product review: pratima’s ayurvedic skincare line

This is not a sponsored post. Pratima Skincare has no idea who I am. I was introduced to  this line by my awesome friend and just wanted to share my thoughts and opinions.

While I was pregnant, one of my best college friends Bethany introduced me to an Ayurvedic skincare line called Pratima Skincare.  A leading international specialist in Ayurveda, Dr. Pratima Raichur, developed this line.  Bethany is a photographer by trade (a highly talented one at that) and was hired to do the photography for Pratima’s website.  She was instantly hooked to the products and felt incredibly inspired by Pratima’s philosophy on skin, diet and lifestyle in general.  Each time we’d talk, Bethany would list out all the many reasons why I needed to check out the skincare line.  I knew it was just a matter of time before I was going to try Pratima products out myself, but Bethany helped expedite the process by sending me a “momma to be” care package, which included a bottle of Pratima’s Reparative Anti Stretch Mark Oil and a copy of her book, Absolute Beauty.  Later on after Jai was born, she mailed over a bottle of Pratima’s Botanical Baby Massage Oil.

 

All I can say is: Bethany, you got me…I’m hooked too.  I read the book in less than 2 days, am on my second bottle of the stretch mark oil (made of Palma Rosa which is known to minimize stretch marks and I have no major stretch marks! YES!!) and I’m pretty sure my little guy loves massage time with his almond based massage oil too.  Thanks again, Bethany!

So first, let’s talk a little about Ayurveda since the entire skincare line is based on this philosophy.  Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word essentially meaning “knowledge of life” or as Pratima says, the “science of life”.  It’s a holistic system of traditional medicine and medical philosophy native to India and is well over 5000 years old.  According to Pratima, Ayurveda is thought of like this, “Each individual and all of nature is comprised of the five fundamental elements: Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. These elements uniquely design each one of us, creating a distinct blueprint known as our Dosha.”

There are 3 different Doshas in Ayurveda: Vata (air), Pitta (fire) and Kapha (earth).  And every individual is comprised of one of the three Doshas or a combination of two.  By figuring out your specific Dosha, you can make wise food choices and eat what is best for you, select optimal products to use for your specific skin type and basically gain awareness of what to avoid, which can create imbalances and impurities in your body.

In her book, Absolute Beauty and on her website (www.pratimaskincare.com), Pratima provides this great quiz which helps you to recognize your Dosha.  I took the Pratima Skincare Analysis Quiz online and after answering a few questions regarding my skin/hair/nails, appetite and sleep, it was determined that I am the Pitta Dosha.  This Dosha is a combination of Fire and Water.  According to Pratima, “Pitta is known for a passionate personality and determined soul. With sharp intellect, Pitta can make good leaders and facilitators of change. Usually of medium weight and build, Pitta skin tends to be sensitive or combination with congestion in the t-zone. Common skin imbalances are: breakouts in the t-zone, redness, inflammation and rosacea.”  Sounds about right.

After taking the quiz, product recommendations based on your Dosha appear so you can take a closer look at what might benefit your specific skin needs.

Based on the recommendations for me, I’m looking forward to trying out the Revitalizing Turmeric Cream and the Saffron Eye Ghee next.  The cream is made with turmeric, which is known to reduce blemishes and irritation.  Due to my hormones being all over the place after pregnancy, I’m hoping this might help to combat some of the blemishes I’m now facing.

And the Saffron Eye Ghee claims to reduce dark circles – which ladies, do I really need to explain?…(baby in house = less sleep for momma).  Apparently, saffron is a natural eye brightener and ghee is a great moisturizer.  I’m sold.

I love how Pratima creates these products with all natural ingredients and Ayurvedic principles in mind that have been proven to work.  I mean, with the science of Ayurveda being around for more than 5000 years…this stuff has to work, right?  I’ll definitely keep you posted. 😉

Here are just a few more awesome facts about what stands true in each and every one of Pratima’s products and more reasons why I’m so into this line…

  • Formulated and customized to each of the Ayurvedic
 Doshas and ingredients collect the energy of all five elements (Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth)
  • 100% organic and holistic and are made up of herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, plants and minerals from the earth and also certified organic essential oils – from sustainable farms in both the US and India
  • Completely free of parabens, GMO’s, artificial scents, colors & dyes
  • Completely free of chemical and synthetic preservatives
  • Provides Ayurvedic aromatherapy which is known to have profound sensory effects on the mind, body and senses
  • Made cruelty free causing no harm to any living being
  • 100% recyclable glass packaging

What’s not to love?

And here are a just a couple of helpful tips for achieving great skin that I read in Absolute Beauty:

  • Drink lots of water but at room temperature  – not too cold or too hot
  • Have a healthy breakfast every morning
  • Have at least one regular and healthy bowel movement every day
  • Stay away from white sugar, white bread, deep fried foods and soda, red meats and cheeses
  • Avoid seafood if your skin is prone to blemishes
  • Do not eat fermented foods or foods with acidity if you suffer from redness or broken capillaries
  • Exercise a little every day, even if it’s just stretching and moving your limbs every hour or so in the office
  • Cellulite is a result of dehydration and toxic buildup. Stay hydrated and eliminate toxins to get rid of it
  • Do not eat dinner any later than 7pm. After 7pm, if you must eat, have only a light, healthy snack
  • Try to rest/sleep between the hours of 10pm and 6am

So, if you’re interested in trying an organic, holistic skincare line, I recommend checking out Pratima.  Or if you’re just curious to know what your Dosha is, click here to take a short quiz.

To read all about a total Ayurvedic lifestyle from skincare to diet and everything in between, you should check out Pratima’s book, Absolute Beauty.  You’ll find tons of recipes to make your own facial masks, scrubs and more at home.

Have you heard of or tried out any of Pratima’s products or been to her spa in NYC?  Tell us what you think.  Or are you using another Ayurvedic inspired product line or making your own Ayurvedic skin treatments at home?  Share your recipes!!

-Shraddha aka Pitta Dosha 😉

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