Defying Skin Ageing the Parama Way

Ageing is a natural and inevitable part of life—impossible to escape. As we grow older, our skin ages as well due to various external and internal processes.

Recent times have, however, seen an increased importance being given to physical appearance. Apart from media hype, which has spurred on this phenomenon to look youthful and appear perfect at all times, there are a few "understandable" reasons behind this, for example:

1. Premature ageing because of lifestyles, use of chemicals on our skins, environment, stress and strains
2. Increased longevity, longer careers and hence the need to maintain a public persona
3. Need for self-confidence that one gets with feeling and looking youthful

 Hence, we have become increasingly concerned with the concept of “anti-ageing” or "age-defying". 

But beyond these cosmetic concerns, it is a fact that skin health is closely linked to internal health both as a lead and a lag indicator. Premature ageing can be one of the first indicators that something is amiss somewhere in terms of our internal health!

Some of the aspects which govern skin health and ageing are within our control. Unhealthy food and eating habits, irregular lifestyle, excessive smoking an/or consumption of alcohol, inadequate amount and quality of sleep are factors that lead to internal imbalances, which can cause premature ageing of skin. These aspects can be managed and changed in order to reverse their effects on our skin.

On the other hand, advancing age itself, congenital or hereditary factors, hormonal changes, environment, weather, seasonal changes, health problems, injury etc. are beyond our control. However, with proper care, signs of ageing like skin dryness, wrinkles and fine lines can be prevented or delayed, while blemishes, discolouration and scars can be reduced or sometimes, even reversed.

How Does the Skin Age?

• When the skin is young, healthy, nourished and hydrated, the natural oils/lipids fill the gaps between the skin cells and prevent ingress of foreign particles. These natural oils are partly generated from within the body, based on our age, diet, and lifestyle, or can be applied on the surface through skincare products like moisturisers and face oils.
• With time, the natural lipids get depleted, leading to drier skin and sometimes, cracked or inflamed conditions. Dry or cracked skin allows germs and other allergens or irritants to enter the skin through the gaps between the cells. This causes itching and inflammation and if one succumbs to the temptation of scratching, it can only get worse.
• Skin cells get depleted over time because of oxidative stress due to external conditions, and some short-term or seasonal changes like cold dry weather, excessively polluted atmosphere, living in air-conditioned spaces, water quality, over-exposure to the sun or excess use of chemicals through soaps, detergents or cosmetics.
• Internal conditions like congenital or hereditary factors, stress, lack of sleep, diet, hormonal changes, and of course, the natural ageing process also degrade the skin texture and quality.
• With age, the speed of regeneration of skin cells gets slower and the duration gets longer
• With a reduction of natural proteins collagen and elastin, the skin becomes thinner. This leads to wrinkles and fine lines, especially around the eyes and the lips, furrows on the forehead and neck, and wrinkled hands. The skin sags around the jaw bone, the neck, chest and arms due to reduced elasticity.
• The pH level of the skin changes due to age, products used on the skin and also the hormonal or other internal changes in the body as per Ayurveda.
• Some people may also face issues like dark circles, blemishes, discolouration, pigmentation, poor circulation related issues, scars due to injury or operations, cell or fat deposits, etc.

 The core essential mantras to prevent the skin from pre-mature ageing, and for reversing / reducing some of the signs of ageing are:

1. A nutritious and well-balanced diet
2. Intake of an adequate amount of water--at least 7-8 glasses a day
3. Regular exercise to boost circulation of blood
4. Stress management by managing work-life balance, following a hobby, meditation etc.
5. 6-7 hours of quality sleep to give your body time to relax, heal and rejuvenate itself
6. Taking care of your skin externally by following a regular skincare routine to:

• cleanse and exfoliate accumulated dead skin cells, which do not allow the pores to breathe
• hydrate the skin and prevent moisture loss by oiling oneself regularly based on individual schedules, problems, body types, preferences. This helps in replenishing the lipids in the skin.
• address specific skin issues to limit the effects of situations beyond one’s control (like weather or ageing) to the extent possible 

 Defying Age the Parama Way

Turmeric has been mentioned as one of the key ingredients in Ayurvedic texts for Varna Prasadan (skin glow). In fact, it has so many preventive and therapeutic properties that it can single-handedly address issues for which multiple herbs might be used otherwise. And hence, application of haldi paste or haldi ubtan is an intrinsic part of traditions pan India since time immemorial.

Turmeric works from the skin surface through to each and every layer of the skin tissue and performs myriad functions through its anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, antiseptic, pore-tightening, anti-inflammatory and other properties. 

Virgin cold pressed oils of Coconut, Sesame and Almond, combined in a balanced ratio to suit most skin types and all ages, act at different levels of the skin with their own antioxidant, collagen-boosting, elastin-repairing, vitamin-rich, mineral-rich and soothing properties. Almond oil works largely at the surface level. Coconut oil penetrates a couple of levels deeper, and sesame oil penetrates the deepest to the innermost layers of the skin and muscle tissue.

Together, these work to address most of the aspects of skin ageing, while also addressing specific skin issues like Daha, Raktapitta, Vrana, Kushta, Kandu and Sitapitta (skin inflammation, skin colouration, discolouration of natural pigment, itching, premature wrinkling, burning sensation due to extended exposure to heat and sun, skin infections, urticaria, hives, yellow pustular acne, blackheads, whiteheads, dryness, dry patches, hard skin and wound healing).

They also deep-cleanse and tighten open pores, exfoliate or remove dead skin cells (which prevent the skin from breathing and make it appear dull), and impart an even skin tone.

Last, but not the least, these powerhouses of nature have so many active ingredients that the combined effect is akin to an "age-defying serum" but with 100% natural ingredients which have been tried and tested over a millennia and are balanced to suit most skin types, especially sensitive ones. 

Used regularly, these powerhouses of nature help to revitalize the skin, keep it looking fresh and healthy, and aid in delaying the process of skin ageing. 

Why Choose Parama naturals over other Serums in the market?

Some of the common issues with most "age-defying" products (typically serums) and which we have tried to address through our range are as follows:

1. Typically, most companies use chemicals instead of natural ingredients since natural ingredients are always more expensive. Many are projected as "nature-identical" or "nature-derived". However, many of these ingredients are untested over lifecycles of people and therefore, the long-term harm that they can cause is virtually unknown.
2. While chemical or chemically-derived active ingredients do seem to work their magic in the short term, many of the nanoparticles of these active ingredients can have long-term side effects since they penetrate deeper and often get deposited in our internal organs. 
3. Many of the serums (and creams) have a temporary "plumping" action due to the hygroscopic nature of some of the chemical ingredients used, but this may not sustain, nor does it enrich the cells of the skin.
4. The pH balance and often "drying nature" of the serums can lead to short-term irritations and/or long-term allergies.
5. Chemicals used for emulsification, preservation, smoothening, colour, bleaching, fillers, perfumes which can also lead to irritations and allergies. 
6. While some of the ingredients are natural too, but it's important to use ingredients whose benefits have been tried and tested over generations.
7. Above all, there is a lack of transparency for 100% of the ingredients. 

Our commitment is to using ingredients that are 100% natural and pure (if possible, totally organic and food grade), have references in Ayurvedic texts, have been tried and tested over thousands of years, scientifically researched, have no trace elements of chemicals, solvents or harmful ingredients, to ensure that products are effective and sustainable for oneself over a lifetime! 

Shop now at our online store to get glowing, youthful skin naturally!