How To Start An Ayurvedic Skin Care Routine

If you have been diligent in using your skin care products and you’re still not seeing dramatic results, you’re probably doing it all wrong.

For your skin to have a healthy glow and be in its best, you have to pay close attention to your body. After all, your skin is a part of your body.

This is where Ayurveda makes a difference.

Instead of just relying on chemical-based products to address and treat specific skin concerns, it takes a holistic approach. It pays attention not just to what your skin absorbs but also to what you eat and how you treat your body.

It all begins by understanding your Doshas.

Doshas refer to mind-body type. They refer to a person’s unique set of mental, emotional and physical characteristics.

There are three types of Doshas and each has its own characteristics:

Vata Skin

Vata skin relates more to space and air.

It’s thin, dry and delicate. It has fine pores and, most of the time, cool to touch.

When Vata is excessive, there’s a good chance you’ll develop a rough and flakey skin. You can also get signs of premature skin aging.

Skin Care Routine:

For your skin type, stick with gentle skin care products. Since your skin is delicate, it may not be able to tolerate harsh chemicals, like alcohol, fragrances and dyes.

Start by using a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, makeup residues and excess oil on your skin. Make sure your cleanser won’t strip off your skin’s natural oils.

One way to know that is to assess how your skin feels after cleansing. If it feels tight and taut, find a more hydrating cleanser.

After cleansing, don’t forget to moisturize the skin. Moisturizers work best when applied on damp skin as it helps to lock in more water and moisture.

In choosing your moisturizer, pick one that’s deeply hydrating. You can use essential oils on your skin, particularly those that are rich in essential fatty acids.

Another important step you shouldn’t miss in your routine is sun protection. Since your skin is vulnerable and prone to developing signs of skin aging, don’t forget to wear your sunscreen each time you’ll be going out.

Other tips:

Avoid getting exposed to cold and windy weather. These conditions can make your skin even drier.

Try to drink more water as that can help you stay hydrated and your skin moisturized. Add more sweet juicy fruits to your diet and limit stress as much as possible.

You can do gentle yoga, pranayama or meditation to keep your stress level low.

Pitta Skin

Pitta skin relates mostly to fire. When imbalanced, it can cause pigment issues, acne, rashes and even rosacea.

It’s prone to sunburn and easily turns pink or red. It’s likely to have congested pores, too.

Skin Care Routine:

Since your skin is easily irritated, you need to stay away from chemical-filled and harsh products. As much as possible, choose products that are made from natural ingredients.

You should also consider investing in skin care products that are both calming and hydrating.

For cleansing, find a product that can help decongest your pores and fight acne. Products with neem and tea tree oil make a great option since they have calming effects, too.

Turmeric and lavender can also work well with your skin type.

You can tone your skin with rose water to bring back your skin’s natural balance while getting rid of any impurities that can clog your pores.

As for moisturizing, keep in mind that your skin can easily get irritated so make sure you’re using a hypoallergenic product.

Avoid too much sun exposure. If you really need to go outdoors, wear a sunscreen.

Other tips:

Drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated. Avoid being exposed to heat and the sun as they can easily cause your skin to get red and irritated.

Limit your intake of spicy, sour and salty foods. You should also reduce the amount of alcohol and meat you consume.

Instead, eat more cooling fruits. Blueberries and melons are great choices for your skin type.

Kapha Skin

Kapha skin relates more to earth and water. It’s mostly soft, pale and thick.

It’s less likely to form wrinkles but it’s prone to large, blocked pores and dullness.

When imbalanced, this skin type can also struggle with blackheads and rashes.

Skin Care Routine:

When establishing a skin care routine for Kapha skin, you need to consider your pores. You have to be diligent about cleansing your skin to make sure your pores won’t cause you any problems.

Thoroughly cleanse your face, particularly before getting to bed. Make sure that there are no makeup residues and other impurities that can get trapped inside your pores.

Never go to bed without removing your makeup. It won’t only cause blocked pores but it can also speed up your skin’s aging process.

However, although you want your pores to stay clog-free, you should refrain from washing your skin too frequently. Overwashing your skin can have a rebound effect, causing your skin to produce more sebum than necessary.

Your moisturizers should be hydrating yet lightweight. They shouldn’t be occlusive to your skin.

Great ingredients to look out for include geranium and rosemary.

Try to exfoliate once a week. This is to buff away dead skin cells that can dull your skin’s appearance.

You can also treat your skin with a mask to draw out deep-seated dirt.

Keep in mind, however, that although your skin type isn’t that sensitive, you still need to pay close attention to the quality of the products you are using. Stay away from skin care products that are formulated with colorants, artificial fragrances and alcohol.

Other tips:

You can enjoy spicy foods but stay away from fried, fatty foods. You should also consider lowering your intake of dairy foods.

Try incorporating exercise into your routine. Doing some form of physical activity at least 30 minutes each day can greatly help with your skin.

You can try running, swimming or even engaging in competitive sports.

Hannah Do is the founder of Thank Your Skin, a beauty blog dedicated to providing honest skin care advice and information. She aspires to help her readers achieve their most beautiful skin by sharing personal tips learned through both years of experience and thorough research. Check out her latest article about Best Face Mask For Blackheads. You can find her on
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