Dr Seeta's: 5 Benefits of Using Shilajit on the Skin
DR SEETA'S SKIN CARE SECRETS
By Dr Seeta Shah BSc (Hons), MBChB
Shilajit really is the secret ancient skin care treatment that gives us the gift of youth!
Thanks to Altai Mountain, Shilajit has been a part of my daily skincare routine for a year now, and safe to say one which I will be using for the rest of my life.
Shilajit is a natural residual substance that has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda and other ancient medicinal practices (although relatively unheard of in the western cultures) to treat ailments but also to enhance general health and physical beauty. It is a blackish-brown resin that forms naturally and can be used in many different forms. Ingested usually by the way of a sticky thick resin or a dehydrated powdered form orally, or applied topically, directly to the skin.
Shilajit is sourced from high mountain rocks, often from the Himalayas, but can also be found in various other mountain ranges, like the Altai Mountains in Western Siberia. Most current theories state that it could have been produced from plants that were trapped in the rocks when the Himalayas were being formed 55 million years ago, which is quite incredible when you think about it. It's a highly viscous substance much like a tar or resin, and for those that have tried it know it's also extremely sticky. However, unlike the former, it is readily soluble in water. Shilajit is usually composed of around 60% to 80% humic substances (humins, humic and fulvic acid). These properties are why Shilajit makes for a great skincare product.
As a medical doctor and holistic medicine enthusiast, I am very conscious about what I apply on my skin. I know that whatever is applied on the skin will seep through the pores and enter the bloodstream. The skin after all, is the body's largest organ (the intergumentary system) and will absorb what's applied on the surface. Therefore, I am always trying to source pure and natural beauty products to apply on my skin.
I am a strong believer of only putting products on my skin that I would feel confident enough to eat!
So, how exactly does shilajit help to keep my skin feeling refreshed, silky and smooth?
Let's find out exactly how and why shilajit is so important in keeping the skin youthful, hydrated and full of life!
DOCTOR SEETA'S 5 BENEFITS OF USING SHILAJIT ON THE SKIN
1. DETOXIFICATION
We all know detoxification is important and just like the other organs in our body, the skin is no exception. The skin, or 'integumentary system', is our largest organ so it is essential that we are able to routinely throughly cleanse it and get