Eye, Lip, and Oral care

 

👁 Ayurvedic Eye Care

Śīta Netra Rasāyana (Cooling Eye Serum)

Ingredients

• Grated cucumber (Kṣīra-karkaṭī) – 2 tbsp

• Fresh aloe vera pulp (Kumārī) – 2 tbsp

• Vegetable glycerine – ½ tsp

Preparation
Crush cucumber and aloe thoroughly. Strain through fine muslin to obtain a clear juice. Blend in glycerine. Store in a sterilized glass pump bottle under refrigeration.
Shelf life: 4–5 days (refrigerated).

Application
Using clean fingertips, gently pat a pea-sized amount around the orbital bone—avoid direct contact with eyes.

Ayurvedic Action

• Pitta-śamana (cooling, anti-inflammatory)

• Hydrates delicate tvak (skin)

• Relieves eye strain, dryness, and dullness

Indications
Tired eyes, heat fatigue, digital strain, early fine lines, dull periocular skin.

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👄 Ayurvedic Lip Care

1. Oṣṭha Taila (Restorative Lip Oil)

Ingredient

• Cold-pressed castor oil (Eranda taila)

Application
Dab nightly on lips. May also be applied sparingly along hairline or brows for thinning hair.

Benefits

• Restores natural lip pigmentation

• Softens dryness and cracking

• Beneficial for pigmentation due to sun exposure, pregnancy, or cosmetic overuse

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2. Oṣṭha Lepana (Herbal Lip Scrub)

Ingredients

• Cane sugar or jaggery – 5 tbsp

• Raw honey (Madhu) – 5 tbsp

• Yashtimadhu (liquorice) powder – 2 tbsp

Preparation
Mix thoroughly and store in an airtight, dark glass jar.

Application
Mix ½ tsp scrub with a few drops of milk. Gently massage lips for 1–2 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Benefits

• Removes dead epithelial cells

• Improves softness and circulation

• Gradually lightens discoloration

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3. Vegan Oṣṭha Rakṣaṇa Balm (Protective Lip Balm)

Ingredients

• Kokum / mango / cacao butter – 2 tbsp

• Coconut oil – 1 tbsp

• Castor oil – 1 tbsp

• Essential oil (lavender / peppermint / cinnamon) – 4 drops

Preparation
Melt butters and oils using a bain-marie at 45–50°C. Remove from heat, add essential oils, pour into jars, and allow to set overnight
(or refrigerate 3–4 hours in summer).

Benefits

• Deep nourishment and occlusion

• Prevents chapping and environmental damage

• Maintains long-lasting suppleness

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🦷 Ayurvedic Oral Care

Gandūṣa (Oil Pulling Therapy)

Ingredients

• Sesame, coconut, or olive oil – 2 tbsp

Method
Swish oil gently in mouth for 5–10 minutes in the morning, before food or water. Spit into trash (not sink). Rinse thoroughly.

Benefits

• Detoxifies oral cavity (āmaviśoṣaṇa)

• Supports gum strength and oral microbiome

• Helps brighten teeth and reduce plaque

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Danta Manjana (Herbal Toothpaste)

Ingredients

• Coconut oil – ½ cup

• Arrowroot powder – 2 tbsp

• Calcium carbonate – 2 tbsp

• Activated charcoal – 1 tbsp (optional)

• Yashtimadhu powder – 1 tbsp

• Essential oils (peppermint / clove / cinnamon / myrrh) – 10–12 drops (optional)

Preparation
Warm coconut oil gently (below 40°C). Add powders and essential oils. Mix until smooth. Store in glass jar.

