Monsoon Skincare Essentials

1. Monsoon Skincare Essentials: Neem, the ‘Wonder Herb’ “Swasthasya Swasthya rakshanam” “Aturasya Vikara prashamanam cha,” This famous Ayurvedic quote from “Charak Samhita” speaks about the importance of one’s health and well-being, the central idea behind the Science of Life. It emphasizes the importance of staying healthy and curing imbalance by understanding one’sbody type and making the required changes in one’s lifestyle. Ayurveda imparts a complete understanding about our body and guides us about the kind of food we should eat, the kind of lifestyle we should follow, the right time to eat and sleep and the guidelines to follow for different seasons of the year. Every season is associated with particular foods, lifestyle practices, skincare regimes and herbs. As per Ayurveda, internal bio energies or Doshas change with every season and it’s essential to incorporate these changes according to the change in the weather. Since the month of July brings with it long-awaited rain (Varsha Ritu), we have curated special monsoonskincare tipsfor you with the “wonder herb”, Neem that has qualities to balance the Doshas and harmonize your mind, body and soul.

2. What is special about Neem? For ages, the Neem tree has been acknowledged as the wonder tree of India. Conventionally, it is widely used in ayurvedic remedies as a natural anti–microbial agent and healer. Its leaves, fruits, bark and seed oil, offer a wealth of benefits to the skin, hair and the body making it a key ingredient in today’s cosmetics and ayurvedic skincare products. Neem is one of the most coveted and desired ayurvedic herbs for Varsha Ritu as it is known to have an almost magical effect on the skin. As per Ayurvedic science, Neem has cooling properties, which help in balancing the warm attributes of Pitta Dosha. Its bitter astringent properties spur the sluggish Kapha Dosha and help in detoxification. Neem is especially helpful in protecting and healing the skin in the humidity laden weather, because of its antiseptic and astringent properties.

3. How to use Neem for the hair and skin this monsoon season? Neem Powder for Glowing Skin Mix dried and powdered neem leaves with equal parts of Multani mitti and turmeric powder to make an ayurvedic ubtan. Add some Forest Essentials Facial Toner Pure Rose Water or Aloe Vera Juice and apply to cleanse the skin, to keep it clean and fresh. We recommend the Forest Essentials Ubtan Multani Mitti and the Delicate Facial Cleanser Kashmiri Saffron and Neem, infused with neem extracts, for deeper cleansing. They make the skin feel fresh and keep breakouts at bay. Neem Paste for Lustrous Hair Mix Neem leaf powder some yoghurt to create a creamy consistency.Apply the paste on your scalp for a cooling effect. Neem helps promote hair growth by strengthening the hair follicles and makes the hair lustrous and smooth. Neem Infused Water for a Refreshing Bath Boil a concoction of Neem leaves till the leaves lose their colour and the water becomes green. Strain with a fine muslin cloth and add 100 ml of this potion to your bathing water, once a week, to rejuvenate and purify your skin. You can also use the Forest Essentials Neem, Basil & Honey Luxury Sugar Soap to gently cleanse, hydrate and nurture the skin.This Monsoon, make this wondrous herb a part of your self-care ritual to balance your Doshas and freshen your skin, in the most natural way.