Are you looking for that perfect skin moisturizer? You know the one that is super hydrating, reduces wrinkles, helps eliminate scars, and reduces the inflammation of rosacea and eczema?
Maybe you need an ultra-rich eye cream, a night cream, a body butter or an anti-wrinkle regimen. Then let me introduce you to Ayurveda’s ancient skin remedy – 100 x washed ghee or ‘Shata-dhauta-ghrita’.
Washed ghee is made by placing ghee into a vessel and mixing it with purified water, washing it ten times, then the water is poured away and this is done literally one hundred times. The result is a complete transformation of the ghee to an odorless cream of whipped butter consistency that penetrates all seven layers of the skin. It is an excellent anti-aging treatment that smooths wrinkles, fades sun spots, heals burns, and soothes inflammation of rosacea, eczema, and acne.
I first came across washed ghee in Ayurveda school and– the result was pretty astounding. Being Vata-Pitta, I was always looking for the best wrinkle repair and cooling, calming skin cream that left me feeling completely hydrated. The process of washing the ghee in water completely transforms the ghee into a cooling, nourishing, silky substance. 100 times washed ghee is easily absorbed by the skin and leaves the skin feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and glowing.
But how does it work? As it is always important to me to understand the scientific basis – I did some research and here is what I found.
Ghee is the main sauce of lipids (fats) and when we rinse it in cold water, it hydrolyzes and splits into fatty acids and glycerols. This allows the ghee to penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin.
Washed Ghee is also rich in Omega 3 and 9’s, Vitamins A, D, E, and K. It is also one of the best sources of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). These nutrients reduce oxidative stress, which causes your skin to look dull and lifeless. Ghee is also made with Butyric acid, which helps reduce skin inflammation.
Most importantly, as your skin is the largest organ of the body, it is important to apply products that are completely natural and chemical-free. Whatever you put on your skin gets directly absorbed into your body. Let me ask you an important question: can you eat your skincare line right now?
Bowl & Spoon – You will need a large clean bowl. There will be a fair amount of splashing and sloshing. Also, the ghee will expand in volume. So, a large bowl helps. It is better to use a copper bowl. You will need a clean spoon as well.
Ghee – I used ghee that I made (here’s a video on how to make your own ghee), but you can also use store-bought cow ghee at room temperature. One I particularly like is Simply Ghee.
Water – I used ice-cold water – better to use filtered.
Towel – The process can be a bit messy, so it is a good idea to have a large towel around. Try wearing an old shirt.
Container – I transferred my ghee from a bowl to two small glass jars. Choose the prettiest container you like for your DIY cream!
Pour the ghee into your bowl and add an equal amount of water. Use your hand (after washing really well) and swirl the ghee in the water 10 times. This is where the splashing and sloshing happens, so be careful. I stirred the ghee and water clockwise five times and then anticlockwise for another five, then threw out the water. There is no logic here. The change of direction ensures my wrist and fingers get exercise, and the count helps me track time. That is all.
Once you have drained out the ghee, add more water to it and keep washing it till the ghee expands in volume and develops a sheen. I generally wash at least 10 times with the same water. Rinse and repeat, and drain. It’s a several-hour process to wash the ghee a hundred times.
After the last drain, transfer your washed ghee into a container. Ensure that it is airtight. I prefer to store the cream overnight in the fridge. That firmly sets it and dries off any water still in the ghee. The ghee lasts for about three months easily, even in the hot, humid summer. If you can store it in the refrigerator, it will have an additional cooling and soothing effect on the skin.
If you loved learning how to make washed ghee, download our Free Anti-Aging Skin Regimen here. All natural protocol to support healthy, youthful skin from the comfort of your home.
The Holistic HIghway integrates traditional Western medical practices with Ayurveda medicine, creating a focus on prevention through nutrition, diet, and exercise; use of the latest genetic testing and other diagnostic techniques; and prescribed combinations of botanical medicines, supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification programs, or stress-management techniques.
Integrative Health Expert | Ayurveda Practitioner | Author | Speaker
Kerry is a globally recognized leader in integrative medicine and the science of health known as Ayurveda. She is passionate about raising awareness of the need for a change in contemporary medicine that focuses on patient empowerment and a health-based (rather than disease-based) medical system.
Kerry is connected with The University of Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Medicine and remains a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine where she has developed a personalized system to manage chronic disorders by incorporating fundamental changes in diet, behavior, and stress while focusing on genetics.
This individualized program is so successful that many of her clients have achieved maximum healing and vitality after years of chronic problems!
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The sole purpose of all the website content is to educate and provide information about Integrative Health, Genetics and Ayurveda.This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure. or prevention of any disease.
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36 Responses
Can’t wait to try making it Kerry. Looks amazing and I can ONLY imagine how my skin will fill using it. When we’re in production making Simply Ghee, my hands are so wonderfully soft! We appreciate the shout out. 🙂
Let me know if you decided to sell this! Thank you! Corinne
Thank you so much for sharing. I came across this by chance. I use ghee in my cooking and one day I had a tiny bit left over and I thought what do I do with this tiny amount. So I rubbed on my skin and later my hands were still feeling silky (normally they are really rough). Sothen thought about if it’s possible to use on the face. So did some googling and came across your page.
Thank you!
You are welcome – let me know how the process goes for you!
I am glad you loved the ghee on your hand. Try making some – you will be amazed at the results.
