Ancient Beauty Rituals That Originated in India
Ananya Mishra | Thu, 18 Dec 2025
Indian beauty and self-care traditions are deeply rooted in Ayurveda and nature. Long before modern skincare existed, households relied on herbs, oils, and mindful rituals to maintain glowing skin and healthy hair. Practices like ubtan, hair oiling, and oil massages focus not just on outer beauty but also inner balance, relaxation, and overall wellness that has stood the test of time.
Indian Beauty Rituals
( Image credit : Freepik )
- India has invented many beauty and self care rituals.
- These practices are rooted in Ayurveda and nature.
- Indians have been practicing these rituals since centuries to not only enhance beauty but also for selfcare.
- When there was no modern skincare and cosmetics available Indian households were using herbs and oils in their routines to achieve a glowing skin and healthy hair.
Ubtan
Ubtan
( Image credit : Freepik )
- Ubtan is a blend of natural ingredients such as turmeric, gram flour, sandalwood and herbs.
- It is used to exfoliate and detan skin. It is a ritual to apply ubtan during weddings to get a glowing skin.
Hair Oiling
Hair Oiling
( Image credit : Freepik )
- Hair oiling is becoming a popular hair care routine but it has been done by Indians since ages
- They use herbal oils like coconut, sesame and curry to strengthen and stimulate their scalp.
- It also helps with destressing and relaxation.
Face Massage and Abhyanga
- Indians have traditionally practiced facial massage and full-body massage with oils.
- This practice is called abhyanga, which is a form of self care.
- These massages enhance the circulation of blood, skin elasticity and natural glow along with relaxing the nervous system.
Use of Natural Ingredients Like Turmeric and Sandalwood
- The Indian beauty care has been dominated with ingredients such as turmeric and sandalwood.
- These ingredients help with skin problems like acne, dark spots, irritation and help the skin heal.
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These self care and beauty rituals are traditions that are still carried on by both Indian women and men. These rituals emphasise on beauty as well as wellness of the mind and body.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs(
- What is abhyanga massage?
Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic oil massage that improves blood circulation, relaxes the body, and supports skin health. - Are Indian beauty rituals suitable for daily self-care?
Yes, many rituals like oiling, facial massage, and using natural ingredients can be safely included in daily routines. - Why are turmeric and sandalwood popular in Indian skincare?
These ingredients have antibacterial, soothing, and healing properties that help with acne, irritation, and uneven skin tone.
