Amla Powder for Hair & Skin

How Hair Feels

Used as a mask, Amla usually leaves hair feeling conditioned, smoother and easier to manage, with more shine once it's rinsed and dry. It's a loose fruit powder rather than a creamy conditioner, so the feel is natural rather than coated; keep the paste soft, rinse it out well and follow with your usual conditioner if your lengths need it.

Scalp Care

Worked over the scalp as a soft paste, it usually leaves the scalp feeling fresh and cared for once it's rinsed. If your lengths are dry, keep most of it on the scalp and roots.

On Your Skin

As a short face mask, Amla can leave skin feeling fresh, soft and smooth and looking refreshed once it's rinsed off.

Who It Suits

Anyone who likes a single-ingredient, mix-fresh routine, blending hair powders or oiling before washing. If your hair is fine, use a little less, rinse thoroughly and go easy on oil. Dry, curly, coily or porous hair is easier with a softer paste, less on the lengths and conditioner afterward, or with the infused oil. On very light, bleached or white hair, try it on a small lock first: fine powder can stay visible until it's washed out.

Before You Start

Patch test 24 to 48 hours before first use (see Care & Safety). You'll need 2 to 3 tablespoons of powder for your hair, more for long or thick hair, or 1 teaspoon for your face, plus warm water and a bowl.

Mix

Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons with warm water, added a little at a time, to a smooth paste, more for long or thick hair. For the face, mix 1 teaspoon with 2 teaspoons of water. It's ready to use right away.

Apply

Work the paste through clean, damp hair and scalp, or spread a thin, even layer on your freshly cleansed face, avoiding your eyes and lips. Leave it 20 to 30 minutes on hair, or about 10 minutes on skin (5 if your skin is very sensitive), keeping it soft so it doesn't dry hard.

Rinse

Rinse thoroughly with warm water until it runs clear, handling wet hair gently. On your face, soften the mask with a damp cloth first. Follow with conditioner or moisturizer as usual. Use up to twice a week.

Mixes

Bhringraj or Brahmi: 1 tablespoon of each (2 of each for long or thick hair), warm water to a soft paste, rest 5 to 10 minutes, then about 20 minutes on damp hair. Aloe Vera Powder: 2 tablespoons of Amla with 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera Powder, to a runny-yogurt paste, rest about 10 minutes, then about 20 minutes on wet hair. For a hair wash with Aritha and Shikakai, see the four-powder hair wash.

Homemade Oil

Warm about 1 tablespoon of the dry powder per 100 ml (about 3.4 fl oz) of coconut or sesame oil in a double boiler for 30 to 45 minutes without letting it smoke, let it cool completely, strain it through fine muslin into a clean, dry jar and use a little 30 to 60 minutes before washing. Keep water out of it, make small batches, and throw it away if it smells stale.

Tips

Don't leave the wet mask on overnight; longer doesn't work better. If your hair feels dry or rough afterward, use a softer paste, put less on your lengths or follow with conditioner.

Phyllanthus Emblica (Amla) Powder – 100%

Warning + Patch Test

Do not ingest. Avoid the eyes, lips, and broken or irritated skin. Keep out of reach of children. Patch test 24 to 48 hours before first use. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.

FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY

How to Patch Test

Patch test 24 to 48 hours before first use, with the mix you plan to use. Put a little on a small area of clean, unbroken skin, leave it for 24 to 48 hours, then rinse it off; rinse it off right away if it burns or itches. Don't go ahead if the skin burns, swells, blisters or turns red, or if it itches and the itch doesn't settle. Test again whenever you add something new to the mix. A patch test can't rule out a reaction later.

Using It Safely

Rinse it off and stop using it if your skin or scalp burns or itches while it's on, or if you see redness, swelling, blisters or a rash. If powder or paste gets in your eyes, rinse with plenty of clean water. Keep the hair mask to 20 to 30 minutes and the face mask to about 10, and rinse before either dries hard. Anything you add, such as carrier oils or essential oils, brings its own risk of irritation. If your face, lips or eyes swell, or you have trouble breathing, call 911. Pour the powder gently and mix close to the bowl, so you don't breathe in the dust.

Storage

Keep the pouch sealed in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight. Use a clean, dry spoon to keep the powder fresh. Don't put wet powder back in the pouch. It keeps for 2 years from the date of packaging. Throw it away if it has gotten damp, shows mold or smells unusual; small differences in color and smell between batches are normal.

Questions

Questions or adverse event reports: care@spierb.com