100 Times Washed Ghee: A Quiet Ayurvedic Remedy for the Skin

What is Shata Dhauta Ghrita in Ayurveda?

At first glance, the idea of putting ghee on your skin can feel surprising. Ghee is rich and golden, something we associate with warmth and nourishment from the inside out. And yet, Ayurveda has long understood that ingredients change profoundly through the way they are prepared.

One of the most beautiful examples of this is Shata Dhauta Ghrita, known as 100 times washed ghee.

This is not a metaphor. Pure ghee is washed with water again and again, traditionally one hundred times, until it transforms completely. What begins as oily and heavy becomes pale, soft, and creamy, almost whipped in texture. It feels cool to the touch and melts effortlessly into the skin, leaving behind comfort rather than residue. This is the preparation I use in my own Shata Dhauta Ghrita.

In Ayurveda, this transformation is everything. Through repeated washing, the ghee’s heating qualities are softened. It becomes calming, cooling, and deeply soothing, especially for skin that feels inflamed, reactive, or overwhelmed. These are classic signs of excess Pitta - heat rising to the surface - and Shata Dhauta Ghrita meets that heat with gentleness.

Traditionally, this preparation has been used on burns, rashes, wounds, and sensitive skin, including the delicate skin of babies. It has also been applied after sun exposure or during times when the skin barrier feels compromised. Rather than correcting or stripping the skin, it supports the body’s own intelligence to repair and restore.

What often surprises people most is that once ghee has been washed in this way, it no longer behaves like an oil at all. It absorbs quickly, cools on contact, and leaves the skin feeling nourished but light. In Ayurvedic language, it supports the deeper tissues while calming irritation at the surface, a rare combination that makes it especially beloved by those who struggle with sensitivity.

Using 100 times washed ghee is simple. A small amount is gently applied wherever the skin needs care: after sun exposure, on reactive areas, or as a nighttime balm when the skin feels dry (my favorite option). Because of its gentle nature, it can be used regularly and is often well tolerated even when other products are not.

As with all Ayurvedic remedies, quality and preparation matter deeply. True Shata Dhauta Ghrita requires well-made ghee, time, patience, and careful attention throughout the washing process. It’s a reminder that in Ayurveda, the medicine isn’t only in the ingredient itself, but in the way it is transformed.

In a world filled with complex skincare routines and strong actives, this ancient preparation offers something different. It invites us to slow down, to soften, and to trust that deep nourishment can happen quietly.

I prepare my Shata Dhauta Ghrita in small batches, using traditionally prepared ghee and a slow, intentional washing process. It’s made for sensitive, reactive, and heat-prone skin and for anyone seeking a simple, grounding form of care rooted in Ayurvedic wisdom.

If you’re curious to experience this preparation for yourself, you can email me to order your own and see it for yourself!

Sometimes, the most powerful remedies are the ones that ask us to do less and listen more!