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 the 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
($3 for 1 pound at bobsredmill
.com). It’s all good, ac-cording to
Healy: “A flaxmeal facial paste is
pure simplicity and great for
every skin type.”
The concentrated essential
fatty acids in flaxseed moistur-
ize and protect the skin, she
ex plains, and the texture of the
hulls stimulates circulation;
cleans away dirt, sweat, and
excess oils; and sloughs away
dead skin cells. Plus, the flax-
seed, like all seeds, packs prana,
or life energy. Releasing prana to
your skin energizes 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 yo-
gurt 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
at evanhealy.com). Finish by pat-
ting 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 the founder
of Rasa Ayurveda Traditional
Healing Centre for Women, which
was in Kerala, India.YOGA TODAY YOGAJOURNAL.COM 99
self-care 101