Skin Care Ingredients

1. Black Raspberry Seed Oil (Rubus occidentalis)

• Source: Seeds of black raspberry fruit; cold-pressed.

• Skin Type: Mature, aging skin.

• Key Components:

  • ~85% essential fatty acids (including ~30% omega-3)

  • Four forms of vitamin E: alpha-, beta-, gamma-tocopherols & tocotrienols

  • Phytonutrients and antioxidants

• Benefits:

  • Lightweight, dry oil; quick absorption

  • Anti-aging, antioxidant-rich

  • Does not clog pores

• Usage: 1–5% in formulations

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2. Blackberry Seed Oil (Rubus fruticosus)

• Source: Seeds of blackberry fruit.

• Skin Type: Blemished, sun-damaged, aging skin.

• Key Components:

  • Vitamin C (brightening, rejuvenating)

  • Vitamin E, phytosterols (beta-sitosterol)

  • Carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin

  • ~90% unsaturated fatty acids, ~20% omega-3

• Benefits:

  • Reduces appearance of wrinkles

  • Brightens and rejuvenates skin

  • Oxidatively stable for serums and creams

• Usage: 1–5%

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3. Blackcurrant Seed Oil (Ribes nigrum)

• Source: Seeds of blackcurrant (cassis).

• Skin Type: Dry, scaly skin; thinning or weakened hair.

• Key Components:

  • Omega-6: up to 20%

  • Omega-3: up to 14%

• Benefits:

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Soothes dry or sensitive skin

  • Rejuvenates hair

• Usage: 1–5%

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4. Blueberry Seed Oil (Vaccinium corymbosum)

• Source: Seeds of blueberry fruit.

• Skin Type: Facial, anti-aging formulations.

• Key Components:

  • Extremely rich in antioxidants

• Benefits:

  • Protects from UV damage and free radicals

  • Helps prevent premature aging

• Usage: 1–5%

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5. Borage Seed Oil (Borago officinalis)

• Source: Seeds of borage plant.

• Skin Type: Mature or damaged skin.

• Key Components:

  • Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) up to 24%

  • Vitamins and minerals supporting skin regeneration

• Benefits:

  • Prevents sun damage

  • Anti-aging, supports skin repair

• Usage: Best blended with carrier oils at 5–10%

Skin Care Ingredients

1. Açaí Oil (Euterpe oleracea)

• Source: Berry-like fruit of the South American açaí palm.

• Skin Type: Aging, eczema-prone skin.

• Key Components:

  • Antioxidants: anthocyanins, phenols, phytosterols

  • Vitamins: B, C, E

  • Fatty acids: Oleic acid (~50%), Linoleic acid (~40%)

  • Minerals: Iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium

  • Essential amino acids

• Benefits:

  • Strong antioxidant, anti-aging

  • Excellent moisturization

  • Anti-inflammatory, suitable for eczema

  • Penetrates skin quickly

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2. Almond Oil (Prunus amygdalus)

• Source: Dry kernels of the almond tree (sweet almond oil).

• Skin Type: Most skin types; sensitive and dry skin.

• Key Components:

  • Vitamins E & A

  • Fatty acids: Oleic acid (up to 86%), linoleic acid

  • Antioxidants: quercetin, quercitrin, kaempferol, morin

• Benefits:

  • Quick absorption, non-comedogenic

  • Moisturizes and nourishes

  • Mild sun protection (from quercetin & kaempferol)

  • Can be used alone or blended with other oils

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3. Apricot Oil (Prunus armeniaca)

• Source: Kernels of the apricot fruit.

• Skin Type: Dry, mature, sensitive skin.

• Key Components:

  • Vitamin A

  • Fatty acids: Oleic acid (predominant), linoleic acid

• Benefits:

  • Rapid absorption, non-greasy

  • Anti-aging and nourishing

  • Can be used alone or blended (20–50%)

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4. Argan Oil (Argania spinosa)

• Source: Kernels of the argan tree, native to Morocco.

• Skin Type: Aging skin; use cautiously for acne-prone skin.

• Key Components:

  • Vitamins: E

  • Fatty acids: Oleic and linoleic acids

  • Squalene, carotenes

• Benefits:

  • Anti-aging, improves elasticity

  • Reduces appearance of scars

  • Nourishes hair, adds shine

• Caution: May cause breakouts in acne-prone skin

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5. Avocado Oil (Persea americana)

• Source: Fruit of the avocado tree.

