QUICK BITES
- When it comes to your skin care routine, switch to ayurveda
- Know ayurvedic methods to keep your skin healthy
- Also know tips to make green masks
In recent times, public conscience has been shaken up by images of tons of plastic products, tubes and lotions, cleansers, toothbrushes and micro plastic being culled out from the gut of dolphins and sperm whales who wash ashore dead from the toxicity of the plastic brewing in their bodies.
And in all of this, if you are wondering what can your contribution be in reducing this enormous amount of plastic pollution and saving our oceans, now you can do your bit to save the planet by just making simple conscious choices, especially when it comes to beauty care. Here are a few tips on how to make greener and environmentally ethical choices when it comes to your skin care routine. Bonus tips to make green masks for the perfect natural glow of goodness and general Ayurvedic tips for a great skin. You will not miss the chemicals in your beauty care regime now.
1. Lookout for Greenwashing
Greenwashing is when a company pulls the wool over your eyes marketing itself as ‘eco’ or ‘green’. ‘Made with natural ingredients’ doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s good for you or the environment. Look beyond the labels, dig deeper, ask questions.
2. Go green with the natural healing and wellness systems like Ayurveda that have stood the test of time
With Ayurveda, you get beauty that comes from within – an inner outer beauty balance. More Ayurveda hacks for holistic beauty (while being environmentally conscious!)
A neat cleaning trick for neck and face
Mix 4 teaspoons besan, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon yoghurt and a pinch of turmeric into a paste. Apply over face and neck. Once it dries up, wash off with warm water.
Benefits of the pack
- Tan removal
- Removes excess oil
- Lightens skin tone
- Removes acne, blemishes and blackheads
- Nourishes dry skin
- Has anti-ageing properties
Moisturising magic
Moisturise your face with coconut oil – it’s light, cool and soothing. You could try ghee as well. Dry and irritated skin will calm down with an organic castor oil mask. Excess oil? Mop it up with besan.
Toning treat
Nothing will lift your spirits as much as a rosewater spray! It smells lovely, feels cool and can be used several times a day. An easy way to get soft, supple skin.
Soothing and exfoliating mask
- Slice up half a ripe banana, mash completely
- Stir in 2 tablespoons oats and 1 teaspoon honey
- Massage this mix into your skin
- Let it stay for about 20 minutes
- Wash off with warm water
Benefits of the mask
- Removes blemishes
- Damages kin repair
- Cheers up tired, inflamed skin
- Has skin boosting vitamins
- Adds an instant glow
A chemical free bleach
Save your skin and save your soul by ditching the chemical bleaches. Here’s a natural bleaching mask to give you all the glorious benefits of a chemical bleach.
- Take yoghurt and tomato juice in equal amounts
- Mix thoroughly
- Apply over face, neck and other affected areas.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes
- Rinse it off with warm water.
Try this every 2 days until you are happy with the results.
Benefits include
- Anti blemish
- Anti tan
- Tots up a glow
Shoo off acne marks with tulsi
For acne removal, try a Tulsi mask!
- Make a paste with a few tulsi leaves and some orange peel powder.
- Apply and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes
- Wash it off
The benefits include
- Banishes acne marks
- Pampers a bloom into your skin
Neem oil dots for spots
Apply neem oil directly on pimples and inflamed spots, leave overnight. It dries up the area but is ‘cool’ about it. Ideal for summer.
Allow aloe vera into your life
Aloe vera is known for pacifying sunburns. But that’s not all. It makes the skin smooth, supple and younger looking. You can use it topically or sip it in a juice.
Top general tips from Ayurveda for great skin
- Get your 7 hour shut-eye at night
- Guzzle lots of warm water through the day
- Add fresh buttermilk and tender coconut water to your to-drink list
- Tank up on plenty of sweet, juicy fruits
- ‘Feed’ your skin. Supplement your diet with organic milk, whole grains andgreen leafy vegetables.
- Go nuts. Almonds and walnuts are superfoods
- Seeds are superfoods too. Tuck into flaxseeds, pumpkin, sunflower and chia seeds
- Also on the superfoods list are amla and avocado.
3. Microbeads are a no no
Microbeads are tiny exfoliating non-biodegradable plastic pieces found in face washes and toothpastes. Not so great for you and totally terrible for the environment. These tiny little plastic culprits slip into oceans and lakes, where they are wreaking havoc on entire marine ecosystems. According to a Toxics Link study, 50 per cent of the facewash products and 67 per cent of the facial scrubs are found to contain microbeads, and most commonly found is polythylene.
4. Reduce, reuse, recycle
There are carpets of plastic debris in our oceans that are so huge, they can be seen from space. Avoid plastic as far as possible – switch to refillable options. Check to see if the company accepts empty jars and bottles for recycling.
With inputs from Art of Living’s senior Ayurveda Expert and Head Doctor at Sri Sri Tattva Panchakarma, Dr. Mitali Madhusmita.
Courtesy: Onlymyhealth
