5 AYURVEDIC TIPS FOR GLOWING SKIN
How you can get naturally glowing skin is a question I hear quite often, and I recently shared my Ayurvedic tips on a podcast with the Face Yoga Expert. While we all know that hydration, quality sleep and quality beauty products are important, and that the state of our Agni is central to our health, I want to share some other tips which you might not have thought about, which show how truly interconnected all of these things are. This is why we talk about holistic health having a long-term effect on your overall complexion rather than immediately reaching for the latest skincare formulas that promise instant results.
Before I share my fave tips, it cannot be stressed enough how our energy levels in that moment, the thoughts you’re thinking and the feels you’re feeling come into play in how people view your complexion. And not to mention the lighting of the space you’re in — hence the scramble to get the right set up for all those Zoom meetings! In addition to my love of face oils that feed and protect skin and help it to reflect light (you’ll have heard me mention it before — Sneha is sanskrit for oil and love), there are many other easy things that we can all do for glowing skin. Here is a summary of some little doable actions you can take:
KANSA WAND, OR ANY FACE MASSAGE
Try using a Kansa Wand to massage your face and activate Marma points (vitality points) in your body. Used in circular motions with oil or a serum, this will gently stimulate circulation and promote lymphatic drainage for clearer, plumper and smoother skin all while helping to relax the muscles of the face. I also love using a Gua Sha tool. Both of these methods are a great way to help product and those aforementioned face oils absorb too!
MEDITATION
Meditating will help bring energy (Prana) to your body to repair and revitalize. It will give your complexion a fresh and youthful glow, lower your blood pressure and help you relax. It’ll also improve the quality of your sleep, and we all know a good night’s sleep is key to looking your best.
TONGUE SCRAPING
You’d be forgiven for thinking that using a Tongue Tingler will only support your oral health, but this practice does so much more than that. Tongue health is where digestive health starts, and our digestion and gut play a key role in our overall wellbeing — including how our skin looks.
GET UPSIDE DOWN
An asana yoga practice can make a world of difference to the face you present to the world. It gets the blood flowing, flushes and refreshes the cerebral fluid from your spine, helps oxygenate your body thanks to deep inhales and exhales, facilitates tissue repair, and helps get rid of stagnation and metabolic waste. Even just a spinal roll down and roll up — standing or seated, nice and slow to stimulate your vagus nerve — is great for bringing yourself into balance as well as helping you glow.
FEEL GOOD FROM THE INSIDE
Your face is such an intimate yet public-facing piece of yourself — I find this one really hard and I think many of us do until we make it a habit we are comfortable with; do look in the mirror from time to time and say good things to yourself. In fact, set a regular appointment with yourself when brushing your teeth for instance — kind words from a friendly face will help you feel better about yourself, which in turn will boost your mood, soften your face and add to your aura!