Oil cleansing, aromatherapy, dry brushing, and face masks—are all examples of ancient Ayurvedic practices becoming mainstream in the beauty world.

But holistic beauty is more than just a trend to us. It's part of our roots. YUNI's founders, Emmanuel and Suzanne, are both trained in yoga and are early advocates of natural remedies and plant-based ingredients, helping to establish some of the first natural beauty brands in the industry. As a sister practice to yoga, Ayurveda is a form of medicine rooted in Indian history and is still regularly practiced there to this day.

Just like yoga's popularity has spread internationally, so has Ayurveda, finding relevance in our daily lives and balancing the strict philosophies of Western medicine. Ayurveda emphasizes balance of the mind, body, and spirit, focusing on holistic healing. However, the practice is also rich with ancient beauty rituals that you can incorporate into your self-care routine.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda, which means knowledge of life, is a holistic way to heal and balance the body. The science of Ayurveda involves examining the physical body, as well as the emotional and mental state, to make a connection between them. 

Originating roughly 5,000-6,000 years ago, Ayurveda emerged from the pursuit of health and well-being by ancient Indian monks, who believed in the integral connection between physical and mental health, aiding spiritual development and meditation practice. This holistic approach to healing, encompassing thousands of years of observations and practices, is rooted in ancient Sanskrit texts delineating three fundamental energy types, or doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Rather than visiting conventional doctors, individuals historically sought guidance from Ayurvedic practitioners, who prescribed diet, meditation, and yoga to restore balance and enhance overall health. Ayurveda's influence extends beyond medicine, shaping realms such as Chinese medicine, Buddhist philosophy, and herbology.

The key principles of Ayurveda

• Balance: Harmonizing the body and mind.
• Diet: Selecting foods that suit your dosha.
• Holistic healing: Addressing health on multiple levels.
• Mindfulness: Emphasizing breathing and stress management.
• Yoga: Integrating movement and meditation.
• Caring for oneself: Honoring ancient beauty rituals for well-being.

The three doshas

One of the central tenets of Ayurveda is the philosophy that every person is made up of a combination of three different life sources or energies, known as doshas. Most people tend to have an abundance of one or two of these energies, which is seen as your personal blueprint that makes up your own unique nature or constitution. These metaphysical elements impact your physical body as well.

When it comes to the physical aspects of Ayurveda, your Ayurvedic body type, or dosha type, takes center stage. Understanding and embracing your dosha is a powerful tool in your journey towards health and balance. It not only helps you stay healthy but also empowers you to tap into your intuition, guiding you toward the choices that best support your unique constitution. Here are the key characteristics of the three dosha types, which can help you identify your predominant nature:

Vata Dosha

The Vata dosha, associated with air and space elements, governs movement in the body, including breath, heartbeat, and muscle function. Vata types are typically creative, flexible, and energetic, but imbalance can lead to anxiety and inconsistency. 

YUNI’s Sleepy Beauty Bedtime Body Essence can soothe nerves and hydrate dry skin for Vata types who struggle with irregular eating and sleeping patterns and fluctuating energy levels. It is packed with key Ayurvedic ingredients, such as chamomile, which helps balance the Vata dosha, regulating bodily functions like breathing and digestion.

Pitta Dosha

The Pitta dosha, composed of water and fire elements, embodies qualities like heat, sharpness, and intensity. Pitta energy is dynamic, spreading like fire or flowing like water, influencing traits such as intelligence, metabolism, and body temperature.

Driven by fire, Pitta types are strong, assertive, and easily irritated. While they excel in organization and leadership, imbalance can lead to aggression or anger under stress.

Pitta types thrive with cooling remedies like our Chillax Muscle Recovery Gel, which soothes post-workout soreness and inflammation for their athletic, heat-sensitive bodies.

Kapha Dosha

The Kapha dosha is characterized by the elements of water and earth, embodying heaviness, stability, and cohesion. Individuals with a dominant Kapha dosha typically have a strong, well-built physique and may possess a calm and loving demeanor. Kapha energy plays a vital role in hydrating cells and tissues, maintaining skin moisture, and supporting joint health while fostering compassion and emotional stability. However, when Kapha is out of balance, individuals may experience sluggishness, stubbornness, and complacency, requiring measures to invigorate energy levels and stimulate metabolism.

Kapha types benefit from practices and products that promote vitality and movement, as they tend to have a slower metabolism and may be prone to weight gain. Incorporating stimulating activities, such as regular exercise and rejuvenating products like our Invigorating Glow With The Flow Face and Body Scrub, can help Kapha individuals maintain balance and vitality.

Ayurvedic ancient beauty rituals

Ayurveda is a holistic practice where the health of your mind and body intertwine to cultivate overall wellness, leading to beauty radiating from the inside out. In other words, when you feel good on the inside, your beauty will show on the outside.

It’s hard to imagine a time when society didn’t equate certain features with beauty. But in fact, many thousands of years ago in India, beauty was defined in holistic terms, encompassing much more than outward appearance and instead focusing on health.

According to Ayurveda, there are three pillars of beauty:

1. Roopam (or outer beauty): Healthy hair and glowing skin, in every shade, shape, or size
2. Gunam (inner beauty): Radiant energy, happiness, grace, innocence, and warmness
3. Vayastyag (lasting beauty): Health and vitality that leads to one looking and feeling younger

As with everything in Ayurveda, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to skincare and beauty. However, the thousand-year-old practice contains ingredients and tangible ancient beauty rituals.

