The
Ayurvedic Approach to Beauty
Spring
Skin Care with Ayurveda
In
the spring, Kapha dosha tends
to escalate in most people's physiologies, giving rise to Kapha-related
skin problems such as excessive oiliness, breakouts and a lack
of clarity. Cleansing and rejuvenation are the ayurvedic keywords
for spring. Spring skin care, in keeping with this overall theme,
focuses on deep-cleansing, exfoliation and gentle nourishment
to prepare the skin for the hotter months to follow.
Here
are some ayurvedic skin-care tips to avoid Kapha-related skin
problems and to keep your skin looking radiantly fresh, clear
and alive:
1.
Stringent cleansing, at least twice a day, is crucial. Choose
a cleanser that is right for your skin type. Avoid harsh cleansers
in general, and aim for purification while maintaining the moisture
balance of your skin. Our skin cleansers for oily
or dry
skin use natural ingredients and can be made at home.
2.
Once a week (twice a week if you have water or earth predominant
Kapha skin), treat your facial skin to at-home herbal steam therapy.
We offer ayurvedic
recipes for herbal steam treatments for different ayurvedic
skin types. These recipes are blends of purifying ayurvedic herbs
for each skin type. The herbal steam treatments will help release
deep-seated toxins and clear the channels of the skin, giving
it room to breathe freely.
3.
Oily skin can also benefit from a quick daily exfoliation with
neem tea. Steep 1/4 teaspoon neem leaves in a pot of boiling water.
Dip a washcloth in the infusion once it has cooled a little and
dab your skin well with the washcloth. Dip, squeeze and dab several
times and then follow with an appropriate toner. Make sure the
cloth is at a comfortable temperature before applying it to the
skin.
4.
For all-body exfoliation, use a mix of four parts chickpea flour
or coarse oatmeal and one part sandalwood powder, blended in a
little milk or water and a few drops of rosewater. Apply the paste
to wet skin, gently scrub rougher areas such as knees, elbows
and feet with a washcloth, and rinse off with plenty of tepid
water.
5.
Nourish your skin with a light application of a light natural
moisturizer. Botanicals such as Indian Sarasaparilla, Manjistha,
Marshmallow root and Turmeric are both cleansing and nourishing.
6.
Cleansing from within is also important, to help purify the sweat
glands and blood. Eat cleansing vegetables high in water content.
Eat lots of sweet juicy fruits. Eat lighter foods and avoid rich
sweets and deep-fried foods or heavy cheeses, especially if your
ski tends to be naturally oily, as these types of foods will clog
the channels further and lead to breakouts. Our dosha-specific
detoxifying vegetable broths are both purifying and nourishing.
7.
Drink lots of pure water everyday. Warm water is especially good
for regulating elimination and cleansing toxins from the physiology.
Spice-spiked detoxifying teas are even better. We offer skin-type
specific recipes for internal cleansing
teas.
8.
Eat lighter foods in general--include whole grains such as quinoa
or amaranth, spring vegetables such as asparagus, baby greens
and carrots, and skin-friendly spices such as turmeric and cumin
in your daily diet.
9.
The pre-bath warm oil ayurvedic self-massage, called abhyanga,
is a must-do in spring. The massage not only keeps your skin silky-smooth,
it also tones the muscles, calms the nerves and aids circulation,
besides helping to release deeply embedded toxins. Choose a massage
oil that works for your skin type--almond
or jojoba for Vata skin, coconut
for Pitta skin and olive or sesame
for Kapha skin. Click here
for instructions on doing the self-massage.
10.
Protect your skin from the elements and from environmental pollution
that can aggravate Kapha-related skin problems. Do not wear chemical-based
make-up or use skin care products that contain harsh chemical
ingredients as these ingredients contribute to toxic build-up
in your body and in your skin.
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