The Best Ayurvedic Food for Glowing Skin

Ever wonder how some women just radiate that natural, effortless glow? It’s like they’re secretly bottling up sunshine and good vibes. Here’s the real secret: it’s not just skincare (though that plays a major role, of course); it’s what’s on their plate.

And when it comes to the best Ayurvedic food for glowing skin, nature has given us the ultimate beauty pantry. Adding these foods to our diet is one of the best healthy habits for great skin we can implement.

Want to dial down inflammation? Improve dryness and lack of moisture? Maybe you’re looking to boost elasticity and build towards a more youthful, glowing complexion. While we’re huge proponents for investing in high-quality products to use in a targeted skincare ritual, an anti-inflammatory Ayurvedic diet is crucial to glowing from the inside out.

Forget obsessing over calorie counts (no one should be doing that, anyway); Ayurveda is about how and what you eat, and an Ayurvedic diet promotes some of the best foods for skin health – and overall wellbeing. 

A balanced Ayurvedic alkaline diet fuels your skin with the nutrients it craves, while kicking toxins (or as Ayurveda calls them, “ama”) to the curb. The result? A natural glow that no highlighter can compete with.

Ayurveda, the OG of holistic health and the guiding principle behind our doctor-formulated skincare products, is all about balancing your body from the inside out. When your digestion, hydration and doshas (that’s your body’s natural energy balance) are in harmony, your skin loves it.

So, what should you be eating for that lit-from-within look? Let’s spill the tea (literally) on the best Ayurvedic foods for glowing skin.

While these Ayurvedic food suggestions are backed by science and traditional wisdom to support skin health, they are not instant magic fixes or cure-alls for skin conditions. 

They offer incredible benefits for your skin and overall well-being, but if you're struggling with significant skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, excessive dryness or extreme sensitivity, it's best to consult with a doctor or dermatologist to get tailored advice for your skin's unique needs.

For the best results, we highly recommend pairing your Ayurvedic diet with active, yet botanical-infused, skincare products like the Dr Tanya range – because glowing skin is all about balance, inside and out.

Ghee (clarified butter) is here to hydrate you from the inside out. While this kind of higher-fat dairy food was once maligned by science, literature now shows functional benefits of consuming foods like ghee in moderation.

Ghee is also a product of cultural significance in India, and it appears as a prominent food with great benefits in Ayurveda literature.

Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, and vitamin A (among other skin-loving nutrients), ghee keeps your complexion plump, nourished and buttery soft. Plus, it’s a Vata-balancing dream, making flaky, dry skin a thing of the past.

If you’re searching for an anti-inflammatory Ayurvedic diet, turmeric is basically skincare royalty. Loaded with curcumin (an antioxidant powerhouse), this golden spice fights inflammation, evens out skin tone and brightens your complexion. 

Turmeric is well-documented in Ayurvedic medicine as effective in treating and providing relief for a wide range of conditions (everything from a runny nose to liver disorders). Both oral and topical applications of turmeric have been shown to work wonders for skin health and complexion due its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Research demonstrates its efficacy for treating skin issues like acne, facial photo-ageing, atopic dermatitis and more.

Whether you’re adding it to meals or whipping up an Ayurvedic drink like golden milk, turmeric is your skin’s glow-up guru.

Healthy fats + vitamin E = *chef’s kiss* for your skin. Nuts like almonds, walnuts and cashews are rich in proline and lysine (amino acids) which help repair damage, enhance elasticity and support natural collagen production. 

Staples in the Ayurvedic diet, nuts are even considered ‘tonics’ for the mind, body and skin. They’re strengthening, rejuvenating, and packed full of some of the best nutrients and micronutrients for glowing skin and overall wellbeing. Think calcium, magnesium, folate, niacin, thiamine, and vitamin E.

Glowing skin isn’t just about slathering on face masks, it’s about staying hydrated from within. This probably isn’t news to you – water-rich foods like cucumber and watermelon are widely known to flood your skin with moisture and keep it looking juicy.

But did you also know that cucumber and watermelon are staples in an Ayurvedic alkaline diet? Known as Pitta-reducing foods (the mind-body element linked with fire and water), these high water-content fruits and veggies are cooling, hydrating, and can actively reduce body heat.

Struggle with redness or breakouts? We mentioned the Pitta dosha above; according to Ayurvedic medicine, an imbalanced Pitta can lead to inflammation of these skin conditions.

Luckily, leafy greens are at the rescue. Think of spinach, moringa and coriander as your skin’s daily cleanse. These greens flush out toxins, oxygenate your skin and keep your complexion fresh and clear. 

Moringa leaf is particularly potent when it comes to skin health. Aside from being highly nutritious, moringa is rich in antioxidants, which we know help our skin to fight free radicals from the inside out.

Forget sugar spikes. Dates and figs are naturally sweet, rich in iron and packed with antioxidants that keep your skin smooth and glowing. They’re among the best Ayurvedic food for glowing skin for a number of reasons.

Dates are considered superfoods in Ayurveda:

• They’re Sattvic, which is an Ayrvedic diet principle that promotes pure, unprocessed and easily-digested foods for optimal gut health – which directly impacts skin health.

• They strengthen the immune system by directly nourishing the Ojas, which is the body’s core energy and vitality responsible for mind, body and spirit.

Figs are also directly beneficial to the Ojas, and are even thought to replenish the body after labour and childbirth. A kind of Ayurveda pregnancy food, figs (and dates!) are lactogenics, meaning they support your milk supply after child birth.

Ayurvedic food for glowing skin doesn’t get much more potent than amla. Also known as Indian gooseberry, amla is packed with vitamin C (even more than oranges). This little fruit supercharges collagen, fights free radicals and keeps skin firm and bouncy.

Enjoy it fresh, dried, or in an Ayurvedic drink like amla juice for that extra zing.

Looking for the best Ayurvedic drink for skin? Coconut water is a hydration hero, packed with electrolytes to flush out toxins and keep your skin looking plump and refreshed.

Widely considered as one of the best natural diet additions to improve skin health, coconut water is rich in vitamins B2, B3 and C. According to Healthline, consuming coconut water can:

• Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines

• Increase skin hydration and elasticity

• Promote collagen production

• Give the skin a visible glow

In Ayurvedic literature, coconut water balances Pitta and Vata (which is all about air and space, and relates to the nervous system). It’s ideal in warmer climates as it has a powerful hydrating effect, and works to cool the skin and body from the inside out.

Ditch the sodas and sugar-loaded drinks (but keep the coffee – we know you need it). Here are some Ayurvedic drinks that’ll make your skin sing:

• Golden milk: A bedtime ritual that soothes inflammation and supports skin healing.

• Amla juice: Your vitamin C boost for firmer, younger-looking skin.

• Coconut water: The ultimate hydrator for dewy, happy skin.

• Fennel and cumin tea: A digestive tonic for a clear, balanced complexion.

• Saffron-infused warm milk: Because your skin deserves luxury, and saffron delivers a brighter, even tone.

When it comes to glowing skin, Ayurveda proves that beauty is more than skin-deep. Load up on these Ayurvedic foods for glowing skin, sip your herbal teas, and watch your skin transform from the inside out.

Start small: sprinkle turmeric in your soup, swap your soda for coconut water, and let nature do its thing. Your skin (and your taste buds) will thank you!