Dr Sanchit Sharma shares some Ayurvedic concepts that will enhance the natural radiance of your skin

The ancient concept of Ayurveda firmly believes in following a balanced and healthy diet to ensure a naturally glowing skin. Along with the wholesome diet, it is also essential to follow some regular Ayurvedic rituals or ‘dincharya’ as it cleanses and nourishes the skin from the very core.  Here are some rituals that can be incorporated in your routine for a deeply nourished and supple skin:

Oil pulling (Gandush)

This procedure is meant for preventing diseases related to gums, teeth, and mouth. It needs to be done in the morning by taking 102 tablespoons of coconut or sesame oil in the mouth and swishing it gently through the oral cavity. Start by doing it for five minutes and then gradually extend it for 15-20 minutes. Make sure to avoid swallowing it and spitting it at the end. Finally, use warm water to rinse the mouth.

Benefits for the facial skin:

• Blood supply to the facial muscles increases and sagging of facial skin is prevented.
• Keeps teeth and gums strong and healthy by killing the bacteria.
• Facial muscles become strong.
• Prevents dry lips.

Self-abhyanga (Ayurvedic massage)

i. Use a dry brush on the skin to eliminate the dirt and dead skin from the surface and make the pores more receptive to the oil that will be massaged.

ii. Take some organic coconut or sesame oil and rub between the palms to warm it up. Then massage it all over the body gently from the neck down to the feet. For limbs, use long strokes and for joints, apply short strokes. Fingers and toes must not be ignored as they have important nerve endings.

iii. After letting the oil sit for five-10 minutes, you can rinse the excess oil using cool water, depending on the outside temperature. This prevents the clogging of pores by the extra oil. Doing some deep breathing during this period while letting the oil penetrate the skin is a great practise. Practise it twice or thrice a week for witnessing the benefits.

The process has direct and indirect benefits on the skin in the following ways:

• Skin becomes softer and stays moisturised.
• Enhances the texture, tone, and appearance of skin.
• Enhances blood circulation
• Sleep pattern improves, leading to better health and glowing skin.

Seasonal skincare routines During winters

• Use kokum and coconut and for keeping the skin well-moisturised.
• Try using products with natural ingredients such as cold-pressed oils of almond, apricot, sesame, and jojoba. You can also use honey also keep the moisture intact. You can apply aalep (face masks) with ingredients like banana, aloe vera or papaya, and honey.
• Follow self-abhyanga before bathing, using coconut, sesame, or mustard oil.
• Follow the head massage routine for a healthy scalp and strong hair. It also improves blood circulation and leads to better sleep that is quite essential for glowing skin.

During summers

• Exfoliate your skin with Ayurvedic products like fennel, neem, and green gram to remove the  dead skins and excess oil
• Once exfoliated, tone the skin using jasmine, rose water, cucumber, and aloe vera to close your pores and keep the skin hydrated.
• Moisturise your skin using natural ingredients like chickpea flour, sandalwood oil, and honey. These will keep the skin soft and lithe without making it feel oily during summers.
• Skin damage due to tanning can be removed by using diluted neem and almond oil. This will also kill the pimple/ acne-causing bacteria.

During spring

• Use organic coconut, almond, or sesame oil for detoxifying the skin and enhancing blood circulation. This will keep it nourished and add a natural glow to the skin.
• Apply ubtan mixed with rose water as it forms an excellent exfoliating scrub. For oily skin, it can be mixed with yoghurt to render radiant skin. 

Sufficient sleep

This is another essential criterion for healthy skin. You can practice padaabhyanga using lukewarm oil for better sleep. This will relax your body and boost the blood flow to the skin, letting you wake up to a healthy glow.

Practise meditation and yoga

This will keep you fit by reducing your stress levels and cleansing you from within. This naturally results in a healthy and glowing skin. Doing yoga regularly not only tones your body but even flushes out toxins by enhancing blood circulation.

Being consistent with all these Ayurveda practises can help one with a younger, better looking, healthy skin.

(The author is founder and director of Ayouthveda.)