Ayurveda teaches us that beauty starts from within. Radiant, glowing skin is a reflection of good health nurtured by a balanced lifestyle and traditional skincare practices. As an added bonus, taking a holistic approach to your skin ensures that your efforts to look good will also leave you feeling great.

SAFFRON-POWERED SKINCARE

The bestselling Kumkumadi range takes its name from the Sanskrit word for its key ingredient – saffron. This powerful red spice is rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, B and C and is known for encouraging skin renewal and an even skin tone.

The Kumkumadi Face Oil is an original Ayurvedic formulation that will revitalise and brighten skin to reveal a natural, lit-from-within glow. Use a Kansa Wand to apply it, along with the nourishing Kumkumadi Eye Concentrate to act on visible signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation.

DETOXIFICATION

Detoxification plays a crucial role in balancing your doshas and eliminating toxins that contribute to skin issues. “Always start your day with warm or room-temperature water,” advises Dr. Shivani. “Not only is proper hydration essential for radiant and supple skin, but warm water stimulates and strengthens your digestive fire {agni} while dissolving and releasing toxins {ama} from your body.”

Also, in aid of digestion, Dr. Shivani advises not to eat until you are hungry. If you don’t feel hungry it means your digestive fire {agni} isn’t functioning as strongly as it should, and your body is not ready for more food. In this case, she recommends drinking warm water until hunger returns. This will prevent a sluggish digestive system, which can lead to dull and tired-looking skin.

RESTORATIVE SLEEP

It is said that no herb or superfood can work its magic on your skin like good-quality sleep. Proper rest rejuvenates both the body and mind, reducing stress that can lead to dosha imbalances, particularly Vata. When Vata is disturbed, it can cause dryness and premature skin aging. “A lighter evening meal can help improve sleep quality, as can a self-massage {abhyanga} to the feet before bed,” suggests Dr. Shivani. “Sound sleep – going to bed early and waking with the sun – restores the body’s natural rhythms, enhancing cellular repair and resulting in healthy, glowing skin.”

BALANCE

“Regular breathwork {pranayama} and meditation practices will help reduce stress and bring your body and mind back to their natural rhythm,” explains Dr. Shivani. Yoga and breathing exercises also increase oxygen flow to the skin, giving it a natural glow and clearing inner channels that support the body’s detoxification systems.