Ayurvedic Glossary for Skin, Beauty & Wellness

Discover 300+ expertly curated Ayurvedic terms for skin health, herbal ingredients, classical formulations, dosha-based skincare, beauty rituals, and more. This glossary is your gateway to understanding how Ayurveda holistically treats and nurtures skin, from root cause to radiant glow.

Why This Glossary Matters

Ayurveda speaks a language of balance — of doshas, dhatus, and herbs — that modern skincare is just beginning to catch up with. Whether you’re a student of Ayurveda, a holistic wellness enthusiast, or simply seeking natural skin solutions, this glossary distils ancient wisdom for the modern world.

Glossary Categories

Each category below is a hub of interconnected terms. Click to explore:

1. Dosha-Based Skin Types

Understand how Vata, Pitta, and Kapha manifest in your skin type and what it needs.

• Vata Skin
• Pitta Skin
• Kapha Skin
• Vata-Pitta Skin
• Pitta-Kapha Skin
• Vata-Kapha Skin
• Tridoshic Skin
• Seasonal Dosha-Skin Changes
• Dosha-Specific Skin Aging
• Ayurvedic Skin Typing Methods

2. Herbal Ingredients for Skin

Explore plant-based powerhouses used for detox, glow, anti-aging, and healing.

• Manjishtha
• Yashtimadhu
• Haridra
• Sariva
• Nimba
• Chandana
• Raktachandana
• Lodhra
• Daruharidra
• Khadira
• Guduchi
• Shatavari
• Ashwagandha
• Bala
• Amalaki
• Haritaki
• Bibhitaki
• Mandukaparni
• Kumari (Aloe Vera)
• Usheera (Vetiver)
• Jatamansi
• Tagara
• Arjuna (Bark)
• Kapittha
• Musta
• Kesar (Saffron)
• Krishna Tila (Black Sesame)
• Shigru (Moringa)
• Tulasi

3. Classical Formulations

Ancient polyherbal recipes that heal and rejuvenate.

• Kumkumadi Taila
• Nalpamaradi Taila
• Eladi Taila
• Chandanadi Taila
• Triphaladi Taila
• Tiktaka Ghrita
• Mahamanjishtadi Kwatha
• Sarivadyasava
• Patolamooladi Kashaya
• Panchatikta Ghrita
• Yashtimadhu Ghrita
• Yashtimadhu Churna (Licorice Root)
• Avipattikar Churna
• Chandanasava
• Lodhradi Lepa
• Jatyadi Ghrita
• Kaishora Guggulu
• Kanchanara Guggulu
• Kanakabindvarishta
• Chandana-Adityapak Taila
• Dashamoola Taila
• Bala Taila
• Shatadhauta Ghrita
• Kshirabala Taila
• Maha Tiktaka Ghrita
• Malahar Preparation
• Ghrita Siddhi for Skin
• Kwatha
• Asava
• Churna

4. Skin Disorders in Ayurveda

Ayurvedic terms and treatments for acne, eczema, pigmentation, psoriasis, and more.

• Yuvan Pidika (Acne)
• Vyanga (Hyperpigmentation)
• Ekakushta (Psoriasis)
• Dadru (Ringworm)
• Pama
• Shwitra
• Mandala Kushta
• Charma Kushta
• Visarpa
• Kitibha
• Kotha
• Vicharchika
• Kilasa
• Arumshika
• Masoorika
• Nadivrana
• Sidhma
• Pidaka
• Daha
• Kandu
• Twak Vikara (Samanya)
• Raktadushti Skin Manifestations
• Agantuja Skin Disorders
• Nija Skin Disorders
• Dushivisha Skin Impact
• Shotha (Swelling on Skin)
• Rukshata (Dryness)
• Sphutana (Cracks/Fissures)
• Twak Raga (Skin Coloration Disorders)

5. Rasayana

Terms associated with rejuvenation, vitality, and radiant skin.

• Rasayana
• Amalaki Rasayana
• Chyawanprash
• Haritaki Rasayana
• Guduchi Rasayana
• Mandukaparni Rasayana
• Brimhana
• Tejas
• Bala
• Rasa

6. Mind-Skin Connection

Ayurvedic psychology and emotional balance are reflected through the skin.

