Ojas and Inner Glow: The Ayurvedic Secret to Ageless Beauty

By Dr. Puja Shah

My grandmother used to tell me that beauty has nothing to do with what you put on your skin, it’s the energy you carry within. She practiced yoga into her 90s, and her face had the kind of glow no cream could ever promise.

In Ayurveda, that glow has a name: ojas, the body’s vital essence. Ojas is nourished by rasa dhatu, the plasma that forms after digestion and feeds every cell. When ojas is strong and rasa is pure, radiance flows effortlessly. It shows not only in clear skin and bright eyes, but also in how you carry yourself, with vitality, confidence, and presence.

This kind of beauty is not limited by gender or age. Whether you’re hoping to soften fine lines, reduce irritation, or simply feel more alive in your skin, Ayurveda teaches that radiance begins with balance.

How the Doshas Shape Skin and Hair

We each have a natural constitution (prakriti), and when the doshas shift out of balance (vikriti), it shows in the skin and hair first.

Vata: The Dry, Delicate Glow

Vata skin tends to be thinner and drier, with a tendency toward rough patches or fine lines. Hair may be brittle or frizzy.

What helps: daily oil massage with sesame or almond oil, grounding foods like ghee and root vegetables, warm herbal teas such as fennel or licorice.
For women and men: Rose water and saffron-infused oils help replenish lost moisture and restore softness.

Pitta: The Radiant Yet Sensitive Glow

Pitta skin often looks naturally luminous, but excess heat brings redness, breakouts, or sensitivity. Hair may gray early or thin with age.

What helps: rose water, aloe vera, or sandalwood to cool the skin; cooling foods like cucumbers, leafy greens, and sweet fruits; limiting sun exposure and spicy foods.
For women and men: Calming, cooling rituals, like a spritz of rose water after exercise, help ease irritation and keep radiance steady.

Kapha: The Smooth, Grounded Glow

Kapha skin is usually thick and youthful, but imbalance can cause oiliness, puffiness, or clogged pores.

What helps: weekly clay or turmeric masks, stimulating massages, dry brushing, and a lighter diet with legumes, bitter greens, and spices like ginger.
For women and men: Exfoliating scrubs and circulation-boosting practices keep Kapha skin fresh and vibrant.

Daily Practices for Radiance

Ayurvedic beauty is cultivated through simple, consistent rituals that nourish ojas.

Morning

Drink warm water to awaken digestion; add turmeric or saffron for purification.
Scrape the tongue to clear toxins that dull the complexion.
Cleanse the face with herbal powders like chickpea flour or rose petals instead of harsh cleansers.

Daytime

Eat sattvic foods, fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and ghee, to build ojas.
Use beauty spices like saffron to brighten, turmeric to purify, and cardamom to aid digestion.
Stay hydrated with rose or fennel infusions to keep skin supple.

Evening

Massage the body with warm oil to nourish tissues and calm the nervous system.
Apply light herbal serums or oils before bed to support overnight repair.
Aim for deep, restful sleep before midnight, the body’s prime time for rejuvenation.

Mind, Spirit, and the Glow of Ojas

Stress, overwork, and restlessness are some of the quickest ways to deplete ojas. And when ojas is low, the skin shows it, dullness, tired eyes, and lack of vitality.

Simple practices restore that inner glow:

Meditation softens tension and restores clarity.
Pranayama oxygenates the body and brightens the complexion.
Joyful living, laughter, connection, creativity, all build ojas more powerfully than any external remedy.

When the mind is calm and the spirit nourished, beauty flows naturally.

Nature’s Pharmacy for Timeless Glow

Ayurveda treasures the gifts of nature for beauty and balance:

Saffron — brightens and improves circulation.
Rose — cools inflammation and hydrates.
Turmeric — purifies blood and clears blemishes.
Sandalwood — calms irritation and enhances luster.
Gold (Suvarna Bhasma) — in minute traditional use, rejuvenates tissues and amplifies glow.

These botanicals are not just skin-deep remedies, they align the doshas and nourish the deepest tissues.

The Path to Ageless Beauty

Ayurveda teaches us that beauty is not about perfection. It is about presence.

For women, it may mean soft skin and graceful vitality. For men, resilience and confident energy. But for all of us, beauty is the outer reflection of inner balance.

When digestion is strong, rasa dhatu is nourished, and ojas is abundant, radiance becomes inevitable. The more we live in rhythm with nature, care for ourselves with mindfulness, and nurture joy in daily life, the more our natural glow shines through, at any age.

Beauty fades when we chase it outside of ourselves. It blossoms when we cultivate it within.

About Dr. Puja Shah, Editor-in-Chief of The Natural Law

Dr. Puja Shah is an award-winning author whose 93-year-old grandmother swore by Ayurvedic remedies and practiced yoga into her last days. And so while her education includes 9 years of medical training as a dentist, 3 teaching qualifications in yoga, and dozens of courses in meditation, it’s no wonder that she always goes back to Ayurveda. Puja harnesses Ayurveda regularly with her children and husband Amish Shah, Founder of The Natural Law.

Restore Balance, Renew Your Glow

Ayurveda teaches that seasonal cleansing is one of the most effective ways to protect ojas, purify rasa dhatu, and keep your natural radiance alive all year long.

The Ayurvedic Seasonal Detox Collection with Master Practitioner Laura Plumb guides you through gentle, time-tested detox rituals for every season. These practices cleanse, rebalance, and rejuvenate you from the inside out, so your vitality and beauty can shine naturally.

Health King Chrysanthemum Vascuflow Herb Tea

Benefits: Chrysanthemum tea is known for its cooling properties, making it an excellent choice for reducing heat in the body. It also supports vascular health and overall well-being.

Organic Coriander Seed

Benefits:Coriander seeds are an excellent addition to cooling summer drinks, especially for balancing Pitta dosha. They help reduce internal heat and promote digestion. You can add crushed coriander seeds to your herbal teas or infuse them in water along with other cooling herbs like mint and fennel to create refreshing, Pitta-pacifying beverages.

Organic Ground Ginger

Benefits:While ginger is inherently warming, it can be used in small amounts to enhance cooling drinks for Kapha dosha. It helps stimulate digestion and metabolism, which can be beneficial for Kapha’s tendency towards lethargy and heaviness. Add a pinch of ground ginger to a lemon-ginger lemonade or herbal tea to balance the cooling effects while providing a gentle boost to your digestive system.