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 rid of all the nasty toxins that can accumulate leading to inflammations. These stores of toxins beneath the epidermal layers then lead to a number of possible releases and show up as acne, blemishes and other irritations which ultimately result in a skin condition, procedures or medication to treat the issues. Luckily all of these are mostly avoidable with the right diet and skin care routine!
Detoxification allows the natural glow of your skin to shine through as well as fighting the occurrence of wrinkles. A build-up of toxins plays a key role in the signs of ageing and wrinkles. This detoxification process occurs due to the presence of fulvic acid, which is a subcomponent of humic acid and is found in shilajit. Fulvic acid is an extremely effective free radical scavenger and also has great anti-inflammatory properties. This combination means it is great at detoxifying the skin, clearing out dirt and allowing the skin to breathe.
In Ayurveda literature, fulvic acid is called ‘rasayana’ meaning rejuvenator and enhancing the quality of one’s life.
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2. STIMULATES BLOOD AND STIMULATES MITOCHONDRIAL ACTIVITY
Strong blood flow is essential for healthy skin. It is required to carry away waste products and to bring oxygenated blood to the skin. Several skin problems can occur as a result of poor blood flow. These include acne, inflammation, skin discolouration such has hyper or hypo pigmentation, slow healing, wrinkles and dark under eye circles.
Fulvic acid plays a key role in helping to promote good blood flow. It does this by providing the mitochondria which are present in all cells of the body with more oxygen! Fulvic acid is able to penetrate through the cell membranes and mitochondria. It is able to effectively deliver nutrients where they are needed in the body as it bonds easily to vitamins and minerals. It is able to do this as its main components are carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Fulvic acid has 60 receptor sites and with it being a carbon-based compound, it easily bonds to nutrients. Fulvic acid also promotes a healthy electrolyte balance which in turn causes an increase in flow of electrons. These electrons are used by the mitochondria in creating energy and can help in wound healing, hair growth, cell signalling, antimicrobial defence, and maintenance of epidermal homeostasis.
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3. ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES
Another great benefit of shilajit and in particular, the fulvic acid in shilajt, is that it is a very potent antioxidant. As we mentioned earlier, It helps to protect against free radicals which can cause cellular damage and lead to wrinkles and sagging of the skin. It does this by neutralising the free radicals before they can cause any damage and restores elasticity into the skin. keeping skin looking nice and youthful
In one study, the results found fulvic acid to significantly improve inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema when used topically on the skin, twice daily.
It has this effect due to the ability to reduce the pH of the skin, reducing the swelling and itching whilst restoring and retaining hydration.
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4. VITAL ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS
Shilajit is full of natural goodness! These are just some of the minerals that can be found in Shilajit: iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese, selenium and vitamins B, C and E. These all play vital roles in the development and good health of skin and will leave your skin with a nice healthy glow.
Copper plays a key role in the formation of elastin and collagen in the skin. These are needed to keep the skin looking youthful.
Selenium helps in neutralising free radicals before they cause damage to the skin.
Zinc is known to play a role in repairing damaged skin.
Magnesium is essential in reducing the amount of circulating histamine. Low levels of magnesium result in an increase in the production of histamine which can lead to red, itchy, blotchy skin.
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5. ANTI-AGEING
Shilajit is known in some ancient cultures as the 'elixir of life' and it seems there is wisdom in these words. As we get older and wiser, our skin naturally starts to develop wrinkles and lose its elasticity. This fragile skin becomes more susceptible to damage. Not many people know that wrinkles are actually connected to dehydration. Fulvic acid is protects collagen and elastin in the cells of the skin retaining the strength and elasticity within the fibres, keeping it tight, AND, is able to hydrate on a cellular level. It helps to accelerate water absorption and delivers nutrients in and out of our cells directly and efficiently. This allows the cells to remain hydrated for longer which helps to prevent dry skin conditions (like eczema and psoriasis) and also gives us that healthy youthful glow.
SO, WHICH PRODUCTS DO I USE?
These beautiful soap bars are great for nourishing the skin and also has anti-inflammatory and soothing effects. I use this soap daily and it leaves my skin feeling nice and soft and hydrated. They are made with all natural ingredients and smell amazing too!
The skin balm is so easy to incorporate into your daily skincare routine. Not only will it rejuvenate the skin but can also be applied on damaged skin and conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, rashes, blemishes etc. Its actually crammed full of essential oils and natural ingredients which all do help to reduce inflammations like shea butter, aloe vera, coconut, epsom salt, calendula and shilajit.
Shilajit Resin
By supplementing mineral rich, lab tested products like shilajit resin daily, you will notice a significant improvement in the quality of your skin, as your body starts to remove the toxicity and replenish with essential nutrients. But not only that, shilajit can also help to stimulate growth for hair and nails too.
I do also use Altai Mountain Shilajit Resin to make a facemask! See below for my recipe!
Don't forget to save yourself 20% on your order by using my promo code: DRSEETA at the checkout!
Dr Seeta’s Shilajit Facemask:
Here is a facemask which I created myself and use once a week; I am sharing it for the first time here!
Ingredients:
¼ Teaspoon Shilajit resin
5 Tablespoon warm water
½ Teaspoon Turmeric
1 Teaspoon Ground Flaxseeds
Method:
Mix the Shilajit resin with 2 tablespoons of water and leave on the side
Mix the ground flaxseeds and remaining 3 tablespoons of water and leave on the side for 5 minutes
Once the flaxseed and water mix is gloopy, add in the Shilajit resin and mix together
Now add Turmeric in and mix together
Make sure the consistency is thick enough to apply on your face (you can adjust the amount of water accordingly)
Apply on your face evenly and leave for 10-15 minutes
Wash with lukewarm water
Pat your face dry
Disclaimer: Always contact your doctor before using an alternative remedy like Shilajit. It may interfere with other medications being taken and may not be suitable for all groups of people.