The Ancient Indian Wisdom and Its Relevance in Beauty

Growing up in an Indian household, you learn the benefits of traditional skincare. These are secrets our mothers and grandmothers have sworn by over the years! Truth be told about those generations – their typical features of bright shining eyes, long black hair and glimmering skin were inherited from an era that was not exposed to the environment we live in now. Still, in ancient times, women spent hours on self-care rituals with indulgent massages, lepas or face masks, to naturally enhance their beauty as a form of self-care.

Significance of traditional skincare rituals

Beauty care was a party of maintaining a delicate balance in life, between family and running daily errands. These Ayurvedic skincare rituals did not just signify self-care but also getting together of women as a community for washing and massaging of the hair, discussing intricate jewelry patterns, saris and toe rings, and even tending children! Similar to today’s time, the unbearable heat of summer, the damp of monsoons and the chill of winter – each dictated a specific skincare ritual that had to be followed.

Stay with us whilst we unravel traditional Indian beauty secrets from a time that had no bottles or jars of ready-made cosmetics and everything came from the garden, kitchen or herbal doctors.

Facial adornment rituals

Women from that era looked very similar, with parted hair, a red dot on their foreheads, toe rings and braided hair. Their Betel Nut tinted lips and Beetroot tinted cheeks made them look as if they were wearing makeup, since that’s all the enhancement their beautiful skin required. Their bright, kohl-rimmed eyes were a result of black Bhasma from the burnt edge of Almonds or soot from pure Ghee filled, earthen Diyas. At Forest Essentials, these rituals have come alive in the Natural Makeup Collection with the Gulaab Khaas Kajals, crafted with a special traditional Rose Petal formulation and the Madhu Rasa Tinted Lip Serums with fresh fruits, flowers and hand-pressed virgin oils.

Ayurvedic hair care rituals

In today’s day and age, our hair care concerns are endless – from dandruff and hair fall to frizziness and lack of nourishment. Earlier, women would craft pastes from Bhringraj, Japapatti, Yogurt and more to wash their hair. They would make these pastes and let some soak overnight. The most favourite hair treatment included applying Amlaki or Amla paste on the hair. You can make a paste of Amla powder with water Tulsi leaves. Apply it on your scalp and keep it for 30 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and a natural hair cleanser and conditioner. May we suggest the Amla, Honey & Mulethi Hair Care Selection to use after applying the paste.

Deeply nourishing body care rituals

Earlier, body care rituals were so indulgent that their fragrance would deeply permeate the skin so deep that it would last for days. Women had their bodies massaged with deeply scented pastes with Turmeric, Rose petals and soothing oils for highly polished skin. Explore our selection of Extra-Rich Body Massage Oils that you can massage your body with, before or after a spa treatment or daily baths. You can also explore the After-Bath Oils that seal moisture in your body.

Discover these traditional skincare secrets encapsulated in the Forest Essentials collection. Shop these now at our website or your nearest Forest Essentials store.