Incorporating Ayurveda into your everyday skincare routine
In Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda means “Knowledge of Life”. An ayurvedic lifestyle is based on the healing science that originated in India thousands of years ago. Its main goal is to create balance in all areas of life and so its practices promote harmony in life in terms of thinking, diet, and lifestyle, in other words, mind, body, and soul. Mindfulness practices like meditation and body/mind practices like yoga are combined with an emphasis on being thoughtful about the food we use to nourish our inner bodies and the products we use on our skin. It is this full-body approach to experiencing life that is the foundation of Ayurveda and it is this approach that we use in creating our line.
AVYA Skincare incorporates ayurvedic science with cutting edge technology to bring you products that will heal and nourish your skin from deep within. Our products are made with the highest quality ayurvedic botanicals that we use to balance the medical-grade effective ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid. Beauty comes from within and healthy skin is the best way to show off your inner glow which is why we’re sharing with you a list of some of our favorite ways to incorporate Ayurveda into your beauty routine on a regular basis:
1. Be mindful of your diet.
If you’re experiencing inflammatory skin issues, a great place to start improving your skin’s appearance is by looking at your diet. The foods you eat should complement your daily skincare regimen. We recommend including lots of fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables that will provide the necessary vitamins and nutrients to nourish and detox your skin from within. A clean diet can also help you think clearer, reduce stress, and increase your daily energy. Eating Well has a great article with tips to help you create a clean diet that works for you!
2. Choose products that contain natural, botanical extracts that help to balance your skin.
Herbs and other plant-based botanicals play a huge role in Ayurveda. Plants carry the highest amount of prana, which can be referred to as “life force” and therefore will provide you with the most energy and nourishment. Today we are seeing many tried and true ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid in more products and brands each day. That’s because they WORK! However, for many people, these ingredients can have some side effects that appear as irritation, redness, or flaking of the skin. Products that incorporate natural botanicals that can neutralize these side effects are the best option and paying attention to your skin issues can help you choose the best products for your specific needs.
For instance, if you’re prone to hyperpigmentation, you’re going to want a product with Vitamin A, more commonly known as retinol. Retinol aids in evening skin tone and combats signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines. Choosing a product that incorporates natural ingredients that contain soothing and anti-inflammatory properties like, turmeric or neem, to counteract the redness or irritation that often comes with using retinol-based treatments would be a great option. A cream like AVYA Skincare’s Night Moisturizer has the perfect balance of botanicals and medical-grade actives that address issues related to aging and sun damage while also soothing and nourishing skin while you sleep.
3. Use mindfulness and be fully present when applying your products.
With so much going on in our overpacked daily lives, we end up rushing through most of our daily rituals. Ayurveda reminds us to be present in each moment, which can help relieve stress that promotes premature aging. It's as simple as paying attention to the process of lathering your skin with a gentle face cleanser or applying your favorite serum, being sure to inhale deeply and exhale, while you gently massage your face. This article in GOOP details ways that incorporating Ayurveda into your rituals in simple ways like this can help improve your energy in just a few minutes.
4. Think about becoming a morning person.
If you already are one, kudos! But for those of us who struggle with rising early, we could be missing out on some awesome, built-in skin repair. Ayurveda teaches that matching our circadian rhythms with nature gives the body more time to repair on a cellular level. Ayurveda practitioners recommend going to bed by 10 p.m. and waking in the morning around 6 a.m. for optimal cell turnover. If you’re feeling apprehensive about any of this, Shape.com has come up with a 5-step list to help you transform yourself into an early bird.