- Ayurveda Can Help You Look Beautiful
This Spring!
- By Shreelata Suresh
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.
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Here are some ayurvedic skin-care
tips to avoid Kapha-related skin problems and to keep your skin
looking radiantly fresh, clear and alive:
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.
To make your own cleanser for dry or normal skin, mix together
2 tablespoons of almond meal, 2 tablespoons coarse oatmeal and
a few drops of rosewater in milk or cream to form a smooth paste. |
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For oily skin, blend together
2 tablespoons coarse oatmeal, 2 tablespoons Bentonite clay, 1
teaspoon lemon peel powder and 1/4 teaspoon neem powder in fresh
yogurt or water. Apply the cleanser in smooth upward strokes
to face and neck. Wait for 3-5 minutes; then rinse off with lots
of tepid water.
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 before you cleanse. The
herbal steam treatments will help release deep-seated toxins
and clear the channels of the skin, giving it room to breathe
freely. Choose herbs based on your skin type: lavender flowers
and rose petal powder, for example, work well for dry or normal
skin, and neem powder, citrus peel powder and holy basil powder
for oily skin. Add the herbs to a bowl of boiling water. Make
a tent with a towel and hold your face and neck above the steam
for 8-10 minutes. Follow with an appropriate cleanser.
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 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.
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.
Nourish your skin with a light
application of a natural herbal moisturizer. Botanicals such
as Indian Sarasaparilla, Manjistha, Marshmallow root and Turmeric
are both cleansing and nourishing.
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.
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. Basic cleansing spice teas can be made
with a teaspoon each of cumin seed, coriander seed and fennel
seed in one quart of water. Drop the spices into boiling water,
then turn off the heat and let steep for 15 minutes. Sip the
tea through the day.
Eat lighter foods in general-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 cooked into foods.
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.
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. |
Beauty Secrets of the World
