THE AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO SKINCARE

THE AYURVEDIC APPROACH TO SKINCARE

Have you heard about Ayurvedic Skincare? You might have probably come across some ancient traditions on holistic beauty and wellness posts on the Internet about it and ask what exactly it is and how different or similar it can be to the skincare approach that we know these days.

So what exactly is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda expounds on a way of life, focusing on the balance between mind, body, and soul, where true beauty comes from within. It uses fundamental concepts of balance and harmony to assess the inherent disposition individuals are born with, called Prakturi. It is an ancient tradition originated from India that has been practiced for at least three thousand years!

The Principles of Ayurveda

Ayurvedic mind-body principles known as doshas (doe'-shas) are divided into three: Kapha, Vata and Pitta. Each dosha specifically govern different functions and areas of the mind and body, as well as the development of physical, emotional, and mental inclinations.

These three principles are compositions of the five elements of nature: earth, water, fire, air and ether (or space):

• Kapha is mostly earth and water.
• Vata is predominantly air and space,
• Pitta is mostly fire and water.

Now according to this ancient science, when a person struggles with any issue - be it emotionally, physically if it's a disease, or simply with skincare, Ayurveda addresses the problem by starting with recognizing root cause first as part of the treatment process. Because it is believed that we are an interplay of nature, and that our doshic constitutions are also affected by the environmental changes, it is only right to understand our physical, mental and spiritual connection with the nature first.

To make it plain, as easy as a single acne should be treated holistically, starting from understanding what season it is currently, addressing the person's lifestyle including his eating habit and exercise routine needs to be take into consideration.

Your Ayurveda Skin Type

We now understand what doshas are, and what they're made of. And did you know that they also determine our skin type?

A person's Ayurveda skin type might thus be Vata, Pitta, or Kapha, or a mix of two of these doshas. Yes, that is also possible!

In fact, your type may also change over time as a result of external influential factors such as climate, nutrition and lifestyle choices, or pollutants. Therefore, such "imbalances" should also be considered while selecting a skin-care regimen. If you have any concerns, request an Ayurvedic consultation.

Kapha skin

Kapha dosha is primarily made of water and earth, so Kapha skin is expected to have all the qualities of water and earth. It is usually greasy, thick, and more tolerant of the sun.

Vata skin

Vata skin is dry, thin, chilly to the touch, quickly dehydrated, and very susceptible to the effects of dry, windy weather.

Pitta skin

Pitta is largely fire, hence Pitta skin has more breakouts, photosensitivity, a lower tolerance for spicy food, and a more fiery essence. Pitta skin seems red and heated to the touch. Pitta skin types are prone to freckles and moles more than the other types.

Combination Skin: Vata-Pitta