Holistic, natural, and gentle Ayurvedic skincare is gaining popularity in the modern world.
The concept of Ayurvedic skincare is not a new concept. It has been used as part of India’s ancient science, Ayurveda, for over 5000 years.
In this article we are going to dive into how you can incorporate ayurvedic skincare wisdom into your daily routine. We’ll look at
- How your dosha affects your skincare
- How the seasons affect your skincare
- & 11 Top Tips From Ancient Science
How your dosha affects your skincare
Ayurveda says that your body is unique and so is your skin!
There are three main types of Ayurvedic constitutions Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. And each skin type has a different texture and requirements.
So, it is important to know your body type to ensure that you use only the most compatible products for your skin.
The Vata Skin
The fundamental element of the Vata dosha is air, which is dry and creates dryness in the body.
Hence, the Vata skin is typically dry and has fine pores. This skin type is prone to excessive dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, and blackheads when there is an imbalance.
If out of balance, Vata can cause rashes, breakouts, and rosacea in the skin. Products that provide moisture, strength, and nourishment to the skin are great for Vata skin care.
The Pitta Skin
The elements of Fire and Water combine to form this dosha, with Fire dominating.
Pitta skin is normally sensitive. A pitta face may have oily T-zone areas that are prone to acne and pimples. The skin becomes oilier when there is an imbalance in pitta dosha. Also, Inflammation, excessive heat, redness, acne, and blemishes may become more common. Also, a pitta imbalance leads to a noticeable foul smell in the sweat.
Pitta can cause expanded pores, blackheads, pimples, and eczema in the skin, when imbalanced.To counteract the heat, a healthy Pitta skincare routine should include cooling and calming herbs.
The Kapha Skin
Earth and Water components are present in the Kapha dosha. It creates a dense, solid, stagnant, yet soft and mushy effect on the body.
Kapha skin is typically greasy. Excess oiliness, cystic acne, blackheads, and clogged pores are a cluster of symptoms that reflect an imbalance in the Kapha dosha.
An imbalance in the Kapha dosha can cause increased pores, blackheads, pimples, and eczema.
Herbs and other products with an astringent, warming and detoxifying effect on the skin are great for the Kapha skin care routine.
Follow the Ayurvedic seasonal skin care for personalized skincare
Knowing your skin type is important for choosing the best skincare routine. It is the foundation for making the right skincare decisions. However, no matter what your skin type is, your skin still needs to manage seasonal changes.
So, you need a seasonal skincare routine to combat seasonal metabolic imbalances.
According to Ayurveda, each season brings a cyclic imbalance in the metabolic patterns in the body (doshas). For example, the rainy season brings Vata vitiation. The body experiences pitta vitiation during the early winter and spring brings a natural pitta vitiation.
So, even if you have a Kapha dominant constitution, you will need to balance the Vata accumulation during the summertime. Hence, it is imperative to listen to your body and the weather for the best skincare solutions.
Ayurvedic skincare starts with the gut. A healthy digestive system is at the core of radiant skin. Hence, seasonal skincare also includes compatible food and lifestyle; and not only skincare products.
For example, in summer, you should have more sweet, moisturizing, and cooling foods that help to balance the external heat and incidental Vata accumulation. Whereas, in winter, you may need foods that can keep your body and skin warm and moisturized.
You can also consult a qualified physician for a personalized seasonal routine for Ritucharya (Ayurvedic preventive seasonal regimen).
Daily Ayurvedic Skincare Routine
The body type and the seasons are extremely important but there are some standard protocols that work for all skin types.
According to Ayurveda, the skin is an abode of the heat-creating metabolic pattern, the pitta dosha. This is the biophysical energy that maintains the temperature with the help of skin as a barrier.
Dry, cold and mobile Vata dosha controls the sense of touch, and this is why the skin surface is one of the main sensory organs. Therefore, Vata dosha also exerts a huge impact on skin metabolism.
Kapha dosha is normally the least problematic one in terms of skin. Also, it is a dosha that requires more consistency than effort.
Therefore, the Ayurvedic daily routine primarily focuses on balancing Vata as it is the most powerful metabolic pattern in the body. Also, it helps to prevent the inflammatory and aging effect of Pitta, with a mild emphasis on the Kapha balance.
#1: Detoxify with aloe vera
The plant has tremendous skin healing and rejuvenating properties for all skin types. It can make your skin flower with natural smoothness, suppleness, and youthful appearance to the skin. You can also use fresh aloe vera gel as a natural toner.
