Maharishi Ayurveda Newsletter Archive

Nourish Your Skin — Naturally

Fall brings with it cooler temperatures and dry cold winds that can rob your skin of precious moisture. In ayurveda, fall and winter are equated with Vata dosha, with its dry, rough and cool qualities. Dryness, cracking, dullness and roughness of the skin are common in cold, dry, windy weather. It is important, therefore, to rehydrate skin and offer it rich nourishment in the fall to keep it looking young, lustrous and beautiful through the harsher winter months.

The importance of "all-natural"
Before you reach for that moisturizer on the drugstore shelf, consider this: your skin absorbs what you put on it, and eventually transmits it into your bloodstream. If you use creams and lotions that contain a high percentage of chemicals, you risk introducing these toxic substances into your body. Many cosmetics marketed today as "all-natural," may contain harsh, damaging chemical ingredients, hidden in a proprietary base, for example.

At Maharishi Ayurveda, we take the definition of all-natural even a step further. All-natural actually relates to the ability to protect nature's own intelligence in a product. Not only do we use completely natural ingredients, we make sure that the techniques used to process those ingredients are such that they do not destroy the natural benefits. If you use chemicals such as hexane or benzene as solvents to make extracts from ayurvedic herbs, you destroy the innate intelligence of the herbs, and decrease the usefulness of the final product. For example, Gotu Kola is a powerful ayurvedic herb that has different kinds of therapeutic effects; however, if you expose Gotu Kola to high temperatures or harsh chemicals, these values are lost.

To preserve the life-supporting nature of the herbs in the formula, we use traditional techniques such as cold-pressing to process them. Plus, the natural synergy of the carefully chosen group of herbs in the formula helps preserve the product naturally.

Skincare tips for the fall

• Do a daily warm oil massage with the Youthful Skin Massage Oil. With its rich emollients and nutrient-rich botanicals the oil will leave your skin feeling soft and silky all over.
  
• After your bath or shower, smooth in the Youthful Skin Advanced Lipid Support to keep your skin moisturized all day long. This potent lotion enhances the benefits of the oil massage.
  
• Keep skin covered as much as possible. Wear natural fabrics such as silk or wool.
  
• Cook with skin-friendly spices such as cumin, coriander and turmeric.
  
• Drink plenty of warm water through the day.
  
• Eat lots of leafy green vegetables, cooked with Vata Churna, and include fresh fruits in your daily diet.
  
• As always, getting enough rest is important, so your skin can rejuvenate itself at night.