This Ayurvedic facial is perfect if you need to destress!
By Chasca Summerville
Ayurveda provides a truly decadent ritual that will leave you nourished and glowing both on the inside and outside.
You may like to try this Ayurvedic facial if you’re experiencing some inflammation, a breakout, dryness, or just feel like indulging.
The Ayurvedic facial
1 tablespoon flour (oat or chickpea)
⅛ teaspoon turmeric powder
¼ teaspoon coriander (cilantro) powder
½ teaspoon Triphala powder
1 teaspoon rosewater or milk of your choice
For Vata (dry, dehydrated or mature skin), add:
1 teaspoon red clay
¼ teaspoon rose powder (optional)
1 teaspoon sesame oil or castor oil
For Pitta (red, itchy or blemished skin), add:
1 teaspoon green clay
¼ teaspoon neem powder
¼ teaspoon lavender powder (optional)
1 teaspoon coconut or sweet almond oil
For Kapha (oily, congested skin), add:
1 teaspoon red or bentonite clay
1 teaspoon ground orange peel (optional)
¼ teaspoon rose powder (optional)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Begin by cleansing the skin.
- Indulge in a facial massage targeting specific points to release tension, followed by a facial steam.
- Mix the flour and ground herbs together in a small mixing bowl, using your hands or a spoon.
- Stir the oil in slowly to blend.
- Slowly add water or milk to reach the desired consistency. The paste should be moist enough to apply but firm enough to dry on the skin.
- Apply the paste in upward motions, beginning along the jawline towards the hairline. You may like to include your neck and décolletage also.
- Lie back and enjoy the relaxing and intoxicating qualities of the aromas.
- After 5–10 minutes, moisten a washcloth with warm water and begin to remove the mask in downward motions, beginning from the hairline.
- Once the mask is removed, spray your face with some rosewater to tone, and massage a light face oil into the skin in upwards motions.
TIP: For a quick version you can skip the massage and steam; simply cleanse and apply mask!
Face steaming (Swedana)
This beautiful, sensorial experience is warming, grounding, detoxifying and therapeutic, alleviating congestion and allergies. It also prepares your skin for other treatments. Facial steaming also sharpens mental clarity and improves sleep.
3 cups (750 ml/25½ fl oz) filtered water
2 drops of essential oil/s of your choice (lemon myrtle, eucalyptus, lavender, chamomile, rosemary etc.)
1 tablespoon rosewater (optional)
1 teaspoon fresh or dried calendula, lavender, rose petals, hibiscus and/or chrysanthemum
- Either add all of the ingredients to a bowl and top with boiling water or simmer all of the dried ingredients and water in a pot, covered, for 10 minutes; add the rosewater and essential oils once removed from the heat. If boiled in a pot, transfer to a large bowl.
- Lean over the bowl and place a towel over your head so the steam can’t escape, with a gap of 10–15 cm (4–6 in) between your face and the hot water.
- With your eyes closed, meditate and breathe deeply through your nose for 5–10 minutes.
- Gently pat your face dry with a towel, spritz your skin with a floral toner and apply facial oil
in an upwards motion.
This is an edited extract from Ayurvedic Rituals: Wisdom, Recipes and the Ancient Art of Self-Care by Chasca Summerville, published by Hardie Grant Books, RRP $34.99, available in-stores nationally.
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