• Skin Type: Dehydrated, mature, itchy skin.

• Key Components:

  • Vitamins: E, A, B1, B2, B5

  • Fatty acids: Rich in omega-6, omega-3

  • Sterols: Stimulate collagen production

  • Antioxidants

• Benefits:

  • Strong moisturizer and emollient

  • Anti-aging, reduces age spots

  • Supports collagen production

  • Suitable for sunscreen formulations

• Usage Note: Thick texture; often diluted with lighter oils (10–20%)

EARLY WINTER (HEMANTA RITU)

IDEAL DAILY REGIMEN TO BE HEALTHY

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Morning Regimen (Things to Do)

• Wake up early, ideally 4:30–5:00 AM, before sunrise

• Drink 1–3 glasses of warm water (stored overnight in a copper vessel)

• Evacuate bowels regularly and wash hands, feet, and face

• Danta Dhavana – Brushing teeth using Neem, Babool, Khadir, Pilu (Meswak)

• Jihva Nirlekhana – Tongue scraping

• Gandusha / Kavala – Gargling or mouth rinsing with medicated water

• Nasya – 2 drops of medicated oil in each nostril

• Exercise (Vyayama) – According to season and physical capacity

• Self body massage (Abhyanga) with oil followed by powder massage (as per season)

• Bathing and grooming

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Night Regimen (Ratricharya)

• Take supper within 3 hours after sunset (around 8:00 PM)

• Go to bed 2 hours after supper, ideally by 10:00 PM

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Dietary Guidelines

• Eat food that is:

  • Warm

  • Unctuous

  • Nourishing

  • Taken in proper quantity

  • Selected according to Agni (digestive power)

• Consume a balanced diet containing all six tastes (Shadrasa)

• Avoid:

  • Eating too fast

  • Eating too slowly

  • Incompatible food combinations

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Seasonal Regimen – Early Winter (Hemanta Ritu)

Diet Modifications

• Prefer:

  • Unctuous, sweet, and salty foods

• Recommended foods:

  • Newly harvested rice

  • Wheat flour preparations

  • Green gram (Mudga)

  • Black gram (Masha)

  • Milk and milk products

  • Sugarcane products

  • Fats and oils

  • Til (Sesame)

  • Sidhu (fermented preparations, if suitable)

• Avoid:

  • Foods and drinks that aggravate Vata

  • Excessively cold and dry foods

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Lifestyle Modifications

• Regular exercise is advised

• Body and head massage with oil

• Use of warm water for bathing

• Application of Agaru (Aquilaria agallocha) paste on the body is preferred

• Heavy clothing and warm places are recommended

• Avoid:

  • Exposure to strong cold winds

  • Daytime sleep (Divaswapna)

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Seasonal Note

The period from mid-November to mid-January is considered Hemanta Ritu (Early Winter).
It is regarded as one of the most pleasant seasons, with enhanced digestive fire (Agni) and increased physical strength (Bala).

Hemanta Ritu ends at the winter solstice, which marks:

• The beginning of winter in India and the Northern Hemisphere

• The shortest day of the year

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🌿 Completion of Ritucharya Cycle

With Hemanta (Early Winter) and Shishira (Late Winter), the annual Ayurvedic seasonal regimen cycle is completed.

AUTUMN SEASON (SHARAD RITU)

IDEAL DAILY REGIMEN TO BE HEALTHY

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Morning Regimen (Things to Do)

• Wake up early, ideally 4:30–5:00 AM, before sunrise

• Drink 1–3 glasses of warm water (stored overnight in a copper vessel)

• Evacuate bowels regularly and wash hands, feet, and face

• Danta Dhavana – Brushing teeth using Neem, Babool, Khadir, Pilu (Meswak)

• Jihva Nirlekhana – Tongue scraping

• Gandusha / Kavala – Gargling or mouth rinsing with medicated water

• Nasya – 2 drops of medicated oil in each nostril

• Exercise (Vyayama) – According to season and strength

• Self body massage (Abhyanga) with oil followed by powder massage (as per season)

• Bathing and grooming

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Night Regimen (Ratricharya)

• Take supper within 3 hours after sunset (around 8:00 PM)

