Above: Sheetal Rawal, scientist (human genetics) & founder of Apsara Skin Care
By: Marty S.
When inflammation comes to mind, the first thing many of us think of is skin that is red, itchy, and/or swelling. And yes, you would be right. But even if you don’t find any apparent redness, itchiness, or swelling on your skin, it could still be inflamed. Inflammation can also present itself as rapid aging. When your skin is inflamed, that inflammation can cause lines and wrinkles to develop as well as make your existing lines and wrinkles look even more prominent. So, suffice to say, inflammation is not congruent with youthful, flawless skin.
Though knowing if your lines and wrinkles might be caused by inflammation is difficult, the good news is that it is very easy to eliminate inflammation naturally. Whether through supplements or DIY home remedies, there are natural ingredients that can pacify your skin and help it look more youthful. Today, you will learn 10 of our favorite anti-inflammatory natural ingredients that can help you get younger-looking skin. Inflammation may even be impacting your skin right now so don’t miss any of the information below.
1. Turmeric
One way to reduce inflammation is to use antioxidants. Antioxidants are special compounds that target and neutralize free radical damage. Simply put, the more free radical damage that exists within your body, the worse it is for your skin and your health. Free radical damage can lead to high levels of inflammation, premature wrinkles, dark spots, and uneven skin.
One antioxidant-rich ingredient that is famous in both Ayurveda and various parts of the western world is turmeric. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric has been used in Ayurveda to dramatically boost skin glow, and now we know just how well it works to keep your skin youthful and flawless, too.
Turmeric is a favorite among the Apsara Skin Care, so it should be no surprise that you can find it among many Apsara Skin Care products, particularly our Rosewater & Turmeric Facial Toner and our Turmeric Facial Cleanser.
"I have very dry skin. I usually can’t find anything that keeps it feeling nice, moisturized, [and] hydrated all day long. This [Carrot Seed Lotion] I can use twice a day. It goes on, it smells so pretty...I feel great all day."
2. Ashwagandha
Turmeric isn’t the only natural ingredient revered in Ayurveda for its ability to curb inflammation. Ashwagandha (translated as “smell of the horse”) is an herb that is commonly used in Ayurveda to reduce stress. Stress and inflammation are undoubtedly connected. If you start experiencing stress in your life, that can start impacting you physically. Higher levels of stress can lead to higher levels of inflammation, which can then lead to premature lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. Taking ashwagandha regularly can help your body manage and reduce stress better, and this could eventually lead to younger-looking skin.
3. Triphala
Triphala is not simply one natural ingredient; it is 3 natural ingredients combined into one! Triphala is a powder composed of 3 Ayurvedic fruits: amla, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki. Since all of these fruits possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by themselves, coming into these fruits into one simple supplement is even more beneficial to your health and the look of your skin. Moreover, Triphala is noted for its detoxification capabilities, and using it can help you achieve a youthful glow from the inside out.
4. Shilajit
At first glance, shilajit doesn’t sound too appealing (it is a natural ingredient made from plants that have been decomposing for centuries). However, this tar-like substance is ripe with benefits that are good for you and the look of your skin. Shilajit has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to the fulvic acid found in it. Shilajit is sticky, but for that reason, you could use it as a DIY face mask to calm down inflamed skin and minimize lines and wrinkles.
On the other hand, consuming shilajit does have its risks. Shilajit may contain trace amounts of heavy metals, which can be dangerous to your health. Therefore, you should consult your doctor and your Ayurvedic practitioner before taking shilajit internally.
5. Sandalwood
The scent of sandalwood alone is why many people use it in the first place. Sandalwood is very aromatic and uplifting; even someone with a bad mood can feel calmer and more refreshed after smelling some sandalwood. However, that is not all of what sandalwood can do. When applied to your skin, this natural ingredient can calm your skin down and increase cell turnover. Over time, this can lead to less inflammation and younger-looking skin.
Sandalwood typically comes in the form of a powder, but if adding it to a home remedy does not interest you, we suggest trying our Sandalwood Facial Serum, which will nourish your skin and have it smelling like sandalwood all day long.
6. Chaga Mushroom
Chaga mushrooms have been used not just in Ayurveda but also in other ancient systems of medicine and healing. Chaga mushrooms are capable of reducing inflammation because they contain a lot of antioxidants. Not only that, Chaga mushrooms are believed to have antibacterial and anti-cancer properties, and they have been used for thousands of years to treat people with illnesses.
Though Chaga mushrooms have been taken internally in the past, they do have health risks and therefore we do not recommend consuming them. Even if you brew a tea with Chaga mushrooms, we highly suggest talking to a doctor and Ayurvedic practitioner to find out if it is safe for you to consume Chaga mushrooms.
Sheetal has plenty of home remedies where she combines some of these ingredients to reduce inflammation. Watch the video below to learn a turmeric and castor oil home remedy for acne, blackheads, and inflammation. Enjoy and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel!
7. Reishi Mushroom
Another type of mushroom that has been popular in ancient and traditional medicine is the reishi mushroom. Similar to the Chaga mushroom, reishi mushrooms are thought to be anti-inflammatory due to their antioxidant potential. Plus, reishi mushrooms have been used to fight cancer and other harmful illnesses because it is believed that reishi mushrooms can bolster your immune system.
While they might seem potent, reishi mushrooms have not been well-studied and there we cannot recommend consuming them for fear of health risks. It is vital to consult your doctor and Ayurvedic practitioner before taking either reishi mushrooms or Chaga mushrooms internally.
8. Castor Oil
Another way to minimize inflammation is with fatty acids. Fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids, will nourish and soothe your skin. While they won’t moisturize your skin because they aren’t made of water, fatty acids can lock in your skin’s moisture so that it does not lose any excess moisture. Fatty acids can also soften your skin and keep it supple so that lines and wrinkles are not prominent.
Beauty oils are rich in fatty acids, and one Ayurvedic beauty oil that can effectively nourish your skin is castor oil. Castor oil contains fatty acids such as ricinoleic acid, which has antimicrobial properties. This means that by using castor oil on your skin, you can reduce inflammation, diminish lines and wrinkles, and keep your pores healthy and clean.
9. Wheat Germ Oil
Wheat germ oil can do double duty on your skin when it comes to inflammation. Not only does wheat germ oil contain fatty acids to sufficiently nourish your skin, but it is also a good source of Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that will help fight free radical damage and minimize inflammation. Thus, using a beauty oil like wheat germ oil on your skin is an excellent choice to repel those premature lines and wrinkles and keep your skin looking youthful & flawless for as long as possible.
You will likely be able to find wheat germ oil in your natural foods store, but if you need a simple facial serum to do the trick, you must try our Sweet Almond & Wheatgerm Facial Serum, a potent and natural defense against aging skin.
10. Jojoba Oil
What is unique about jojoba oil and its fatty acids is that the chemical structure of jojoba oil is very similar to the sebum that your body naturally produces. When you apply it on your skin, your body will stop producing sebum because it believes that it has produced enough oil to protect and nourish itself. Therefore, jojoba oil can help you nourish your skin without the uncomfortable experience of greasy, oily skin.
For this reason, jojoba oil is perfect for acne. By not producing an excess amount of serum, your pores are less likely to be clogged and inflamed by acne-causing bacteria. As a matter of fact, our Jojoba Facial Serum is an essential part of the Apsara Natural Acne Care Routine.
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Go natural. It is good karma!