Expensive skincare products and cosmetics will only do so much for your skin. Inner glow is what makes the difference. Clean eating, exercise and unclogging pores are all common suggestions you may have heard. But yoga is one practice that promises to make your skin glow in a natural and healthy way, bringing out your inner glow.

Premature wrinkling can start primarily due to stress or unhealthy lifestyle practices. Some significant culprits are smoking, alcohol, drug addiction, and unhealthy food choices. Acne is another common skin problem. This could sometimes occur due to hormonal changes in the body and improper digestion. Whatever the cause, these yoga asanas can help you achieve smooth, glowing skin.

Practicing these yoga asanas will help increase blood circulation to the head and face area, which will further aid in naturally beautiful skin tone. Inverted postures can stimulate our nervous system, bring more oxygen and blood flow to the brain, boost our metabolic rate, and up our energy levels.

How does yoga benefit your skin

From reducing stress to improving blood circulation and releasing toxins, yoga balances and cleanses your system from within. It makes your skin appear healthier and more vibrant. Dull-looking skin, skin issues like acne, wrinkles, pigmentation and others, improve with a regular yoga practice. Like many practices, it does take time. Acne will not instantly disappear. It will depend on various factors like lifestyle, diet, sleep, stress, frequency of practice, etc.

Here are a few aspects of yoga and a yogic lifestyle which will help:

Less stress and better sleep

‍Yoga reduces stress, anxiety and other mental conditions. Extensive studies have been done on its impact. Secondly, reduced stress means better sleep quality. With enough physical exercise, one is also tired enough to get good sleep at night. With restful sleep comes a vibrant, glowing skin. It gives your body’s skin cells enough time to repair and restore from the stress of the day.

Yoga helps with inflammation

‍Studies have also shown how yoga decreases inflammation, especially stress-induced inflammation, which leads to fatigue, depression, and other symptoms. These are all factors that affect the skin.

Improved blood circulation

Many postures, like forward bends and inversions, increase blood circulation to the head and face region. Other poses, and even breathing exercises calm the mind and body, relieving stress and anxiety, which has a positive impact on your appearable. Oxygen supply also improves to the upper body, head and face region.

Yoga postures for a glowing skin

Standing Forward Fold

Known as Uttanasana, this posture encourages blood circulation to your face and head. It is also a part of the Sun Salutation series so it can be done easily. A good pose for beginners, try to keep your knees soft and relaxed in the posture.

How to do standing forward fold:

As you inhale, lift the arms upwards towards the sky/ceiling. As the biceps touch the ear, start bending back and keep the position of the head and arms intact. Stretch from the sides and the abdomen.
Now, exhale and pull the stomach in. Start bending forward from the hip and try to bring the chest closer to the thighs.
Place the hands next to your feet, or on the ground in front of you, keeping the elbows slightly bent. Inhale and look ahead.
Exhale and bring the face closer to the knees. Relax the head and neck, and hold the posture for a few breaths.

Downward-Facing Dog

Adho Mukha Svanasana is an inversion that gets the blood flowing to the head and face. In this posture too, avoid locking the knees. Take deep breaths and stay still.

How to do Downward-Facing Dog:

Come onto your fours. Form a table such that your back forms the table top and your hands and feet from the legs of the table.
As you breath out, lift the hips up, straightening the knees and elbows. Your body will form an inverted V-shape.
Hands are shoulder width apart, feet are hip width apart and parallel to each other. Keep the toes pointed straight ahead.
Press your hands into the ground. Widen through the shoulder blades. Keep the neck lengthened by touching the ears to the inner arms.
Hold the downward dog pose and take long deep breaths. Look towards the navel.
Exhale, bend the knees, return to table pose and relax.

Dolphin Pose

Similar to downward facing dog, this is also an inversion which encourages circulation to the face and makes it shine.