• Go to bed 2 hours after supper, ideally by 10:00 PM

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Dietary Guidelines

• Eat food that is:

  • Warm

  • Fresh

  • Light to digest

  • Taken in proper quantity

  • Selected according to Agni (digestive capacity)

• Consume a balanced diet containing all six tastes (Shadrasa)

• Avoid:

  • Eating too fast

  • Eating too slowly

  • Incompatible food combinations

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Seasonal Regimen – Autumn Season (Sharad Ritu)

Diet Modifications

• Foods with Madhura (sweet) and Tikta (bitter) taste are advised

• Prefer foods that are light to digest

• Recommended foods:

  • Old rice

  • Wheat

  • Green gram

  • Sugar candy (Mishri)

  • Honey

  • Patola (Trichosanthes dioica)

• Avoid foods that are:

  • Acidic

  • Salty

  • Pungent

  • Oily

  • Meat of aquatic animals

• Avoid:

  • Curd

  • Excessively spicy foods

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Lifestyle Modifications

• Application of Chandana (Sandalwood) paste over the body is recommended

• Moonlight walk during evening or night is beneficial

• Avoid:

  • Excessive exposure to sunlight

  • Daytime sleep (Divaswapna)

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Seasonal Note

The period from mid-September to mid-November is considered Sharad Ritu (Autumn Season).
During this season:

• The sun becomes brighter

• The sky remains clear, sometimes with white clouds

• Pitta Dosha is predominant

• Predominant Rasa is Lavana (salty)

• Predominant Mahabhuta are Apa and Agni

RAINY SEASON (VARSHA RITU)

IDEAL DAILY REGIMEN TO BE HEALTHY

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Morning Regimen (Things to Do)

• Wake up early, ideally 4:30–5:00 AM, before sunrise

• Drink 1–3 glasses of warm water (stored overnight in a copper vessel)

• Evacuate bowels regularly and wash hands, feet, and face

• Danta Dhavana – Brushing teeth using Neem, Babool, Khadir, Pilu (Meswak)

• Jihva Nirlekhana – Tongue scraping

• Gandusha / Kavala – Gargling or mouth rinsing with medicated water

• Nasya – 2 drops of medicated oil in each nostril

• Exercise (Vyayama) – According to season and physical strength

• Self body massage (Abhyanga) with oil followed by powder massage (as per season)

• Bathing and grooming

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Night Regimen (Ratricharya)

• Take supper within 3 hours after sunset (around 8:00 PM)

• Go to bed 2 hours after supper, ideally by 10:00 PM

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Dietary Guidelines

• Food should be:

  • Warm

  • Freshly prepared

  • Light to digest

  • Taken in proper quantity

  • Selected according to Agni (digestive power)

• Consume a balanced diet containing all six tastes (Shadrasa)

• Avoid:

  • Eating too fast

  • Eating too slowly

  • Incompatible food combinations

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Seasonal Regimen – Rainy Season (Varsha Ritu)

Diet Modifications

• Prefer easily digestible foods

• Recommended cereals and pulses:

  • Old barley

  • Wheat

  • Rice

  • Among pulses, lentil (Masura) and green gram (Mudga) are preferred

• Honey may be included in the diet

• Avoid foods that are:

  • Heavy to digest

  • Viscous

  • Cold

  • Excessively sweet or sour

• Avoid:

  • New grains

  • Curd

  • Cold drinks

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Lifestyle Modifications

• Mild exercise is recommended

• Powder massage (Udvartana) is preferred

• Avoid:

  • Exposure to excessive moisture

  • Getting drenched in rain

  • Sleeping during daytime (Divaswapna)

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Seasonal Note

Mid-July to mid-September is considered Varsha Ritu (Rainy Season).
It is the monsoon season, during which Vata Dosha gets aggravated and digestive fire (Agni) becomes weak.
The solstice known as Dakshinayana marks the beginning of Varsha Ritu.
The Hindu lunar months Shravana and Bhadrapada (Sawan and Bhado) fall during this season.