Benefits

• Natural remineralization

• Gentle plaque removal

• Free from fluoride, SLS, triclosan, and synthetic abrasives

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🌸 Core Ayurvedic Principles Behind the Ritual

• “Like dissolves like” (Samānya viśeṣa siddhānta): Oils dissolve lipid-based toxins without disrupting balance

• Natural pigments: Beetroot, annatto, ratanjot offer gentle, plant-based lip tinting

• Re-mineralization: Calcium carbonate + yashtimadhu support dental strength naturally

• Cooling botanicals: Aloe, cucumber, sandalwood pacify pitta and protect sensitive tissues

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✨ Holistic Outcome

Together, these practices form a complete Ayurvedic self-care ritual for:

• Bright, rested eyes

• Soft, naturally pigmented lips

• Strong teeth, healthy gums

• Long-term oral and facial vitality

This is not cosmetic care alone—it is daily rasāyana for the face, senses, and smile 🌿

🌿 Ayurvedic Ritual for Healthy, Even-Toned Skin

 

🌞 Morning Routine (5–7 minutes)

Focus: Hydrate • Protect • Prevent pigmentation

1. Tone & Wake the Skin (1 min)

• Use: Chilled rose or vetiver hydrosol + a few drops aloe vera gel

• Method: Pat gently or swipe with cotton

• Ayurvedic logic:
  Rasa dhatu poshana (hydration) + pitta shamana

Optional 2–3 days/week: Rub an ice cube made from this toner over face for 30 seconds.

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2. Gentle Cleanse (1 min)

• Use: A few drops sesame or apricot oil

• Method: Light massage on damp skin → wipe off with lukewarm cloth

• Purpose: Removes night toxins (ama) without disturbing skin barrier

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3. Brightening Moisturize (1 min)

• Use:

  • Day: Lightweight cream or gel with

    • Indian senna (natural hyaluronic alternative)

    • Amaranth / plant squalane

• Ayurvedic view: Maintains ojas and skin suppleness

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4. Sun Protection (1 min)

• City / indoors: Ayurvedic mineral-based sunscreen or trusted SPF

• Outdoors: Broad-spectrum SPF 50 (non-negotiable for pigmentation)

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🌙 Evening Routine (10–12 minutes)

Focus: Detox • Repair • Nourish

1. Oil Cleanse (2 min)

• Use: Sesame or apricot oil

• Method: Massage gently → remove with warm damp cloth

• Benefit: Deep cleansing + vata grounding

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2. Mild Exfoliation (2–3 min, 3x/week)

• Ubtan (dry mix to keep ready):

  • Masoor dal

  • Yashtimadhu

  • Manjishtha

  • Lakadong turmeric (very little)

• Mix with: Milk or rose water

• Method: Gentle circular strokes, rinse

On non-exfoliation days, skip to massage.

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3. Mini Mukhabyanga (3–4 min)

• Oil: Sesame or saffron-infused oil

• Method:

  • Upward strokes

  • Gentle pressure on jaw, cheekbones, temples

• Effect: Improves circulation, facial tone, glow (varna prasada)

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4. Night Lepana OR Cream (2–3 min)

Choose ONE:

Option A (2–3 nights/week):

• Mask: Yashtimadhu + sandalwood + milk

• Leave: 10–15 min, rinse

Option B (daily):

• Use: Shatadhauta ghrita–based cream (pea-sized)

• Purpose: Deep repair, pigmentation healing, barrier restoration

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🌿 Weekly / Occasional Add-ons

• Steam (Swedana): Once weekly before mask

• Full lepana (your original mask): Once weekly

• Saffron oil massage: 2–3 nights/week if skin is dry/dull

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✨ Results with Consistency

• 7–10 days: Better hydration, softness, calm skin

• 3–4 weeks: Visible brightness, reduced dullness

• 6–8 weeks: Gradual fading of pigmentation, scars, uneven tone

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🌸 Ayurvedic Principle Maintained

Even in this short routine, the classical flow remains intact:

Hydrate → Cleanse → Remove ama → Nourish rasa & rakta → Protect varna

Routines & Rituals Sensitive • Allergic • Irritated • Pregnancy Skin

 

Sensitive, irritated, rosacea-prone, and pregnancy skin requires cooling, pacifying, and deeply nourishing care. The purpose of this ritual is to restore the acid mantle, calm inflammation, strengthen fragile tissues, and protect the skin barrier—without overstimulation or aggression.

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Step One: Tone

A toner with a pH of 4.0–6.0 closely mirrors the skin’s natural acid mantle, making it especially beneficial for compromised, inflamed, or reactive skin. This soothing hydrosol toner may be used generously throughout the day to calm irritation and replenish hydration.

