In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining healthy skin is a challenging task due to various factors like pollution, stress, and unhealthy lifestyle habits. While cosmetic products promise quick fixes, the ancient practice of Ayurveda offers a holistic and natural approach to achieving glowing and youthful skin. This blog aims to provide a comprehensive Ayurvedic guide to nurturing your skin and unlocking its innate radiance.
What is skin?
The skin is considered the largest organ of the human body. It consists of multiple layers, including the epidermis (outermost layer), dermis (middle layer), and subcutaneous tissue (innermost layer).
From an Ayurvedic perspective, the skin (Twacha) is associated with the Rasa Dhatu (plasma) and Rakta Dhatu (blood) in the body. Proper nourishment and balance of this dhatus contribute to healthy and radiant skin. Imbalances in the doshas or dhatus can lead to various skin disorders like acne, eczema, psoriasis, or dryness.
Ayurveda perspective on skin health
From an Ayurvedic perspective, healthy skin is a result of a balanced dosha constitution. Ayurvedic skincare emphasizes maintaining the balance of doshas through a holistic approach that includes proper diet, lifestyle, herbal remedies, and skincare routines tailored to individual dosha imbalances.
Here are a few key to maintain healthy skin using Ayurvedic principles:
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Understand your skin type:
Determine your dominant dosha and customize your skincare routine accordingly
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Practice self-massage:
Incorporate self-massage using herbal oils like Charya Face oil, sesame or almond oil to nourish and rejuvenate the skin
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Dodge harsh chemicals:
Stay away from skincare products that contain heavy chemicals
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Eat a balanced diet:
Consume fresh, nutrient-rich foods and avoid processed or junk foods
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Practice stress management:
Engage in stress-reducing activities like yoga and meditation. Also, you can try herbal decoctions like Shanti Charya to relax your mind and relieve stress and anxiety
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Adequate Sleep:
Ayurveda recommends ensuring 7-8 hours of quality sleep daily
Understanding Your Skin Type
In Ayurveda, the constitution of an individual is classified into three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha exhibits unique characteristics that influence one’s skin type. Knowing our dominant dosha can help us determine our skin type as per Ayurveda.
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Vata dominating skin-
Vata skin is typically dry, thin, and prone to dehydration. It might lead to premature aging, fine lines, and wrinkles
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Pitta dominating skin-
Pitta skin tends to be sensitive and a combination of oily and dry skin. If one has a Pitta dominating skin they are easily prone to rashes, inflammation, and acne
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Kapha dominating skin-
Kapha skin is generally oily and thick. If you have enlarged pores, oily skin, and frequent blackheads, then your skin may be of Kapha type
Why is Skin Health Important?
Skin health is of utmost importance because it is our first line of defense against external environmental factors. It regulates body temperature and also eliminates the toxins out of the body. Additionally, healthy skin contributes to our overall appearance and self-confidence as well.
But, there are some common causes leading to disturbing skin health such as improper diet, stress, hormonal changes, & environmental factors and for healthy skin it is important to take care of these factors.
Internal & External Solutions for Healthy Skin
In Ayurveda, skin care is not limited to external practices alone. It encompasses various lifestyle practices that promote healthy, glowing skin. Internal and external solutions go hand in hand for healthy skin. While external treatments can provide immediate relief and nourishment to the skin, internal solutions address the root cause of skin imbalances.
Some of the Internal solutions for healthy skin are:
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Balanced diet:
Consuming fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats promotes skin health by providing essential nutrients, antioxidants, and hydration
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Hydration:
Drinking adequate water throughout the day helps flush out toxins, keeps the skin hydrated, and improves elasticity
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Herbal supplements:
Use Ayurvedic herbs like Triphala, Aloe Vera, Turmeric, and Giloy. They have detoxifying and skin-healing properties that keep skin healthy
Some of the External solutions for healthy skin are:
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Cleansing:
Regularly cleansing the skin with gentle and chemical-free natural cleansers like Charya Ubtan helps remove dirt, excess oil, and pollutants
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Moisturizing:
Charya Face oil, a blend of natural herbs works as a moisturizer. It helps seal moisture, nourish the skin, and maintain its suppleness
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Protecting:
Using sunscreen is a necessary part of skin care. Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful UV rays and prevents the early signs of ageing and skin damage
Home-Made Herbs Remedies for Healthy Skincare
Ayurveda offers a multitude of herbs and remedies that can be prepared easily at home to promote healthy skin. Some of these remedies include:
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Turmeric face mask:
A paste made from turmeric, honey, and yoghurt can help brighten the skin, reduce pigmentation, and combat acne. Turmeric and Honey and their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help resolve skin issues.
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Neem water rinse:
Boiling Neem leaves in water and use the cooled concoction as a facial rinse. It soothes inflammations, reduces acne, and purifies the skin.
Skincare Routine for radiant and glowing skin as per your skin
Establishing a consistent skincare ritual is necessary for possessing healthy skin. An Ayurvedic skincare routine may include the following steps:
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Vata Dominant type skin:
If you have a Vata dominant type of skin, use a gentle, moisturizing cleanser to avoid stripping natural oils. Choose a nourishing moisturizer like Charya Face oil to hydrate the skin. For weekly self-care, you can use a hydrating face mask to replenish moisture levels.
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Pitta Dominant type skin:
If you have Pitta dominant skin, use a mild cleanser having cooling properties. It is essential to use a gentle toner with ingredients like rose water or cucumber to soothe the skin. Also, choose a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer. You can also use a face mask with ingredients like aloe vera or sandalwood.
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Kapha Dominant type skin:
If you have Kapha dominant skin, you can use a gentle, foaming cleanser to remove excess oil and impurities. Also, use an astringent toner with tea tree oil to minimize oiliness. Use a clarifying face mask with ingredients like clay or charcoal to draw out impurities.
Nutrition and lifestyle for healthy skin
A healthy gut directly reflects on our skin’s health. It is essential to emphasise mindful eating practices, such as eating freshly cooked, warm meals, chewing food properly, and avoiding processed or fried foods.
Ayurveda daily regimen known as Dinacharya, helps establish balance and harmony in our bodies. This routine includes tongue scraping, oil pulling, nasal irrigation, and self-massage with herbal oils, which promote detoxification and healthy skin.
Conclusion
Incorporating Ayurveda into our skincare routine can lead to remarkable improvements in the health and appearance of our skin. Healthy, glowing skin can be achieved and maintained by understanding our unique skin type, cleansing, moisturizing, and nourishing regularly, using herbal masks, and adopting a holistic lifestyle. Remember, Ayurveda is not just about external beauty but also about overall well-being, connecting us to nature and ourselves.
