Most people confine their skin care choices based on their predetermined skin types. Oily-skinned individuals make it a point to use a cleanser before exfoliating. Those with dry skin, on the other hand, avoid long hot showers. And they make sure that they use unscented cleaners for their skin.
But beauty is never just skin deep, and that’s the principle of ayurvedic skin care. Instead of being defined by your skin type, Ayurvedic principles dictate that your skin is a reflection of your inner health.
Skincare is more than avoiding acne.
Contrary to the common belief, skincare is not limited to avoiding acne and other skin diseases. One of the basic premises of Ayurveda is that each individual has a different constitution type. There are three constitution types or dosha, and they are Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. Each of these constitutions come with various external and internal traits.
A person can be thrown off balance by such factors as seasonal changes, pollution, and stress. He can be well and healthy, however, by balancing his constitution. One’s lifestyle is vital because what one eats, how he exercises, and how he takes care of his skin play crucial roles in achieving balance among these constitutions.
Skin is the largest organ.
One of the most prominent principles of ayurvedic skin care is that the skin is a reflection of an individual’s inner health. Your skin is your largest organ. And as such, whatever you apply on it gets absorbed profoundly and to a greater extent than you realize.
This means that skincare can be a tool to balance Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. If the balance is achieved, you can also obtain beautiful and healthy skin. This theory explains why choosing skincare products according to one’s dosha is significant and beneficial.
Instead of labeling yourself as dry-skinned or oily skinned just because your skin gets flaky or because of your beaming t-zone, think about your environment. Also, consider your lifestyle, natural tendencies, and overall well-being.
Instead of shifting from one skincare regimen to another, why not check what you eat, how you exercise, and how you live your life daily. These can give you a better idea of what needs to be changed.
Skincare according to your dosha
There are a couple of indications that can help you know what your dosha is based on your known skin type:
● Kapha: Oily skin, susceptible to eczema, pimples, blackheads, and enlarged pores
● Pitta: Highly-susceptible to rosacea, breakouts, and rashes if the dosha is not well-balanced
● Vata: Wrinkle-prone, delicate, fine-pored, dry, and thin skin
Aside from these external signs, other factors can help you identify your dosha. For example, if you feel like you’re leaning towards Vata, you can also observe that you’re impulsive, lively, and energetic. You also have a natural tendency to have a slender and tall build.
Pitta, on the other hand, is usually typified as having a healthy appetite, a well-focused mind, with a natural tendency to get easily hot-headed. Kapha tends to have more laid-back disposition, with a bigger build, excellent long-term memory, and a preference for dry, hot weather. These are only a few attributes that can help you determine your dosha. These can also help you determine what you can do to achieve balance among your constitutions.
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Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.