Our search for glowing skin has often ignored traditional wisdom in favor of new trends. However, the likes of almonds, aloe vera, honey, oatmeal, pearl powder, sandalwood, have been used throughout time and culture for this purpose, and a lot more.
A comprehensive approach to glowing skin can be found in Indian Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Korean Joseon, and other cultures. We’ll explore natural cures, DIY recipes, and ancient rituals for glowing skin.
Tradition-based natural look
Ancient civilizations harnessed the power of nature to produce beautiful skin. The five millennium of Indian Ayurvedic tradition rejuvenates the skin with botanical oils, extracts, and deep cleansing treatments. The Korean Joseon Dynasty’s natural beauty traditions enhanced the harmony of the “sambaek, samheuk, and samhong” for a balanced and natural look.
Traditional DIY recipes
Many cultures make handmade skincare pastes or “ubtans” from basic, natural materials like turmeric and yogurt, besan flour and milk, saffron and rosewater, oatmeal and honey, or sandalwood and milk. “Ubtan” is derived from the ancient Indian Sanskrit “Udvartana” where we cleanse and glorify our bodies.
Ayurvedic Wisdom
Ayurveda, an ancient Indian practice, harmonizes mind, body, and spirit to achieve glowing skin. At its heart, Ayurveda acknowledges that each person has a unique balance of energies known as Vata (“space and air”), Pitta (“fire and water”, and Kapha (“earth and water”). These energies are said to control our physical, emotional, and mental traits, including our skin.
Vata skin is dry, sensitive, and wrinkled. Ayurvedic skincare for Vata skin includes warm oils and gentle exfoliation to rejuvenate the skin. Pitta skin is sensitive, red, and easily inflammed. Ayurvedic skincare for Pitta skin uses aloe vera, sandalwood, and rose to calm the skin. Kapha skin is oily and easily congested with “blackheads/whiteheads” with pimple breakouts. Ayurvedic Kapha skincare emphasizes gentle washing, purification, and lightweight, non-comedogenic products.
Beyond skincare, Ayurveda recommends Abhyanga, a heated oil massage that boosts circulation and nourishes the skin, and observes a balanced diet with herbal teas.
TCM Harmony
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is similar to Ayurvedic skincare, by promoting a “yin-yang” balnce through acupuncture, herbal concoctions, and a balanced diet. One common ingredient in skincare would have been pearl powder. The goal of TCM skincare is about restoring and balancing the “Qi” or vital energy to flow smoothly throughout the body. Therefore, a practice of Taichi may be recommended.
Ayurveda and TCM are ancient holistic healing systems that can help you achieve glowing skin and general health. They both aim to help people reconcile their inner and exterior selves to achieve authentic, enduring beauty, despite their different approaches.
DIY Recipes
Exploring your kitchen and fridge may just reveal radiant skin recipes. For example:
Honey-lemon exfoliation: This scrub gently exfoliates and brightens with honey’s antibacterial and citrus’ brightening characteristics. Mix 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon lemon or orange juice, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar.
Almond cream: Soak 10 almonds overnight, peel them, and blend them with 5-6 tablespoons of milk. Use it as a gentle scrub or a moisturizing mask for a few minutes before rinsing.
As with any skincare routine, do a patch test on your forearm to ascertain suitability, before applying anything to your face. Scrubbing should not exceed 2 to 3 times a week. Go slow and go gentle.
We have briefly explored ancient wisdom and methods that harness nature’s richness to get radiant skin. From Ayurvedic rituals to Traditional Chinese Medicine and homemade cures, these methods may help to produce bright, healthy skin with inner vigor. The modern world has also embraced these ancient concoctions, with new production and optimization methods, so that consumers can look better without the hassle.
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