not only your body but also your well-being. Try it out, and you will see how your positive attitude to life is also reflected in your appearance. Because when you feel completely comfortable and enjoy life, it will also make your skin radiate.

Tip: Face Yoga

Would you like to do even more for your skin and a younger appearance? Scientific studies (published e.g., in JAMA Dermatology) confirm an anti-aging effect of "face yoga." You train various facial muscles individually or in groups; the strengthened muscles fill in existing wrinkles from within. Usually, we only use a few of the more than 40 facial muscles – and mostly, we are not even aware of how we move our facial muscles when we are worried, anxious, or concentrated. Over the years, this leads to the dreaded "worry lines" and other expression lines. Face yoga helps counteract the effects of gravity and leads to improved blood circulation, firmer skin, finely shaped facial lines, and improved facial metabolism. Try it out, if you like.

Not Just for Kapha Types – 100 Splashes

For Kapha skin, it is recommended to wash the face several times a day. Tip: Try the "100 Splashes" method. This method helps to cleanse and shrink facial pores, reduce acne and blackheads, and stimulate blood circulation. Important: Always use water that is at most lukewarm. Here's how to do it: After cleansing your face, fill a (glass) bowl with lukewarm water, alternating between pouring some water into your palms and splashing it onto your face with quick upward motions about 80 times. At the end, you can still use up to 20 splashes of cold water to close the pores. Wishing you beautiful skin and a wonderful glow, Your Maharishi Ayurveda Europe Team

Film recommendation

Many of the above tips come from the webinar "Radiantly Beautiful and Healthy Skin with Ayurveda", in which our Indian Ayurveda experts Dr. Richa Shrivastava and Vaidya Dr. Saurabh Sharma share their extensive knowledge about the topic of skin with Ayurveda enthusiasts.