What You Need

• ½ cup rose water

• ½ cup fresh, homemade aloe vera pulp

• 1 teaspoon glycerine

How to Make & Store

• Blend all ingredients until smooth.

• Pour into an ice tray and freeze or store in a pump bottle in the refrigerator.

Shelf Life

• Refrigerated bottle: up to 2 weeks

• Ice cubes: up to 1 month

How to Apply

• With clean hands, apply 1 pump or 1–2 ice cubes over the face.

• Use before and between every step of your skincare ritual.

What to Expect

• Immediate hydration and cooling

• Reduced redness, stinging, and inflammation

• Improved receptivity to oils and lipids

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Step Two: Cleanse

Double cleansing is particularly beneficial for sensitive and reactive skin. This Ayurvedic milk-based cleanser gently removes impurities while cooling pitta heat and strengthening fragile skin tissues.

Why This Works

• A2 desi milk is sheeta (cooling) and madhura (sweet), ideal for inflamed skin

• Musta and Chandana (Sandalwood) calm irritation and sunburn

• Bala strengthens delicate skin and restores resilience

What You Need

• ½ cup A2 milk (see vegan options if needed)

• 1 tablespoon musta powder

• 1 tablespoon bala powder

• 1 tablespoon chandana (Mysore sandalwood powder preferred)

• ¼ cup aloe vera pulp

• 2 tablespoons honey (see vegan options)

How to Make & Store

1. Mix milk, musta powder, and bala powder.

2. Heat gently in a water bath on low flame for 2–3 hours.

3. Allow to cool. Do not strain—the paste acts as a gentle exfoliant.

4. Add aloe pulp and honey. Hand-blend until smooth.

5. Store in a dark glass jar and refrigerate.

Shelf Life: up to 1 week

How to Apply

• Use 1 tablespoon to cleanse the face morning and night.

• Massage gently and remove with a cool, damp cloth.

What to Expect

• Clean, calm, soothed skin

• Reduced redness and irritation

• Strengthened skin barrier

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Step Three: Exfoliate

For rosacea-prone, irritated, or pregnancy skin, exfoliation must be exceptionally gentle.

Pregnancy may trigger melasma (chloasma)—uneven pigmentation caused by hormonal changes. Daily ubtan, lepana, and abhyanga, along with sun protection, help prevent aggravation.

Recommended Exfoliation

• Mix milk and sandalwood (chandana) powder into a loose paste.

• Lightly brush onto the skin.

• Leave on for 30 seconds only.

• Gently wipe away using pure rose hydrosol.

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Step Four: Steam

Use the gentle steaming recipe shared in the section for acneic and congested skin.
Steam should always be mild, brief, and infrequent for sensitive skin.

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Step Five: Facial Massage (Mukhabhyanga)

A light, soothing massage improves circulation, oxygenation, and healing—without overstimulating fragile skin.

Recommended Oils

• Plain A2 cow ghee

• Coconut oil

Both are sheeta (cooling) and pacify pitta heat.

Technique

• Use long, feather-light strokes

• Avoid friction or pressure

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Step Six: Mask

Weekly Healing Mask

Apply a thin mask once a week to heal, strengthen, and nourish the skin without irritation.

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Mask Lepana (Potli Bolus Therapy)

Your red-carpet-ready facial

This traditional Ayurvedic potli mask tones, lifts, cools, and deeply nourishes all dhatus. It improves circulation, elasticity, pigmentation, firmness, and overall skin texture—especially beneficial for compromised and sensitive skin.

What You Need

• ½ cup shashtika rice (Njavara)

• 100 ml A2 milk

• 5 tablespoons bala powder

• 800 ml water

• Cotton cheesecloth (loose weave)

• Cotton string

• Oil warmer

• Surgical gauze (1 pack)

How to Make

1. Prepare a bala decoction using bala powder and water.

2. Reduce to 100 ml (1/8th).

3. Mix decoction with milk to make 200 ml; divide into two parts.

4. Add rice to one portion and boil. Cool.

5. Keep the remaining decoction warm.

6. Place cooked rice in cheesecloth and tie into a potli (bolus).

How to Apply

1. Layer gauze over the face and neck.

2. Massage with the warm rice bolus using upward circular motions.

3. Dip the bolus repeatedly into the warm decoction as needed.

4. Continue until all rice paste is released.

5. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes.

