Understanding Ayurvedic Beauty

ayurvedic beauty

Could Ayurveda be the secret to a radiant-looking complexion? Read on to discover why this holistic system of natural healing has become our latest beauty obsession.

 

What Is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old Indian ‘science’ relating to the connection between your mind, body and soul. Combining the Sanskrit words ‘ayur’ meaning life and ‘veda’ meaning science or knowledge, Ayurveda originated long before modern medicine and science but remains a powerful and meaningful concept even today. “Ayurveda advocates we pay equal attention to the needs of our mind, body and soul and thereby treat our whole eco-system as one, as opposed to fragmented,” explains co-founder of Mauli Rituals, Anita Kaushal.

How Does Ayurveda Link To Beauty?

As Ayurveda is about understanding your body, it views beauty from the inside out. “What we see on the surface of the skin gives us a deeper understanding of internal imbalances which can often be corrected through eating wholesome foods that are best for our mind or body type,” adds Anita who created Mauli Rituals with holistic wellbeing in mind. By seeking out the finest methods and ingredients formulated in consultation with Ayurvedic practitioners, Mauli’s entire collection is natural, organic and crafted to keep the planet and its people healthy of mind, body and spirit.

72646680 1860984600713553 2989094811912372224 o
67171668 1774781039333910 4193235768619040768 o

“Emotions and stress can be treated with adaptogenic herbs which are what we use in our skin and bodycare products,” says Anita. “Massage techniques and nourishing oils are key in Ayurveda and our products offer a natural and effective way to go deep into the system and help to strengthen the mind and body.” Besides from the products you use, a nutritional diet, meditation, mindfulness and yoga along with a holistic way of living can all help to achieve beautiful, radiant skin.

What Is Dosha?

Ayurveda strongly believes that beauty cannot be viewed as superficial and that instead, you must look at the body as a unified whole and discover your own biological energy or ‘dosha.’ While everyone has all three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) in their body, they present themselves in different quantities. “For instance, some of us are made up of more of an air quality (Vata) which will manifest as dry skin, hair and nails,” Anita says. “Ayurveda believes this can be counteracted through oily, warm and nourishing foods.” Your dosha can also change with the seasons which would explain the shift in our skin type in warmer or colder months. You can easily identify yours here.

Vata

Vata skin is often dehydrated, dry and more prone to premature ageing and dark circles under the eyes. To balance this, Ayurveda concedes that oil and balm cleansers should be your go-to thanks to the deeply moisturising formulas usually enriched with essential fatty acids. We love Votary’s Clarifying Cleansing Oil as it not only lifts makeup and impurities, but it is intensely hydrating too. Eating healthy fats like nuts, avocados and fish will also help keep hydration levels boosted. And as Vata often struggle to switch off, an oil like Mauli’s Surrender Body Oil or Mauli’s Sleep Dharma Pillow Mist will balance these energies and promote Zen-like relaxation.

Kapha

Kapha skin is oily with larger pores and more susceptible to breakouts. Your skin is smooth but can be dull. It can be tempting to try and dry out oily skin, but this actually has the opposite effect leading to your skin producing more oil to compensate. Instead, feed it with nourishing products which aren’t too heavy and invigorating ingredients like rosemary, peppermint and citrus to boost circulation. Odacite’s Black Mint Cleanser is a good choice for oilier skins thanks to peppermint and activated charcoal which helps to remove excess oil and minimise breakouts. Spicy foods like garlic, chilli and ginger will help boost sluggish energy as will juicing and drinking herbal teas, Mauli’s Spirited Body Oil massaged into skin will help to further eliminate any toxins as well as strengthening immunity and easing pains.

Pitta

Pitta skin experiences sensitivity, redness and inflammation as common concerns so calming and balancing products should be included in your repertoire. Look for soothing ingredients like tea tree, lavender, rose and thyme too. May Lindstrom’s The Blue Cocoon Beauty Balm Concentrate soothes the mind and takes the heat out of inflamed skin with its concentrated formula of lavender and camelia oil. Mauli’s Supreme Skin Rose Mist is packed with aloe vera and rose to not only soothe and protect skin but to also be spritzed for a midday, mood-enhancing treat.  Eating cooling foods such as cucumber and watermelon is also wise, whilst staying away from acidic and spicy foods is advised too. To ease aching joints and calm nervousness, the Mauli Serenity Body Oil will help before bedtime as it soothes tension and increases circulation thanks to its all-natural blend of chamomile, ylang ylang and frankincense.