If you’ve ever done breathing exercises in a yoga class, meditated, used hair oil, brushed your teeth with activated charcoal toothpaste, or slathered on skin care products containing turmeric, you’ve probably heard of Ayurvedic medicine ( You will have experienced Ayurveda for short.
Ayurveda is a medical system that originated in India thousands of years ago and uses diet, herbal remedies, meditation, exercise, physical therapy, and breathing techniques to bring balance to body, mind, and spirit. And it is also attracting attention in the beauty industry.
As the saying goes, what’s old is new again, and although it’s never new, there is a demand for natural and organic products. That has led to the rise of Ayurveda in the personal care field, pushing these time-honored rituals and ingredients to the forefront. In fact, according to Industry Research, the global Ayurveda market value is predicted to reach $14.9 billion by 2026 (more than three times what it was in 2017).
Let’s take a look at why it’s so popular and the benefits of adopting it.
Incorporate it into your life, along with the products and steps, if it’s not already a part of your life. Get ready for a more balanced routine.
Explaining the origin of beauty in Ayurveda
This custom is now in fashion, but it is very important to understand what it means. “Ayurveda takes a holistic view of not only the human body and its functions, but also its connection to the universe around it,” says the author, who hand-crafted essential oils and herbal blends for Indian royalty and has been around for generations. says Šrankula Holecek, founder and CEO of Uma Oils, who has passed down the secret recipe.
Emphasizing herbal and botanical ingredients, it takes a 360-degree approach to nourishing skin and hair inside and out. For example, when you see an Ayurvedic doctor for acne or eczema, they not only examine your skin but also ask questions about your diet, menstrual cycle, and state of mind.
If Ayurveda had a mantra, it would be “everything is connected” (one small way to use this is to take a step back and consider the bigger picture when any health issues arise).
Ayurvedic beauty has recently become explosively popular.
With all the stress in the modern world (thank you, pandemic), it’s no wonder more and more people are looking for simpler answers. Divya Viswanathan’s case was when Western science failed to help her find lasting solutions to her lifestyle-related health concerns.
“I had problems with my skin and sleep, but I couldn’t find a solution,” she says. “I grew up with Ayurveda in India and went back to my roots. To be honest, I didn’t realize how much of an impact it had on my life.” That’s why she turned her business into a business. That’s how I co-founded Taza, an Ayurvedic wellness brand, with my school friend Amy Engel.
Another reason people are turning to Ayurvedic beauty is because they’re more conscious of what they’re putting on their skin. Instead of choosing ingredients you don’t recognize, you can rely on ingredients you trust and have worked for thousands of years. “Why not try using cinnamon and turmeric in your face mask instead of alpha-butyl?” Holecek says. “Focusing on ingredients is paving a very natural path.”
There’s also reassurance, as consumers lean towards ingredients and solutions that seem tried and true, but it’s not just the ingredients and products you use, it’s also how you use them.
Ayurvedic beauty focuses on rituals
These turbulent times have created a new appreciation for slowing down. “There is no shortage of beauty and wellness rituals in India,” says Prithika His Swarup, a model and founder and CEO of Prakti He Beauty and his global ambassador for Operation Smile. “They are sensory and connect mind, body and soul in one experience.”
But it doesn’t have to be a large-scale production. It’s simply about accepting and enjoying the process. Don’t just apply oil, take time to massage, meditate or chant mantras. “The ritual aspect forces people to confront themselves,” Holecek says. Another point for self-care.
Ayurvedic habits to add to your daily routine
You can improve your routine by adding some rituals based on Ayurveda. Please, try it.
- hair oil ring: Suitable for all hair types, strengthens roots, promotes new growth, softens and conditions hair. Massage with warm oil in small circular motions. Leave it on overnight (place a towel on your pillow) and wash your hair in the morning. Easy version: Apply 30 minutes before your girlfriend takes a shower.
- rub your tongue: In Ayurveda, the tongue is considered to be connected to other vital organs. Therefore, keeping your tongue clean with a tongue cleaner is good for you.
- Dry brushing: “This increases blood and lymph circulation,” says Holecek. He also exfoliates. He starts at the soles of the feet and gives small, gentle flicks upwards toward the heart.
Ayurvedic Oils for Skin and Hair
In Sanskrit, the word for oil is also the word for love, sneha. So show off your under 3 self with these picks.
UMA OIL UMA Absolute Anti-Aging Face Oil
While the formula has been passed down through generations of Holecek’s family, the brand is now focused on education. For example, Absolute Her Anti-Aging Face Oil covers all skin needs with active ingredients and emollients, while inspiring people to take part in a deeper journey with themselves through Facial Her Massage.
Fable & Mane HoliRoots Prewash Hair Treatment Oil
Brother-sister team Nikita and Akash Mehta learned about hair oil from their grandmother. They’ve packed that ritual into their hair care product line. Designed to be massaged into dry hair and roots before shampooing, HoliRoots Hair Oil strengthens the hair with ashwagandha and the botanical scalp tonic Dashmol.
Ayurvedic beauty brands worth supporting
These companies with Ayurvedic roots deserve all the props.
- Practical Beauty: Swarup sees her brand as a new category in the beauty space, which she calls “American Vedic Beauty” — an amalgamation of different cultures, traditions and experiences, just like her.
- platima skin care: The founder of the eponymous series began studying Ayurveda in India at age 13. Now, at age 83, he still whips up his own “intelligent formulas that harness nature” in his New York City lab.
- Ranavat: Driven by a desire to share her culture, Michelle Ranavat launched a plant-based skincare collection inspired by the kings and queens of Rajasthan. Saffron, beloved by royalty for its antioxidant and whitening properties, is the star ingredient in this mask.
- soma ayurveda: A gel made with herbs harvested from the forests of Kerala, the birthplace of Ayurveda. With every purchase, school supplies are donated to orphans and feminine hygiene kits are donated to women who do not have access to products.
- sahajan: Founder Lisa Mattam, a former pharmaceutical executive, went back to basics to launch the Toronto-based brand. She works with Ayurvedic doctors in Kerala to develop authentic products.
Prakti Beauty Mahamask
Pratima Skin Care Pitta Herbal Cleanser
Ranavat Flawless Veil Resurfacing AHA Saffron Mask
Soma Ayurvedic Under Eye Gel
Sahajan Golden Milk Cleanser
Celia Schatzman (she) is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor who writes about topics ranging from beauty to fashion, travel, celebrities, health, entertainment, finance, and more. She graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, which contributes to her beauty and style. forbes Her work is New York, Cosmopolitan, WWD, ELLE, Condé Nast Traveler, Afar, Travel + Leisure, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, BYRDIE, Refinery29 and NylonSuch.
