At Mojave Desert Skin Shield, we are a wellness brand rooted in the ancient traditions of Ayurveda. Dating back at least 3,000 years, Ayurveda is a traditional Indian holistic system of medicine for the mind, body and being. The word is derived from Sanskrit, with "ayur" meaning life and "veda" meaning knowledge. Translating to the knowledge of life, Ayurveda rests on the belief that everything is connected, and that health is reached by keeping your inner and outer being in harmonious flow. Here are a few key practices drawn from that tradition.
Organic, Natural Ingredients
Most Ayurvedic skincare ingredients are food grade, and many can be found in your own kitchen. The reasoning is that anything you put on your skin should be safe enough to put inside your body. The skin is our largest organ, and the thinking goes that we should be as considered about what we use to nourish it as we are about what we eat.
Care for the Body
For the body to work at its best, it needs proper care. In Ayurveda the digestive system is central to keeping the body in flow, which in turn shows on the outside. That means nourishing from within through hydration and a nutrient-rich diet. Movement and yoga matter too, the latter encouraging a mindfulness that tends to show in the face.
Dry Massage
In Ayurveda, dry massage is used to encourage detoxification and balance throughout the body. Using a dry handheld brush, you sweep the skin in gentle circular movements. Alongside lightly exfoliating and lifting dead cells, dry brushing stimulates lymphatic drainage and circulation.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling may be the most widely known Ayurvedic practice, and for good reason. It is the technique of swishing oil around the mouth to draw out bacteria and support oral health. It can be done with a range of oils; sesame, olive and coconut are the most common. It is often followed by scraping the tongue to remove the layer of cells and bacteria that accumulates there, leaving the mouth clean and refreshed.
At Mojave Desert Skin Shield we studied the Ayurvedic tradition closely in developing our own blend. The Organic Detoxifying Pulling Oil is composed of high-quality plant essences and oils, combining coconut, avocado and apricot kernel oil with traditional sesame. The result is a flavourful blend that cleanses the mouth while supporting the removal of stains and buildup, and it keeps the soothing character of its ingredients to be gentle on gums and teeth. With refreshing notes of peppermint, clove and grapefruit, it is a pleasant way to purify the mouth and body.
Purchase of the Pulling Oil includes a small cup and a copper tongue scraper.
