There is only one Ayurvedic face oil that has truly become mainstream and its Kumkumadi Tailam, which is especially popular in the South of India.
This blog is everything that you need to know about Kumkumadi Tailam from:
- How is it made? Should you make such a traditional recipe at home?
- What are its benefits?
- Who should use such an oil?
Origin
In Sanskrit, saffron is called “Kumkuma” and the word for oil is tailam. Kumkumadi means “saffron oil,” but this literal translation hides a complicated method of making the product and its incredibly skin beneficial ingredients.
How is it made?
This diagram is a basic guide
What I have left out, is of course quantities AND importantly what’s inside.
What’s inside?
On average, I have seen recipes with at least 21 ingredients inside and these include the following:
The reason for showing you some of these ingredients, is to emphasize the kumkumadi tailam is only as good as the quality of its ingredients…As a formulator myself, I can tell you that sourcing sustainable sandalwood in India as well as high quality of the other ingredients is extremely difficult. (And I haven’t even started on the other 16 ingredients).
The other ingredients include:
- Goat’s milk (this is not a vegan product)
- Sesame seed oil
- Indian lotus
- Indian water lily
What are the benefits of using kumkumadi tailam?
I have used Kama Ayurveda’s kumkumadi tailam, on and off during the winter. The main benefits I have seen are:
- Skin lightening
- Skin brightening
Other benefits include it reduces pigmentation, is anti-inflammatory and reduces the appearances of fine lines and wrinkles.
I don’t have wrinkles of fine lines and so I cannot vouch for those. Also, I have not used this for the requisite 3 to 6 month period to see pigmentation truly change colour.
Who should not use this product?
Anyone who fits into this category should not use this product:
- Acne prone skin
- Has excessively oily skin that is prone to acne
- Sensitive skin and low tolerance to oils in products
- Vegan product user
Can I use this product all year round?
I have never had a problem with Kumkumadi Tailam until recently. It is on average c45 C to 50 C where I live and I stupidly used this as a night moisturiser on my neck and face. Naturally, I broke out into small bumps on the side of my face and on my neck. I don’t get acne anymore and this is a surprise for me.
Which product would I recommend?
Personally, my go to brand for Kumkumadi tailam is Kama Ayurveda.
The reason is very simple. The quality of the product is 100% reliant on the quality of the ingredients and the intricate process of manufacture. I trust Kama Ayurveda to get it right.
And I pay for that privilege. This is not a cheap oil – and its not designed to be
Given everything you have read about this product – would you honestly be happy paying Rs 200 for it?
Available to purchase at Kama Ayurveda 3ml cost Rs 895 (at the time of writing) and 12 ml cost Rs 3195.
See also