The
Ayurvedic Approach to Beauty
Ayurvedic
Tips for Summer Skin Care
Summer
is almost here, and you can't wait to plunge into the pool or
head for the beach. But before you rush out to sample the joys
of summertime, make sure you are following a diet and routine
that will help keep Pitta dosha in balance.
According
to ayurveda, every individual is a unique combination of the three
doshas or psycho-physiological principles Vata,
Pitta and Kapha.
Vata is mainly air and space, Pitta fire and water and Kapha water
and earth. These doshas also govern the seasons of the year, with
Pitta, the fire element, ruling the hot summer months. During
the summer, even if you do not have a lot of Pitta in your make-up,
you may find that you need to take steps to placate Pitta to stay
healthy and balanced. This goes not only for your overall health
but skin and hair health as well.
Here
are some suggestions to keep your skin looking beautiful all summer
long:
1.
Drink lots of water through the day, not only to replenish moisture
lost to the heat and sweat but also to help flush toxins out of
the body and keep skin looking clear and lustrous. Herb or spice
teas, made with skin-enhancing ingredients, offer added therapeutic
benefit. To balance Pitta, choose cooling herbs and spices such
as mint, cardamom and fennel. Stay away from iced beverages because
they hinder digestion and can create toxins leading to skin breakouts.
2.
Eat Pitta-balancing fruits, vegetables and herbs, which supply
the skin with essential nutrients and come with free-radical fighting
antioxidant properties while they help keep your skin cool. Carrots,
lettuce, summer squash such as zucchini, celery, asparagus and
leafy greens are good vegetable choices. Sweet juicy fruits such
as pears, grapes, watermelon and mangoes both nourish and cleanse.
Fresh ginger, cilantro, mint and basil add flavor and aromas to
dishes without aggravating Pitta dosha.
3. The sweet, bitter and astringent tastes balance Pitta while
the sour, pungent and salty tastes aggravate it. Go easy on spicy
or sour foods, especially if you plan to go out and enjoy the
sun for the day, to keep your skin from breaking out or getting
inflamed.
4. Milk is a cooling, Pitta-pacifying beverage that also supplies
nutrients to your skin and helps to keep it from drying out. Drink
a cup of milk every day, and also combine milk with ingredients
like almond meal and rose water to make a Pitta-balancing skin
cleanser.
5. Get plenty of quality rest each night. Keep your bedroom cool,
dark and comfortable and sleep on cotton or linen sheets. Get
to bed early and awaken early for clear healthy skin and sparkling
eyes.
6. Pitta dosha governs the heart and emotions. When you feel stressed,
angry or frustrated, your skin will show it over time as furrows
and small lines and breakouts. Practice calming yoga poses or
meditation to stay serene and help your body and mind manage stress.
Diffuse Pitta-balancing essential
oils, such as rose, sandalwood and lavender to keep mind and
heart balanced. Walk on the beach or through a cool shady garden.
7. The sun can increase sebum production, causing your skin to
look oily on occasion. When the oil combines with dirt and sweat,
pores get clogged. Be meticulous about your cleansing routine,
morning and night. Use a non-soap based gentle
cleanser that will deep cleanse without drying out the skin.
A good cleansing mix for dry/normal skin can be made with almond
meal, oatmeal, milk and rosewater. For oily skin, try chickpea
flour (found in Indian grocery stores) or oatmeal with yogurt
and a little lemon and neem powder. If you use a toner, look for
one without alcohol.
8. Keep your skin nourished with an herbal moisturizer. Look for
ayurvedic formulations that contain
skin-friendly herbs such as sandalwood, turmeric, brahmi, amla
and aloe vera. At least once a week, treat yourself to a fruit
or vegetable mask appropriate for your skin type. Cucumbers, avocados,
apricots and papayas lend themselves well to homemade masks. Puree
the fruit or vegetable and blend with some yogurt, honey, oatmeal
and lemon juice (for oily skin) or rosewater (for dry skin) and
apply evenly to the face. Let stay for 15-20 minutes and then
rinse off with lukewarm water.
9. Do not go out during the hottest parts of the day, between
10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you exercise outdoors, do it early in the
morning. Wear sunscreen, lip protection, sunglasses and a broad-brimmed
hat when you go out-exposure to the sun can age skin very rapidly.
A thin mixture of red sandalwood powder and rosewater applied
to your skin 2-3 times a week can help it become more resilient.
Take an aromatherapy floral water or hydrosol along for the day
to stay refreshed.
10. Eyes and feet could do with extra TLC. Each evening, splash
lots of cool water on your eyes. When you can, soak some cotton
pads in cool water or rose water and place them over closed eyes
for 10 minutes. Keep your feet clean and cool. Wear sandals when
you can to let feet breathe and stay odor-free.
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