Loved this video. I am also Ayurveda Practitioner but have not focused much on the skin care aspect. Plain ghee is wonderful for skin and this looks even more amazing. I love the transformation the ghee undergoes! Thanks so much. Now that we are wearing masks I notice my skin around my nose and upper lip is irritated so this sounds like a great remedy 🙂
Hello Jane, it is always good to meet a fellow Ayurveda Practitioner. It is a great remedy for any kind of chafing or irritation as it is cooling too.
Can you tell if ghee can be used unwashed? If it can be used both ways, is there a specific benefit to washing ot 100 times? What are the shelflifes of either type of ghee out of the refrigerator? I jave been using natural skincare for almost 5 years now, since cancer in my family made me take a closer look at all the toxins entering our body. I am excited to add this option to my inventory.
I loved you video, thank you.
Hi Stephanie,
unwashed ghee has different properties. It is a great pre-biotic and is cooling but you would probably not use it as a moisturizer. Ghee should not be refrigerated and can last indefinitely as long as you don’t contaminate it. I am so glad that you are looking at ways to reduce your toxic load – it is so important in today’s world. Sounds like you are making some great choices.
Let me know if you have any other questions…
The addition of water helps the fatty acids (oil) absorb into skin. Washed ghee is basically an emulsion, where water and oils are combined into a stable product. Mayonnaise is an example of an emulsion, as is almost any skin cream or lotion on the market! Water helps oils go deeper to nourish the skin, which is one reason why most skin oils direct you to apply to damp skin.
Thanks Kerry, I cant wait to try this thanks for sharing.
Juanita
Let me know how it goes Juanita and send me a pic!
I bet its divine. Would you just make some for me and sent to me???? LOL.
Hi Kim, email me if you are interested. I do have about 5 small jars.
Hello, thank you for sharing such a wonderful
Skin regimen with us. I would like to know if
it can stand not being stored in the fridge or
If it will just melt,
Thank you
Hi Lydia, you absolutely do not have to keep it in the fridge – however, it will not last as long. It would only melt if the outside temperature was at the melting point of ghee. That is where I keep mine, nice and cool till I need it 🙂
Warmly,
Kerry
I have done this entire process myself and it does not melt. I did not keep mine in the fridge.
I have already done this entire process once and it did take hours. It was a wonderful meditative process. Washing the ghee with the intention of love in my hands has such a powerful benefit. Impossible to purchase the end result of all that love in any store! I sued the washed ghee for months, until it was all gone. I made ghee with grass fed organic butter tonight and will wash it 100 times tomorrow. I am 67 years old and my skin is moist and nourished. Anne
I loved your content. Quick Question. Since it is washed with Water , what preservative should we use? In case no preservative is used, how is the washed ghee saving itself from bacterial/ fungal growth? Thanks in advance.
I’m wondering what is it you’re washing out of the ghee and does it make the ghee easier to be absorbed?
Hello Lisa,
that’s a great question. We are not washing anything out of the ghee. Ghee is the main sauce of lipids (fats) and when we rinse it in cold water, it hydrolyzes and splits into fatty acids and glycerols. This allows the ghee to penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin. So yes – you are quite correct, it makes the ghee much easier to be absorbed. We will be making washed ghee available in the New Year, but in limited quantities as it is so time intensive. Do you want me to keep you in the loop on that?
shelf life of washed ghee
Hi Ayur Blends, it is good to hear from you and would love to know more about what you do, The shelf life is about 6 months if it is refrigerated. If essential oils are added, they act as a preservative so that the shelf life can be longer. Hope that helps…
What preservative should I use would like to start a business
Hi Loy, that all depends upon how you wish to market your products and what you feel comfortable using. There are commercial preservatives that you buy from any lab. Or, you can use essential oils or Vitamin E as preservatives.
I hope that helps…
Thank you so much kerry
Hey!
Thanks a lot for the recipe!
I tried this and the results are amazing when it comes to moisturizing the skin.
However, despite 100 washes, the smell of the ghee remains.
Any solution for that?
The washed ghee idea is fantastic. I am going to make it soon as my skin is extremely dry. Would washed ghee be suitable to add in lotions? I mean making lotion with melting washed ghee and bees was and other ingredients. Or would that change its properties or shelf life?
You can always add some dosha-appropriate essential oils that are right for the season?
Sry tagged my question to someone elses question so reposting it
The washed ghee idea is fantastic. I am going to make it soon as my skin is extremely dry. Would washed ghee be suitable to add in lotions? I mean making lotion with melting washed ghee and bees was and other ingredients. Or would that change its properties or shelf life?
Hi Fara, you do not need to add any lotions – it would change the quality and properties of the Washed Ghee. The Washed Ghee as a product itself is phenomenal and needs to additional lotions.I do add some essential oils to ours depending upon the season – so you are welcome to hop on over to the Shop and take a look. I hope that helps,
Kerry
I used homemade ghee but even after 30 minutes of using a handmixer , the ghee did not become white or fluffy? Is there something I’m missing?
I used homemade ghee but even after 30 minutes of using a handmixer , the ghee did not become white or fluffy? Is there something I’m missing?
I beleive I see the problem. It is a 5-hour process when I do it. We traditionally do this by hand – it is a rather arduous process and takes a long time to make. So, a great prject for a rainy afternoon or invite a girlfriend over and spend the day doing it. Let me know how it goes for you….
Hi there, I make ghee using the vedic method, that is churning butter from curd and then making ghee from it. Would this base affect the end result when it is being whipped with water? Or would only using one specific type of ghee do the trick?
This is a great way to make washed ghee Vis.