Step Six: Mask (Lepana)

Hormonal fluctuations and compromised sebum quality—common during puberty (a phase of heightened pitta), pregnancy, menopause, or due to poor skincare and lifestyle choices—often lead to persistent skin issues such as acne, congestion, and pigmentation.

Classical Ayurvedic herbs like lodhra, chandana, and manjishtha, when combined with select clays, help balance oil production, clear congestion, and reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), dark patches, and blemishes.

Ideally, the skin benefits from a lepana 4–5 times a week as a therapeutic intervention to remain clear, calm, and radiant. Always apply using clean hands or a clean brush to avoid bacterial contamination.

In Ayurveda, lepana refers to a wet herbal masque, traditionally prepared by pounding and grinding herbs, seeds, flowers, and spices with natural diluents such as milk, honey, ghee, or herbal liquids to form a fresh paste.

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Ayurvedic Lepana for Oily, Acne-Prone & Hormonal Skin

What You Need

• 3 tablespoons Lodhra powder

• 3 tablespoons Multani mitti (Fuller’s earth)

• 3 tablespoons Manjishtha powder

• 3 tablespoons Chandana (sandalwood) powder

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How to Make & Store

• Mix all the powders thoroughly.

• Store in a dark glass jar away from moisture.

Shelf Life: Up to 1 year

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How to Apply

1. Take 1 tablespoon of the lepana powder in a glass bowl.

2. Add approximately 2 tablespoons of cool A2 milk
   (use almond milk for a vegan option), adjusting to make a fine, loose paste.

3. Wet the skin with milk. Avoid tap water, as it is alkaline and drying.

4. Using a brush or clean hands, apply evenly over the face, avoiding the eye and mouth area.

5. Leave on for 5 minutes only.

6. Rinse off gently and thoroughly before the mask dries completely.

⚠️ Important:
Allowing a mask to crack and dry fully strips the skin of moisture and reverses its benefits. Once dry, the lepana loses its potency and begins to dehydrate the skin.

Frequency: Use 2–3 times a week for visible and sustained results.

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What to Expect

This lepana:

• Deeply cleanses and decongests pores

• Absorbs excess oil without disturbing natural lipids

• Calms acne, pimples, and inflammatory eruptions

Herbal Actions

• Chandana, multani mitti, and milk are cooling and help in pitta shamana, reducing heat-induced inflammation.

• Multani mitti, being kashaya (astringent), naturally absorbs excess sebum and tightens pores.

• Lodhra and manjishtha work at deeper levels to improve skin clarity, tone, and pigmentation.

With regular use, acne subsides, eruptions calm, and spots and blemishes gradually lighten, leaving the skin balanced, clear, and luminous.