Ayurvedic Ingredients for Beauty

Ayurveda (ayu: life, veda: knowledge) is a 5000-year old East Indian philosophy that teaches us that we are all beautiful and unique individuals and that youthful and radiant skin comes from being in a state of harmony with nature.

For thousands of years, using the wisdom of Ayurveda, people have been using pure and natural ingredients to keep their skin young, vibrant and healthy. Vysada, which is Sanskrit for pure and natural, uses only natural and organic ingredients to create products that improve elasticity, treat problematic conditions and nourish our skin.

When we are so careful about the food we eat, how can be not be concerned about the products we put on our skin? After all, our skin acts like a sponge, absorbing whatever we apply to it, and circulating it throughout our bodies.

But rather than focusing on what should not be in your cosmetics, we would like to suggest some of nature’s best ingredients for nourishing and enriching your skin, which are used in our products:





1.Neem: Stressed out skin can be soothed using ingredients which have been taken from India’s amazing Neem Tree. Considered good for all skin types, neem alleviates excess oil and blemishes, is an effective treatment for acne, treats inflammation, irritation and generally improves the elasticity of the skin. It is an excellent base used in most of our moisturizers and face creams.




2.Tumeric: Known for enhancing complexion and fighting acne, this spice is great for treating eczema, clearing blemishes and flushing impurities from the skin. It is the active ingredient used in our Immortelle Cream for Sensitive Skin.







3.Amla: An Indian gooseberry fruit which is known to be the best natural source of anti-oxidative Vitamin C, combats the signs of aging by tightening, toning, reducing redness and exfoliating the skin.





4.Sandalwood: Smoothes and cools the skin, while calming both body and mind, relieving overexposure to the sun, healing sores, acne and rashes.





5.Aloe Vera: The Aloe Vera plant is well known for its ability to soothe burnt skin and wounds. Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, it promotes healing of mild cuts, insect stings, bruises and eczema. It naturally stimulates the production of collagen and slows the obvious signs of aging.




6.Chickpea Flour: Good for all skin types, it can be used as a gentle exfoliator to clear blemishes and reveal the natural glow of healthy skin. Used as a base in our face masks, it helps to draw out toxins and tighten the skin.



For more information about undesirable ingredients in skin care products, visit http://storyofcosmetics.org to view a recently released, animated documentary on the topic.

Chilling Out with Ayurveda

With summertime quickly approaching, most people are starting to spend more time outdoors. After all, it is so much easier to enjoy an active lifestyle when the days are longer and the weather warmer. But when the heat is on, it can cause discomfort, particularly for “Pittas” who are already fiery by nature and have a tendency for skin rashes and inflammation.

In Ayurveda, seasons are classified in the same way as people, using the three Doshas: Vata (Winter), Kapha (Spring) and Pitta (Summer). Using ancient philosophies and lessons of healing learned over the past 5000 years, practitioners correct and balance doshas using food as medicine, which can either be ingested or applied topically.

It makes sense that Pitta represents summer, as it is the element of fire. As such, water can effectively calm the excessive heat derived from Pitta. This calming effect may be achieved not only from ingesting water but also from water-related activities such as swimming and other water sports. Even being in proximity to water sources by walking on the beach, or lounging by a pool can help calm Pitta constitutions.

It’s no coincidence that our planet provides suitable food for each season. Enjoying locally grown produce, that is more nutritious than food that has traveled across the country, also benefits the environment. We have a natural tendency to eat lighter, cooler foods in summer. Focus on raw or lightly cooked fruits and vegetables, which provide the energy from carbohydrates, that we need to stay active.

Taking care of your skin in the summer starts with a balanced diet, ample exercise and adequate rest. But in the summer months, all skin types can benefit from nourishing and protecting treatments, which offset the damage that excessive sun exposure can cause.

Some natural ingredients which provide some protection and relief from the sun and heat are:

Neem: Protects the skin by improving its elasticity and offering mild sun protection
Coconut: Nourishes and improves the complexion
Aloe Vera: Soothes inflamed and irritated skin
Rosewater: Refreshes and balances heat and emotions

Be cautious about SPF claims in sunscreens, and ensure the ingredients are not potentially harmful to your health. The safest sunscreens are those that use zinc or titanium dioxide; others are suspected of causing hormone disruptions. The Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic database has some great recommendations for sun protection at http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/best-beach-sport-sunscreens.