- My friend is using ABC cream for Acne. I have also used that but it’s not working for me.
- Recently our group went for trekking but only my skin got tanned and I am having rash too on my face. Why that is to me only?
Well, Ayurveda can give all the answers through individual specific skin care approach.
Nadi Tarangini -A unique diagnostic tool based on principles of Ayurveda can provide exact assessment of Nadi, prakruti, metabolic health and underlying doshasthiti responsible for various diseases.
Through this unique individual specific approach for preventive as well as curative measures, one can take care of skin and related factors very aptly.
Acne breakouts, pigmentation, dull skin, dark circles, melasma, dry skin, and what not! It’s a never-ending list when it comes to skin problems. Isn’t it? Despite your conscious efforts, your skin might not glow from the inside out too. So, what could be the reason?
According to Ayurveda, health of skin depends on your diet, lifestyle practices, and a regular skincare routine specific to your skin type. Internal imbalances within doshas of your body can affect your skin’s health.
Know more about skin:
Skin complaints affect all ages from neonate to the elderly and cause harm in number of ways. It includes 3D’s – Discomfort; Disfigurement; Disability. Skin is the organ that extends itself superficially and penetrates itself into the deeper levels of the body.
According to Ayurveda, any skin disorder occurs when there is an imbalance within the doshas and dhatus in our body. Two of the main causes of diseases that cause a vitiation of doshas are wrong diet and lifestyle.
Inappropriate dietary habits like consuming incompatible food (viruddhanna or food items of opposite nature) or an incompatible lifestyle that is against the season or the prakruti (nature) of a person, causes the generation of toxins or aam in our body. It results into metabolic disturbances which affects skin and related ailments. Though skin disorders are attributed to imbalances in all the three doshas, the prime dosha involved is pitta.
All treatments aimed at curing skin disorders emphasise on the complete penetrative and detoxifying abilities of the treatments rendered. The approach of Ayurveda in treatment of skin problems is by eliminating the root causes of the same. The focus is on restoring complete health of skin. Main treatment line for all types of skin disorders mostly includes cleansing (shodhana) treatments like vamana (Emesis therapy), virechana (Purgation therapy) and Rakhtamokshana. Apart from this, shamana aushadhis (oral medicine) are also administered for preventive and curative purposes.
Skin Care according to skin type:
Ayurvedic skin care treatments are based entirely on your skin type. In order to reap the most benefits out of Ayurvedic skin care treatments or products, one must understand the three “Doshas” and the respective skin types associated with each of them as described in the Ayurveda – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Vata skin type:
At an early age, individuals with this skin type tend to develop thin skin. Dryness, an uneven tone under the eyes, pigmented neck skin, crow’s feet, and drooping mouth, along with the appearance of horizontal and vertical lines in the centre of the eyebrows are common features associated with Vata type of skin. This is a result of fat depletion occurring early. Fat depletion is the depletion of collagen and elastin fibres, replenishing those two components restores balance, and brings back the thickness and the moisture level of the skin.
Individuals with this type of skin must avoid face washes, but should instead use a herbal emulsion twice a day. Keeping skin moisturized is especially important in this skin type. This applies to both facial and body skin. With regards to body skin cleansing, those with the Vata skin type can rely on Abhyangam or Udvartana.
Self-massaging the face daily with an oil containing vatashamak herbs is excellent way for preventing all skin troubles associated with Vata type of skin.
Pitta skin type:
People with this skin type display hyperpigmentation, freckles, age spots, and liver spots, which grow increasingly visible after the age of 25 years. Acne is prominent in this skin type, like that of Kapha skin type. However, the acne type is Rosacea along with erythema. Tthepeople with this skin type need to ensure they are protected from the sun, by wearing a layer of herbal mineral sunscreen, and with proper clothes.
Soft exfoliation should be done with water-soluble components which cool down the skin because more heat predominance is seen to associated in this type.
Kapha skin type:
Skin with Kapha predominance is soft, even and healthier amongst all but it is oilier with large pores. The skin shows cystic acne, vulgaris acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and larger pores, not only at puberty but during middle age as well due to imbalances related to Kapha dosha.
As people with this skin type tend to have larger pores that are frequently clogged,
Deep and proper exfoliation is much needed in this type of skin.
Vata: dry, cracked, cold, ages quickly.
Pitta: fair, thin, and sensitive, with a tendency toward acne, moles, and freckles, ages
moderately fast.
Kapha: normal or oily, clear, smooth, and firm, ages slowly, prone to acne, whiteheads.
Key factors for healthy and radiating skin:
Metabolism -
Agni is the digestive fire of your body that turns food into energy and manages all the chemical and hormonal reactions of your body, including your skin. Healthy skin depends on proper metabolism. Disturbances in metabolism always leads into skin problems. Stress- impaired gut health – skin problems is common cycle associated with skin problems.
