Top 5 Ayurvedic tips for Beautiful Skin and Healthy Hair

Taking care of the skin and hair can be a great way to feel and look good. But living our crazy routines, we often forget to prioritize ourselves on our to-do list.

As we shed our ‘winter coats’ to enter Spring, it is time for new skincare routines to adhere to the changing weather. Ayurveda recommends honouring the mind and body by aligning to the seasons and naturally nourishing well.

Skin and hair care routines don’t have to be complex. Try some easy Ayurvedic tips that you can incorporate into your busy life to take care of your skin and hair.

Just dibble-dabble in your pantry, and you’ll find many beneficial healing herbs offering rich nourishment for skincare and healthy hair.

#1 The CTM routine 
The CTM (cleansing, toning, moisturizing) routine can be the most basic yet effective means to improve skin texture for a natural glow. 

Cleansing the skin is essential for removing pollutants, dirt, makeup, oil and sweat secretions. To begin with, try a gentle cleansing routine with natural cleansers that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Combine two tablespoons of yoghurt, a teaspoon of organic honey, a few drops of lemon juice, a tablespoon of gram flour (besan), and a teaspoon of tulsi. Apply it to your face and gently massage using your fingertips. Wash off with plain water. This detoxifying cleanser will slough off the dead skin cells and tighten pores for revitalized skin.

Next step is skin toning for closing and refining the skin pores. Rosewater or raw milk are delightful natural skin toners. Spray some on your face and pat the skin gently to enable absorption.

Toning is followed by moisturizing for hydrating the skin. You can use natural moisturizers like aloe vera, forest honey, saffron that work together to enhance complexion, promote refreshed skin, and reduce blemishes.

#2 Homemade Packs
Homemade packs can help restore the skin’s natural pH balance for clear and glowing skin. A drizzle of organic honey can be a great addition to your homemade packs for nourishing and healing the skin.

Multani mitti (Fuller’s earth) has potent clarifying properties that can work like magic on spots and blemishes. Licorice or Yashtimadhu is a powerful antioxidant that can help repair sun damage and hyperpigmentation. 

Make a smooth paste of ripe papaya, rose water, a pinch of turmeric, licorice powder, and Multani mitti. Apply it evenly and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Wash it off with plain water.

Chandan (sandalwood) is another magical ingredient that boasts innumerable medicinal properties from fighting acne and exfoliating the skin to removing tan and preventing skin sagging. Ashwagandha has collagen-boosting properties that can help quicken skin repair to promote healthy skin.

Try a face pack of Chandan (sandalwood), a few drops of lemon juice (optional), a tablespoon of cucumber juice, half a teaspoon of organic honey, a teaspoon of ashwagandha powder. Keep it on for about 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

#3 Homemade Scrubs
Homemade scrubs can work as a brilliant exfoliator for your face, hands, and feet to get youthful skin. Easy to make, homemade scrubs can help remove the dead skin cells to brighten the skin. Apply them once a week to feel your most beautiful!

Combine -  a cup of crushed oatmeal, a teaspoon of honey, a teaspoon of olive oil, a teaspoon of amla to make a fine paste. Apply it evenly over your face and gently rub in circular motions for about 2 minutes. Leave it on for a couple of minutes. Rinse with warm water and apply the moisturizer of your choice. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice to the scrub.

#4 Luscious Lips
Nothing can probably look worse than dry, chapped lips! Keeping them soft and nourished is a beauty must. Though lips balms and glosses can help, you can try natural treatments to keep your lips soft and supple. 

To exfoliate and moisturize your lips, try this lip scrub you can make at home. Mix - two tablespoons of coconut oil, a teaspoon of organic honey, a teaspoon of licorice, and two tablespoons of white or brown sugar. Gently rub this mixture over the lips, leave it on for about two minutes and rinse it off with warm water. Apply this scrub once a week for healing and nourishing your lips.

#5 Hair Masks
The hair woes never end, do they now? Hair masks can be a great way to help repair damaged hair and promote smooth and silky hair.

Make a fine paste of curry leaves, methi seeds, neem leaves, amla powder, and a few hibiscus flowers to restrict premature greying, cure dandruff, reduce hair fall, and facilitate hair growth.

Blend two tablespoons of yoghurt, a tablespoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of organic honey and a teaspoon of Triphala. Apply it evenly on the scalp. Leave it on for about 30 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

Be your most beautiful while enjoying the season of new beginnings. An ayurvedic skin and hair care routine can be an excellent way to help support holistic health and wellbeing naturally.