Yoga, meditation, breathwork and popular herbs like turmeric and ashwagandha, are synonymous with wellness and cultivating beauty from within. All have come from the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, ‘the science of life’, providing holistic living teachings grounded in being in-tune with nature for wellbeing promotion. For over 5,000 years Ayurveda has recognised that skin health is an external reflection of internal balance and wellbeing. Potent, plant-based remedies are used to heal, detox and promote healthy skin and beauty. Today ancient Ayurveda wisdom is enhanced with modern science providing a new standard in modern skincare.
Modern Ayurvedic skincare combines time-honoured herbal knowledge with contemporary extraction methods, allowing botanicals to be used in a more stable, concentrated and effective form. These innovations ensure that the active compounds responsible for healing, calming and brightening the skin remain potent and bioavailable.
The Essential Role of Antioxidants in Skincare
Addressing complex skin concerns requires tackling underlying issues such as inflammation and oxidation – wo key drivers of acne, pigmentation and accelerated ageing. These triggers include UV exposure, stress, toxins, an unhealthy diet, and irritating skincare products. Reducing oxidation and inflammation is central to promoting balanced, radiant and resilient skin.
Nature provides powerful herbs that calm inflammation and support cellular repair. Ayurveda’s pharmacopeia includes many botanicals with clinically validated capacities to soothe irritation, reduce redness, and protect the skin barrier.
“Addressing the underlying cause of skin conditions is important. Digestive issues, inflammation and oxidation are some of the common triggers for acne and pigmentation,” explains naturopath and industry consultant Despina Lord. “Those herbs that are well known to help reduce systemic inflammation, like turmeric, have also been used topically for centuries. Modern science has created innovations to enhance herbal extraction, making certain ingredients more stable and suitable for contemporary skincare use. For instance, raw turmeric leaves a strong orange stain, so targeted extraction has made its skin benefits more accessible.”
High-Potency Ayurvedic Botanicals: Amla and Tulsi
Achieving meaningful results depends on specialised extraction methods that preserve beneficial phytochemicals. It is this attention to raw material quality and preparation that determines the potency of the final ingredient. One example used in modern skincare innovations is the combination of Amla and Tulsi – a duo renowned for their synergistic antioxidant benefits.
Tulsi (Holy Basil / Ocimum sanctum) – known as “The Queen of Herbs,” has traditionally been used to calm the mind, ease stress, and support immunity. On the skin, it offers soothing, anti-inflammatory and protective effects, helping reduce redness and support the skin barrier.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry / Emblica officinalis) – one of Ayurveda’s most treasured botanicals. With exceptionally high levels of natural vitamin C, Amla protects against environmental stress, brightens the complexion, and helps defend against premature ageing.
“Ayurvedic herbs like Amla offer a powerful, multi-layered approach to skin health – reducing oxidative stress, supporting healing, and balancing inflammation,” Despina shares. “Combined with Turmeric, known for its ability to soothe red, irritated skin, these herbs contribute significantly to overall skin radiance and even tone.” Some modern formulas, such as AyurActive™ Complex from Australian brand AyurScience, incorporate these extracts using advanced extraction technologies to maximise efficacy.
Key Ayurvedic Herbs for Skincare
- Bakuchiol has gained popularity as the plant-based alternative to retinol. Derived from the seeds of the Babchi plant, Bakuchiol has been used in Ayurveda for centuries. Specific extract of Bakuchiol like Syntenol A®, has been clinically trialled and shown to be equivalent to retinol in skincare benefits, without the nasty side effects some retinol users experience such skin scaling and stinging, reducing wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation.
- Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is revered as the ‘plant of knowledge’, traditionally given to children to support learning, and used to stimulate wound-healing and joint health given its power collagen enhancing properties. On the skin it is used to boost collagen production, improve skin firmness, and fade dark spots.
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is commonly known for its use as a spice and for its powerful anti-inflammatory effects in joint health and dietary supplements. The bright orange spice has been traditionally used to reduce inflammation in skin however would leave an orange stain. Scientific innovation now allows brands such as AyurScience to remove the staining effects, whilst retaining the powerful anti-inflammatory benefit.
- Saffron (Crocus sativus) Saffron is the most expensive herbal world-wide, and highly prized in Ayurveda. It is also known as the ‘sunshine herbal’ due to its beautiful bright colour and impact on mood.
Incorporating skincare with these multi-targeted herbs into your daily regime will help address inflammation, oxidation, skin-microbial balance, texture and subtleness. The result? Skin that is calm, balanced, smooth and glowing. By simply restoring the skin’s natural equilibrium we interrupt the acne cycle and manage the pigmentation, providing an opportunity for vibrant, clearer and calmer complexion.
Written by Despina Lord, Naturopath and AyurScience Education Consultant.
AyurScience is an Australian skincare and health brand founded by second-generation pharmacists. AyurScience blends time-honoured Ayurvedic wisdom with contemporary dermatological science. The efficacy of AyurScience formulas is rooted in carefully selected ingredients that meet strict quality criteria and support synergistic benefits. Discover more HERE.
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