Our skin keeps us in constant
connection with the textures and
energies of our world—so it’s no
wonder our faces reveal so much
about our mental, emotional, and
physical status. “When we care
for ourselves well, our authentic
beauty reflects in our skin,” says
Ayurvedic aesthetician Evan
Healy, founder of an eponymous,
all-natural skin-care line.
To keep facial skin glowing,
Healy recommends giving your-
self a wonderfully uncomplicated
flaxseed facial. Grind flaxseeds
in a coffee grinder or buy a pre-
ground meal like Bob’s Red Mill
(less than $4 for 1 pound at
bobsredmill.com). It’s all good,
according to Healy: “A flaxmeal
facial paste is pure simplicity,
and great for every skin type.”
The concentrated essential
fatty acids in flaxseed moisturize
and protect the skin, she ex plains,
and the texture of the hulls stim-
ulates circulation; cleans away
dirt, sweat, and excess oils; and
sloughs away dead skin cells.
Plus, the flaxseed, like all seeds,
packs prana, or life energy. Re -
leasing prana to your skin ener-
gizes and vivifies.
To increase the healing bene-
fits, Healy recommends that you
follow your facial with a nourish-
ing turmeric-yogurt mask.
...how
Prepare the nourishing mask
by mixing 2 tablespoons plain
yogurt with^1 ⁄ 3 teaspoon honey
and a pinch of turmeric powder.
scrub gently At the bath-
room sink, splash water onto
your face. Then, mix a little warm
water with 2 teaspoons ground
flaxseed to form a light paste.
Apply a thin layer to your skin
and massage in circles all over
your face, spending some extra
time gently scrubbing any oily
or rough areas.
Rinse well with cool or warm
water. (Never use hot water! Hot
water stresses delicate facial
skin and strips away protective
oils.) Pat dry.
show your face
some love
relax into the mask Next,
spread the yogurt-turmeric mix-
ture evenly over your entire face.
Lie down and relax for 10 min-
utes, taking full, deep breaths
and making a conscious effort to
release any tension you may be
holding in your jaw or forehead.seal in the goodness Rinse
with cool water and pat dry. If
you’d like, follow with a spritz
of rosewater or other aroma-
therapy facial spray and applya moisturizer or serum, such
as Evan Healy’s Pomegranate
Repair Serum ($41 for 0.5 ounce;
evanhealy.com). Finish by patting
your damp face with clean hands
to “seal” the good effects of
your facial into your skin. Your
natural glow is all the makeup
you’ll want!Niika Quistgard is an Ayurvedic
practitioner and founder of the
now-closed Rasa Ayurveda Tradi-
tional Healing Centre for Women
in Kerala, India.skin
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