Ayurvedic Skin Creams: The Magic of 100 Times Washed Ghee

The Ancient Glow

It doesn’t look like ghee anymore.
It turns white. Soft. Almost like a dream.

This is Shata Dhauta Ghrita — literally, 100 times washed ghee — a remedy described in the Charaka Samhita, one of the oldest Ayurvedic texts known to humankind. Over 4000 years old. Passed through palms and wooden bowls, whispered about in old kitchens and healing rooms.

Ayurveda calls ghee sneha — meaning “love” and “oil.” In this transformation, pure desi cow ghee becomes something lighter, more subtle. Its heavy nature dissolves. What’s left is a cooling, nourishing skin elixir unlike anything you find in stores.

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational and informational purposes only.
It is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic specialist or dermatologist before beginning any new skincare treatment, especially if you have skin conditions, allergies, or ongoing treatments.

What Is 100 Times Washed Ghee?

A Transformation Through Water

The process is simple but strangely meditative.
Take pure ghee — from grass-fed desi cows if possible — and mix it with cold, clean water. Stir, wash, pour out the water. Then again. And again. A hundred times.

By the end, the ghee becomes a white, fluffy, cream-like substance, light as silk, and cool to the touch. It no longer smells or feels oily. It melts instantly into skin, leaving no residue.

The washing infuses it with water energy — jala tattva. This turns the fiery nature of ghee into something soothing and deeply hydrating. The result is not just a cream, but a skin medicine.

Why Ayurveda Loves It

In Ayurveda, every substance carries a unique guna (quality) and dosha effect.
When ghee is washed 100 times, its ushna (heat) reduces, and it becomes sheeta (cooling).

It pacifies Pitta and Vata doshas, both of which are responsible for dryness, redness, fine lines, irritation. Ancient physicians used it for vrana ropana (wound healing), twak prasadan (enhancing skin glow), and rukshata nashana (removing dryness).

Today, it works beautifully as a natural night cream, under-eye balm, or post-sun moisturizer.

How to Use It for Glowing Skin

As a Night Cream

Wash your face with warm water and a mild cleanser.
Pat dry. Don’t rub.
Take a tiny amount of the washed ghee — smaller than a pea.
Massage gently into your skin, upward strokes, till absorbed.

It hydrates, softens, and gives skin a dewy glow by morning.

For Under Eyes

Apply a drop beneath each eye before bed.
It helps reduce fine lines and dark circles gradually.
Ayurvedic practitioners say it also relaxes netra srotas — the channels around the eyes — reducing strain and fatigue.

For Irritated or Sun-Exposed Skin

If you’ve been in the sun too long or have mild rashes, apply a thin layer.
Its cooling nature calms burning, reduces redness. Works especially well in dry climates.

How to Make It at Home (if you dare)

Making Shata Dhauta Ghrita takes time. Real patience. You can do it by hand or with a machine, but tradition says the energy of hand movement adds healing prana.

You’ll need:

100 ml pure desi cow ghee
Clean glass or copper bowl
Cold distilled or spring water
A wooden spatula or clean fingers

Process:

Mix equal parts ghee and water.
Stir continuously for several minutes.
Drain the water. Add fresh water again.
Repeat. 100 times. Yes, literally.

Each wash lightens the texture, cools it more. By the 50th wash, it feels like silk. By the 100th, it’s pure white and creamy. Store it in a glass jar, away from sunlight.

Shelf life? Around six months if kept cool.

The Science Behind the Glow

Modern chemistry quietly agrees.
Repeated washing changes the structure of ghee. Water molecules bind with fat, creating a micro-emulsion. This increases absorption and hydration. It becomes less comedogenic.

So even though it’s oil-based, it doesn’t clog pores.
It moisturizes deeply, balances sebum, soothes inflammation.

Many Ayurvedic vaidyas use it as a base for medicated creams with herbs like sandalwood, manjistha, yashtimadhu (licorice) or neem.

Real Results (and Some Patience)

No overnight miracles. Skin responds slowly, like it trusts you again.
In a week, you’ll feel more softness. In a month, a subtle glow. Over time, fine lines blur, and the skin tone evens out.

Many people stop using chemical moisturizers after trying it. Not because it’s trendy, but because it feels alive.

A Few Cautions

Even ancient things deserve respect.
Always patch-test before using. Avoid if you have active acne or infected skin wounds. Store clean, don’t double-dip fingers.

If you’re unsure about your skin condition, consult an Ayurvedic practitioner.

Why It’s Worth Trying

Ayurveda teaches that beauty comes from balance — dosha harmony, clean diet, peaceful mind.
A cream can’t fix everything, but it can remind you what natural feels like.

Every application is a ritual. A small act of self-care.
It’s not just skincare. It’s remembering.

Final Words

Shata Dhauta Ghrita is not a product. It’s a story. A bridge between you and something ancient that still works.
If you seek glow, nourishment, calm — you might find it here, in this soft, white, cooling ghee.

Try it. Slowly. See how your skin speaks back.