SUMMER SEASON (GRISHMA RITU)

IDEAL DAILY REGIMEN TO BE HEALTHY

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Morning Regimen (Things to Do)

• Wake up early, ideally 4:30–5:00 AM, before sunrise

• Drink 1–3 glasses of water (preferably stored overnight in a copper vessel)

• Evacuate bowels regularly and wash hands, feet, and face

• Danta Dhavana – Brushing teeth using Neem, Babool, Khadir, Pilu (Meswak)

• Jihva Nirlekhana – Tongue scraping

• Gandusha / Kavala – Gargling or mouth rinsing with medicated water

• Nasya – 2 drops of medicated oil in each nostril

• Exercise (Vyayama) – According to season and physical capacity

• Self body massage (Abhyanga) with oil, followed by powder massage (as per season)

• Bathing and grooming

---

Night Regimen (Ratricharya)

• Take supper within 3 hours after sunset (around 8:00 PM)

• Go to bed 2 hours after supper, ideally by 10:00 PM

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Dietary Guidelines

• Food should be:

  • Light to digest

  • Taken warm or at room temperature

  • Consumed regularly and in proper quantity

  • Selected based on Agni (digestive strength)

• Include a balanced diet containing all six tastes (Shadrasa)

• Avoid:

  • Very fast eating

  • Very slow eating

  • Incompatible food combinations

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Seasonal Regimen – Summer Season (Grishma Ritu)

Diet Modifications

• Prefer:

  • Light, sweet, unctuous, cold, and liquid foods

• Recommended foods:

  • Butter milk

  • Fruit juices

  • Meat soups (light)

  • Mango juice

  • Churned curd with pepper

• Avoid:

  • Salty foods

  • Pungent and sour foods

  • Alcohol

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Lifestyle Modifications

• Avoid:

  • Excessive exercise

  • Hard physical work

• Prefer:

  • Staying in cool places

  • Cold water bath

  • Night application of sandalwood and other aromatic pastes

  • Body anointing with cooling substances

  • Wearing light, airy, and comfortable clothing

• Daytime sleep (Divaswapna) is beneficial during summer

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Seasonal Note

Mid-May to mid-July is considered Grishma Ritu (Summer Season).
In Ayurveda, this season is characterized by depletion of strength (Bala) due to intense heat.
Grishma Ritu ends on the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year in India and marks the peak of Uttarayana.

SPRING SEASON (VASANTA RITU)

IDEAL DAILY REGIMEN TO BE HEALTHY

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Morning Regimen (Things to Do)

• Wake up early, ideally 4:30–5:00 AM, before sunrise

• Drink 1–3 glasses of warm water (stored overnight in a copper vessel)

• Evacuate bowels regularly and wash hands, feet, and face

• Danta Dhavana – Brushing teeth using Neem, Babool, Khadir, Pilu (Meswak)

• Jihva Nirlekhana – Tongue scraping

• Gandusha / Kavala – Gargling or mouth rinsing with medicated water

• Nasya – 2 drops of medicated oil in each nostril

• Exercise (Vyayama) – According to season and strength

• Self body massage with oil followed by powder massage (as per season)

• Bathing and grooming

---

Night Regimen (Ratricharya)

• Take supper within 3 hours after sunset (around 8:00 PM)

• Go to bed 2 hours after supper, ideally by 10:00 PM

---

Dietary Guidelines

• Eat food that is:

  • Warm

  • Light

  • Regular

  • Taken in the right quantity

  • Based on Agni (digestive capacity)

• Consume balanced food containing all six tastes (Shadrasa)

• Avoid:

  • Eating too fast

  • Eating too slowly

  • Incompatible food combinations

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Seasonal Regimen – Spring Season (Vasanta Ritu)

Diet Modifications

• Prefer easily digestible foods

• Intake of:

  • Green leafy vegetables

  • Newly harvested rice

  • Among pulses, green gram (Mudga) is preferred

• Honey may be included in the diet

• Avoid foods that are:

  • Heavy to digest

  • Viscous

  • Cold

  • Excessively sweet or sour

• Avoid:

  • New grains

  • Curd

  • Cold drinks

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Lifestyle Modifications

• Moderate exercise is recommended

• Powder massage (Udvartana) is preferred

• Daytime sleep (Divaswapna) is not advisable

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Seasonal Note

Mid-March to mid-May is considered Vasanta Ritu (Spring Season).
It marks the beginning of spring in India and occurs when the sun is in the midpoint of Uttarayana.
This season is characterized by liquefaction of accumulated Kapha, making Kapha-pacifying regimens essential.