I’d like to share valuable knowledge with you about Ayurvedic facial massage, which not only relaxes you but also benefits your skin. In the Ayurvedic tradition, the beauty ritual consists of several steps, such as cleansing, massage, exfoliation, toning, and moisturizing. However, you don’t have to perform the entire ritual every day to enjoy beautiful and healthy skin. Even a short facial massage, done by yourself in the morning and evening after cleansing your skin, can greatly help maintain beautiful and healthy skin. My suggestion is to apply unrefined, high-quality plant oil to your face, perform the massage, and finally, place a warm, soothing towel on your face for a moment of relaxation if you can find the time.
It’s worth using different plant oils depending on the Ayurvedic dosha type, which Ayurveda defines as individual constitutions. For individuals with dry skin (Vata type), I recommend grapeseed oil, sesame oil, avocado oil, Indian hemp oil, or pomegranate seed oil. For those with sensitive skin (Pitta type), we suggest jojoba oil, sunflower oil, rosehip oil, rice oil, or flaxseed oil. And for those with oily skin (Kapha type), we recommend black seed oil, jojoba oil, or rosehip oil.
A daily facial massage is one of the elements that will help you take care of your skin and relax after a long day.
Mixing essential oils with plant oils can bring additional benefits to the skin. For individuals with Vata type (dealing with dry skin), I recommend essential oils of frankincense and lavender, or rosewood and sandalwood. For those with Pitta type (having sensitive skin), we suggest essential oils of blue tansy, chamomile, or neroli. And for individuals with Kapha type (having oily skin), we recommend essential oils of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or orange.
Mixing essential oils with oil can improve the condition of the skin. Below, I present the blends I recommend:
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- Individuals of the Vata type (who have issues with dry skin) should use essential oils of frankincense and lavender or rosewood and sandalwood. I also recommend our Ageless Goddess oil, which is perfect for skin in need of extra care.
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- Individuals of the Pitta type (with sensitive skin) should use essential oils of blue tansy, chamomile, or neroli. Our Calm & Serenity oil with Blue Tansy is perfect for individuals with sensitive skin as it soothes and regenerates the skin.
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- Individuals of the Kapha type (with oily skin) should use essential oils of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or orange. Our Clarity & Balance oil is perfect for individuals with this skin type.
The selection of essential oils is based on Ayurvedic principles. Individuals of the Vata type require oils with warming and moisturizing properties, as well as calming effects. Individuals of the Pitta type need oils with cooling properties and soothing effects on emotions, while those of the Kapha type benefit from oils with warming and stimulating properties.
However, it is important to remember that the selection of essential oils should be tailored to individual needs and preferences. It is also important to know that essential oils are highly concentrated and can cause allergies. They should be used in small amounts, especially oils such as cinnamon, cloves, orange, as well as lavender or frankincense oil. The maximum amount of cinnamon or clove oil is 6 drops per 100 ml, and lavender or frankincense oil is 10 drops per 100 ml. It is also important to note that these amounts may vary depending on the brand of essential oil.
Before using oil mixed with essential oils, it’s always worth performing an allergy test by applying a small amount of the mixture to a small area of skin and observing if any reaction occurs.
Now let’s move on to the massage itself. Abhyanga massage is one of the most important practices in the Ayurvedic cleansing and rejuvenation program. It can be performed daily at home, and regular use brings many benefits to different parts of the body.
To begin the massage, first cleanse the skin of the face and neck. This ritual aims not only to improve the quality of your skin but also to bring relaxation and tranquility.
After cleansing the skin, warm the oil in your hands and apply it to the face. Then, wait for about 5 minutes for the oil to absorb before starting the massage.
The Abhyanga massage consists of various movements depending on the area of the body you want to relax and rejuvenate. For example, circular motions are best for the face as they improve blood circulation and help flush toxins from the body.
During the Abhyanga massage on the face, we typically start by stroking the face from top to bottom, then drawing circles on the temples. The next step involves circular movements around the eyes, followed by gentle massage of the eye sockets. Then, we can move to the upper lip and chin, where we apply horizontal movements. Finally, we massage the nose and forehead, also with horizontal movements.
Regular use of Abhyanga massage brings many benefits. Firstly, it helps to move lymphatic fluids and remove toxins from the body. Secondly, the oil used during the massage helps to oxygenate the cells, speeding up the skin regeneration process. The effects are quickly noticeable and manifest in radiant and elastic skin, among other benefits.
However, Abhyanga massage offers more than just benefits for the skin. This unique practice also has a soothing effect on the nervous system, relaxing and calming the mind, providing a sense of deep contentment and tranquility.
Therefore, it’s worth incorporating Abhyanga massage into your daily skincare routine to enjoy its benefits for both body and mind.