#2: Moisturize with natural moisturizers
A cooling (for pitta) and moisturizing (for vata) agent that can help to balance both pitta and Vata dosha is a perfect skincare option for all skincare types in normal conditions.
Use coconut oil, ghee, or sesame oil to moisturize your skin and balance your doshas.
#3: Apply raw milk for an even complexion
For soothing and cooling irritated or inflamed skin, full-fat milk or cream-based applications are highly effective. To eliminate debris from your pores, dip a cotton ball into a small bowl of raw milk and clean your face gently with it once a day.
Milk has wonderful moisturizing, and softening effects, thanks to its natural lipids content. It also gently soothes and nourishes your skin as a pitta balancing agent.
#4: Tone with rosewater
If there is something that can retain the natural moisture of the skin for all body types and in all seasons, it is rosewater. Rose water is calming and helps to keep skin moist and supple.
#5: Exercise your facial muscles with oil pulling
Using sesame or coconut oil for daily oil pulling can help to strengthen your facial muscles with a mini face yoga every day! With daily oil pulling, you can easily prevent wrinkles, and maintain a youthful face.
#6: Protect with neem oil
Neem is one of the most powerful antibacterials and perfect protection for the skin that is exposed to pathogens every second. It is a great natural preventive and curative solution for multiple skin disorders like acne, skin discoloration, and fungal infections. blemishes, and oil your face from the inside.
#7: Exfoliate with a raw silk gharshana glove
Exfoliating with raw silk gharshana cloth or glove works to produce toned and firm skin, especially in the regions that retain fluid and cellulite.
Therefore, consider using a raw silk gharshana glove for dry (Vata) or sensitive(Pitta) skin to exfoliate. You can also use a natural bristle brush for Kapha skin as the Kapha skin may be thicker, and oilier than other skin types.
#8: Deep Cleanse with Turmeric Mask
The traditional Ubtan or the turmeric mask cum scrub is highly effective for weekly deep cleansing.
You can prepare this natural mask at home with the help of following
Ingredients
- Turmeric – 1/2 tsp
- Milk/ Almond Milk – 10 ml
- Milk Cream/Sesame Oil/Almond Oil – 10 ml
- Bengal gram flour – 1 tsp
Recipe
- Mix all the ingredients to make a thick paste.
- Gently massage the face with slightly warm coconut/sesame/almond oil.
- Apply a thick coat of turmeric paste generously on the face.
- Let it sit for 10-15 min. Keep it slightly wet by tapping it with water if you are in a dry climate.
- Rub off the paste with your fingers.
- Wash off the remaining paste with normal water.
Each and every ingredient of this mask offers an intense therapeutic impact on overall skin health.
- Turmeric helps to detoxify the skin surface and purify the blood-supplying channels. Milk/Almond Milk work to lighten the skin tone naturally and bring you a radiant look.
- Milk Cream/Oils help to rehydrate the skin.
- Bengal gram flour helps to absorb the excess oiliness, dirt, and pathogens stuck to the skin’s surface. It also works as a mild exfoliating and hair-removing agent.
#9: Remove hair naturally with sugar
Sugar promotes cell growth and moisture retention, and it is cooling! Thus, it is an ideal choice for gentle hair removal. For more details, you can check the natural process of sugaring. For face hair removal, combine sugar with cooling herbs like rose petals, slippery elm, and Bhringraj.
#10: Use the natural sunscreen of saffron oil
Saffron essential oil brings natural sunscreen benefits to the skin. Not only that, but it also helps to even the skin tone, and brighten and remove dark spots and wrinkles. Therefore, for effective sunscreen protection apply a few drops of saffron oil before stepping out in the harsh sunlight.
#11: Shower your skin with love through self-massage
Ayurvedic Massage is just as vital for increasing radiance as it is for stress management. Abhyanga or the traditional Ayurvedic massage using heated massage oi not only provides intense hydration but also makes your skin more radiant.
Also, there is no need for you to visit an expensive Ayurveda center every now and then. Show your love towards your skin in the form of a 2-5 min short self-massage.
This regular self-massage will help you to enhance your blood circulation and ensure a refreshing beauty sleep.
These steps cover all the essentials of a perfect Ayurveda skincare routine. Hope you benefit from this ancient wisdom and discover new radiance in your skin.