How to do Dolphin Pose:

Come into the forearm plank pose. Press your forearms and palms down onto the mat keeping them shoulder-width apart.
Slowly straighten out both legs so that your body is horizontal. Relax your neck and gaze toward the mat
To get into the Dolphin Pose, walk your feet toward your hands while lifting your hips high. As your hips rise, let your head and gaze move naturally toward your feet.
Take deep breaths as you hold the position. ‍

Cobra Pose

Known as Bhujangasana, the cobra pose boosts appearance and make s the skin smooth. It opens up the chest, improving oxygen supply. This posture is good for the abdominal organs, and thus helps balance the gut and digestion.

How to do cobra pose:

Lie flat on the stomach with the legs straight, feet together and the soles of the feet facing upwards.
Place the palms of the hands flat on the floor, below and slightly to the side of the shoulders, with the fingers together and pointing forward.
Position the arms so that the elbows point backward and are close to the sides of the body.
Rest the forehead on the floor and close the eyes.
Relax the whole body, especially the lower back. Now slowly raise the head.
Straighten the elbows, using the back muscles first, then the arm muscles to raise the trunk further and arch the back.
In the final position, the pubic bone remains in contact with the floor and the navel is raised a maximum of 3 mm.
The arms may or may not be straight; this will depend on the flexibility of the back.

Shoulder Stand

‍An inversion, Sarvangasana gets the blood flowing to the head and face region. It might be challenging for beginners but with support and guidance, it can be achieved. It helps in reducing dullness, acne and wrinkles. It is also effective for managing thyroid, which helps balance hormones.

How to do shoulder stand:

Lie on the back on a folded blanket. Check that the head and spine are aligned and that the legs are straight with the feet together. Place the hands beside the body with the palms facing down.
Relax the entire body and mind.
Contract the abdominal muscles and, with the support of the arms, slowly bend knees and raise the legs to a vertical position and straighten the legs now.
When the legs are vertical, press the arms and hands down on the floor.
Slowly and smoothly roll the buttocks and spine off the floor, raising the trunk to a vertical position.
Turn the palms of the hands upward, bend the elbows and place the hands behind the rib cage, slightly away from the spine, to support the back. The elbows should be about shoulder-width apart.
Gently push the chest forward so that it is pressed firmly against the chin.
In the final position, the legs are vertical, together and in a straight line with the trunk. The body is supported by the shoulders, nape of the neck and back of the head. The arms provide stability, the chest rests against the chin and the feet are relaxed.
Close your eyes. Relax the whole body in the final pose for as long as is comfortable.

Other yoga practices for a glowing skin

The root cause of all problems is internal. Skin concerns like acne and pigmentation arise due to gut related problems like gas, constipation, sluggish liver, and hormonal imbalances. Many cleansing practices like Laghoo Shankaprakshalan, cleanse the intestine and remove toxins from the body. They push out particles that are stuck on the lining of intestines as well. Breathing practices like alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana), cooling pranayama (Chandra Bhedi) and humming bee breath (Brahmari) help balance the body, cool down the system, release stress and cleanse the system. Practice meditation and Yoga Nidra to get enough rest and relaxation, balance the mind and release stress.

Skin care tips

While cleansing, balancing and taking care of the system from inside is key, other tips include:

Avoid products that have heavy chemicals. Try to keep your skin clear of too many external products.
Pick a natural moisturizer. Moisturizer acts as a protective barrier for your skin and can help keep it feeling (and looking) soft and supple.
Wear sunscreen. This will reduce your skin’s exposure to the aging effects of the sun.
Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Lukewarm water or water with lemon and honey are also good to consume regularly as they detoxify the system.
Get enough restful sleep as this reflects greatly on the skin, especially for concerns like dark circles.
Get enough exercise. The more you sweat, the better it is for the pores.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet consisting of leafy green, fruits and vegetables. This will keep your gut and digestion healthy and balanced. Avoid too much fried, processed or junk food.

Concluding thoughts

Your skin's natural glow will shine through with a holistic effort. All the above factors play a role in keeping your skin free of any condition, and smooth, glowing and shining.