At one point in our lives, most of us (especially women!) have experienced the pesky problems of acne, whiteheads, or blackheads appearing on our skin. As Apsara Skin Care founder Sheetal Rawal states, these problems often arise as a result of hormonal imbalances in women — for example, during the times of puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. Understanding the root of the problem is the best way to fight it. In this episode of the podcast, scientist and geneticist Rawal explains that the genesis of acne usually starts off as a clogged pore, which turns black if it comes in contact with oxygen in ..read more

With the constantly changing weather, it is normal that your hair may not always feel at its best. If you're feeling like you're stuck in the middle of an especially dull or dry hair period, there are actually simple tricks you can implement at home to improve the appearance of your hair. You don't need the salon — simple adjustments like the temperature of your water and the products you use can transform the health of your hair. In this episode of the podcast, Sheetal will discuss two simple steps to make your hair healthier, improve the appearance of your hair, and solve commor issues such ..read more

As both women and men age, they fall prey to the negative effects of lines, wrinkles, and dark circles under the eyes. At one point or another, all of us face these issues. How do these pesky culprits appear on our face? In this episode of the podcast, Sheetal discusses the three most common causes of dark under-eye circles, lines and wrinkles, as well as the simple lifestyle changes you can incorporate in order to address these skin care concerns. Genetics, a lack of sleep, and long hours spent in front of harshly lit screens (computer, phone, tablet, etc.) are the three most common ..read more

Dark spots can be difficult to treat, especially in the summer. As this podcast reveals, spending lots of time outdoors and directly exposing your skin to UV rays can worsen the appearance of dark marks on the skin's surface. Although dark spots can be irritating, like many skin care problems, it is a tough, but not impossible problem to solve.  In this episode of the podcast, Sheetal will share with a simple skin remedy with you that you can quickly whip up at home. The mask helps with treating the appearance of dark spots, and includes rice flour, brown sugar, and lemon. You can al ..read more

An inner glow alludes to more than just one’s outward appearance, but their internal health and vitality as well. It indicates great health and well-being. Contrary to popular belief, an inner glow is extremely achievable if one follows the correct steps to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. In this episode of the podcast, Sheetal will share some tips and tricks to attain an ‘inner glow.’ Your diet is of utmost importance as it has everything to do with your appearance. In Ayurveda, the sattvic diet comprises of consuming pure and organic foods. The goal of this diet is to deeply nouri ..read more

Hair fall, early greying and itchy, dandruff-prone hair are becoming more and more prevalent in women. A large contributing factor to these hair conditions is exposure to harsh chemicals which compromise the hair follicles. One may encounter these chemicals in haircare products containing SLS chemicals, parabens, petrochemicals and other harmful substances. Further, the quality of water used to wash one’s hair plays an imperative role in its appearance. In this episode of the podcast, Sheetal will share with you a simple tip to promote healthy hair by ensuring that the water you wash your hair ..read more

Antioxidants are compounds that slow down free radical damage that is going to our skin, hair or scalp. In this day, we are exposed to harsh chemicals on a daily basis, often resulting from environmental factors such as pollution. The increasing free radical damage in women attributes to early greying, rapid aging and hair loss. In this episode of the podcast, Sheetal will provide you with information on the importance of antioxidants and how to implement them into your daily skincare routine. Some foods that are rich in antioxidants are organic produce, as well as many fruits and vegetables ..read more

Discoloration of the skin is evident with darker or lighter markings on the skin as compared to the usual color of the skin. The pigment melanin is responsible for the color of our skin, which is why fluctuations in pigmentation can be attributed to increases or decreases in melanin. This causes discoloration and often dark spots as well, which are prevalent skin issues faced by many women.  In this episode of the podcast, Sheetal will share with you 10 useful tips to reduce the discoloration of your skin. While minimizing skin exposure and avoiding tanning beds are imperative, having a n ..read more

In Ayurveda, the health of the digestive system is everything. It is the foundation upon which the health of your skin and hair is built. Along with this comes the importance of gut health. Gut toxicity builds up over a period of time due to poor lifestyle choices and food pollution, amongst other reasons. Once a particular threshold of toxicity is reached, an intense toll is taken upon your general health and the health of your skin and hair. In this episode of the podcast, Sheetal will discuss some important lifestyle errors that you may be making unintentionally. For example, eating food wi ..read more

Combination skin is characterized by skin that may be oil in some areas, but dry or normal in others. It is effectively a ‘combination’ of different skin types. Although establishing skincare practices for this skin type may sound difficult, Apsara has multiple DIY remedies and product recommendations for individuals to use in an effort to combat both blackhead eruptions and issues that come with taking care of combination skin.   In this episode of the podcast, Sheetal will share with you a simple home remedy to balance out combination skin. The remedy prominently features Fuller’s Earth ..read more