- Ayurveda:
Natural Summer Skin Care
- By: Shreelata Suresh
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.
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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:
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. |
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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 and
mangoes both nourish and cleanse. Fresh ginger, cilantro, mint
and basil add flavor and aromas to dishes without aggravating
Pitta dosha.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Disclaimer: The above article
is educational in nature, and is not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition,
please consult your physician. |
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