In conversation with Kama Ayurveda’s in-house specialist Dr Sharad Kulkarni, we get answers to some of the most burning beauty questions on the worldwide web.
1. What makes Ayurvedic beauty products so special?
Ayurveda is the science of everyday living, enabling people to choose a holistic and pure lifestyle. With respect to beauty, Ayurveda requires formulations to use natural, pure ingredients that have long term benefits, making them effective by treating the cause of the concerned area. As a result, Ayurvedic beauty treatments are mild, safe, long-lasting and devoid of adverse effects.
2. What’s a recommended skincare routine women should follow every day?
Women should cleanse their skin with a mild, soft cleanser like Kama Ayurveda’s Rose Jasmine Face Cleanser. They can follow it up with a natural toner, and then use a moisturiser which is oil-based, as part of their daily skincare regime. They can also incorporate a scrub made with turmeric and besan mixed with lemon, once a week.
3. What causes premature skin ageing?
Your skin can begin to age early and rapidly for a number of reasons. This often includes bad eating habits (excess processed sugar or salt), untimely sleep, stress, addiction to digital devices, and lack of exercise. Alcohol, tobacco use and environmental stressors like overexposure to the sun, dust and pollution can cause premature skin ageing too.
4. How can someone in their 20s and 30s prepare their skin to age more gracefully?
If you want to age more gracefully, start early with your beauty rituals. A daily skincare routine like the one recommended above, a seasonal dietary detox of the body, exercising regularly, and avoiding stressors right from your mid to late 20s can really help prepare your skin for the next decade.
5. Which ingredients should you look out for when choosing anti-ageing products?
Read the label of all your beauty products to assess if the majority of the ingredients are natural or not. Ingredients like kumkum, turmeric, neem, rose, lavender, vetiver, gooseberry, and sandal oil, sesame oil, and almond oil are all great to promote elasticity, boost collagen, and reduce skin ageing signs like fine lines and wrinkles.
6. What’s your advice for women who already are dealing with the appearance of skin ageing signs?
You can take specific steps based on the area of concern. If your skin has lost its glow and is looking dull, make sure you’re hydrating well. Drink plenty of water and keep your skin hydrated with face masks and ingredients like yoghurt, face oils and honey. In summer season, you can also use this mango face pack which is great for skin hydration.
The easiest way to treat dark circles is to reduce sugar intake and get a good night’s sleep.
For age spots and discolouration, add two drops of sesame oil to each nostril as nasal drops. It’s an unexpected yet effective remedy.
If you have fine lines and wrinkles, follow a cleanse, tone, moisturise (CTM) every day, and opt for a seasonal diet detox for your body.
For women who notice skin sagging, massaging your face regularly with 1-2 drops of almond oil can really help improve skin elasticity over long-term use.
Also, dryness and thinning of skin is a common problem as you age. Begin with fixing your diet. Add 1-2tsp of ghee to your lunch every day.
7. Are ayurvedic skin treatments safer for moms-to-be?
When a woman is expecting, it is always advised for her to use topical treatments, over internal ones. At the time of pregnancy, treatments can cause a reaction, and as a result, external Ayurvedic skin treatments are safer for moms-to-be, until and unless internal treatment is absolutely necessary. Massage oils like Kama Ayurveda’s Dhanwantharam Thailam Pre-Post Natal Treatment are great for mums who are experiencing pain, swelling, or lowered immunity.
8. How should you select a hair care product for thinning hair?
Look out for hair care solutions (shampoos, oils, hair masks) that have ingredients like Bhringraj, Amla/Triphala, Brahmi, Neem, Almond and Sesame in them. Regular use can definitely yield some positive results and reduce hair fall, hair loss and hair thinning. Alternatively, you can also use ghee for hair to promote hair growth.
9. How can the appearance of stretch marks be reduced?
The appearance of stretch marks can be reduced by using topical ingredients such as Triphala. Regular and timely use (preferably before the stretch marks turn white/silver) can help soften their appearance. Products such as Kama Ayurveda’s Dhanwantharam treatment can be used to treat scars, and can be massaged into the affected area overnight, and washed off the following morning. You can also use the muscle tone oil to heal stretch marks and tone skin.
Additionally, following a proper diet, sleeping well, exercising and maintaining a stress-free life can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
10. What are some Ayurvedic skincare products that are safe to use on children?
When it comes to babies, toddlers, and children, always opt for products that are natural, and preferably even organic. Also, always do a test patch to see how the child’s skin reacts before applying a product all over. Usually, products with core ingredients that have kumkumadi serum, turmeric, sandalwood, neem, amla and manjistha are safe to use on children.
Here are some quick tips on how to use cucumber for skin and feel refreshed.