Dull skin and various other skin conditions are mostly the result of using skincare products loaded with chemical ingredients. Ayurvedic science has seized this opportunity to benefit our skin with extracts from natural components like Turmeric, tulsi, saffron, etc.
Hence, it is highly essential to incorporate these foods into our daily diet so that they gradually work to give us glowing skin. They have various beneficial properties that aid in maintaining healthy skin. These include proper moisture balance (Kapha in balance), effective functioning of the metabolic mechanisms that coordinate all the various chemical and hormonal reactions of the skin (Pitta in balance) and efficient circulation of blood and nutrients to the different layers of the skin (Vata in balance).
In this article, you will learn about the best foods for glowing skin, their ayurvedic contribution, and how to integrate them into your diet. Scroll down for more information.
Comparison table of Ayurvedic foods for glowing skin
|
Food |
Key Benefits |
How to Consume |
|
Amla |
Vitamin C, antioxidants |
Juice, raw powder |
|
Turmeric |
Anti-inflammatory, healing |
Spice, tea, supplements |
|
Neem |
Purifying, detoxifying |
Supplements, tea, paste |
|
Aloe Vera |
Hydrating, soothing |
Juice, gel, supplements |
|
Saffron |
Enhances complexion |
Milk, tea, supplements |
|
Ghee |
Nourishes, hydrates |
Cooking, directly |
|
Ashwagandha |
Reduces stress, rejuvenates |
Supplements, tea, powder |
Understanding Ayurveda and skin health
Ayurveda has, time again, proved that nature will always have a superior hand over chemical products when it comes to health benefits. Its literature describes over 200 herbs, minerals and fats to maintain and enhance the health and beauty of the skin. Its medication involves bringing together various herbs, oils, spices, etc., to balance the three major doshas of the body.
Vata dosha is characterised by dry and chapped skin, especially on the hands and feet. This can lead to loss of skin glow and plump texture. Kapha leads to increased sebum production, which leads to oily skin. Hence, the imbalance of Kapha results in skin outbreaks like pimples, whiteheads, acne, etc. If you notice inflammations, skin redness, occurrences of rashes, acne, dry skin, etc., then you are suffering from Pitta dosha.
Hence, it is necessary to maintain a harmonious balance between these three to ensure proper moisturisation, regulate sebum production and reduce inflammations. These will lead to achieving radiant skin.
Top Ayurvedic foods for glowing skin
Enjoying plump and healthy skin with Ayurvedic food is the most feasible option. Just look around you; the daily ingredients constitute the best foods for glowing skin. The water content of skin also varies widely from site to site, palm << forehead < back and abdomen < forearm and upper arm.
You just need to learn how to introduce them into your dietary lifestyle to maintain the right moisture quotient throughout. Check out the common food items you must include.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
This is a citrus fruit loaded with Vitamin C and antioxidants. Hence, it offers multiple benefits to our skin.
Benefits
- Fights Acne
- Treat uneven skin tone
- Eliminates dead skin cells
- Arrests premature ageing
- Repairs damaged skin
How to Include
- Start your day with amla juice
- Add Amla powder to daily dishes
- Eat it as a pickle with your bread
- Opt for Amla tea for your evening beverage
Turmeric
One of the most common and fundamental foods for glowing skin is Turmeric. India produces nearly all of the world’s turmeric crop and consumes 80% of it.. Hence, it is largely used in almost every household.
Benefits
- Lighten dark spots
- Heal tears and wear of skin
- Provides adequate moisture
- Resists premature ageing
- Offers glowing skin
How to include
- Mix the powder with warm milk
- Use it in daily cooking
- Make a face mask with lemon and Turmeric
- Include it in marinations
Neem
This is famous for its purifying and antiseptic properties. Neem is another highly common household ingredient.
Benefits
- Regulates sebum production
- Tightens pores
- Soothes itchiness and irritations
- Reduce inflammations
- Prevents skin infections
How to include
- Grind it and drink it as juice
- Crush it and add to daily delicacies
- Drink neem and ginger tea
- Consume the leaves directly
|
Did You Know?
|
Aloe Vera
It is considered one of the best foods for glowing skin because of its incredible moisturising properties and ability to soothe the skin.
Benefits
- Fights inflammations
- Moisturises skin
- Reduce sunburns
- Heal wounds
- Fight pimples
How to include
- Add it to your salads
- Consume as smoothie with other ingredients
- Mix it with other fruit juices
- Add in your soups
Saffron
Saffron is a spice derived from a flower. It works to enhance your complexion. Check out some of the other benefits.
Benefits
- Shields skin from sun damage
- Moisturises skin
- Deals with skin pigmentation
- Treats skin inflammation
- Reduces under-eye dark circles.
How to include
- Begin your day with saffron water
- Add to daily cooking
- End your day with saffron milk
- Opt for saffron tea
Ghee (Clarified Butter)
This is a very common household ingredient, and it is an antioxidant. It is included in the best foods for glowing skin.
