Does your skin make you want to scream? It might be time to turn to ancient remedies with Ayurvedic ingredients
Calm irritated skin as you would your mind - with nature’s help as opposed to synthetic chemical-based treatments
Beauty today is a game of two halves.
On one side, there are artificial intelligence apps and virtual-reality facials more suited to sci-fi movies than real life. On the other, there’s a return to ancient remedies and a focus on Ayurvedic ingredients.
“Ayurveda is an Indian holistic way of life, but it’s never been more relevant as it provides the perfect antidote to our increasingly hectic lifestyles,” says Abida Halstenberg, founder of premium Ayurvedic skincare range .
Focusing on creating harmony between mind and body makes sense given stress can trigger conditions such as eczema, rosacea and acne.
The ingredients are key, too, with the focus on using natural alternatives as opposed to synthetic chemical-based treatments that could prompt even more irritation.
The basic principle is that if you can use herbs and plant extracts to heal your insides, the same can be done for your outside.
Luckily, you don’t have to travel to India for a complexion-boosting blend. From turmeric and ginger-spiced scrubs to aloe vera and neem oils, we’ve broken down the Ayurvedic ingredients that will rebalance your skin so it’s ready for 21st-century living.
Rose
The beauty of rose is that it suits all skin types and will be lapped up whether yours has a tendency to be dry, sensitive, spot-prone or if you’re concerned about ageing. Often used in oils to reduce scarring and nourish the skin, this fatty-acid-rich floral is regarded as a gentle “rasayana” or rejuvenator in Ayurvedic traditions. There’s the added bonus that the scent is divine, too.
Complexion calmer
The Aussie Ayurvedic beauty brand has just arrived in the UK, and this cooling, alcohol-free mist is gentle enough to be spritzed on post-cleanse or halfway through the day if you (and your skin) are flagging.
Ginger
Go-to digestive aid ginger doesn’t just stimulate your gut into performing properly, it also does a super job of re-energising your skin. By boosting circulation, your complexion will benefit from a natural detox – calming down stressed-out skin cells. Plus, the mega mix of antioxidants will keep your complexion guarded from free radicals in the atmosphere that cause wrinkles, pigmentation and dryness.
Complexion calmer
With an ingredients list that reads like a fancy smoothie, this fab formula contains fermented ginger to brighten skin. Why ferment it first? It shrinks the ginger particles so the skin absorbs them more efficiently, and the results are better than ever.
Neem oil
Originating from trees native to India, neem oil has antibacterial elements that have been used for centuries to heal spots and nip problem skin in the bud. And because it’s rich in fatty acids, it won’t cause dry patches like many of the more astringent blemish-busters around. It’s also packed with vitamin E to help heal acne scars. Talk about multitasking.
Complexion calmer
Not only does this contain neem, it’s also got a helping of gotu kola (AKA the herb of longevity), so it will continue to balance sebum and detoxify congested skin hours after you’ve applied it.
Turmeric
Referred to as the golden goddess, turmeric’s antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties are the real stars of the skincare show. There have been over 4,000 studies on the spice to prove its efficacy both when ingested and applied topically. It prevents puffiness, plus regulates sebum levels and evens out pigmentation, so you’ll be left with a clear, radiant complexion.
Complexion calmer
Two products in one (price justified!), this soft powder blend of turmeric, saffron and sandalwood can be mixed with water to form a scrub or used as a deeply detoxing face mask.
Aloe Vera
If you suffer from hot flushes, rosacea and flare-ups, add a dollop of aloe vera into your skincare. Found in countless moisturisers, this wonder ingredient absorbs into skin four times faster than water and locks in moisture to stop the skin’s barrier getting thirsty. Cool to the touch, it calms and soothes angry skin, too – kind of like liquid ibuprofen for skin irritations.
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Complexion calmer
This high-tech H2O quenches thirsty skin without causing oiliness, making it great for all skin types. Leave it on as a mask overnight if you’re really suffering.
- Photography: Philipp Jelenska/Trunk Archive,
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