The Treasure of Spices as Beauty Ingredients

We all know how spices can rev up a delicious dish as part of the culinary benefits. However, do you know that spices can also work wonders as a beauty therapy for your skin and hair? This can be done internally as well as externally too!

More people are realizing the benefits of organic spices in fighting acne, clearing clogged pores, improving skin tone and improving complexion as well as working towards an anti-aging remedy.

Spices are commonly used today in the production of modern cosmetics and skin care products for rejuvenation as they can help to improve blood circulation. Common spices and herbs used in these beauty packs are turmeric, basil, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, neem, aloe vera, just to name a few.

Other than using the spices externally, we can also use them internally as a detox drink, or as digestive teas which are good for the body and skin too!

Following are some Ayurvedic facial treatments recommended.

Cleansing:

Cleansing is done to remove make up, sweat and any waste products accumulated. Herbal powders with various liquids are used to make a paste and gently applied all over the face and massaged with light swirling movements to remove toxins. Remove this paste with a face towel dipped in warm water before moving to the next step – oleation.

Common powders used – coriander, cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, basil, nutmeg, sandalwood, lemon peel, neem and chickpea flour.

Oleation:

Oleation is done to moisturise and soothe the skin. It improves blood circulation, relaxes facial muscles and relieves tension. All facial massage techniques can be applied for this step. Include head, neck and shoulder massage along with face massage as this helps in removing tension and relaxing the muscles for maximum benefits.

Suggestion – Almond oil, sesame oil, cream, milk, honey, rose water, any other massage oil.

Steam:

This step helps in opening up of pores, improving blood circulation, removal of blackheads and other toxins. It also refreshes the body and mind.

Water is mixed with aroma oils or essential oil drops or herbal concoctions. If you do not own a facial steamer, the warm concoction can be pour onto a small basin, and you can lower your head against the concoction and cover your head with a big light towel for 15minutes to enjoy this procedure.

Suggested herbs – coriander seed, fenugreek seed, fennel seed, turmeric, herbal salts.

Scrub:

Scrub helps to remove the dead outermost layer of the skin, cleans the pores and stimulates fresh skin.

Remember not to use too harsh or rough ingredients for scrub as they can be abrasive to the skin and cause more damage than help. Usually, base flour is mixed with herbs and water or milk, cream, aloe vera, lemon juice, honey and/or yoghurt.

Normal skin – Oats flour + milk/herbal tea

Dry skin – Chickpea flour + almond powder + aloe vera/milk/cream

Oily skin – Barley flour + lemon juice/aloe vera/honey

Mature skin – Barley flour/Rice flour + aloe vera/milk/honey

Blemished skin – Oats flour/clay + yoghurt/milk

Remove the scrub with a face towel dipped in warm water before you apply the mask.

Mask and Pack:

They help in pulling the toxins from deeper layers of skin, nourishing the different layers of skin and rejuvenates them, healing of skin, removing wrinkles, blemishes, draws out excessive sebum, etc. Green clay is an effective base and is mixed with herbs and essential oils. Vegetables and fruits are used for face packs.

Mask – Green clay + egg white/aloe vera/lemon juice + honey + water + essential oil + herbs

Pack – Can be blended and applied to the skin

Normal skin – Avocado, banana, zucchini

Dry skin – Apple, avocado, banana, carrot

Oily skin – Cabbage, cucumber, lemon, tomato

Mature skin – Apple, avocado, lemon, grape

Blemished skin – Apple, cabbage, grape, tomato

Remove the pack with a face towel dipped in cool water.

Toning/Rejuvenation:

This helps in tightening the pores and toning the skin.

Rose water is good for normal, dry, mature and blemished skin.

Oily skin – Basil, coriander, fennel water

Moisturising:

Moisturizers help in protecting the skin from external elements and pollutants, while increasing moisture of the external layers of skin.

Example: Aloe vera + rose water + ghee/cocoa butter

Mist:

Mist acts as a refresher, revitalizer and improves the lustre and complexion of the skin.

Common mist used is rose water mist that contains Vitamin C to heal our skin and also to cool the skin in hot weather.

Aloe vera water mist is also another good choice for our skin due to its anti-inflammatory benefits.