Every year, the skin is at the receiving end of the scorching summers. The intense heat, humidity, and pollution strip the skin of its natural glow and, at times, lead to skin infections. To minimise all these hassles and to ensure that your skin radiates like before, we present 5 Ayurvedic herbs for glowing skin.
So, let’s get started.
- Haridra or Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Commonly known as turmeric, this herb’s rhizomes exhibit properties such as anti-ageing, anti-wrinkle, photoprotection, astringent, antioxidant, and anti-irritant with moisturising effects, which are all beneficial for the skin. Curcumin as well as other curcuminoids constitute the primary phytochemicals of Haridra. The utility of curcumin when it comes to cosmetic ailments is on the rise because it has been proven that topical administration delivers curcumin directly to the affected tissue. A study on turmeric rhizomes has proven a maximum efficacy of 88.56% inhibition of tyrosinase activity, thus supporting the use of Haridra as a skin-whitening herb.
- Mustaka (Cyperus rotundus)
This Ayurvedic herb is not commonly used to treat skin disorders, but it is highly efficacious in the treatment of blood disorders, thereby indirectly helping in the maintenance of healthy skin. The phytochemical investigations of this herb have revealed the presence of polyphenols, saponin, vitamin C, flavonol glycoside, sesquiterpenoids, and essential oils, which have umpteen benefits for the skin.
- Nimba or Neem (Azadirachta indica)
Considered as a beauty aid, neem is specifically prescribed for the treatment of skin diseases and detoxification of blood. Purified neem oil and the tree’s powdered leaves are primary components of facial creams and other cosmetics. Many studies have demonstrated the use of the bark of the neem tree as a skin-whitening agent because the bark’s methanolic extract has demonstrated phenomenal tyrosinase inhibition activity up to as much as 43.59% in comparison with the tree’s leaf, which demonstrated 10.10% of the same activity. Moreover, the hydro-distilled extract of its heartwood has been reported to demonstrate significant antioxidant activity because of the presence of high phenolic content.
- Amalaki or Amla (Phyllanthus emblica)
Amalaki or Amla (which is also known as Indian Gooseberry) is an extremely popular antioxidant that is used to heal and treat a wide range of health problems. It has been successfully reported that the antioxidant strength of the fruit is derived from its high density of ellagitannins, such as emblicanin A, emblicanin B, punigluconin, and pedunculagin rather than the vast amounts of vitamin C or ascorbic acid. Amalaki is used as a primary component of numerous varnya formulations in the science of Ayurveda because of its potent antioxidant properties, making it one of the go-to herbs for skincare.
- Kesar or Saffron (Crocus sativus)
Kesar (which is also known as saffron) is a popular complexion enhancer, according to numerous Ayurvedic texts. A couple of clinical trials have established the herb’s anti-pruritic and complexion-promotion effects. Saffron has been reported to contain more than 150 carotenoid compounds, including zeaxanthin, safranal, lycopene, and numerous alpha- and beta-carotenes, besides being a rich source of riboflavin. Its potent antioxidant activity can be attributed to the presence of cyanidins. In another separate study, kaempferol (which is isolated from the petals of Crocus sativus) has been found to successfully inhibit the oxidation of L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine), making it one of the top Ayurvedic herbs for skin.
To Sum It All Up
It is only natural that your skin has numerous diverse needs during summers, which usher in immense warmth and sunshine. Spending too much time in the sun can be detrimental to the skin. Hence, one of the remedies is opting for Ayurvedic herbs that have proven efficacy in negating the harsh weather. The top 5 Ayurvedic herbs for skincare during summer include turmeric, Mustaka, Nimba, Amalaka, and Kesar. A summer-friendly beauty regimen will help in ensuring healthy, happy skin, all season long.
