It’s all about beauty everywhere we go isn’t it? Majority of the time, outside beauty is what everyone sees first. Keeping yourself up to date with the latest products, the latest clothes, trendy restaurants, even the music – who’s to know which is the right one? Who’s to know which is the one for you? Beauty is an asset we all posses in our own constitutional way – the vata, pitta, or kapha way. And it is the fundamental point of Ayurveda that everything is interrelated. The external universe is related to the internal universe of the human body. Due to the fact that Ayurveda works with women to understand the feminine qualities they possess, these unique qualities manifest in beauty – within us and the universe.
Here are some tips that can help your skin feel young and fresh.
Tip # 1 – Know your skin! Vata skin is known to be light, dry and cool. If your skin is thin, dry, delicate and cool to the touch, then you probably have vata type skin. This type of skin is extremely vulnerable to dry and windy weather conditions. When out of balance, the skin becomes excessively dry, rough or flaky. The best skin care for vata skin is to use products with essential oils that nurture and rehydrate the skin.
Pitta skin is a bit more fair and rosy in color. It’s soft and warm to the touch and has a medium thickness. Having these qualities, along with blond and red colored hair, relate to the fiery pitta dosha. When out of balance, suffering from skin rashes, acne, breakouts and liver spots can occur. The best skin care for pitta skin is to cool and nurture. Products that protect you from the sun rays is best.
Kapha skin is thicker and cool to the touch; much more oiler than the other two doshas and smoother as well. These qualities are similar to those of the kapha dosha – oily, thick, pale, soft, cool. When out of balance, a kapha woman can suffer from enlarged pores, blackheads, pimples and excessive oiliness. The best skin care for kapha skin is to exfoliate on a regular basis to
remove toxins.
Tip # 2 – Feeding your skin with healthy foods is so important! First of all, you’re providing your skin the building block for skin cell regeneration. So if you’re eating dead and old foods such as leftovers, canned, frozen, processed – there are little to none nutritional value and the result of it will show on your skin.
Tip # 3 – Beauty starts from the inside, therefore maintenance of those organs is important. Along with the proper food intake, meditating, yoga and exercise, water intake, enough sleep and rest is also very crucial for beauty.
Tip # 4 – A daily abhyanga or self Ayurvedic body massage is a relaxing way for the body to remove stress and toxins from the body. A self body massage in the morning will increase the tone and luster of your skin. Oils are used for your specific dosha type and when used, the skin is lubricated, pores are cleansed and clogged cells are being refreshed.
Tip # 5 – Sleep! We need more of it! A good night’s rest is beneficial for maintaining youthful skin. Remember to avoid stimulating activities during the night time as it won’t allow you to sleep such as working, being on the computer, watching television and even eating. Best to have your last meal at least two hours before sleeping so you can digest and sleep. If you find it hard to fall asleep, try to sleep before 10 pm, as this is the kapha time of night.
Tip # 6 – Herbal ingredients do wonders for naturally and gently cleansing the body and skin. After all, the skin is connected to all aspects of health – mental, physical, spiritual and emotional. Skin is the seat of the vata dosha and because it is connected to everything, cleanse.
Tip # 7 – Ever heard someone say to you, “you look so tired?” Tiredness can be due to lack of sleep, natural fatigue and stress. Practicing Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation, or any other type of mediation can help with eliminating the stress you feel on a daily basis and on a deeper level. When stress is released, the body and mind is free of toxins and impurities.
Tip # 8 – Since everything is connected in Ayurveda – the treatment you give to your skin, your hair will benefit from it too. Hair is the by-product of the transformation from bone to bone marrow tissue, so if your bone tissue is healthy, then your hair is healthy.
Tip # 9 – Keep a calendar if it helps. Writing down and taking notes of all that you do as part of your daily routine becomes a routine. It’s a great reminder to actually do it and it just makes you feel so good.
Tip # 10 – Water is the best purifier for the body. It opens up all the channels of circulation, helps with digestion, cools and balances pitta, supports kapha and counteracts the dryness of vata. Luke warm or room temperature water is best as it is easily digestible than cold water.
Want to know what skin type you have?
Come see me for a pulse reading.