6. Remove with a cotton cloth and rose water.

What to Expect

• Immediate calm, cooling, and lift

• Improved tone, firmness, and glow

• Deep nourishment and repair

This is a one-time-use mask. Preparation is elaborate; results are extraordinary.

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Step Seven: Moisturize

Sensitive skin often has disturbed microflora, compromised sebum, and altered pH. Use safe, pH-respecting formulations for both day and night.

Best Recommendation

Shatadhauta Ghrita

• Deeply nourishing

• Ultra-gentle

• Suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive and inflamed skin

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Step Eight: Sunscreen

Pregnancy and sensitive skin require physical, mineral sunscreens only.

• Avoid chemical blockers—some have been detected in breast milk

• Use hats, long sleeves, and shade whenever possible

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Final Note

Avoid heat, friction, harsh products, and overstimulation.
This skin type thrives on calm, cooling, nourishment, and protection.
Treat it gently—and it will heal beautifully.

🌿 Spot-Treatment Recipe for Acne & Pimples

A Traditional Himalayan Remedy

This gentle spot-treatment recipe has been lovingly shared by a small-batch distiller from the Himalayan foothills. Rooted in indigenous family knowledge and passed down through generations, it has traditionally been used to calm acne, pimples, and skin eruptions, while soothing inflamed skin.

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🧾 What You Need

• ½ cup Rosa damascena (Rose) hydrosol

• ½ cup Lavender hydrosol

• ½ cup Geranium hydrosol

• 2 tablespoons Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth)

• 2 tablespoons Mysore sandalwood powder

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👩‍🌾 How to Prepare & Apply

1. Take ½ teaspoon of the dry powder blend (or as much as needed).

2. Add a few drops of any of the hydrosols to form a soft, smooth paste.

3. Using clean fingers or a brush, apply directly to the affected area.

4. Leave on overnight.

5. Rinse off gently with cool water the next morning.

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🌸 What to Expect

• Skin feels cool, calm, and soothed

• Reduced redness and inflammation

• Excess oil absorbed without over-drying

• Gradual calming of active breakouts

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🌿 Why It Works (Ayurvedic Insight)

• Multani Mitti absorbs excess oil and impurities

• Sandalwood cools, reduces inflammation, and supports skin healing

• Rose, Lavender & Geranium hydrosols are:

  • Cooling

  • Mildly astringent

  • Antibacterial

  • Calming to irritated skin

Together, they help pacify Pitta imbalance, often associated with acne, heat, and skin eruptions.

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⏱️ Usage Tips

• Use 2–3 times a week or only on active pimples

• Always apply on clean, dry skin

• Ideal for oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin

• Store powders in a dry, airtight container

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⚠️ Gentle Notes

• Perform a patch test before first use

• Avoid use on broken or open skin

• If irritation occurs, discontinue use

Hemp Seed Oil: First Cleanse

Why it works:

 
Hemp seed oil is an exceptionally effective facial cleansing oil due to its perfectly balanced omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, which closely mimic the skin’s natural lipid structure. This makes it ideal for:

• Reducing inflammation and redness

• Supporting the skin barrier

• Dissolving impurities without stripping the skin

Safety note:
Hemp seeds and their oil do not contain CBD, cannabinoids, or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychotropic compounds found in cannabis. This makes hemp seed oil completely safe and non-intoxicating for topical use.

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How to Apply

1. Dispense 1–2 pumps of hemp seed oil into clean hands.

2. Apply to the face and neck using the pat–push–press method, ensuring gentle coverage.

3. Allow the oil to dissolve makeup, excess sebum, and impurities, while simultaneously soothing and calming irritated skin.

This step serves as your first cleanse, preparing the skin for deeper cleansing and subsequent steps in your skincare ritual.

Step Eight: Ayurvedic Sun Care – Protecting Your Skin Naturally

Sunlight is both a gift and a challenge for our skin. While it nourishes the body with vitamin D, boosts mood, and stimulates circulation, excessive or unprotected exposure can lead to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and skin damage. In Ayurveda, sun exposure is linked to Pitta aggravation, as sunlight increases heat in the body and skin. Thus, mindful protection is not just cosmetic—it is therapeutic and preventive.