• Chinta (Stress)
• Nidra (Sleep)
• Bhaya (Fear)
• Satva
• Raja
• Tamas
• Medhya Herbs
• Manasika Doshas
• Manovikara (Skin Picking)
• Sleep Deprivation Signs
• Emotional Aging
• Yoga Nidra
• Dharana Shakti
• Dhyana in Skin Disorders

7. Modern Skin Concerns – Ayurvedic View

• Acne (Yuvan Pidika)
• Pigmentation (Vyanga)
• Rosacea in Ayurveda
• Premature Aging
• Dark Circles
• Puffy Eyes
• Skin Sensitivity
• Enlarged Pores
• Dull Skin
• Sagging Skin
• Cellulite
• Chapped Lips
• Premature Greying
• Hair Fall
• UV Damage

8. Sanskrit Skin Terms

• Pidika
• Kandu
• Daha
• Shyava
• Twak Vikara
• Roma (Hair)
• Raga (Color)
• Sweda
• Sphutana
• Shotha

9. Panchakarma for Skin

• Vamana
• Virechana
• Raktamokshana
• Basti
• Nasya
• Sansarjan Karma (Panchakarma Diet)

10. Skincare Rituals

• Daily Morning Ritual
• Night Skincare Ritual
• Weekly Mukhalepa Routine
• Seasonal Skin Ritual
• Srotoshodhana Ritual

11. Cosmetic Beauty Therapies

• Ayurvedic Facial
• Herbal Steam Therapy
• Netra Tarpana
• Mukhalepa Sequences
• Glow-Enhancing Masks

12. Ayurvedic Skin Concepts

• Tvak (Skin)
• Rasa Dhatu
• Rakta Dhatu
• Mamsa Dhatu
• Lasika
• Bhrajaka Pitta
• Dhatwagni
• Sapta Tvacha
• Ojas and Skin
• Srotas: Rasavaha
• Srotas: Raktavaha
• Tejas and Complexion
• Upadhatu of Rakta
• Malas (Sweat and Skin)
• Twak Prasadaka Factors

13. External Therapies

• Abhyanga
• Udvartana
• Mukhalepa
• Swedana
• Parisheka
• Pralepa
• Pichu
• Kshalana (Skin Washing)
• Nasya for Skin
• Gandusha

14. Seasonal Skincare

• Grishma Skincare
• Varsha Skincare
• Sharad Skincare
• Hemanta Skincare
• Shishira Skincare
• Vasanta Skincare
• Ritu Sandhi Skin Changes
• Pitta Season Routine
• Vata Season Routine
• Kapha Season Routine

15. Diet

• Viruddha Ahara
• Aahara Kala
• Anupana
• Ksheera (Milk)
• Ghrutha (Ghee)
• Coconut Water
• Narikela Taila (Coconut Oil)
• Water Intake (Jala Dharma)
• Skin Pathya-Apathya Table
• Madhura Rasa (Sweet)
• Amla Rasa (Sour)
• Lavana Rasa (Salty)
• Katu Rasa (Pungent)
• Tikta Rasa (Bitter)
• Kashaya Rasa (Astringent)
• Sattvic Food
• Manasic Food
• Rajasic Food

16. Lifestyle

• Dinacharya
• Rutucharya
• Nidra (Sleep)
• Vihara
• Sadvritta
• Brahmacharya

17. Oils

• Tila Taila (Sesame Oil )
• Narikela Taila (Coconut Oil)
• Eranda Taila (Castor Oil)
• Jojoba Oil (Ayurvedic View)
• Almond Oil (Vatada Taila)
• Haridra Taila (Turmeric Oil)

18. Advanced Skincare Procedures

• alaukavacharana (Leech Therapy)
• Agnikarma for Warts
• Kshara Sutra and Skin Tags
• Raktamokshana: Siravedha
• Rakta Dusthi Management
• Twak Snigdhata (Oiliness)
• Twak Shlakshnata (Smoothness)
• Rogabhava in Upadhatu
• Rasa-Pitta Balance
• Sveda Vega Dharana Effects

19. Ayurvedic Cosmetics

• Herbal Kajal
• Kumkum (Ayurvedic Red)
• Natural Lip Balm Ingredients
• Ayurvedic Shampoo Base
• Ayurvedic Scrubs (Udvartana Powders)
• Multani Mitti (Ayurvedic View)
• Rose Water in Ayurveda
• Aloe Vera Gel
• Fruit Lepa (Banana, Papaya)

20. Ayurvedic Beauty Rituals

• Snana Vidhi (Bathing Ritual)
• Snana Dravyas (Bath Herbs)
• Karna Purana
• Gandha Dharana (Fragrance Therapy)
• Aachaman & Skin Radiance (Spiritual Skin Ritual)

21. Specific Ingredient Glossaries

• Mulethi vs Yashtimadhu Clarification
• White vs Red Sandalwood
• Amla vs Amalaki
• Differences in Aloe Species
• Indian vs Western Rose (Rosa Centifolia)

22. Ritucharya Deep Dive

• Spring Skin Allergies
• Monsoon Fungal Risk
• Autumn Acne Worsening
• Winter Dryness
• Summer Pigmentation