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Ten Commandments for Naturally Beautiful Skin
Vasu Nargundkar
Here are ten tips from the healing tradition of Ayurveda for keeping
your skin looking its very best, all year round and year after year:
1.You shall respect the rhythms of the seasons. According to
Ayurveda, the ancient system of holistic health from India, working
with Nature rather than against her is the first law of well-being,
and your skin is no exception. Winter is the ideal season to provide
deep nourishment for the skin, Spring the perfect time to do a
detoxification routine, and Summer a time to protect, protect,
protect. Use common sense to synchronize your diet to be in tune
with the seasons as well - eating too many hot, spicy foods in hot
weather, for example, increases the chances of skin breakouts.
2.You shall perform a makeover of your cosmetics and skin care
paraphernalia. Throw out anything laced with heavy chemicals. Even
if it's impractical to adhere totally to the admonition "If you can't
eat it, don't put it on your skin," there are lots of choices in
natural, botanicals-based skin and beauty care to experiment with.
And once you've experienced the softer, subtler nuances of natural
textures and fragrances, you'll be loath to go back to anything
artificial or chemicals-based.
3.You shall pay attention to your diet. Feed your skin from within
with a choice of appropriate foods to keep it looking clear, healthy
and radiant. Cooked leafy greens, plenty of fresh seasonal
vegetables and lots of sweet juicy fruits are excellent for the
skin. Rich in natural antioxidants, they help protect the skin from
damage by free radicals, reactive oxygen-based chemicals widely
linked to disease and aging. Don't completely eliminate all fat from
your diet: a judicious amount of healthy fat helps keep the skin
soft, supple and lustrous. Drink lots of water through the day, but
don't drink too much water (or any other beverage) with meals.
4.You shall develop healthy eating habits. Eating mindfully is very
important for the health, and appearance, of your skin. For your
body to use everything you eat, you have to help it digest and
assimilate the sustaining values in foods and efficiently eliminate
the rest. Something as simple as a little bit of fresh ginger and
limejuice before a meal can help stoke the digestive fire. Don't
drink ice-cold beverages or too many carbonated drinks - they hamper
digestion. Eat only when you're hungry, focus on your food at meal-
times, and take a few minutes to sit quietly after a meal. Simple
things, but what a difference they can make in the long-term!
5.You shall make a full-body massage an integral part of your day.
When you discover the range of benefits a warm oil massage can
deliver to your overall well-being and especially your skin, you'll
never think of a massage as an occasional luxury. A full-body self-
massage can be done before your morning bath or shower, or an hour or
two before you go to bed (wait a couple of hours after a full meal,
though). Use a carrier oil such as coconut, olive, or almond, and
add 4-5 drops of a favorite essential oil per 2 oz. of base oil for
added bliss. A massage helps increase circulation, helps the body
flush out toxins, and tones the skin, keeping it looking soft and
smooth and supple.
6.You shall get enough quality rest. Okay, so eight hours of beauty
sleep for everyone is an outdated notion, but make sure you are
getting the quantity of rejuvenating sleep your body requires to
function at optimal levels. It is pretty much impossible to turn
back the negative effects of ongoing sleep deprivation - when it
starts showing up in lackluster skin and pouches under the eyes, it's
way too late. Your skin is like a mirror - it reflects everything
that's happening inside your body, and mind. When you've had enough
rest, your high energy levels and general well-being will be
reflected in glowing skin and clear bright eyes.
7.You shall actively fight stress. The silent killer...a modern
plague...the hidden threat - stress has many names, and none of them
is pretty. A stressful lifestyle is a fertile environment for
damaging free radicals to flourish and undermine your health and
appearance. Moderate exercise, yoga postures, meditation techniques
and breathing exercises can be helpful in combating the negative
effects of stress. The daily massage can help too. Aromatherapy,
music therapy, laughter and the company of friends with a youthful,
positive attitude towards life can help balance your mind and
emotions. Pay attention to planning to reduce time-related anxiety
and crises. Working towards daily bliss, a little at a time, can
have big pay-offs in terms of lasting beauty that stems from deep
within you.
8.You shall never skip your daily skin care regimen. Being regular
with a basic program of skin care is key to consistently beautiful
skin. Performing the four basic steps of cleansing, toning,
moisturizing and nourishing twice daily - as you get set to start
your day and again before you go to bed - will keep your skin clean
and healthy. Again, try to use natural products as far as possible -
gentle products that won't strip the natural moisture balance from
your skin, yet cleanse and tone it effectively. Skin care products
rich in botanicals can provide long-term support for your skin -
Ayurvedic skincare products contain potent natural made-for-your-skin
herbs like Gotu Kola, known to be a collagen enhancer, Sensitive
Plant, which helps skin resist damaging effects of the sun and aids
in nerve regeneration, and Flame of Forest, also known for helping to
prevent sun damage as well as cooling rose petals and even spices
like ground turmeric, considered excellent for the skin. Consider
adding a daily herbal supplement to help the skin from within.
9.You shall explore the world of do-it-yourself natural skin care
aids. Not everyone has the time or the temperament to make up custom
skin or bath aids from scratch every day, but do try it occasionally -
you'll have fun and your skin will be grateful. Blend your own
aroma massage oils, or make your own facial mix or a fragrant sachet
of herbs and spices to scent your bathwater with. Experiment with
different floral waters - sprayed on the skin, they can tone it and
the subtle aroma will linger pleasantly around you. Again, look for
high-quality, natural products, and test to make sure your skin is
not sensitive to a particular kind. A simple thick mixture of
rosewater, whole milk and oatmeal is a natural facial cleanser.
Watermelon puree on skin exposed to the sun can help cool and
soothe. Cucumber slices or pads of cotton-wool dipped in rosewater
placed over the eyes for ten minutes can act as instant stress-
relievers.
10.You shall define your own concept of beauty. Just as beauty is a
function of the beholder, your outer image is a reflection of your
mindset. A positive attitude about yourself will help you project an
aura of confidence and radiance that will enhance your appearance.
After you've done all you can to develop healthy, regular diet and
lifestyle habits, and pampered your skin with nourishing, natural
skin care aids, sit back and feel good about the way you look all
year long - healthy, radiant, beautiful!
Information presented in this article is solely for the purpose of
imparting education on Ayurveda and is not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure or mitigate any disease. If you have a medical
condition, please consult a health professional.
Copyright Vasu Nargundkar, 2001
Vasu Nargundkar is the editor of Total Health News and other
ayurvedic newsletters published by Maharishi Ayurveda. To sign up to
receive your copies free by email, please visit http://www.mapi.com.
Practical info, lots of tips, recipes more!
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