This chapter combines Ayurvedic wisdom with modern sun-care science, offering practical routines, dos and don’ts, and a natural sunscreen recipe that is gentle yet effective.

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1. Understanding Sun Exposure in Ayurveda

Ayurveda classifies sunlight as a Pitta-aggravating factor due to its intense heat (Tejas) and radiance. Overexposure can lead to:

• Skin inflammation and redness

• Premature aging and wrinkles

• Pigmentation, freckles, and dark spots

• Acne flare-ups due to Pitta imbalance

Skin types and sun sensitivity:

• Vata skin: Thin, dry, delicate; prone to dehydration and fine lines

• Pitta skin: Fair, prone to redness, sunburn, and pigmentation

• Kapha skin: Thick, oily, less prone to burning, but susceptible to acne if pores are clogged

Knowing your dosha tendencies helps tailor your sun-protection strategy. For instance, Pitta-dominant skin requires cooling and calming sunscreens, while Vata skin needs hydration alongside protection.

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2. Ayurvedic Sun-Care Principles

Daily Sun Awareness

• Avoid direct sun during peak hours (10 am – 4 pm).

• Seek shade or wear protective clothing when outdoors.

• Incorporate cooling foods and herbs to pacify Pitta, such as coconut water, aloe vera, and coriander.

Topical Protection

• Use physical/mineral sunscreens instead of chemical ones, especially for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

• Natural ingredients like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, aloe vera, sandalwood, and licorice are cooling, anti-inflammatory, and protective.

Lifestyle Support

• Stay hydrated to maintain skin resilience.

• Follow a Pitta-balancing routine, especially if you have fair or reactive skin.

• Wear hats, scarves, and protective fabrics as part of an Ayurvedic sun shield.

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3. Dos and Don’ts of Ayurvedic Sun Care

Dos

• Apply sunscreen 20–30 minutes before going out.

• Reapply every 2–3 hours, especially if sweating or swimming.

• Use cooling toners (like rose water or aloe hydrosols) post-exposure.

• Wear protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats.

• Include antioxidant-rich herbs and foods in your diet for internal sun protection.

Don’ts

• Avoid harsh chemical sunscreens with parabens, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances.

• Don’t forget sensitive areas like the ears, neck, and décolletage.

• Avoid overexposure during peak sun hours.

• Do not rely solely on sunscreen; it is part of a holistic sun-care ritual, not a substitute for mindful sun habits.

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4. Physical Sunscreen Recipe (Ayurvedic Style)

This is a gentle, mineral-based sunscreen designed for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, formulated with Ayurvedic cooling herbs.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons zinc oxide (non-nano)

• 1 tablespoon shea butter or ghee

• 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel

• 1 teaspoon sandalwood powder

• ½ teaspoon licorice (Yashtimadhu) powder

• 2–3 drops frankincense or lavender essential oil (optional)

Method

1. Melt shea butter or ghee gently in a double boiler.

2. Add aloe vera gel and mix well.

3. Gradually blend in zinc oxide, sandalwood, and licorice powder until smooth.

4. Allow the mixture to cool and transfer to a dark glass jar.

5. Store in a cool, dry place.

Usage: Apply a pea-sized amount evenly on the face, neck, and exposed areas 20–30 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every 2–3 hours.

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5. Supporting Ayurvedic Practices

Cooling Post-Sun Care

• Use rose water or aloe vera toner to calm heat.

• Apply Shatadhauta Ghrita lightly if the skin feels dry or irritated.

• Incorporate cooling foods like cucumber, coconut water, and leafy greens.

Internal Protection

• Drink herbal teas with coriander, licorice, or mint to balance internal heat.

• Eat Pitta-pacifying foods like oats, fresh fruits, and ghee in moderation.

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6. How to Know You’re Protecting Your Skin Effectively

• No sunburn, redness, or irritation after exposure.

• Skin remains hydrated, calm, and free of new pigmentation.

• Regular use helps prevent long-term damage such as early aging or dark spots.

