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New Rituals: Discover the Skin-Healing Powers of Ayurveda

Reconnect this January and add something new to your beauty arsenal with Absolutely’s edit of the best Ayurveda-inspired products

Words Helen Brown

THE ART OF AYURVEDA

WHAT IS IT?

It sounds like a tricky yoga pose, but Ayurveda (pronounced ah-yoor-veda) is in fact a traditional holistic health and wellbeing practice originating from India; its name deriving from the Sanskrit ‘ayur’ meaning ‘life’ and ‘veda’ meaning ‘wisdom’. Dating back over 5,000 years, this ancient practice has seen a surge in popularity in the beauty world, with countless brands being inspired by its long-held beliefs and rituals. So what’s it all about?

“Ayurveda advocates a proactive approach to wellbeing: placing equal value on the importance of physical, emotional and spiritual health,” explains Ayurvedic Doctor Jagdish Kaushal. “At the core of this system is the knowledge that leads to harmonising an individual’s dosha. There are three doshas known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha, and these impact everything from speech, appearance, relationship, digestion and life choices.”

SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR BEAUTY?

So far, so New Age. But how can Ayurveda practically impact our approach to beauty? “Skin is the largest human organ and whatever we put on it is absorbed into it, so it’s all too easy to absorb toxins into the bloodstream via pretty-looking products that do more harm than good,” explains Anita Kaushal, Co-founder of Mauli Rituals. “In Ayurveda, we look at putting the purest products on our skin and they are made in a way that preserves their rejuvenating properties.”

From organic ingredients and vegan production to no-animal-testing and recyclable packaging, Ayurveda-inspired brands, such as The Urban Veda, are setting a new standard for a more mindful approach within the beauty industry. “Unlike so many things in the modern world, Ayurveda doesn’t believe just in the quick fix. It carries a profound body of knowledge for understanding ourselves within the laws of nature,” asserts founder Sheilesh Shah. So forget quick fixes and forego the latest fad. It’s all about slow skincare, and an all-encompassing approach to beauty.

Inspired? Scroll down to discover Absolutely’s picks of the best Ayurvedic-inspired products