Benefits
- Hydrates and moisturises skin
- Adds glow to skin
- Arrests premature ageing
- Remove toxins
- Brightens skin texture
How to include
- Mix with milk
- Begin your meal with ghee rice
- Use it as the base for your cooking
- Consume 5-10ml directly in the morning
|
Experts view Is Ghee better than oil? Doctors suggest that Ghee is a far better option than refined oils. Hence, they advise people to use Ghee in cooking (especially frying) instead of oils. |
Ashwagandha
This is beneficial to deal with oxidative stress. Hence, it is another major addition to the list of ‘best foods for glowing skin.’
Benefits
- Cures and corrects acne
- Offer moisturisation and hydration.
- Repairs skin damages
- Makes the skin supple
- Fights premature ageing
How to include
- Crush beans into a smoothie.
- Dissolve the root powder with milk.
- Add the powder to the usual dishes.
- Mix it with honey and consume it directly.
Lifestyle and dietary tips for glowing skin
There is a major difference between curing your skin conditions in the ayurvedic manner and opting for the usual way. The former cures it from within the body, while the latter treats it superficially. Hence, ayurvedic benefits remain in the skin for a longer period. Check how to curate your diet plan for a healthy lifestyle.
- Indulge in a minimum of five nutritious fruits or vegetables in a day.
- Do not eradicate fat or carbohydrates from your diet.
- Make sure you are consuming some form of Vitamin C every day.
- Eat when you are hungry and not because you want
- Try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables over processed food.
- Add nuts to your diet to increase vitamin E consumption.
- Avoid midnight snacking or late-night dinners.
- Drink a minimum of six to eight glasses of water.
- Stay away from crash diets like no-carb diets, GM diets, etc.
- Dinner must always be light, and breakfast must be heavy.
|
Exciting facts you need to know Turmeric has more than 300 antioxidants Citrus foods increase the product of White blood cells Neem possesses blood-purifying properties Water is the ultimate secret to clearing the toxins in your skin Herbal teas can treat multiple skin conditions |
Ayurvedic skincare routine
Are you still using those packed skincare products? It is time you make the change. Shift to a more natural way to achieve radiant skin. Personalise your ayurvedic skincare routine with natural extracts.
For the morning routine
- Begin cleansing your face with Aloe vera to maintain skin moisture even when cleansing. You can grind the product into a paste and apply it. For acne-prone skin, use neem as your cleanser.
- Tone your skin with normal cold water. In case you have acne or sensitive skin, you can opt for Rosewater.
- Moisturise your skin with coconut oil. Apply it in small amounts and leave for a few minutes before rinsing. If you have oily skin, skip using coconut oil. Instead, opt for lemon and honey or pure milk.
- You can add saffron to your favourite sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage.
For the night routine
- Remove your makeup with aloe vera or neem extracts. This will help unclog pores.
- Wash your face with clean water or rose water. You can also apply cucumber to hydrate your skin.
- Massage a few drops of jojoba or coconut oil and leave it overnight. (Leave this step if you have oily or acne-prone skin).
This night routine practice includes exfoliating twice or thrice a week. Make a paste out of chickpea flour (besan), Turmeric and water. Apply this mask and leave for thirty minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.
Conclusion
Nature is already providing you with abundant nutrients. Hence, making the shift is absolutely doable. These common best foods for glowing skin have antioxidants. Antiinflammatory, antibacterial, etc. functions. Additionally, the more you enrich your nourishment from within, the longer the result will stay. Hence, make sure you are making the necessary changes in your diet and lifestyle.
FAQs
1. What foods should be avoided for clear skin according to Ayurveda?
Processed foods can hamper your clear skin. Additionally, consuming white bread, fries, sugary drinks, pastries, milkshakes, etc.
2. Can Ayurvedic foods help with acne and blemishes?
Yes, absolute. These foods help in balancing the Pitta dosha, thus aiding in dealing with acne and blemishes.
3. How long does it take to see results from an Ayurvedic diet for glowing skin?
Ayurvedic diets usually take a few weeks to a few months. However, this also depends on the skin type and conditions.
4. Are there any side effects of consuming these Ayurvedic foods?
They do not have any adverse effects. However, you may feel mild discomfort initially. If the issue persists, seek professional medical help.
5. What are some easy Ayurvedic recipes for glowing skin?
One common recipe is to mix gram flour and Turmeric with milk and Rosewater. Another option is mixing honey and lemon with besan, or you can also combine saffron with olive oil or milk.
References
- These include proper moisture balance (Kapha in balance), effective functioning of the metabolic mechanisms that coordinate all the various chemical and hormonal reactions of the skin (Pitta in balance) and efficient circulation of blood and nutrients to the different layers of the skin (Vata in balance) (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)
- Its literature describes over 200 herbs, minerals and fats to maintain and enhance the health and beauty of the skin (https://www.ncbnlmi..nih.gov/)
- The water content of skin also varies widely from site to site, palm << forehead < back and abdomen < forearm and upper arm (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)
- India produces nearly all of the world’s turmeric crop and consumes 80% of it (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/).