Ayurvedic ingredients

While it may seem like you're grappling with breakouts, dryness, sensitivity, and dark spots on your own, these skin issues have plagued humanity for centuries. Ayurveda, with its deep-rooted belief in the healing power of herbs and plants, has been harnessing their potential in beauty treatments and skincare remedies for ages. Whether ingested or applied topically, these ingredients possess remarkable hair and skin-nourishing properties, connecting us to a rich tradition of natural healing.

• Bakuchiol: Now known as nature's alternative to retinol, bakuchiol's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties promote collagen production, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin texture without the potential irritation associated with vitamin A.
• Turmeric: A mainstay in Indian cooking and medicine for thousands of years, turmeric is used for a range of purposes, from warming recipes to glow-inducing skincare treatments. Turmeric's heating quality balances Kapha and Vata doshas.
• Chamomile: Soothes inflammation, alleviates skin irritations, and promotes relaxation. Chamomile is often incorporated into Ayurvedic skincare to address acne, eczema, and dryness while also balancing the doshas, particularly Pitta and Vata, for overall skin health and radiance.
• Ashwagandha: In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is prized for its adaptogenic qualities, aiding in stress management and energy balance. In skincare and beauty, it's revered for rejuvenating the skin, enhancing elasticity, and providing antioxidant protection.
• Neem: A potent natural antibacterial, Neem is a cornerstone of Ayurvedic skincare. Its soothing properties pacify inflammation, particularly in Pitta skin types, promoting overall skin health and balance.

Ancient skin care rituals

Beyond the use of specific natural ingredients, these ancient beauty treatments used in ayurveda practice have been making skin look radiant for thousands of years.

• Self care routines: Ayurvedic belief is that establishing a daily self-care routine allows one to sync with the natural rhythms of the body and the environment. Depending on your skin care needs, following a consistent routine can help regulate the body's internal clock, improve digestion, and promote overall health and wellness.
• Face masks: Ayurvedic masks are specialized treatments that can help with skin conditions based on your dosha. If you are a Vata, you will benefit from hydrating ingredients such as yogurt and rose. If you are a Pitta, you should look for anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera and turmeric. And if you are a Kapha, you may benefit from detoxifying ingredients like clay or witch hazel.
• Home facials: Ayurvedic facials include natural ingredients to treat specific skin concerns such as dryness, acne, and dullness. They typically include oil cleansing, exfoliation to promote skin renewal, treatment masks, and facial massage with nourishing oils.
• Self-oil massage: Abhyanga is the ayurvedic practice of self-massage using a warm oil infused with dosha-specific ingredients to nourish the skin, relax muscles, and promote circulation.
• Exfoliation: Ayurvedic exfoliation is tailored to individual dosha types to ensure balance and harmony, incorporating natural ingredients such as herbs, grains, clays, and dry brushing. By stimulating circulation and promoting lymphatic drainage, exfoliation both rejuvenates skin and supports overall well-being.

How to incorporate ayurvedic rituals into your lifestyle

Ayurveda is a holistic practice, so the health of your mind and body will contribute to the health of your skin and show in your beauty.

• Meditate and practice mindfulness: Managing stress is key to maintaining balance and health, and meditation is an Ayurvedic tradition that helps calm the mind, reduce stress hormones, and enhance emotional resilience, fostering a harmonious connection between the mind, body, and spirit.
• Stay active: Whether it’s through the ancient Ayurvedic practice of yoga or your activity of choice, staying fit is a crucial tenet to Ayurveda.
• Breathwork: A vital aspect of yoga, pranayama is warmly embraced within Ayurvedic traditions, serving as a gentle yet powerful tool to harmonize the body's energies (doshas) and calm the body and mind.
• Healthy habits: Drinking teas, cooking, and utilizing essential oils in ayurvedic herbs that align with your specific dosha such as ginger, tulsi, and turmeric.
• Seasonal eating: Align your diet with fresh, seasonal produce to balance your dosha.
• Hydration: Ayurveda advocates for sipping warm water throughout the day to invigorate the digestive tract, maintain hydration, and aid in the elimination of toxins, known as ama.
• Restful sleep: Quality sleep is essential for good health, allowing the body to rejuvenate. Adequate rest contributes to healthy skin, a radiant complexion, and vibrant eyes. Enhance your sleep by diffusing calming aromatherapeutic oils in your room or using a pillow spray.
• Baths: Take a relaxing warm bath a couple of hours before bed to calm the body and mind, promoting better sleep quality, while also encouraging detoxification and overall good health.

Although Ayurveda is absolutely life-enhancing, it's essential to approach its practices and ancient beauty treatments with thorough research, as misinformation is prevalent. Ayurveda masters undergo formal education, including a Bachelor's degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, obtained only in India. While private institutions in the United States offer Ayurvedic courses, formal licensing or regulation is lacking. Even products claiming to be Ayurvedic in India undergo a rigorous quality verification process by the Quality Council of India (QCI).

We hope Ayurveda’s wisdom and ancient practices inspire you to adopt a holistic and healthy lifestyle that reveals your beautiful radiance and makes you feel your best.