Circulation -
Healthy skin needs good circulation of blood and nutrients and proper elimination of wastes and impurities. Disturbances in sweat formation and excretion also seen to be associated with skin problems.
Proper nutrition -
Balanced diet and proper nutritional intake is very important in maintaining good quality of skin. Skin always reflects specific signs related to deficiencies through various skin changes. One must identify these problems and make changes in lifestyle according to requirement.
Hydration -
Hydration of skin is particularly important. Healthy skin must have proper moisture balance through proper water and nutritional intake.
Skin Care - An Ayurvedic Perspective:
Develop a regular skin care ritual based on your skin type -
Ayurvedic skin care and treatments are based on skin type.
According to Ayurveda, a person’s skin type is based on the three doshas. These are bioenergetic or life forces that make up the constitution of the body and mind.
It’s important to remember that, according to Ayurveda, different skin types require different kinds of skin care. Ayurvedic treatment is also based on doshik principles. Ayurveda classifies skin diseases as maha kushta or kshudra kushta.
Maha kushta includes major skin conditions, like: scleroderma (systemic sclerosis), furuncle (boils), psoriasis, eczema, rosacea etc.
Kshudra kushta includes minor skin symptoms, like dryness, roughness, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, itching etc.
Concepts like “varnya” and “raktaprasadana” comes under skin care. This type of medicine improves skin qualities like colour, texture, tone etc.
Cleansing And Exfoliation -
Regular cleansing and exfoliation is essential to remove dirt, pollutants, and dead cells from your skin.
Different Ayurvedic scrubbers based on skin type are available for the same. Regular massage with herbal oils is also recommended.
Respect seasonal rhythms -
Keep your doshas in balance and thus maintain your skin’s health, Ayurveda recommends following certain rituals based on seasonal rhythms (Rutucharya).
Maintain the right food in your diet -
Eating the right diet is essential to maintain a balance in your doshas.
Eating vegetables such as carrot, radish, cucumber, fennel tips, etc. regularly can benefit any skin type. Include almonds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds in your diet based on your doshas to achieve glowing skin. Also, add herbs like cumin, fennel, ginger, coriander, lemon, etc. to your meals daily.
Lower the usage of salt and sugar. These ingredients damage the collagen in your skin and eventually cause early aging and uneven skin tones.
Eat only freshly prepared meals and never eat preprocessed or junk foods.
Exercise regularly -
Indulging in regular exercises help in enhancing the blood circulation to your skin tissues, which in turn boosts nourishment and detoxification of free radicals in your skin. Thus, exercising contributes to the natural radiance of your skin.
Involve yourself in breathing exercises too for at least 15 minutes daily.
Have good sleep -
Your skin tissues undergo repair while you sleep and your body needs at least 6 hours of sound sleep on a regular schedule daily. Sleep is essential for your skin rejuvenation and insufficient sleep triggers an increase in inflammatory cells in your skin. This can eventually lead to dermatitis and acne. Also, improper sleep cycles result in a disruption in Vata doshas, which causes dryness and premature aging.
Do not use chemical products -
Most of the synthetic chemicals present in skincare products not only damage your skin overall but also cause damage to different ecosystems. Ensure that the skincare products you use are herbal or organic fruit based. Such products maintain your skin’s health naturally.
Do not stress yourself -
The increased cortisol hormone levels due to stress produces free radicals in your body. This, in turn, results in wrinkle-prone, dull, tired-looking, and dry skin. For great skin, it is important to strike a work-life balance and be stress-free.
Avoid dmoking, excessive caffeine and Alcohol Consumption -
Smoking, excess coffee and alcohol consumption result in dryness, sagging, dullness, and early aging of your skin. These habits increase the oxidative stress in your skin, which can result in many skin disorders.
Do not eat Incompatible food -
Food becomes toxic to your body when it is taken in the wrong combinations. Below are some of the incompatible foods which you need to avoid taking together to keep your skin healthy:
- Meat and milk
- Ghee and honey in equal proportion
- Milk and fruits together.
- Cold drinks, ice creams or frozen yogurt after a meal, etc.
Do not take long hot showers -
Taking hot showers for long periods can damage the lipid layer of your skin, which in turn causes dehydration in your skin tissues, eventually leading to dry skin and irritation.
Avoid smoky or polluted environment -
Your skin quality depends on the air quality in your surrounding environment. Polluted environments trigger free radical release in your skin which causes premature aging.
Beautiful skin requires a commitment not a miracle. So invest your time for radiant and glowing skin but in a mindful way.
