Our face is the first thing we present ourselves with and hence most of us crave for spotless, radiant skin to create a beautiful first impression on others. And to achieve this, we go to any extent, from spending hours on the internet searching for the latest beauty DIYs to buying expensive beauty products to applying gooey face packs on the face! But even after spending bucks on different types of beauty treatments, we often end up getting pimples, spots and other sensitive skin issues. Little do we realize that all these skin woes might be due to the wrong usage of products that might not be feasible with our body constitution.
The human body is governed by the five natural elements, mainly Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. A combination of these five elements makes up the three specific doshas or energies in human beings. When the doshas are in synchronization they help in achieving a better quality of health and exude overall radiance. However, when they are irregular and not in balance, they can cause various adverse effects on the human body, impacting skin health as well. It is due to this Dosha prevalence, that some products work while others don’t. But the good news is that you can easily take care of your skin depending upon what Dosha you have, using herbal products by a therapy called Ayurvedic Facial.
What Is Ayurvedic Facial?
Ayurvedic facial therapy, also known as Mukha Lepam in Ayurvedic terminology is a natural beauty treatment that uses special Dosha-based oils, creams, face packs, and herbs to give a natural face-lift, diminish the signs of ageing, and bestows radiant, glowing skin. It primarily includes a face massage using Dosha-based herbal oil to improve blood circulation in the face, a steam or Swedana therapy to open facial pores, facial scrub for exfoliation and removal of impurities and toxins, and a herbal face pack depending upon the individual needs of the skin. This incredible therapy not only induces calmness and relaxation of facial muscles and tightens the skin, but also removes toxins and impurities, reduces tan and adds an exuberant glow to the face.
Also Read: The Elixir Of Youth: Proven Ayurvedic Herbs For Astounding Anti-Ageing Benefits
What Are The Types of Ayurvedic Facial Therapy?
An Ayurvedic facial treatment, unlike other facial therapies, specifically depends on the type of dominant dosha you have and hence employs the use of such herbs that help in balancing the irregular dosha or physical attribute.
Ayurveda broadly categorizes Mukha Lepam or Ayurvedic facial into three main types based on the individual dosha constitution as mentioned below.
Vata Balancing Facial Therapy
This nourishing facial therapy is usually recommended for dark, luster-less, parched, and scaly skin. Herbal oils and face packs are used in this therapy to address dryness, dehydration, ageing marks, and stressed and tired skin.
Pitta Balancing Facial Therapy
This detoxifying facial therapy is ideal for people having reddish and slightly moist skin with numerous blisters and acne. The facial oils and creams used in this therapy help to ease redness, inflammation, toxins, and sensitive skin to induce a cooling sensation all over the face, thus reducing inflammation and skin infections.
Kapha Balancing Facial Therapy
This cleansing facial therapy is good for people with oily and combination skin and comprises steam and a face pack with herbal powders. Massaging the face with herbal powders in gentle, circular strokes eliminates excess oil from the skin surface, opens blocked pores and bequeaths a fresh and natural glow.
Also Read: Introduction To Ayurveda: Learn About Vata, Pitta And Kapha Doshas
What Are The Multi-Faceted Benefits Of An Ayurvedic Facial Therapy?
- Hydrates and nourishes the skin
- Removes skins dryness
- Heals pimples, acne and other skin rashes
- Fades pigmentation and scars
- Diminishes greasiness
- Regulates sebum or sweat production
- Cleanses and purifies the skin pores
- Reverses damage and tan due to sun rays
- Remove blackheads
- Maintains skin elasticity
- Eliminates toxins from the face
- Restores youthful appearance and vitality
- Augments vision and other sense organs
- Relieves stress
How Is An Ayurvedic Facial Therapy Done?
The steps of Ayurvedic facial therapy include:
- Consultation with an ayurvedic practitioner or expert to analyze the prevalent Doshas in the body and decide the herbs, their combinations, and treatment routine based on it
- Core cleansing
- Massage with herbal oil
- Application of nourishing Face pack
- Subjecting the face to steam and sweating
- Mukha Abhyanga or Marma or Face Massage
- Application of finishing face pack
A Detailed Description Of The Ayurvedic Facial
Core cleansing: Make a paste using powdered ayurvedic herbs (selected according to the Dosha you have) and add 1 tsp honey, milk or rose water. Apply the paste on your face and exfoliate for 10-15 minutes to remove residue makeup and other impurities. Wash off with cool water.
Massage: After complete core cleansing, apply an Ayurvedic oil (preferably one that goes with your Dosha) with fingertips in a circular motion. Massage your face with gentle pressure till the oil seeps into the skin and gets absorbed. Repeat this gentle oil massage three times.
1st Face Pack Application: Apply an even layer of medicated milk cream formulation on the face. The face pack usually contains milk cream alongside a powdered mixture of herbs such as neem, amla and haldi. The combination of these nourishing ingredients helps the skin to revitalize and eliminate toxins. While milk cream moisturizes and brightens the skin, amla enriched with vitamin C arrests ageing signs and prevents suntan. Neem imbued with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties prevents skin infections, whereas turmeric repairs wounds, prevent acne breakouts and bestows the skin with a natural, golden glow.
Allow the face pack to dry completely and then remove it with a moist cotton cloth.
Swedana: Cover the eyes with cool soaked cotton and go for a steam bath or subject just your face to steam. Ensure that you sweat profusely so that the skin pores open and the skin breathes well. It also enhances blood flow in the face and all over the body and promotes lymphatic drainage.
Mukha Abhyanga: After the steam bath or facial steam process, use medicated ayurvedic oils compatible with your Dosha to do a facial massage. The facial massage should be done for 30 minutes using just the fingertips to trigger all the pressure points and relax the facial muscles.
2nd Face Pack Application: Wash your face after the abhyanga and apply the final face pack all over the face and neck. Select the herbs and other ingredients ideal for your Dosha. During this process, cover the eyes with either cool rose petals or cucumber slices to induce relaxation. Let it dry on your skin for 20-25 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel and apply an ayurvedic moisturizer depending on your skin type.
Precautions
Facial massage mainly depends on an individual’s body constitution or dosha, hence one must select the right therapy or ideal set of herbs and oils to achieve optimal results. It is strictly advised to consult an ayurvedic practitioner and get the skin and body analyzed depending on the Dosha before going for facial therapy.
