In today’s world, we spend so much money on fancy creams and beauty treatments, forgetting that some of the best skincare secrets are sitting right in our kitchen. Our grandmothers knew this. Their glowing skin was not the result of chemical serums, sunscreens but of everyday ingredients , love, and deep understanding of uses of kitchen ingredients as remedies of glowing skin.
In Ayurveda, it is believed that beauty starts from nature – from the food we eat, the herbs we use, and the rituals we follow.
Long before modern skincare products existed, women in ancient India relied on these simple kitchen ingredients to keep their skin glowing, soft, and youthful. They believed in treating the skin gently, using things they could eat, drink, or grow in their gardens. Surprisingly we can see a sudden shift of youth towards these natural ingredients rather than chemical products.
Let’s take a walk back in time and explore some Ayurvedic-inspired kitchen remedies for naturally glowing skin
1. Turmeric – The Golden Glow Mask
From brides applying haldi before their wedding to healers using it for wounds , turmeric has been India’s golden secret for centuries.
Why It Works: Turmeric is a natural anti inflammatory and anti-oxidant. It fights dullness, acne, and pigmentation while giving you a healthy and glowing skin.
How To Use:
- Mix 1 tsp with gram flour [ besan] and milk.
- Apply on the face and neck.
- Rinse with cold water when it dries.
[ TIP : Apply in evening if you don’t want a temporary yellow tint on your skin]
2.Honey – Liquid Gold For Skin
Honey is more than a sweetener — in Ayurveda, it’s considered a yogavahi, meaning it carries nutrients deep into the tissues.
Why it works: It locks in moisture, heals scars, and leaves skin baby-soft.
How to use:
- Apply raw honey directly to your face as a quick mask.
- Leave for 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
3. Gram Flour (Besan) – The Natural Cleanser
Our mothers and grandmothers swore by besan instead of harsh soaps. Besan has clearifing properties, this absorves excess oil and impurities from the skin. It’s a gentle exfoliant that removes dead skin , unclogs pores and can help brighten skin complexion.
Why it works: It gently removes dirt, excess oil, and dead cells without drying the skin.
How to use:
- Mix besan with a little curd and a pinch of turmeric.
- Apply as a face pack for instant freshness.
- Mix besan with raw milk for dry skin. Apply to the face & neck. Gently scrub and wash it with cold water.
- Combine besan with honey for a hydrating & cleansing face pack.
4. Ghee – Inner & Outer Nourishment
In Ayurveda, ghee is not just food — it’s medicine. Consuming it keeps skin plump and hydrated from within, while applying it soothes dryness and irritation.
How to use:
- Add 1 tsp ghee to your daily meals for inner glow.
- For chapped lips, apply a tiny amount before bedtime.
- Apply on cracked heals.
- Apply on nail cuticles of healthy nails.
5. Rose Water – Nature’s Gentle Tonic
In ancient palaces, queens bathed in rose-infused water. Rose water cools the skin, balances pH, and refreshes instantly. It can soothe irritated skin, reduce redness, and inflammation, hydrate and even out skin tone.
How to use:
- Use as a natural toner after cleansing.
- Mix with face packs for added freshness.
- You can use it as makeup remover.
6. Aloe Vera Gel – The Cooling Skin Healer
Aloe vera, called “Kumari” in Ayurveda, is a symbol of youth and freshness. It’s known for its cooling, hydrating, and healing properties. It soothes sunburn, reduces pimples, and deeply moisturises the skin without making it oily.
Women in olden days would keep a fresh aloe plant at home. After their bath, they would scoop out the gel and apply it on their face and hair to keep them soft and shiny.
How It Use:
-
Cut a fresh aloe vera leaf, scoop out the gel, and apply directly to your face.
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Leave it for 15-20 minutes and wash with plain water.
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For extra glow, mix aloe gel with a few drops of rose water before applying.
7. Masoor Daal – The Ancient Skin Brightener
Masoor dal is rich in protein, antioxidants, and essential nutrients that help remove tan, brighten skin, and give a smooth texture. In Ayurveda, it’s considered a natural exfoliator that also nourishes the skin deeply.
In earlier times, women would grind masoor dal into a fine powder and store it. They used it as a face pack or body scrub, especially before special occasions, to get soft, glowing skin without chemicals.
How To Use:
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Soak 2 tbsp masoor dal in water for 3-4 hours (or overnight).
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Grind into a fine paste with milk, curd, or rose water.
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Apply to face and neck, leave for 15-20 minutes, then scrub gently while washing off.
- Mix with multani mitti for body scrub.
Extra tip: Add a pinch of turmeric to the paste for an extra brightening effect.
Chemicals beauty products are very harsh on skin as they contain harmful chemicals such as sulphate, parabens, SLS, Fragrance . They strip out the natural oil of the body leaving your skin dry . Natural ingredients are easily available at home and are pocket friendly too. They gives you youthful, glowing and supple skin without damaging your skin. By using natural ingredients we also helps mother nature as they are biodegradable, eco-friendly, and sustainable.
CAUTION : PATCH TEST BEFORE APPLYING ON FACE. AS ONE CAN HAVE ALLERIES WITH SOME INGREDIENTS.
Additionally check out our other blogs-Pros & Cons Of Drinking Juice Every Morning
Hi, I am Nikita - the Heart, hands & taste buds behind Home Cooking Life. Welcome to my kitchen! Lert's cook, taste & create delicious memories together.
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