Pratima Beauty

Meet the Pioneer of Ayurvedic Skin Care

Last month on my quick jaunt to New York, I was able to visit a place and person that I have been hearing about for years. Dr. Pratima Raichur is one of the pioneers of Ayurvedic beauty and health treatments here in the United States. She has been healing adults and children for over 40 years. She combines her knowledge as a chemist, botanist, aesthetician and doctor into holistic system for skin care. Her spa Pratima is an oasis in the city. Once behind those sari covered walls, one is transported into a a relaxing, nurturing environment where a facial feels like a vacation. I was able to sit and talk with Dr. Pratima after my facial and I have to say I left there completely rejuvenated and inspired. First of all, I couldn’t believe  how beautiful and youthful her skin was. Secondly, her wisdom and advice on how to maintain our health and beauty in these hectic times was priceless. We talked about how doing what you love is the best thing for your health, how when she opened her place in the 1980’s no one had even heard off the word Ayurvedic medicine. Since the 80’s she has been recognized by the beauty industry and magazines like Vogue and Allure for her products and facials. Some pearls of wisdom I took away from her were: drink water and lime (lime is better than lemon more alkalizing), drink warm water and lime first thing in the morning; take a spoonful of ghee in the morning will give you nourishment from the inside; give thanks to the universe first thing in the morning;  then stretches and exercise; then your breakfast. Every night before bed, Pratima massages her feet. She says that all the meridians are there and using her oils like my (favorite Love Oil) she will rub her feet before going to sleep.

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1) What inspires you?

I am inspired by helping people and making a difference in their lives. When a client tells me that I have made a difference, be it the mind, body or spirit, it is truly an inspiration. I have found an incredible sense of reward and gratitude knowing that I found my life’s purpose in healing & helping others.

2) What makes Ayurvedic skincare different from a traditional standard view?

Ayurvedic skincare takes into account that each individual is different and unique; no two people are alike. Traditional skincare typically categorizes skin as oily, combination or dry, but in reality our skin condition is much more dimensional than that. For example, someone may have combination skin, but they also may be prone to breakouts, while another with combination skin may be prone to redness or rosacea, or even eczema. Those two people have different underlying causes for their skin type, and thus have different recommendations to care for their skin. In addition, not every skin ages in the same way, and will need different combination of herbs, roots & flower extracts according to that individual’s dosha or constitution in order to properly balance the skin and help in delaying the aging process accordingly. Most traditional skincare brands forget this, while in Ayurveda, it is at the very heart of its philosophy.

3) What are three things a woman can do for beautiful skin?

– Besides using the appropriate organic herbal oils according to your dosha, the first thing for people to know is that beautiful skin starts on the inside with a healthy diet appropriate to your dosha. You can put endless products on your skin, but if your diet is lacking with right nutrients or full of fast food, your skin will show it. You will suffer from dullness, breakouts, and imbalanced skin. When you start incorporating healthy, whole foods that are right for your dosha, you will experience glowing, youthful, more supple skin.
– Drinking warm water throughout the day is also very important. This helps to cleanse & detoxify the body, as well as boosting digestion.
– Sleep is also important for beautiful skin. During sleep, our body goes through a regeneration & repairing process, essentially working to renew itself. If we do not get ample sleep, our body is unable to heal & repair itself, resulting in dull or sallow skin, as well as dark circles or premature aging.
– I will add one more, doing daily meditation to reduce stress. Every disease and skin condition in our body starts with a thought and will be reflected on your body and skin, therefore daily meditation will help to keep a clear mind, positive thoughts and clear glowing skin. And don’t forget to laugh!

4) How vital is diet to good skin?

Diet is one of the most important factors in having good skin. Skin is the largest organ in our body, and we must “feed” it just as we feed the rest of the body. The skin benefits from whole, organic foods, such as greens, fruits, flaxseeds, coconut oil, olive oil, nuts and seeds, etc. When we eat processed, junk foods that are ever present today, it shows in our skin, and often manifests in the form of breakouts, dull, lackluster skin, as well as premature fine lines and dehydration. While good skincare helps to boost the skin’s health, healthy skin really starts with a good diet, especially a healthy diet appropriate to your dosha.

5) Do you have a beauty secret?

I have many beauty secrets! One of the most important things that I do every day is to take time for myself to meditate to relieve my stresses and clear my mind, along with my breathing exercises for oxygenation. It allows me to center myself and let go of the negative and stressful emotions of the day. This is so important in the world we live in today! So often, we carry stress, worries and anxieties with us, and they manifest in our health or skin through serious illnesses, chronic skin conditions, premature aging and more. We must take this time every day, even if it is only 5 minutes, to let go of our negative thoughts & emotions and be thankful. Some more simple things that are in my daily regimen are taking flaxseed oil & ghee to nourish my skin from the inside out, using my Sandalwood Rose mask weekly to draw out impurities and balance the skin, dry brushing before a shower to increase healthy circulation & even out skin tone, as well as doing a daily massage with my one of my organic dosha herbal oils to deeply nourish, rejuvenate & tone the skin, increase circulation and detoxify. And I also try to laugh as much as I can!

6) Is there a vitamin or mineral we should take to keep our skin youthful?

While there are many great vitamins & minerals & herbs that ayurveda recommends and that are beneficial to aid in keeping skin youthful, there is not one that stands out. It all depends on which ones are good and balancing for you according to your dosha. In Ayurveda, Amla is an important supplement, as it is a potent antioxidant, has essential fatty acids, and has one of the highest forms of natural vitamin C, helping to feed the skin, scavenge free radicals and help boost collagen production; and of course omega fatty acids, such as those from flaxseed oil and ghee, are extremely important to nourish the skin. However, it is important to remember there is no “magic pill,” and the most important thing is to eat a healthy, whole food diet according to your dosha, with plenty of organic foods from the earth, and add in supplements such as Amla to help boost & support an already healthy diet.

7) I was told a spoonful of ghee is great for us. Why is this?

Ghee is traditionally used in Ayurvedic & Indian cultures because of its endless benefits. Ghee is fantastic when taken internally, as it boosts healthy digestion and increases the absorption of other nutrients. It contains Omega 3 and 9 essential fatty acids, it is high in vitamins A, D and E, K, as well as CLA, which are all critical for healthy brain, bone and immune system functions, as well as boosting healthy cellular regeneration, and is one of the highest natural sources of CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid). It also helps to lubricate joints and relieve inflammation, as well as nourishing our internal organs. It is also extremely beneficial for vata imbalances. Often, we shy away form fats, however your body needs healthy fats to thrive, and Ghee is a great example of a healthy fat benefits!

8) What is your dream trip or vacation?

To me, vacation is truly a state of mind, not a place you go. So often, we escape to these tropical or exotic locales to obtain peace & serenity, however if you practice even just a few of the things I mentioned above, such as daily meditation, you will find that the sunny location is only a bonus, because you have already obtained that much sought after peace & serenity that we often chase after.