Shata Dhauta Ghrita: What is This 100 Times Washed Ghee Cream and Why is Everyone Talking About It?
You have probably seen this word floating around on Instagram lately. Shata Dhauta Ghrita. Some influencer putting ghee on her face. The comments section is going crazy.
Half the people saying "this is what our grandmothers used" and the other half saying "you are putting cooking ghee on your face?"
So let us clear this up right away. Shata Dhauta Ghrita is NOT the ghee sitting in your kitchen. Not even close. What your mom uses for dal tadka and what goes on your face as Shata Dhauta Ghrita are two very different things. And once you understand the difference, you will get why this has been one of the most valued preparations in Ayurveda for centuries.
What Does Shata Dhauta Ghrita Even Mean?
Let us start with the name because it tells you everything.
- Shata means hundred
- Dhauta means washed
- Ghrita means ghee
So literally, Shata Dhauta Ghrita is ghee that has been washed a hundred times. Not ten. Not twenty. A hundred. That sounds excessive right? Why would anyone wash ghee a hundred times? There is actually a very specific reason.
When you take pure A2 cow ghee and wash it repeatedly with water in a copper vessel, something changes. The texture transforms completely. What starts as thick, yellow, heavy ghee gradually becomes a light, white, fluffy cream. Almost like whipped butter but even lighter. The heavy oily quality of regular ghee disappears. What remains is an incredibly light emollient that your skin absorbs without leaving any greasy residue.
This is not something somebody invented last year. This preparation is described in the Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, two of the oldest Ayurvedic texts that exist. We are talking about a formulation that is thousands of years old. Ayurvedic physicians have been prescribing it for skin wellness since before modern skincare even existed as a concept.
How 100 Washes in Copper Transform Ghee Into a Skin Cream
The process matters. A lot. You cannot just wash ghee twice in a steel bowl and call it Shata Dhauta Ghrita. Each wash does something specific.
Regular Ghee vs Shata Dhauta Ghrita
✗ Regular Kitchen Ghee
- Heavy, sits on top of skin
- Does not absorb easily
- Feels greasy for hours
- Can clog pores
- Made for eating, not skincare
- Thick yellow colour, strong smell
✓ Shata Dhauta Ghrita
- Light as a feather, absorbs quickly
- No greasy layer on skin
- No pore clogging
- White, fluffy, silk-like texture
- Pure — one ingredient, nothing added
- Made specifically for skin application
Think of it like the difference between raw whole milk and malai that has been worked and worked until it becomes butter. Same source. Completely different texture and behaviour. The processing changes everything.
Where You Can Use It
Daily Moisturiser
Incredibly hydrating without being heavy. Absorbs quickly, leaves skin soft and nourished. Use morning, night, or both.
Night Cream
Thin layer before bed. Let skin absorb it overnight. Wake up to skin that feels softer and more supple.
Sensitive Skin
One ingredient. No chemicals, no fragrances, no preservatives. For people whose skin reacts to everything else.
Dry Patches
Elbows, heels, knees, anywhere skin gets rough and dry. The cream's hydrating quality supports these areas really well.
Under Eyes
Thinnest skin on your body. Most creams too heavy or chemical for it. SDG is light enough and pure enough to use there.
Babies
Used on baby skin in Indian households for generations. Just ghee. Nothing else. No chemicals to irritate newborn skin.
How to Apply It
For Face
Take a tiny amount. Really tiny. Half a pea sized amount. Rub it between your fingertips to warm it slightly. Then gently pat and press into your skin. Do not rub aggressively. Pat it in. Let skin absorb it.
For Body
A bit more quantity for larger areas. Elbows, knees, heels, wherever you need it. Massage gently until absorbed.
Under Eyes
Even tinier amount. Ring finger. Gentle tapping motion around the eye area. This skin bruises easily so be very light.
For Babies
Warm a tiny bit between your palms and gently massage onto baby's skin. Always do a small patch test first if it is the baby's first time.
Storage tip: Cool, dry place. No direct sunlight. In peak summer, keep it in the fridge. It will harden a bit in the cold but softens again when you rub it between your fingers.
