10 Ayurveda Beauty Tips

 Tri-Dosha founder Sunita Passi shares her top ten ayurveda beauty tips. 

1. Using the goodness that nature intended

When it comes to looking after your skin, there are many options available in the market with products claiming to address every skin problem, but my belief is that you should benefit from all the good stuff that nature intended. That’s why I set out to develop a cleverly crafted range of superb skincare and bodycare products called Tri-Dosha made from natural and organic ingredients of wild crafted and therapeutic herbs, and oozy aromatic essential oils. Everything in the range has been lovingly created to deliver real tangible results with a touch of luxury.

2. Hip, holistic and honest

Our range of products brings a fresh, honest approach to looking and feeling good. You see, highly-processed, synthetic and chemically orientated skincare and bodycare can leave your delicate skin with harmful irritants. In fact no matter how good the ingredients or how expensive, these products are still chemically processed. I also understand that everybody’s skin is different, and with the help of Ayurveda, my approach to caring and nurturing the face and body meets your individual needs.

3. Observe your ‘dosha’

The Sanskrit term ‘dosha’ is probably the best-known principle of Ayurveda today and the cornerstone of its method of diagnosis. The fundamental goal of Ayurvedic practice is to maintain your own innate ‘doshic’ balance.  There are three: Vata – is composed of ether space and air; Pitta, composed of fire and water; and Kapha, composed of water and earth. Each one of us has a totally unique combination of Vata, Pitta and Kapha and knowing this informs our beauty choices. For instance, when it comes to cleansing follow these tips:

• Vata: put unpasteurised raw milk on a cosmetic sponge to cleanse the skin and pores.
• Pitta: mix a little coconut oil with water. Apply over the face. Remove with a warm cloth.
• Kapha: use a mix of apple cider vinegar, lemon or lime juice to remove oils and debris from the skin.

4. Ayurvedic therapy needn’t be expensive

Some simple age-old Indian wisdom can help you acquire naturally glowing skin using a storehouse of herbal remedies you can find in your own home. A rummage around your pantry is all you need for a lustrous complexion! Make your own facemask with a few contents from your kitchen.

• Vata: combine split orange lentils with ghee and milk until thickened into a paste. Apply as a face mask and leave for five minutes. Remove with warm water.
• Pitta: in 10ml of milk, mix tumeric powder and ground sandalwood for form a paste. Apply to skin in a light coat and leave on for five minutes. Remove with warm water.
• Kapha: in a blender or food processor, mix two tablespoons of plain yoghurt with a kiwi fruit and one tablespoon each of almond oil, orange water and honey. Add a teaspoon of ground almonds and smooth onto the face. After five minutes, remove with a warm wet cloth.

5. A facelift without a needle in sight

A self-administered massage serves as an effective natural facelift. Sagging jowls are a sure indicator that the ageing process is taking place, but a little hands-on help will deter skin from loosing its firmness and lustre. This sagging is due to the jaw line becoming less firm, which in turn causes the skin to droop. Massage has been used for centuries as an anti aging technique and works as a natural facelift to combat sagging jowls. Go for a two-minute massage routine twice a day for optimum results, using a massage oil, applying in a circular motion then an upward motion.

6. Oils that make you look younger

Lessen the signs of wrinkles and fine lines with some everyday oils. Olive oil is a natural moisturiser loaded with antioxidants and fatty acids and will rejuvenate skin and prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Smooth a thin layer of olive oil onto your skin before bed every night. Likewise castor oil is a miracle worker. Smooth a light coating of castor oil onto your face if clammy, to keep it soft and wrinkle free. Do this daily until you feel your skin has regained its balance.

7. Feed your skin with natural moisture

Want hydration? Say goodbye to parched skin with just a few simple steps.

• Vata: apply fresh orange juice to your face daily. Rich in vitamin C, it will fight ageing and acts as a good skin toner.
• Pitta: combine a teaspoon of rose water, orange juice, lime juice and olive oil with the white of one egg. Leave on the face for 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water to balance sensitive skin and calm redness.
• Kapha: heat several tablespoons of grated beeswax with four ounces of grapeseed oil and coconut oil until melted. Add half a cup of oats mixed with half a cup of strong green tea. Blend the cooled oil together with the oats / tea mixture. Apply a light coating to the face and body for an improvement in skin condition. Store in the refrigerator. To be used on any part of the body.

8. It’s a real solution to skincare problems

Ayurveda might be gentle but it’s got serious skincare clout. Use the age-old wisdom of Ayurveda to target specific skin problems like acne. Here are three solutions to stubborn acne.

Formula 1: sandalwood and turmeric

• Make a paste using 1 tsp each of sandalwood powder and turmeric with water. Apply to your skin and leave for 15 / 20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water. Do this daily until acne starts to subside.

Formula 2: applying aloe vera

• Break open a leaf, take out the fresh gel, apply on your face and massage in. Once dry, wash off with lukewarm water. This formula does not cure acne but has amazing anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce the swelling and redness of pimples and acne. You will see results within a week.

Formula 3: drinking aloe vera.

• Drinking aloe vera juice can enhance the vitality of the skin and is also useful in helping with stomach ailments.

9. Seeing is believing

Tired eyes? Dark circles around the eyes are a common problem caused by ageing, mental or physical stress, lack of sleep or an unhealthy diet. Ayurvedic wisdom can soothe overworked peepers and solve discolouration around this sensitive area.

Try a natural home remedy using cucumber and potato:

• Peel and slice ½ cucumber
• Peel and chop 1 potato 
• Crush them together to make paste
• Press this paste on a sieve 
• Extract the juice 
• Chill the juice
• Dip cotton pads in the juice
• Place them on your eyelids making sure they cover the entire dark spots
• Leave for 15-20 min
• Wash gently

10. Heavenly herbs

You don’t need your own apothecary to ward off unsightly skin conditions. Just a few natural herbs can make a difference. Banyan, dandelion, euphorbia, Indian sorrel and rough chaff, together with Kaseesadi Taila, meld to form a potent formula that tackles warts, moles or skin tags on the face and neck. Alternatively if you don’t have a store cupboard full of herbs, mix onion juice with Indian sorrel juice and add ghee and black pepper to help smooth your complexion.

Visit the Sunita Passi Wellness Centre at the Engine Yard, Belvoir, Grantham – find out more at www.sunitapassi.com