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Conclusion

Sun care in Ayurveda is more than a cosmetic ritual; it is a holistic, preventive practice that combines external protection, internal balance, and mindful lifestyle habits. By integrating mineral sunscreens, herbal toners, cooling rituals, and protective clothing into your daily life, you honor your skin’s natural rhythm and maintain its health, clarity, and glow for years to come.

Step Seven: Moisturize

Yes—your skin needs to be moisturized. After completing the full ritual of toning, cleansing, steaming, exfoliating, and masking, it is essential to seal the process with proper moisturization.

Oily, congested, and acne-prone skin types do not require occlusive products such as heavy oils or rich creams that create a sealing layer on the skin. Such products are better suited for dry and mature skin, as they trap moisture, fats, and oils.

However, not all oils and creams are occlusive. When formulated with cold-pressed or supercritical CO₂-extracted oils—such as apricot kernel oil or hemp seed oil—that are rich in linoleic essential fatty acids (rather than heavier oleic fatty acids), they function as ideal moisturizers for oily skin. These oils are lightweight, fast-absorbing, and non-comedogenic, ensuring hydration without clogging pores.

Does that make sense?

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Ayurvedic Moisturizer of Choice: Shatadhauta Ghrita (SDG)

A light application of Shatadhauta Ghrita (SDG)—a classical Ayurvedic cream prepared using only water and ghee—is particularly beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin.

Despite being ghee-based, SDG is remarkably light and works as a superior moisturizer. Ghee is cooling, sweet (madhura), and healing, making it ideal for calming inflamed, pitta-aggravated skin.

During the traditional preparation process, SDG becomes infused with trace copper ions and minerals, lending it antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. These qualities make it especially effective in addressing acne, pimples, redness, and irritation.

(For the complete SDG preparation method, refer to the section on Mature, Dry, and Dehydrated Skin Concerns.)

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How to Apply

• Take a pea-sized amount of the cream.

• Apply lightly over the face and neck as a daily moisturizer.

• It may also be gently dabbed onto active acne, zits, or inflamed spots as a targeted treatment.

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What to Expect

With regular use, this moisturizing step helps:

• Clear active acne and acne scars

• Calm inflammation and redness

• Leave the skin hydrated yet light, comforted, refreshed, and cool

Your skin should feel balanced—not greasy, nourished without congestion, and ready to maintain clarity over time.

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.

Step Four: Steam (Swedana)

Facial steaming, or swedana, is a time-honored Ayurvedic practice that deeply cleanses and rejuvenates the skin. Millennia ago, specialized swedana yantras were used, and detailed illustrations of these devices are still found in classical Ayurvedic texts. Unlike modern steam treatments, Ayurvedic swedana incorporates carefully selected herbs, chosen to address specific skin concerns—from cleansing and clarifying to detoxifying, unclogging pores, purifying, and removing deep-seated impurities.

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What You Need

• Facial steamer

• 1–2 cups water

• 1 tablespoon liquorice (Yashtimadhu) powder

• 1–2 toner ice cubes

• 5 drops frankincense essential oil (optional)

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How to Apply

1. If you don’t have a facial steamer, use a shallow, wide-mouthed pot and drape a light cotton sheet or baby bedsheet over your head to trap the steam. Facial steamer cups are also easily available online.

2. Add water and liquorice powder to the steamer or pot and allow the steam to build.

3. Steam your face for 5–7 minutes.

4. Wear a loose, wide-necked robe so the steam reaches your neck and upper chest.

5. After steaming, gently rub 1–2 toner ice cubes over the face to cool the skin and seal the pores.

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How to Know When to Stop

Steam until steam beads collect on the forehead and can be gathered by gently pinching 1–2 inches of skin between the thumb and forefinger. This indicates that the swedana process is complete.

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What to Expect

After swedana, your skin should feel:

• Deeply cleansed

• Rehydrated

• Relaxed and rejuvenated

The skin becomes a receptive canvas for the rituals that follow. In Ayurvedic terms, swedana helps release ama (toxins and metabolic waste), unclogs pores, liquefies trapped sebum, and provides a deep epidermal cleanse that goes far beyond surface washing.

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Frequency

Perform swedana once every two weeks or as needed, depending on skin type and sensitivity.