The cacao bean is the source of perhaps the most magical and beloved foods on Earth because it is the source of chocolate. Even the cacao tree's official name, Theobroma cacao, recognizes the long-standing love most of us have for the fruit of this tree. Theobroma comes from the Greek language for "food of the gods." And while chocolate is the most popular and favorite of these foods from the cacao bean, an even healthier choice is raw cacao powder. How Is Cacao Powder Made? To produce raw cacao powder, raw cacao beans are simply cold pressed to remove the fat, and the remaining solids are ground into a fine powder. Cacao vs. Cocoa: What's the Difference? Cacao powder contains all the beneficial nutrients and beneficial compounds of the raw cacao bean minus the fat. In contrast, cocoa powder is made from roasted cacao beans. And even if they look alike, the two are different. In making cocoa powder, up to 90% of the nutrients and beneficial compounds in raw c
Has your skin suddenly started feeling a little dry, tight, and flaky this month? Blame it on the changing season. While winter maybe a month or two away, temperatures are already starting to drop and there’s a slight nip in the air. These weather changes effectively start showing up on our skin if we don’t tweak our skincare routine in time.
Ayurveda considers a seasonal change in our routine an important way to maintain skin and overall health. Listening to your body is often the first step in realising that there may be a need for change. With that in mind, here are 4 of our favourite skincare tips to help you maintain that glow throughout Autumn.
Keep your skin hydrated
Internal and external hydration may just be the key to achieving healthy, glowing skin as the dry months approach. Drinking plenty of water may sound like a no-brainer, but honestly, how many of us actually drink enough water? Summer is on its way out but don’t skimp on the water if you want your skin to keep feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
In addition to that, external hydration is equally important. With the onset of Autumn, switch to hydrating moisturisers from the light lotions you used in summer. This will protect your skin from the harsh, cold wind and keep it soft, supple and nourished. If at all you don’t want to change your moisturiser (we all have our favourites!), slightly increase the quantity that you typically apply for extra hydration benefit.
Eat good fats
Fat is not bad! In fact, certain fats are actually very good for your body. Autumn is a Vata-dominant season according to Ayurveda, and it highly recommends that you incorporate fatty food to counter the effects of excess Vata. Ghee, soaked almonds (easier to digest than raw or roasted), walnuts, avocado, and coconut are all great sources of nutrition, especially good quality fats and biotin that are essential for maintaining skin health. But if you ask us for one favourite, we’ll say it’s the Ghee. The conventional notion that eating Ghee will increase your cholesterol or make you gain weight is far from the truth. Ghee stimulates the flow of fluids in our body and improves digestion, which in turn result in healthy skin. Not sure how to eat it? Make a savoury rice porridge or a traditional Indian Khichdi and top it off with a little ghee - a delicious way to fight the chills this season!
Oil massage
There is nothing like a good old oil massage if you have been struggling to restore glow back to your skin! Here’s what you can do if you’ve been noticing dull, lifeless skin lately. Cleanse your face and neck with a hydrating cleanser. Take a few drops of cold-pressed sesame or almond oil in your palm and gently massage it in using gentle, upward strokes. Both these oils are non-comedogenic, meaning that they do not clog your pores, but are excellent for hydrating your skin at the same time. Oil massage can not only help fight dry skin and keep your skin’s moisture barrier intact, it also promotes blood circulation that helps to bring more oxygen to the skin. Try to incorporate this easy massage into your skincare routine at least twice a week, ideal for a quick weekend indulgence at home before you take a shower.
Exfoliate
If there is one skincare ritual that doesn't get enough attention, it is exfoliation in our opinion. While we are busy layering up hydrating products on our skin, we tend to forget that the skin also sheds dead cells every day as it goes through its natural regeneration process. If not dealt with the right way, built-up dead skin can end up making you look dull. So once a week, take time out to exfoliate to reveal glowing, healthy skin. We love this easy DIY exfoliating scrub that you can prepare using ingredients in your kitchen:
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of chickpea flour or ground oatmeal
1 tablespoon yogurt
Directions:
- Mix the ingredients into a thick paste.
- Apply on your face and neck. Let it dry for 10 minutes, then gently massage and wash it off with water
by Rippan Sandhu
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