Ayurveda has been around for the longest time; it is said that the origins of this ancient Indian science can be traced back to 2 century BC and to the pages of the sacred Atharvaveda. There is a reason why several Indians, all over the world, still prefer ayurvedic remedies for their health problems, which could range from something as simple as a common cold to severe dandruff. Even though modern science has progressed tremendously, there is still a kind of reverence towards ayurveda ingredients.
But there are those who would say that concepts like Ayurveda need to be left behind, and we need to look towards the future, where ingredients are created, rather than found naturally. Although one can’t deny that there is science that backs the ‘’science of modern-day ingredients, there is no real reason why they both can’t be combined.
At indē wild, we understood that both ayurveda and chemistry are not two ends of the spectrum – rather they are prospective partners. It was from a thought process like that our concept of Ayurvedistry™ was born.
Today, every product that you can see on our virtual shelves is created from that same thought – by picking chemical ingredients and melding them with components that come from the ancient world of ayurveda.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda hinges on the concept of Vata, Pitta and Kapha – it is said that every individual falls under one of these categories and there are certain features that are associated with each, which will present itself in the person too.
- Vata comprises air and space, which means that people who have vata dosha will have skin that is normally on the thin and dry side. Their skin could be uneven and might also show early signs of ageing, as it is prone to dehydration. For such type of skins and dosha, maintaining the level of hydration in the body is of utmost importance.
- Pitta is made of fire and water, which is why people with this dosha will have skin that is sensitive and perhaps prone to problems like acne, rashes and even skin discoloration. This type of skin needs immense protection from the sun and yearns for ingredients that have a cooling nature and can help calm the skin down.
- Kapha comprises earth and water and this quality can lead to the skin being on the oilier side with the constant possibility of acne, pigmentation and blackheads. To balance this type of skin, the oil balance needs to be maintained, but over drying the skin could have bigger problems as it could cause over production of oils.
Ayurveda is the science of picking out ingredients that will help balance and keep these doshas in control and every ingredient comes from nature.
What are these chemical ingredients and actives?
If we were to talk exclusively in the context of skin and hair care products, "chemical actives" refer to the active ingredients or compounds that are added to these products to provide specific benefits or address particular concerns. These ingredients are chosen for their ability to interact with the skin or hair in a way that will produce the desired effects.
So, for instance, zinc oxide can help protect the skin against sun damage, which is why it is used in sunscreens, vitamins C and E have antioxidant properties and can help promote healthier looking skin. Hyaluronic acid is a potent moisturiser and salicylic acid is known to be one of the most effective ways to treat acne. Peptides are commonly seen in anti-ageing products, because they can stimulate collagen production and give you younger looking skin. Most of these would appear on the safer chemical ingredients list for skin and hair, which is why they are commonly used.
How does ayurveda work in tandem with chemistry?
At indē wild, we have understood the importance of both ayurveda and chemical actives and we are constantly trying to figure out ways of harnessing the goodness of both! Our team has spent years trying to, first identify the problems that are associated with each dosha, then figuring out which ingredients can help cure, control or help with the same, before finding ways of combining sets of ingredients from two different worlds to create one homogenous product.
So, when you pick a product from our virtual aisles, you can be sure that it has hair and skin safe chemical ingredients, combined with ingredients from the ancient annals of ayurveda!
But here is how it all actually works:
- When there are two sets of ingredients on offer, customisation becomes a lot easier – we now have a larger base to pick and choose from, and create a product that will target specific problems as well as generic ones.
- Natural ingredients that come from ayurveda tend to have therapeutic properties, which when combined with actives can give a soothing and calming feel.
- Ayurveda is often more about a holistic approach, which is where actives can play an extremely important supporting role – specific skin goals can be met, while keeping the overall health of skin and hair at the forefront.
Your first step needs to be to identify the problems that are troubling your skin and hair. Here at indē wild, we have tried to create hair care and skin care formulations that cover almost all the major concerns and bring products that give you a truly well-rounded care routine.