The Adhyay Shata Dhauta Ghrita Range
The Shata Dhauta Ghrita Skin Repair Emollient from Adhyay is made using the traditional method. Pure A2 cow ghee. Washed 100 times. In a copper vessel. By hand.
Shata Dhauta Ghrita Skin Repair Emollient
Pure A2 cow ghee washed 100 times in a copper vessel using the traditional Bilona method. One ingredient. No chemicals. No shortcuts.
NIRVAN — Men's Shata Dhauta Ghrita
SDG base + organic aloe vera gel + caffeine (reduces puffiness, dark under eye circles) + ylang ylang oil. Designed specifically for men's skin concerns. Because your skin goes through a lot every day too.
Shop NIRVAN →Companion Care Couple Combo
Both SDG and NIRVAN together. For you and your partner. Also a genuinely thoughtful wedding or anniversary gift — an Ayurvedic skincare duo beats another random perfume set.
Shop SDG →Will It Suit Your Skin Type?
Dry, Thin, Delicate
A natural fit. Deep hydration without chemicals. Vata skin loves SDG. Use daily, morning and night if needed.
Sensitive, Reactive
The purity of SDG makes it very suitable. No chemicals, no fragrances, nothing to trigger sensitivity. Most Pitta skin types respond well.
Oily, Prone to Congestion
Use sparingly. Maybe just as a night cream or on dry patches only. Listen to your skin. If it feels like too much, use less or less often.
What to Expect Over Time
Skin feels softer right after application. The hydration is noticeable immediately. No greasy feeling. Just smooth, absorbed moisture.
Skin looks more nourished with consistent use. Less dry patches. Less tightness. Overall texture starts feeling smoother.
This is when the real feedback comes in. Skin looks healthier, more supple, has a natural softness. People who switched from chemical creams to SDG often say their skin just feels calmer and less reactive.
Other Adhyay Products That Pair Well
- Palash Ghee Body Emollient — SDG combined with Kesuda (Palash) flower extracts. The body version of SDG for everything below the neck.
- Pure Rose Water from Kannauj — Use as toner first, let it dry, then apply SDG. Rose water preps the skin, ghee seals in the hydration. Traditional Kannauj rose water made through Deg Bhapka distillation. No synthetic fragrance.
- Kansa Vatki Foot Massage Bowl — SDG on your feet plus Kansa Vatki massage. One of the most relaxing Ayurvedic rituals you can do at home. The Kansa metal interacts with the ghee on your skin in a way that feels incredibly soothing.
- Copper Tongue Cleaner, Neem Wood Comb, Netra Neti Eye Wash Cups — Adhyay's complete Dinacharya toolkit for your daily morning and evening ritual.
FAQs
Can I use Shata Dhauta Ghrita on oily skin?
You can, but use very little. A thin layer at night might work well. If your skin is extremely oily and acne prone, start with a small area and see how your skin responds over a week before applying everywhere.
How long should I leave it on my face?
You do not need to wash it off. It absorbs into the skin. Apply it and go about your day or go to sleep. It is a moisturiser, not a face mask.
Can I use it for my baby?
Yes. This has been traditionally used on baby skin in Indian households for generations. Pure ghee, nothing else added. Always do a patch test first with newborns.
Is this the same as putting regular ghee on my face?
Not at all. Regular ghee is heavy, greasy, and can clog pores. Shata Dhauta Ghrita has been washed a hundred times to remove all that heaviness. The texture, weight, and absorption are completely different. Please do not put kitchen ghee on your face expecting the same results.
How do I store Shata Dhauta Ghrita?
Cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. In very hot weather you can keep it in the fridge. It becomes firmer in the cold but softens right back up when you rub it between your fingers.
Can men use Shata Dhauta Ghrita?
Absolutely. Adhyay even has NIRVAN, a Men's Shata Dhauta Ghrita specifically formulated for men. But the regular version works exactly the same. Skin does not care about gender.
Can I use it as a makeup base?
Some people do. Apply a very thin layer, let it absorb completely, then apply makeup. Creates a hydrated base. Depends on your skin type and makeup products. Experiment and see what works for you.
What is the shelf life?
Pure ghee based products last quite long when stored properly. Check the packaging for the specific expiry date on your Adhyay product. Keep it sealed, keep it cool, and it stays good.