“Be good to your skin. You’ll wear it every day for the rest of your life.” – Renée Rouleau (Celebrity aesthetician)
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Who doesn’t want healthy, glowing skin? I know I do. In today’s society, a smooth, acne-free skin is the ultimate epitome of a well maintained lifestyle. The first step in caring for your skin is to understand your specific skin type and how it adjusts to certain situations or seasons. The skin isn’t just the largest organ of the human body, its condition is also a reflection of one’s health and well-being. The skin is a mirror of what you eat and drink, your stress, and how much you sleep and exercise. Both external and internal factors play a huge role in the way your skin ages, rejuvenates, and heals itself.
The skin type you are born with is going to represent you for the rest of your life.
Everybody knows how ayurvedic medicine is beneficial for prevention, protection and maintenance of the human body. However, did you know that ayurvedic cooking can also help in your skincare? Yes, the traditional health care cooking is one of the oldest holistic healing systems that promotes a substantial balance between the mind, body and soul.
Known as the father of Indian vegetarian cuisine, ayurvedic gastronomy includes food made with the blend of three elements: Vata (Ether and Air), Pitta (Fire and Water) and Kapha (Water and Earth) so as to balance the life forces. Roasting, steaming and blanching are some examples of ayurvedic cooking styles that are practiced globally and are great skincare regimes. “A person’s skin type depends on dominance of these elements. For example, a person whose elements are Vata in nature has dry skin, while a person whose element are Pitta in nature has oily skin. It is necessary to find out your “dosha” before investing in any skincare products and formulas,” explains Ms.Niha Pandey, Sales Development Manager at Laavanya Luxury Ayurveda.
A person’s “dosha” or mind-body type is determined by his or her metabolism, energy level, temperament, and various other aspects of his or her mentality and physicality. Once the person’s “dosha” is settled on, she can stick to the ayurvedic diet and eating habits best suited for her skin type. To figure out your “dosha”, check out the “Dosha Quiz” on Laavanya Luxury Ayurveda’s official page:https://laavanyaluxury.com/dosha-quiz/
Everyone has a unique skin type so the skincare routine followed by your friend might not work for you. The skin type you are born with is going to represent you for the rest of your life. However, as you age, the condition of your skin changes according to how you care for it. The three main skin types are commonly identified as oily, normal/combination and dry.
did you know that ayurvedic cooking can also help in your skincare? yes, the traditional health care cooking is one of the oldest holistic healing systems that promotes a substantial balance between the mind, body and soul.
Dry Skin
Those with the Vata “dosha” usually have dry skin. Dry skin feels tight and show flakes of dead skin cells. The reason for this is because of small pores. One may experience dry skin due to various reasons such as genetic, lifestyle, diet, hormonal changes etc. One of the major causes of dry skin is dehydration. So in order to keep dry skin at bay, one must eat fruits and drink plenty of water and steer clear of diuretics like alcohol and caffeine.
“A person with the Vata ‘dosha’ should use serums and moisturizers with gentle, non-abrasive ingredients that help encourage skin cell turnover without removing the skin’s natural oils,” recommends Niha Pandey. Due to their ability to attract water and distribute it directly to skin cells, moisturizers that contain khadir, amla and aloe vera are deemed best for Vata ‘dosha’ skin types. Products that contain ashwagandha and castor oil are also highly recommended to deal with dry skin as they hydrate skin evenly and efficiently.
Normal/Combination Skin
Those with the Kapha “dosha” usually have normal/combination skin. If your T-zone (the area around your nose, chin and forehead) is oily but your cheeks and jaw area are moderately dry, you have the Kapha “dosha” skin type. Because oil glands are found at the center of the face than on cheeks, this type of skin is very common. “Since the cheeks are dry, people with this skin type must find a moisturizer that is not too heavy but one considerably enough to preserve moisture where it is needed the most,” says Niha Pandey.
Daily exfoliation is recommended to keep the T-zone and cheek areas in balance. “Those with Kapha “dosha” skin type should use moisturizers and serums so that they are absorbed more quickly by the skin and less likely to cause skin breakouts. One must remember not to over-moisturize and stress the skin.”
For Kapha “dosha” skin types, consuming a wide assortment of fruits and green vegetables is suggested. However, dairy products and sugar must be avoided.
Oily Skin
Those with the Pitta “dosha” usually have oily skin. The Pitta “dosha” skin type is characterized by large pores, grease and shine. Pores become congested and clogged due to excess oil secreted by the skin so proper cleansers, creams and treatments must be utilized. Nevertheless, oily skin looks younger as the skin generates natural oils and moisturizers so wrinkles cannot be formed.
As oily skin is prone to PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), gentle exfoliation is recommended to lighten dark spots and balance the overall tone and texture of the skin. “Those with Pitta ‘dosha’ skin type should use tulsi, rakta chandan, nargamotha/mustard, lavender oil and peppermint oil which have anti-bacterial ingredients to speed up the healing process and prevent future blemishes and stains. In order to support cell turnover and stop sebum buildup in pores, they must utilize organic products for daily exfoliation, which are ideal for dealing with acne breakouts”, explains Niha Pandey.
For Pitta “dosha” skin types, beans and soaked almonds need to be consumed daily. However, red meat, potatoes and tomatoes must be avoided.
Identifying your “dosha” and knowing which diets and nutrition works well for your skin will help you get a better understanding of yourself and will assist you in buying the correct products and treatments. Beautiful skin cannot be obtained overnight, patience, regular consistency and a healthy lifestyle are a must.
