The Kitchen Glow-Up Guide
Introduction: Your Ayurvedic Glow, Straight from the
Kitchen
Welcome to The Kitchen Glow-Up Guide, your step-by-step manual to achieve a naturally
radiant and refreshed face using time-honored Ayurvedic remedies — all from ingredients
found in your kitchen. True to the philosophy of Ayurveda, this glow-up facial is about more
than just surface beauty; it nourishes your skin, calms your senses, and aligns your inner
and outer wellness.
Rooted in ancient wisdom and designed for modern routines, this 4-step facial emphasizes
cooling, cleansing, exfoliating, and rejuvenating practices to balance the doshas (bodily
energies), particularly Pitta, which governs heat and metabolism. When Pitta is out of
balance, it can manifest as inflammation, dullness, or sensitivity in the skin. This guide aims
to restore that harmony.
This guide is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute
medical advice. Always consult with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before beginning any
new skincare or health regimen, especially if you have underlying conditions or sensitive
skin.
Step 1: Ice Water Dip & Ice Cube Massage (Sheetala
Karma)
Purpose: Cooling and Tightening
According to Ayurveda, excessive heat (Pitta dosha) in the face can lead to breakouts,
inflammation, and lack of luster. The Sheetala (cooling) therapy helps to counteract this.
What You’ll Need:
● A bowl of cold water
● A handful of ice cubes
● A soft cloth or towel
Instructions:
1. Fill a clean bowl with cold water and add several ice cubes.
2. Dip your face gently into the water for 5–10 seconds at a time. Repeat this 3–5 times.
3. After towel-drying your face, take a single ice cube and gently massage your face in
upward circular motions for 2–3 minutes.
Ayurvedic Insight:
Cold therapy is considered Sheetala and is highly beneficial for calming irritated or inflamed
skin. It also tightens the pores, refreshing the skin instantly without disrupting its natural oils.
Practical Tip:
Use herbal-infused ice cubes made with rose water or aloe vera juice for additional
skin-nourishing effects.
Step 2: Raw Milk Cleanse (Ksheera Snehana)
Purpose: Gentle Cleansing & Nourishment
Milk, or ksheera, is revered in Ayurveda as a naturally nourishing and sattvic (pure)
substance. It is cooling, hydrating, and gently exfoliating.
What You’ll Need:
● 2 tablespoons of raw milk
● A cotton pad or soft cloth
Instructions:
1. Dab raw milk on your face using a cotton pad.
2. Gently massage in circular motions for 2–3 minutes.
3. Wipe off using a damp cloth or rinse with lukewarm water.
Ayurvedic Insight:
Raw milk pacifies Pitta and Vata doshas and promotes soft, supple skin. Its mild enzymes
help remove impurities without stripping the skin’s natural moisture.
Practical Tip:
Use full-fat raw cow’s milk if possible for the most nourishing experience.
Step 3: Rice Flour & Curd Scrub (Lavana-Maruta Lepa)
Purpose: Exfoliation & Skin Brightening
Rice flour is a gentle exfoliant, and curd (yogurt) is rich in probiotics and natural lactic acid,
both praised in Ayurvedic skincare for Twachya (skin care) properties.
What You’ll Need:
● 1 tablespoon rice flour
● 1 tablespoon fresh curd
Instructions:
1. Mix the rice flour and curd into a smooth paste.
2. Apply to your face and gently scrub in circular motions for 4–5 minutes.
3. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Ayurvedic Insight:
This scrub clears Ama (toxins) from the skin surface and improves Rasa dhatu (nutritional
fluid tissue), which is the foundation of glowing skin.
Practical Tip:
Perform this step once or twice a week only, to avoid over-exfoliation.
Step 4: Gram Flour & Milk Face Pack (Besan Mukha
Lepa)
Purpose: Detoxification and Glow Enhancement
Gram flour (besan) is deeply cleansing, and when combined with milk, it becomes a
nourishing lepa (herbal paste) to promote an even skin tone and natural glow.
What You’ll Need:
● 1 tablespoon gram flour (besan)
● Enough raw milk to make a thick paste
Instructions:
1. Mix gram flour and milk until you form a smooth, spreadable paste.
2. Apply the pack evenly to your face.
3. Let it dry for 10–15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.
Ayurvedic Insight:
This lepa balances excess oil (Kapha) and refines skin texture. Besan is known to extract
deep-seated dirt and improve circulation.
Practical Tip:
Add a pinch of turmeric to the pack for additional antibacterial and brightening benefits (if
your skin isn’t overly sensitive).
Final Thoughts: Glow That Goes Beyond Skin
This 4-step glow-up is more than just a beauty ritual. It aligns with the Ayurvedic principle
that beauty stems from inner balance, healthy digestion, and peace of mind. Incorporating
breath awareness, mindfulness, and dinacharya (daily routine) will further amplify these
effects.
For lasting results:
● Stay hydrated with warm herbal teas (coriander, fennel, or rose).
● Eat a Pitta-pacifying diet (cooling, non-spicy, seasonal foods).
● Avoid late nights and stress, both of which dull your natural glow.
This guide is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute
medical advice. Always consult with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before beginning any
new skincare or health regimen, especially if you have underlying conditions or sensitive
skin.
Get a free consultation at ask-ayurveda.com.
