Rituals With Meaning

As self-care and skin care become one and the same, people are looking to Ayurveda for a nourishing routine that taps into the mind-body connection.

- Celia Shatzman

If you've ever done breath work in a yoga class, meditated, used a hair oil, brushed your teeth with activated charcoal toothpaste, or slathered on a skin-care product with turmeric, then you've experienced Ayurvedic Medicine (Ayurveda for short). Originating in India thousands of years ago, Ayurveda is a medical system that uses diet, herbal remedies, meditation, exercise, physical therapy, and breathing to bring balance to the body, mind, and spirit. And it's coming in hot in the beauty industry. What's old is new again, as the saying goes, and while it's definitely not fresh, the demand for natural and organic products is. That's caused an Ayurvedic surge in the personal-care realm, bringing these time-honored rituals and ingredients to the forefront. In fact, the global Ayurvedic market value is projected to reach $14.9 billion by 2026 (more than triple what it was in 2017), according to Industry Research.

Ahead, a look at why it's such a buzzy topic, and the benefits of incorporating it into your life if it's not already a part, along with the products and steps to do so. Get ready for a more balanced routine.

Understanding the Origins