India: a place full of vibrant colours, intoxicating smells and tantalizing food. Whilst I was on this journey of a lifetime, I picked up some beauty treatments that have been used for thousands of years.  These treatments are known as Ayurveda, the science of life.  It emphasises preventative and healing therapies along with various methods of purification and rejuvenation.  Below are two of the many treatments I have – please try and let me know what you think.

Ingredients for exfoliation paste

2 cups chickpea flour (besan)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon turmeric (has heating properties)

2 teaspoons of crushed cardamom pods

1 teaspoon ginger (has heating properties)

2 teaspoons fennel seeds

2 teaspoons of ground nutmeg

6 tablespoons crushed rice (I used Trader Joe’s Brown Rice Medley with Barley and Radish for extra exfoliation)

1 teaspoon sandalwood powder mixed with 2 tablespoons of sesame oil (has cooling properties)

2 tablespoons rosewater (has cooling properties)

2 tablespoons sesame oil

enough warm water to blend mixture into a thick paste

This is enough paste for two people.

Mix all ingredients into a thick paste and massage over the body to exfoliate and balance the skin.  Shower or rinse the mixture off.  Dry well.  You know that you have this one right when it smells like an Indian curry!

Ingredients for skin polisher

300 ml (5 fl oz) warmed natural honey

200 ml (3 1/2 fl oz) warmed full cream milk

3 cups grated cucumber

This is enough polisher for two people.

Apply warmed honey to the skin and massage into the body.  Be careful to make sure that you don’t burn yourself by testing a small patch of skin first.  Convert the sticky honey into a velvety texture by gradually adding 1 teaspoon warmed milk at a time.  Massage into the body, then apply the cucumber.  Coat both sides of the body and leave for 10 minutes.  Rinse off and enjoy your naturally smooth skin.

 

 

Wishing you beautiful healthy skin!  Dany xoxo