The Amla Glow-Up: Benefits of Amla for Hair & Skin You Didn’t Know You Needed

Let’s talk about something that’s been quietly doing the heavy lifting in Indian beauty rituals for literally centuries, while the rest of us were busy layering 12-step skincare routines.We’re talking about Amla, that tiny, sour, green fruit also known as Indian gooseberry.

It’s not just another “ancient secret” we’re hyping up. The benefits of Amla are backed by real science and real results. Whether it’s fighting frizz, calming breakouts, or tackling those fine lines that show up before your coffee kicks in, Amla has got your back, your roots, your pores, and (if you ask my mom) your soul.

Amla Benefits for Hair: Stronger, Shinier, Longer

If you’re noticing dullness, shedding, or dry scalp lately, you might want to tap into the Amla benefits for hair.

This little berry is packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and amino acids that help nourish your scalp and support hair growth. A study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that Amla extract helps extend the active growing phase of your hair. [1]

But wait, there’s more. Amla also helps:

• Fight hair thinning (by reducing certain enzymes linked to hair loss)

• Preserve your natural hair colour (by supporting melanin production)

• Calm irritated scalps (thanks to its anti-inflammatory powers)

If you're dealing with premature greying or dandruff, Amla is one of the few ingredients that checks all the boxes naturally. Research also shows its antifungal properties help with flakiness and itchiness caused by yeast on the scalp. [2][3]

So yeah, goddess-level locks? That’s just part of the benefits of Amla.

Amla Benefits for Skin: Brighten, Firm, Glow

Now let’s talk face, because the Amla benefits for skin are a whole category of magic.

Amla has almost 10x more vitamin C than oranges, which makes it a supercharged ingredient for:

• Brightening dark spots

• Evening out your skin tone

• Boosting collagen (hello, firmness)

A 2015 study in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology showed that topical vitamin C (like the kind in Amla) significantly improves skin texture and elasticity over time. [4]

And get this, Amla also:

• Fights free radicals (aka it’s an antioxidant superhero)

• Inhibits collagen-destroying enzymes that cause wrinkles and sagging [5]

• Soothes irritated, inflamed, or acne-prone skin [6]

Whether you want that “glass skin” glow or just need to calm things down, Amla benefits for skin are real, reliable, and backed by both Ayurveda and modern derm science.

How to Use Amla in Your Routine

The best part? You don’t need to be a DIY chemist to start using it. Here's how to make the benefits of Amla work for you:

For Hair:

• Mix Amla powder with yogurt or aloe for a nourishing scalp mask

• Massage Amla oil into your scalp (bonus: it's ridiculously relaxing)

For Skin:

• Combine Amla juice with honey for a simple, glow-boosting face mask

• Drink a small shot of Amla juice (if you’re brave) for inner beauty benefits

Pro tip: Amla stains. So maybe skip the white towels while experimenting.

Is Amla Worth the Hype?

Let’s review the top Amla benefits:

• Boosts hair growth and strength

• Helps reduce dandruff and scalp inflammation

• Slows premature greying

• Brightens and evens out skin

• Boosts collagen and prevents wrinkles

• Naturally anti-inflammatory and antibacterial

It’s affordable, natural, research-backed, and trusted for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine. What’s not to love?

Bottom line? The benefits of Amla aren’t just hype, they’re your beauty ritual’s best-kept secret.

Umthi’s Been Obsessed with Amla (Before It Was Trending)

At Umthi, we don’t ride trends. We honour rituals, and Amla is one of our favourites.

This isn’t just marketing, we’re in a committed relationship with this powerful berry. Because when your roots need strength, your strands need shine, and your skin needs calm, Amla shows up. Every. Single. Time.

It’s loyal. It’s powerful. It’s the Timon to your Pumba.

So next time you smooth Umthi through your curls or massage our oil into your scalp, just know:You’re tapping into the benefits of Amla, and you’re not alone. My mom approves too. 😉

🧪 References & Receipts

1. Rathi, B. et al. (2012). "Hair growth promoting activity of Emblica officinalis extract." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 142(3), 786–791.

2. Kapoor, S. et al. (2015). "Antioxidants in Dermatology." Springer.

3. Prakash, P. et al. (2017). "Evaluation of antifungal potential of Amla against Malassezia spp." Pharmacognosy Research, 9(1), 74–79.

4. Humbert, P. et al. (2013). "Topical vitamin C in photoaged skin." Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 6, 277–287.

5. Matsunaga, K. et al. (2009). "Anti-aging effects of Indian gooseberry on human skin." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 8(1), 20–25.

6. Mathur, R. et al. (2011). "Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative potential of Amla in skin tissue." Food and Chemical Toxicology, 49(9), 2206–2212.