5 Things You Can Learn From Indian Traditions About Skincare
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Indian traditions are a treasure trove of time-tested knowledge. Passed down from one generation to another, they have stood the test of time, and we can all gain valuable insights from these traditions if we just look a little closer. Skincare and childcare are two areas in which this knowledge can help us improve our day-to-day life.
1. Natural ingredients have multiple benefits
Your grandmother knows this. If you were to ask her for skincare tips, she would probably ask you to begin with drinking turmeric milk every night for restful sleep and glowing skin.
But she would also advise you to mix it with chickpea flour (besan) and curd for a cleansing face mask, and ask you to apply turmeric powder on wounds and cuts to prevent infection.
Nature is a real treasure — every natural ingredient has more than one benefit for our overall health and skin health.?
Coconut, Almond, Basil, Ashwagandha, Aloe Vera, and Rose are other such ingredients that offer a diverse range of skincare benefits for a baby’s and an adult’s skin.
Coconut oil nourishes hair and scalp, fights dryness, and has anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties that protect the skin from infections and irritation.
Almond oil moisturizes the skin deeply and helps to prevent rashes.
Aloe Vera soothes the skin while also balancing its pH, and Rose hydrates, soothes, and fights signs of aging.
Many of our grandmothers’ traditional home remedies were based on this knowledge that we are now able to back up with scientific research.?
2. True nourishment comes from good-quality ingredients
A sub-par quality ingredient will only be able to give you sub-par results in your skincare journey. On the other hand, using good quality ingredients will provide you with wholesome nourishment — like your mother and grandmother’s nurturing care.?
3. Combining good ingredients with the right practices can give maximum benefits??
There are many traditional practices that have been a part of every household in India for centuries but are only now being recognized as valuable in other parts of the world.
They highlight how the benefits of natural ingredients can be multiplied when combined with the right practices, and also why we need to study and value our Indian heritage.
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Take the humble “maalish,” or oil massage for babies. Every baby in India is given an oil massage, by his/her mother or grandmother, at least for the first year.
Oil massages are now known to help improve a baby’s muscle strength, bone strength, and skin texture, relax a baby, and also promote bonding with the caregiver.
While the oils used for massage vary across different regions of India, the practice of oil massage for babies remains constant.
A combination of multiple nourishing oils that are traditionally used and have scientifically proven benefits, like Coconut Oil, Basil Oil, Turmeric Oil, Brahmi Oil, and Sunflower Oil provides the best benefits for a baby.
4. Children’s skincare routine needs to be different than adults’
While your grandma may recommend multiple face masks for your skin, she will have a much different approach to your newborn or toddler’s skincare — because a baby’s skin is different than that of an adult’s.
A baby’s skin is thinner, more alkaline (ph 6.34 - 7.5, instead of 5.5), and has a weaker skin barrier than an adult’s skin. These variations demand a gentler, safer, and more nourishing approach to their skincare, which is where the traditional ingredients and practices like oil massage come in.
Natural ingredients like Aloe Vera, Oats, Coconut, Rice Protein, and Turmeric nourish a baby’s skin without irritating it or causing any pH level imbalances in their skin.
Adults can use children’s skincare products because they would be safe and nourishing for their skin as well, but it cannot be the other way around. Adult skincare products may contain chemicals that are harsh on a baby’s delicate skin.
5. Love, care, and safety are paramount to good health
Baby or adult, it is your mother’s and your grandmother’s love in their nourishing food, advice, and warm hugs that keep you in good health.
Wellness practices such as oiling hair regularly, using locally available natural ingredients for skincare, and thinking of health holistically — not in isolation from the food we consume or the activities we do on a daily basis — are rooted in Indian tradition. These wellness traditions emphasize the need to care for ourselves in the best and safest way possible.?
It is never safe to blindly trust a wellness practice, but we can all fare better if we pause to reflect on the traditional practices that have proven to be effective for such a long time. If the practices are also backed up by modern science, we can learn important lessons in self-care from them. Additionally, these traditions and traditional ingredients can also become a way to connect with our rich heritage.