Last Updated: January 16, 2025
Skin issues are so much more than skin-deep. It’s a concept that’s probably best understood in the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, a holistic system of traditional medicine that began some 3,000 years ago. Modern nutritional science is on board too—both understand the skin is a reflection of what’s happening inside our bodies.
So what can Ayurveda teach us about glowing skin? You might be surprised! This holistic system emphasizes balance and harmony by using nutrient-rich botanicals to nourish, repair and protect from the inside out. That dovetails nicely with the fact that a diet rich in whole foods—you know, the nutritious, minimally processed kind—serves as a key building block for clear, healthy skin (not to mention, great hair and general awesomeness).
The truth is, leaning into Ayurvedic principles and understanding that “you are what you eat” is so much more than a throwaway saying that can make a world of difference if you’re constantly struggling with skin issues. Let’s review.
Meet The Doshas (And See Why They Matter For Healthy Skin)
In Ayurveda, any type of skin issue is considered an imbalance of the doshas, three fundamental categories that are thought to be responsible for our physiological, mental and emotional health. The doshas are vata, pitta and kapha, and it’s believed that everyone has a unique ratio of all three, with one more prominent than the rest. This is what defines your individual Ayurvedic constitution.
So, how does your dosha affect your skin? An imbalance in vata can mean an outbreak of blackheads, as dryness in the body triggers too much oil production that can clog the pores. A pitta imbalance, meanwhile, is associated with inflammation, which can lead to painful pimples. If you have a kapha imbalance, excess dampness in the body can cause cystic acne.
In Ayurveda, digestion is the foundation of health (and that’s no accident—check out our post on the connection between the gut and the skin). Chronic skin issues, then, can’t be treated on the surface alone, no matter how many pricey facials you spring for. Instead, you have to take a holistic approach that doesn’t focus on the skin alone and embrace diet and lifestyle changes to ensure your digestive system is functioning properly.
Three Ways to Promote Healthy Skin Based on Ayurvedic Principles
In Ayurveda, there’s no single prescription for clearing your skin, and that’s because the issues causing skin woes vary from one person to the next. Still, there are general guidelines that can help you take a more holistic approach to healthy skin.
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Be mindful of what you’re eating. Remember that whole digestion-is-the-foundation-of-health thing? What you eat matters! Steer clear of sugary, sour and spicy foods, all of which can aggravate pitta by contributing to heat and inflammation in the body. Instead, eat your veggies (and prioritize the bitter stuff, like kale, collard and dandelion greens, asparagus, that kind of thing).
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Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. You know the drill—six to eight glasses of water every darn day. Shoot for roughly 67 ounces of water to support your body and your skin.
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Choose skincare products with extreme care. The goal is to use products that work with your skin—not against it. The problem is, so much of the stuff lining the shelves is loaded down with problematic ingredients, like preservatives and synthetics, that do more harm than good. Why? Too many products strip the skin, which damages its oh-so-delicate acid mantle and positively destroys its microbiome. That opens it up to irritation and sensitivity, not to mention dryness, excessive oil production and/or breakouts. You can avoid all of this by detoxing your skincare in favor of products that are microbiome-friendly, which often means a less-is-more ingredient list.
Mindful Skincare With Ayurvedic Ingredients
Ayurvedic medicine has long celebrated the healing properties of natural ingredients to calm, brighten and rejuvenate the skin. Let’s call out three:
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Turmeric. A cornerstone of ayurvedic skincare, thanks to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, turmeric is a sort of jack of all trades. It soothes redness, blemishes and irritation, while simultaneously working to brighten and even skin tone. Curcumin, its active compound, provides powerful protection against oxidative stress, helping to reveal a natural, radiant glow.
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Coconut oil. Deeply hydrating and rich in essential fatty acids, coconut oil creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture for lasting softness and smoothness. Its natural anti-inflammatory properties help ease irritation, making it ideal for soothing dry or sensitive skin. Coconut oil also supports elasticity and radiance, keeping skin youthful and resilient.
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Aloe vera. You probably know (and love) aloe vera for its soothing, cooling properties, but did you know it’s incredibly hydrating as well? That combination of qualities makes it a go-to for all skin types. Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, aloe soothes inflammation, calms irritation, and helps boost collagen production. The result is skin that feels refreshed, balanced and glowing.
When ingredients like these meet whole foods—truly nature’s gifts for supporting healthy skin and hair—well, that’s what we mean by mindful skincare! Case in point? Shimmer Chef’s collection of plasters and balms—truly the ultimate in raw, living, organic skin and scalp care. Our products are made from scratch with fresh, organic superfoods, so they’re loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to truly nourish the skin’s systems. Our proprietary vitamin C fermentation process means the finished products are brimming with prebiotics and probiotics to support the microbiome and its delicate acid mantle.
While our recipes are top secret, we can share a few ingredients found in our formulas:
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Citrus fruits (peels on!). The peels of oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C, both of which support collagen production and protect against free radicals. These zesty fruits deliver extra fiber and dense nutrients, making them a natural choice for healthier, more vibrant skin.
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Whole nuts and seeds. Flaxseeds, cashews and other nuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats, nourishing the skin barrier and hydrating from the inside out. These ingredients also support the scalp microbiome, encouraging stronger, shinier hair and a balanced skin environment.
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Raw honey. Raw honey is a natural sweetener packed with antioxidants and enzymes. Aside from being absolutely delicious in tea, its antimicrobial properties help combat acne-causing bacteria while locking in moisture. It’s also incredibly nourishing to the scalp, strengthening to the hair and helps promote a radiant complexion, so it’s pretty versatile.
Just as important as what we put into our formulas is what we keep out. Our personal never, ever list is lengthy—no synthetic ingredients, no added fragrances or dyes, no harsh sulfates or drying alcohols, and no preservatives. Instead, our living formulations are kept potent and active simply by being stored in your refrigerator. And as the cherry on top, Shimmer Chef has proudly earned the stamp of approval from the Environmental Working Group (EWG)—Made Safe certification, which serves as proof of the safety of individual ingredients from origin to how they’re processed. When you’re looking for microbiome-friendly skincare that nourishes your skin instead of stripping it, that certification means so much.
Ayurvedic Principles + Modern Nutrition For Happy, Glowing Skin
Ayurveda may be 3,000 years old and counting, but there’s a reason it’s still in practice today. The gut-brain-skin connection is real, and that’s why trying to treat skin issues on the surface alone just isn’t effective. A holistic approach that nourishes internally and externally is the best path to glowing, healthy skin. So clean up your diet, remember that water bottle and get on the raw, organic skincare train to support that skin barrier from the inside out!
Chef Jennifer Sanford, the visionary behind Shimmer Chef, fuses her talents as a Health Supportive Culinary Arts Chef and licensed esthetician to develop formulas that radically transform your skin, scalp and hair. Jennifer brings a holistic approach to beauty and wellness, drawing on the wisdom of Mexican Folk Medicine passed down through her family, as well as studies of the ancient art of Ayurveda through her yoga and meditation certifications.