“Don't touch your face!” This statement used to blare through chambers of my mind anytime my hands crept up to access, rub, or god forbid, “pick at” my face. As a young adult, I was blessed and cursed with non-cystic acne.
I say blessed because when traditional dermatological approaches didn't stick, my blemish dilemmas inspired me to learn more about natural health. It also handed me a lesson in compassion and empathy and gave me an “in your face” lesson on how our thoughts and emotions can show up in the body.
I discovered that what we eat can sabotage our skin: whole foods heal, and excess salt, caffeine, and chemicals can wreak havoc on our skin. I learned to be patient and kind to myself along my journey, especially when I looked in the mirror.
I had to cultivate compassion towards myself and truthfully understand that my beauty and worth had nothing to do with my reflection.
This awakening gave me empathy towards others struggling with their own hardships—however big or small they may be. And finally, I learned that our skin is symbolic of how we see ourselves. If we see ourselves as flawed humans, this can manifest as flawed skin. If we're angry, our skin can look angry and agitated.
Our skin has a lot to teach us. And like everything that manifests physically, has a corresponding mental and emotional counterpart.
Supporting the Skin with Oils
Besides having it drilled in me to never touch my face, I was also told to stay away from oil and all oil-based products. This advice couldn't have been more backwards.
- Quality organic oils are generally nurturing, rejuvenating, and rich in nutrients.
- Many oils support healthy skin, including coconut oil, almond oil, and jojoba oil.
- Oils like neem oil and brahmi oil help to soothe and calm irritated skin.
- Essential oils like lavender and frankincense also support calm skin (and emotions).
Ayurveda teaches us that self-care is one of the most accessible ways to establish and maintain our highest states of well-being. Lathering our bodies in oil with abhyanga, or Ayurvedic self-massage, is a practical way to practice self-care and self-love. Giving yourself a nourishing facial massage is also a beautiful way to nourish healthy, radiant skin.
Recommended Oils for Skin Care
Banyan Face Oil
Designed to support your natural radiance, this luxurious blend of nourishing oils has a light, enchanting aroma and brings a host of benefits to the skin. Soothing and balancing, Face Oil works to protect the skin barrier and protect its natural moisture.
Banyan Body Oil
This luxuriously lightweight and fast-absorbing Body Oil is perfect for your entire body. Carefully crafted with a blend of rejuvenating oils, it helps to lock in moisture, promote beautiful aging, and replenish smooth and supple skin.
Beauty Balm
Featuring ghee, shatavari, and the subtle scent of rose geranium, Beauty Balm is a richly lubricating blend helps to soften the skin, rejuvenate the tissues, and cultivate glowing beauty. It can be used on the face and the entire body, whether at home or on the go.
How to Apply Oil to Your Face
Before applying your choice of oil, gently wash your face with warm water. Using your hands, apply the oil to your face. Massage in large circles over the entire face, smaller circles on the cheeks, and even smaller circles around the eyes.
- With your pointer and middle fingers, massage from the center of your brow across the length of your forehead using upward and outward strokes. Repeat three times.
- Next, apply a small amount of oil to your fingertips, and brush from the collar bone up towards your chin. Repeat three times.
- Finally, use your pointer finger and thumb to trace along the jaw bone, working upward towards the ears. Massage gently to relieve stress and pressure stored in the jaw.
This simple practice will leave you feeling and looking radiant! You can keep the oil on your skin or if you prefer, splash your skin with warm water and gently pat dry.
Finding Balance with Marma Points
If you want to go deeper into your self-care routine, you can work with the marma points of your face. Each point correlates with a particular physical and mental aspect of your mind and body. These points help to balance our energy as well as the lymphatic, nervous, and circulatory systems.
With the following list to guide you, use your middle fingers and apply a moderate amount of pressure to each point for 30–60 seconds.
- The center of the chin (reproductive region)
- The corners of the mouth (metabolism)
- Between the nose and upper lip (cerebral circulation)
- The outer corners of the nose (sinuses)
- The center of cheekbones (lungs)
- Lower lids, just above the cheekbones (adrenals)
- The junction between the eyebrows and nose, on the lower part of the eyebrow ridge (liver/spleen)
- The temples (stress headaches and colon)
- Third eye or sixth chakra (the middle of the forehead, slightly higher than where the eyebrows meet)
- Crown of the head or crown chakra (place hands on crown of head and massage with your finger pads)
This therapeutic treatment is not about vanity—it is meant to nurture and nourish your inner and outer beauty. When self-care is approached in this way it promotes balance and well-being for all three bodies: physical, mental, and emotional.
